Posted Wed Jan 11, 2017 at 07:30 AM PST by Steven Cohen
Alexa voice control support is coming to the Hopper 3.
DISH has announced plans to add Amazon Alexa compatibility to its Hopper 3 DVR. With Alexa support, users will be able to voice control their set-top boxes through a paired Amazon Echo or Echo Dot.
"We constantly evaluate emerging technology, like Alexa, and its potential to improve how people watch and control their TVs," said Niraj Desai, DISH vice president of product management. "This allows us to design strategic roadmaps and deliver products that make TV more valuable, at no extra cost to subscribers."
Once updated, broadband-connected Hopper DVRs (all generations) will be able to pair directly with an Amazon Echo or Echo Dot, adding hands-free Alexa voice control support. This will allow users to ask Alexa to navigate, search, and quick play TV content based on channel, title, actor, and genre. For instance, a customer could simply say "Tune to AMC" or "Find Matt Damon movies" to change channels or search for films.
"Amazon is excited to be working with DISH to develop an Alexa skill that offers a hands-free television experience, expanding the ways that our customers can use Alexa devices like Amazon Echo to make their lives easier," said Rob Pulciani, director, Amazon Alexa. "You no longer have to set down your popcorn to change the channel, or spend time searching for what channel the game is on – just ask Alexa to do it for you."
Alexa support is expected to arrive on DISH's Hopper 3 DVRs during the first half of this year. Meanwhile, DISH also recently launched a new 4K Android streaming media player under its AirTV subsidiary. The AirTV player offers access to thousands of movies, TV shows, and apps, along with the option to watch OTA content.
Source: DISH
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