One of our favorite features of our VSSL amps is their relationship with Google. Because we are Google partners and have certified all of our products with them, your VSSL comes ready and loaded with Chromecast built-in. Chromecast built-in is a technology that lets you cast your favorite entertainment and apps from your phone, tablet or laptop right to your speakers. This means that through your personal devices, VSSL and Google are able to work together to bring your music into your home audio system. Even further, for homes with Google Assistant built-in devices, your VSSL audio system can be entirely controlled via voice commands! Integration is simple, and using it can make the difference in fully taking advantage of your home audio experience. 

One question we want to resolve and help you incorporate into your home is “why do I need both?”. Knowing the difference between Chromecast built-in and having Google Assistant built-in will allow you to better use your smart home electronics to their full potential. Keep reading to see how Google’s Smart Devices can be the next upgrade to your whole home sound system using your VSSL amplifier!

 

Let’s Talk Google’s Assistant

Google has evolved from search engine to internet browser; and has now jumped into physical products and software in the smart home market! Google’s “Home” assistant is a competitor to Amazon’s Alexa and other similar smart home devices. Google’s intention for their voice command system is for you to utilize it in a whole-home smart ecosystem with smart lights, locks, thermostats, and, of course, speakers! Although their device has a speaker incorporated into it’s design, it’s far from music quality audio and is more suited for projecting it’s artificial intelligence (AI) voice responses only. Each Google Home Mini has Google Assistant built-in - meaning it can respond to your voice when you ask: “Hey, Google!”. 

Let’s Talk VSSL

VSSL is your smart amplifier that is powering your home speaker setup, and is connected to your phone over your wifi network. VSSL is known as a smart amp because it not only powers your speakers throughout your home, but has smart home capabilities to bridge the gap between your home audio system and your smart home ecosystem. To make your music experience as streamlined as possible, VSSL is integrated with the music app of your choice (Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, etc.) so no other music app is required to play the music. This is called Native Streaming™. Simply open your music app, find the cast button, pick your speakers/zones and play your music. Here is a video to show you the simplicity of Native Streaming: VSSL Native Streaming™. Because VSSL amps have Chromecast built-in, it is able to utilize native streaming within the Google software on your phone, tablet, or computer to play sound to your home audio speakers. 

VSSL does not have a voice assistant installed inside of the device. This means that all control would be done from a smartphone or other smart device where your music playlist is readily available. This is where using voice assistants with your VSSL becomes extremely valuable. VSSL is able to integrate with Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri and Google’s version, called Google Assistant. Pairing a Google Assistant built-in device as the voice controlled home system while simultaneously using your VSSL smart amp and speakers as the audio output creates a whole new experience for accessing your home audio experience.

How To Use Google Assistant and VSSL’s Chromecast Built-in

One way VSSL and Google can work together in your home is via Chromecast. Chromecast is a technology that lets you cast your favorite entertainment and apps from your phone, tablet or laptop right to your speakers. So, if you’re watching a movie on your laptop, you can easily cast it to the speaker in the living room with just a few clicks. This also works with music streaming apps like Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio. You can even cast podcasts and audiobooks from Google Play Music, Audiobooks.com, and more. This can all be done within the VSSL, without the use of Google Assistant like Google Home. So why add Google Assistant?

To get the most out of your smart home set up, VSSL and Google are partners in streamlining your music using your voice. You can connect your VSSL to receive orders from your Google Assistant’s voice commands! Doing this will allow you to speak to Google Assistant to play your music over your VSSL amp. You simply need to make sure you link your music subscription of choice to your Google Home account during your initial setup. Then, you can say something like “Hey Google, play my music in my bathroom”. You’ll still be communicating with your Google device, but your command will then be sent to your VSSL - which will play your music throughout your home audio set up - specifically to a room, or all at once - however you decide to set it up! The personalization of the system can be finely tuned to whatever your home audio desires are, and the setup is simple through the VSSL app. For a simple setup video/instructions for connecting your VSSL device to your Google voice assistant follow this link to youtube: Set up a Google Home to work with VSSL

Additional Features

Once you’re all set up within the Google app, your VSSL zones will look just like any other “works with Google” certified speaker.  Using your VSSL zone as the audio output for any Google device is just the beginning of what features are available to you.  Make your VSSL zone(s) the preferred speaker(s) for a specific Google device.  Set up an alarm to wake you up in the morning with music playing over your speakers.  Set a reminder on the kitchen speakers to start dinner when you get home.  Try creating a routine that includes playing your favorite radio station when you’re getting ready for the day.  All of these features and more come jam-packed with the purchase of your VSSL X Series amplifier.  For more information: visit us at: https://vsslknowledgebase.tawk.help/

FAQs

“Do I have to have a Google Assistant to use VSSL?”

• No. Google Assistants only makes voice activation and Google AI capabilities available for your VSSL to utilize. VSSL can be completely controlled by your phone and will still integrate with your music application of choice.

“Do I need to use the VSSL app to control everything?”

• The VSSL app is needed for initial setup, but it’s not necessary to use it every time you play music. VSSL can play your music directly from your device! Here is a video that will help whole the simplicity: VSSL - Streaming Made Easy

“What is the best VSSL for my home audio system?”

We’re ready to help you find the best system for you! Contact us here: https://www.vssl.com/pages/contact-us