Vizio’s updated SmartCast app is simpler to use, with better recommendations

By Kris Wouk Published January 10, 2017

vizio smartcast app updated ui — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Launched earlier this year, Vizio’s SmartCast app is quite handy, tying together a number of apps like Hulu, Vudu, FandangoNow, Crackle, and Google Play Movies & TV with the ability to easily “cast” content to your TV. Today, it’s getting even better as it has been updated with a simpler user interface, new tutorials, and content catalog updates.

“One of the key Vizio SmartCast differentiators when compared to traditional smart TV platforms is our ability to continuously enhance the experience with quick improvements which any user can enjoy right from their own mobile device,” Vizio chief technology officer Matt McRae said in a statement. “The latest round of enhancements were designed to further simplify consumer interaction with the SmartCast app, giving users quicker access to controls, content and more.“

Part of the SmartCast app’s usefulness lies in its ability to turn an iOS or Android device into a touchscreen remote, and part of the update should make this feature even better, with larger buttons making them easier to tap. This also applies to navigating the app, so every feature should now be easier to use, especially for key functions.

More TV shows and movies can now be accessed from the home screen, with popular options displayed right up front. While it isn’t there yet, the home screen will soon get a new Featured section with content recommendations. For new users of the SmartCast app who don’t yet have personalized recommendations available, the Discover section shows fan favorites from both subscription-based apps and subscription-free apps like Pluto TV. Tapping any of these recommendations instantly begins streaming them to your SmartCast TV.

The Vizio SmartCast app works with SmartCast-enabled TVs, soundbars, and speakers from Vizio. For more information or to download the app, see the SmartCast section of the Vizio website.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…

Audio / Video

FuboTV finally arrives on Vizio’s SmartCast platform

FuboTV on VIZIO SmartCast

The continued push to have all the native apps on all the native smart TV operating systems continues, with FuboTV now natively available on Vizio's SmartCast platform. Or, in other words, you'll no longer need to plug in some other hardware — like the new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max or a Roku Streaming Stick — or resort to Chromecast or AirPlay 2 to get your FuboTV on.

That's good news for FuboTV, the smallest of the major live TV streaming services in the United States, with some 681,721 paid subscribers at last count. The addition of Vizio, a major player in the TV industry, means that another barrier to entry has been removed for Fubo, making it that much easier for new subscribers to get going.

Audio / Video

HBO Max app is now available on Vizio SmartCast TVs

HBO Max on Vizio SmartCast.

You no longer have to resort to third-party measures to watch HBO Max on your Vizio television. Vizio's built-in SmartCast operating system now has an HBO Max app of its very own, meaning that you now have one fewer reason to use some other streaming hardware like a Roku player or Amazon Fire TV device to catch up on Succession ahead of Season 3's premiere this fall.

At launch, the Vizio implementation will add a carousel on the SmartCast home screen that features content from HBO Max that's currently available for free. That includes featured episodes from Game of Thrones, Euphoria, and Perry Mason — all of which are available on the legacy HBO service — as well as new HBO Max originals like Love Life and Raised by Wolves, for starters.

Audio / Video

Vizio updates its SmartCast TV software with voice commands and better search

Vizio SmartCast 2021 with voice commands

It's no secret that many of today's smart TVs aren't really all that intelligent. Slow and unintuitive navigation and clunky user interfaces still plague this space, and consumers sometimes opt for some sort of set-top box, even when their TV has streaming apps built in. Fortunately, Vizio's smart TVs don't fall into that category, thanks in no small part to its user-friendly SmartCast interface -- which just got a major upgrade.

The update, which is live on all SmartCast-enabled TVs, adds new voice-command capability, new free TV channels, a redesigned electronic program guide. and expanded navigation features for easier search and discovery. Vizio also claims that SmartCast will perform faster and more seamlessly after the update.