Mr Viral
Image: Hisense
Google issued 100 announcements during its Google I/O developers conference this week, none of which involved the smart home. That apparent lack of enthusiasm for a topic close to our heart didn’t dissuade TV and smart-appliance manufacturer Hisense from announcing plans to integrate new Google Home APIs into its own ConnectLife app, so that third-party smart home devices can be folded into that ecosystem.
Hisense first announced that it would open its ConnectLife app to third-party products in December, 2024. Today, it announced it will incorporate the latest Google Home APIs into the app by the fall of 2025, Hisense says this will enable users to onboard a wide range of third-party smart home devices—including Matter and Works With Google Home-certified products—to create a more integrated smart home experience.
Hisense cited two examples of how this would benefit ConnectLife users: “One-touch modes and customized automations can blend Hisense products with third-party devices to create intelligent home responses, such as air conditioners automatically adjusting based on third-party air quality sensors, or smart lights providing visual notifications when the Hisense refrigerator’s VersaTemp drawer reaches the ideal temperature for chilling drinks.”
“At Hisense, we are committed to simplifying smart living for everyone,” said Hisense Director of Smart Home Experiences, Hisense Americas Region Miguel Becerra. “This integration enhances ConnectLife to create seamless experiences that make everyday life more convenient and enjoyable for our consumers.”
Further reading: Smart home got the cold shoulder at Google’s I/O keynote
The new version of the Hisense ConnectLife app is expected to be available this fall for both the Android and iOS platforms.
As for the new Google Home APIs, they were quietly announced on May 15, ahead of Google I/O, and aren’t included in the “100 things we announced at I/O” list that was published on May 21, after the conference wrapped up.
Author: Michael Brown, Executive Editor, TechHive
Michael is TechHive’s lead editor, with 30+ years of experience covering smart homes, home networking, and home audio/home theater. He holds a BA in Multimedia Journalism, authored the book Desktop Video Production, and was awarded Best Online Review by the Computer Press Association. Michael built a smart home in 2007 and used it as a real-world product-testing lab. Now living in the Pacific Northwest, he is converting his 1890 Victorian bungalow into a modern smart home. Michael has worked at CNET, PCWorld, Electronic Musician, and Maximum PC. As a freelancer, he contributed to New Media, Camcorder, MacWeek, and more.
