DirecTV will soon allow users to verbally control the television by talking to their iPhone or Android device.
Tired of pressing buttons on your remote? DirecTV's new smartphone application can help.
The app allows users to verbally control the television by talking to their iPhone or Android device. Using a cellular or Wi-Fi connection, users can tap the application's on-screen microphone icon and search by person, title, channel, time, or genre, just by asking.
Say "Show me Tom Hanks movies on this weekend," and the guide will pop up with a list, alongside details like Rotten Tomatoes scores, plot synopses, showtimes, and more, according to The Verge, which got a hands-on look at the new voice function.
While searching for tonight's Yankees game or a family-friendly program to watch with the kids, users will find results on the TV and phone, the latter of which transforms into a trackpad for easy navigation. Tap once to tune to a show on the TV set or phone, or use the app while away from home to record shows or add them to the bookmarks list.
The new Voice search is capable to sifting through upcoming, on-demand, and pay-per-view content, CNET reported, which tipped the app's speech-bubble suggestions, like "find documentaries this week." DirecTV is also hoping the bubbles can be turned into a marketing scheme, CNET said, serving as integrated advertisements.
For all of its charms, DirecTV's new voice function is missing a few key options, CNET said, pointing to the lack of Netflix integration (the available first four seasons of Breaking Bad don't show up in DirecTV search results) and a missing "free" content search filter.
DirecTV is working with voice-recognition star Nuance, which launched its own virtual assistant in August. The app will be released in "very public beta" this summer, The Verge reported, and will be available to anyone who updates to the latest version.
DirecTV did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.