Make way, Bixby: Samsung is opening up its 2019 TV lineup to other voice assistants. The company has announced that users will be able to control its upcoming QLED sets with either Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. But there’s one catch: you’ll have to provide the assistant device — be it an Echo, Google Home, or other smart speaker — yourself. Samsung’s TVs will understand and execute commands they receive from Alexa or Assistant, but the only built-in voice helper will continue to be Bixby.
Also, we’re talking about fairly rudimentary support here. Alexa and Google Assistant can control volume, turn your TV on or off, switch inputs, or launch select apps. Bixby has deeper, more advanced capabilities since it’s woven into Samsung’s...