Voice search / Google assistant not working as expected (XE9005)

[SesioNLive]

After the a firmware update, where google assistant was introduced, the voice search funcationallity has been downgraded. 

Before the update:
- Direct and comfortable search within apps possible by shortly pressing the voice button on the remote control when app is launched. (eg. Youtube, Spotify etc.)

- While in an app, possibile to long-hold the voice button and open a general (global) voice search

After the update:

- When an app is launched, it doesn't matter whenever you shortly press the voice search button or hold it, it always starts the "google assistant" general (global) voice search. While this voice search can search in all apps, the results are not as detailed as when searching in a specific app. For example, when you search something directly in the spotify app, you get sorted results by songs, albums, playlist etc. 

- Direct voice search in apps not possible anymore by using remote control

[Pascale_F]

Hi SesioNLive,

Welcome to the Community.

I'll see if i can track down some assistance for you. Maybe someone else in the Community has an idea in the meantime.

Thanks,

Pascale

[Win_88]

Hi SesioNLive,

The implementation of Google Assistant is done on the the Android system by Google. So the way you interact with it and how it works is determined by Google. And so far, it looks like this is the direction it's going. I think they're aiming at having the Assistant be able to interact with any app at any time, not necessarily when you are actively using it, to increase the general flexibility. I hope it keeps getting better with time (chances are it will).

Win_88

[SesioNLive]

I don't think that the actions performed by sony remote control are defined by google. I do belive that sony can decide which action which remote control button fires. Thus a short press on the voice search button can trigger one action, while holding another. 

Now I don't have any other devices to check how they work with the new google assistant so that's all I can say.

However, every word I said in the initial post is true, the voice search is now at least for me partially useless. I sadly end up typing with the on-screen keyboard just to get the results I want in the given app. 

[Win_88]

Hi Again,

I'll try to pass your feedback about this to a Sony contact to be considered.

Win_88

[SesioNLive]

@Win_88

Thanks, I hope that someone who has the power to get such stuff fixed will agree and make the voice search better again

[dittonian]

Right, i paid for a Sony Braivia TV and subscribe to Spotify.   every thing is fine, i use the voice actuation to search spotify and it works really well.

Now with the sony software update, i get google assistant that overides the voice actuation on spotify.  I can npo longer get to browse albums.  I also end up having to use the keypad. 

I have tried to restore the old voice system but cannot.  I did not want google assistant, so why has this been inflicted on my tv?   Sony appear to be proritising the Google products over and above the spotify subscriptions, why?  When is this going to be fixed?