YouTube Launches Remote Control Support On New LG, Sony, And Panasonic TVs

While Google already announced support for pushing YouTube video straight to Google TV devices, the company is now announcing support for the same function on new Smart TVs from LG, Sony, and Panasonic. Owners of Smart TVs from these brands can now use the YouTube smartphone app as a remote control of sorts.

At CES 2013 next week, YouTube will be showing off mobile pairing with a number of new devices from manufacturers like Bang & Olufsen, LG, Panasonic, and Sony. The online streaming video service also expects to have the same feature rolling out on other devices throughout the year, from manufacturers such as Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Toshiba, Vizio, and Western Digital.

This feature gives users instant access to videos and channels from the mobile app directly on their TV. They'll be able to instantly watch videos they've found on their mobile devices, or queue them up to be watched as a playlist. The feature also allows multiple different users on the same network to add to a communal playlist, rather than just relying on one device for control.

We can only imagine this feature picking up more steam as it releases on more and more devices. The ability to queue up YouTube videos on your smartphone, and then push them to your television is something to be desired. Plus, watching YouTube videos is a group affair anyway, and it's best experienced on the TV in the living room.