If you use a Samsung TV and have been enjoying the convenience of viewing your Ring doorbell feed or interacting with Google Assistant directly from your TV, we have some bad news for you.
Samsung has officially announced that it will discontinue Ring doorbell and camera integration for all TV models released between 2018 and 2021.
Along with this change, tech giant Google has confirmed that its Google Assistant support on Samsung TVs will be discontinued next month.
Changes Affecting Older Samsung TV Models
The decision could be better for users accustomed to these features, which have grown in popularity among smart home enthusiasts.
Whether checking who's at the door without leaving the couch or using voice commands to control other smart home devices, these integrations have simplified many Samsung TV owners' lives.
But why the sudden change? While Samsung has not provided a specific reason, speculation points to recent developments such as Ring's decision to raise subscription prices and Google's policy changes. Regardless of the cause, the outcome remains the same: users will lose access to features they have come to rely on.
Samsung has already confirmed that older Samsung TV models lost the ability to view Ring doorbell camera feeds last February 13. Meanwhile, Google Meet, Google's video chat app, will disappear from Samsung screens on Mar. 9. This means that video calling capabilities will be severely limited for users who rely on their TV's built-in camera.
The removal of Google Assistant support is equally concerning. Many users have leveraged this feature to control smart home devices, conduct voice searches, and easily navigate their TV's interface. With its absence, users may reach for the remote more often or resort to alternative methods to accomplish tasks they once performed effortlessly.
Sudden Price Hikes on Ring
The timing of these changes could not be worse for some users, especially considering Amazon's recent announcement of Ring subscription price hikes.
Starting Mar. 11, the cheapest Ring subscription will see a significant increase, adding to the frustration of consumers already grappling with the loss of features on their Samsung TVs.
Responding to these developments, some may consider alternative solutions, such as using streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV Stick or Roku, to regain access to their favorite apps and services. However, for those heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem, the loss of integration with Ring and Google Assistant may still sting.
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