Sky adds ‘enhanced voice control’ to Sky Q

Sky is due to introduce new features to its Sky Q service this month, including ‘enhanced voice control’ via the Sky Q touch remote.

The new voice control features will let users speak to their remote to issue a range of commands – including changing to a specific channel, playing a named show, or skipping back or watching from the start of a programme.

“Voice Control makes it even easier for customers to find their favourite sports, movies and shows, with phrases like: ‘go to Sky Store’, ‘go to Sky Sports’, or other sections of the Sky Q menu,” said Sky.

The update follows Sky’s initial introduction of voice search earlier this year, when it  deployed TiVo’s voice search solution to let Sky Q users search for programmes. Sky claims that more than 9 million voice searches have been made to date on the platform.

“Our customers already love Voice Search on Sky Q and we think they are going to love Voice Control even more,” said Sky’s chief marketing officer, Luke Bradley-Jones.

“You will be able to find your recordings, rewind an amazing goal to watch again or change channel all through a simple voice command. It’s a quicker, easier and more fun way to get to the shows, sports and films you want to watch.”

As part of a software update, Sky is also rolling out a ‘favourites’ menu in the Sky Q TV guide, allowing customers can organise and edit a list of their most-watched and best-liked channels.

Sky Q customers with a 2TB box will also get a dedicated Ultra HD section within My Q, which Sky said will help viewers to find a range of UHD content “easier and faster than before”.