AirPlay 2 and HomeKit Support Coming to New LG Smart TVs

[MacRumors]

Following in the footsteps of Samsung and Vizio, LG today at CES 2019 announced that AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support is coming to its 2019 smart TVs.

AirPlay 2 support will allow users to stream videos, music, photos, and more directly from an iPhone, iPad, and Mac to new LG smart TVs, complete with lock screen controls. HomeKit support will enable users to easily control the TVs using the Home app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac or Siri voice commands.

LG:

Users can use their own voice to get things done with Amazon Alexa, a new addition to LG's AI TV lineup in 2019, and the support of Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. With AirPlay 2, users can easily play videos directly from their Apple devices, iTunes and other video apps, music or photos to their LG SIGNATURE OLED TV R. With Apple HomeKit support, customers will be able to control their LG TV using the Home app or by asking Siri.

Apple recently updated its website with information about how AirPlay 2 and HomeKit will be implemented on smart TVs from "leading TV manufacturers." Samsung smart TVs are also getting a dedicated iTunes movies and TV shows app.

Article Link: AirPlay 2 and HomeKit Support Coming to New LG Smart TVs

 

[vaxes]

Only new TV's or will they update the 2017/2018 models?

 

[markfc]

If I didnt already have an AppleTV 4K I’d be gutted having just bought a 2018 55 LG 4K HDR TV.

 

[sputnikv]

My biggest question in all of this is whether or not these HomeKit/Airplay 2 compatible TVs will be able to output their audio to HomePods. Would be great to be able to use my HomePod for non Apple content playing on my TV.

 

[DrJohnnyN]

Yup, way bigger news than Vizio.

 

[dannys1]

But not my lowly old £4500, 65" 2017 OLED... And people complain Apple don't support old devices enough (when their 15 year old MacBook Pro won't run the latest macOS) yet a one year old TV that costs much more than a MacBook Pro won't even run a basic software feature.
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My biggest question in all of this is whether or not these HomeKit/Airplay 2 compatible TVs will be able to output their audio to HomePods. Would be great to be able to use my HomePod for non Apple content playing on my TV.

I think they're receivers not transmitters.

 

[SaxPlayer]

Only new TV's or will they update the 2017/2018 models?

But not my lowly old £4500, 65" 2017 OLED...

I'm guessing it'll just be the 2019 models. I have a 2017 LG OLED and would love it to receive this update, but I'm not holding my breath.

The TV manufacturers do update the firmware on older tellies from time-to-time, but it's not usually to add new features. They likely want to push people into upgrading their sets. Which IMHO is immoral, frankly.

Ah well. Hopefully I'll be proved wrong...!

 

[Rogifan]

How about TCL?

 

[cknibbs]

This is definitely a play towards Apple extending their streaming services reach before launching something major in regards to video streaming subscriptions.

 

[macduke]

Now HomeKit—that has me more interested. I could fake being at home when on vacation to throw off potential criminals by rigging up motion at my doorbell to blasting the TV. Seems like this could be a good year to finally upgrade my 10 year old LG. I just don't want these TVs spying on me. I always figured when I get a new TV I'll just not hook it up to the internet and use my Apple TV so it doesn't track me and serve ads, but for HomeKit to work they'll need to be on my network. Does LG spy and deliver ads? I have one of their more recent 4K displays for my MBP and it seems very nice but doesn't have these so-called "smart features" that I don't need.

 

[ipedro]

That’s it. All the top TVs in homes today all support AirPlay — save for Sony (so far). That makes AirPlay ubiquitous. AirPlay is caught up with Chromecast, all in one CES. Wow.

 

[Mtmspa]

Just bought a 86” LG tv. Guess I should have waited.

 

[ipedro]

My biggest question in all of this is whether or not these HomeKit/Airplay 2 compatible TVs will be able to output their audio to HomePods. Would be great to be able to use my HomePod for non Apple content playing on my TV.

Yes. AirPlay 2 works both ways. This support means that the TV can output to a HomePod.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Only new TV's or will they update the 2017/2018 models?

It will likely come to some older models as a software update, but until we know for sure it should give some time for people to give out.

 

[rmoliv]

This is stupid. I have a 2018 model. They should update at least the previous year. Such greedy bastards it disgusts me.

 

[69Mustang]

Can we do one single round up of TV's getting AirPlay 2? It seems a bit overkill to announce each brand separately when they're all announcing the same thing.

 

[Braderunner]

To those upset about this not coming to older TV's: Apple TV. Fixed.

 

[69Mustang]

How about TCL?

Probably gonna happen. Just give it time. It early in the day at CES.

Also for those complaining about older TV purchases, Apple's probably going to have a Roku/Fire/Chromecast type dongle to assuage your feelings.

 

[Mascots]

Very surprised they’re not updating their current lineup - LG would have been my best bet to over any of the other announced manufacturers so far.

 

[AngerDanger]

Seems like CES can be summed up by "[some device] Gains HomeKit Support!"

I wish they'd get back to their roots, you know?

I miss the days when it was "[some device] Gains Bluetooth Support!"

 

[dernhelm]

This is stupid. I have a 2018 model. They should update at least the previous year. Such greedy bastards it disgusts me.

I've heard this same cry in response to the HDMI 2.1 features on the 2019 models. It is pretty likely that in both these cases, (AirPlay 2 and a lot of the different HDMI 2.1 features) they needed new hardware to implement them. Some manufacturers could back port some to the HDMI 2.1 features (like eARC) onto older HDMI 2.0b chip sets, but not all. I don't know about AirPlay 2, but it's likely that required newer chips as well. So what is the company supposed to do? Never upgrade hardware or produce new functionality just in case someone who bought a set a year ago might be disappointed? This attitude mystifies me. First world problems for sure. You bought a great TV a year ago, paid a fair price for it, and enjoyed it for a year. That's a good deal in my opinion.

 

[Mike Oxard]

To those upset about this not coming to older TV's: Apple TV. Fixed.

Yeah, I initially thought my B7 wont support it, but then remembered it plays through my Sonos Beam, which does support it, so I have it anyway! Never used it, but I've got it!!

 

[barkomatic]

I just bought an LG TV and an Apple TV on Black Friday. I'm still within the return period for both but not sure it's worth it. At the very least, it sounds like there's less of a case for an Apple TV with this news.

It doesn't sound like it's coming to my 2018 model. SK 9000.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Only new TV's or will they update the 2017/2018 models?

LG is notoriously bad at updating their TV's, so don't hold your breath!

 

[goudok]

Apple probably paid/spent too much time/money on getting everyone to support HomeKit that they forgot to actually redesign a phone or an iPad that doesnt bend.