At CES this year, Vizio announced that their SmartCast TVs would be receiving support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit in a free over-the-air update later this year. This would allow iOS and Mac users to stream music and video to SmartCast-enabled Vizio TVs, as well as allow users to control the TV from their Home app on iOS or via Siri voice commands.

vizio homekit
Vizio promised that beta testers would be allowed access to the software in the first quarter of 2019. Vizio has now posted a blog post (via Engadget) describing the upcoming features as well as a link to sign up for beta access (scroll to bottom).

If you have a SmartCast-enabled VIZIO TV and an updated iOS device, you could be selected to participate in the beta. Provide your email, and we'll get back to you soon with more details on how to get started.

Vizio has said that specific models as far back as 2016 will be getting the update.

Tags: HomeKit Guide, AirPlay 2, Vizio

Top Rated Comments

iName Avatar
iName
36 months ago
Can’t wait for Samsung to release their update.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mac Fly (film) Avatar
Mac Fly (film)
36 months ago
If you care about privacy, owning a Vizio TV or even recommendating one is insane. Immoral this company is. Send a message to companies like this and don’t buy theirs wares and tell them why. If you auction off and whore out our personal data you don’t deserve our time or money.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rychiar Avatar
Rychiar
36 months ago
Based on your use case. How long do they usually last?
I have one Visio that is almost 10 years old and works perfect...and another that is having a weird backlight area issue after a year and a half cus it had zones that turn on and off
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Buran Avatar
Buran
36 months ago
If you care about privacy, owning a Vizio TV or even recommendating one is insane. Immoral this company is. Send a message to companies like this and don’t buy theirs wares and tell them why. If you auction off and whore out our personal data you don’t deserve our time or money.
You might want to look into how, unfortunately, all TV makers do this now.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/05/business/media/tv-viewer-tracking.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/05/insider/samba-smart-tv-data.html

But you can opt out of it. Right now, my TV doesn't even have my wifi info, but whenever HomeKit shows up for it (I'm still waiting for my installation instructions, Vizio...) I'll be turning this crap off.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/23/smarter-living/how-to-stop-your-smart-tv-from-tracking-what-you-watch.html
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
colonels1020 Avatar
colonels1020
36 months ago
Just curious to know if you think it is better quality or worst quality now. I have a Vizio tv from 2009 that still works great other than the “smart” functions no longer being very smart. In the market for a new tv and was thinking to stick with Vizio but also like what LG has to offer.
They give a great first impression and have decent picture quality. It's the longevity that concerns me. There's a reason that most of their TVs are undercutting LG, Sony, Samsung, etc. on price and it's not just corporate greed.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fairuz Avatar
fairuz
36 months ago
Nice! Vizio usually makes among the cheapest TVs, but they've worked fine at least for me. Finally I'll be able to use AirPlay at people's houses instead of fudging with a Chromecast for 30 minutes.

I wonder why the sudden change to everyone supporting AirPlay. Guess Apple is conceding that smart TVs are taking over.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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