YouView developing voice controlled TV experience with Amazon Alexa

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  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,465 ✭✭✭
    edited 11 June 2017, 11:52PM
    Darren2 said:

    This is good news as I have been using the Amazon Echo(Alexa) since 3 weeks after it first came out last November.

    Um, yes I know, it's at the top of this thread, we are discussing it here and I agree. But some of us don't like the way they are approaching it, is that OK, or have you not got that?
  • VisionmanVisionman Member, Super User Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭
    edited 12 June 2017, 12:18AM
    Darren2 said:

    This is good news as I have been using the Amazon Echo(Alexa) since 3 weeks after it first came out last November.

    Yes, I totally understand.
    2 years ago I suggested YouView develop a Voice remote, fully knowing the technology at the time wasn't there to support it and It was one for the future...
    But I was also fully aware back then that if it happened they would have to use a third party platform to do it. For now.
    I'm now happy with the disagree icon, because its gone.
  • RoyRoy Member, Super User Posts: 17,717 ✭✭✭
    edited 12 June 2017, 8:54AM
    Darren2 said:

    This is good news as I have been using the Amazon Echo(Alexa) since 3 weeks after it first came out last November.

    The Sony TVs with YouView on can be voice controlled, sort of, with very limited application to the YouView side of things.

    The remote that does this costs £50.

    An Echo Dot costs £50, and does unimaginably more.

    You seem to want YouView to spend a lot of money and time on a closed-off solution of its own, which you fondly imagine won't involve you in any further cost, or does not involve an association with Amazon, to which, perhaps, you have some doctrinaire objection.

    This is not going to happen :-)
    ‘Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful’ Wm Morris
  • Tim CTim C Member, Super User Posts: 620 ✭✭
    edited 12 June 2017, 1:39PM
    How about fixing all that's been broken by NextGen first!
  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,465 ✭✭✭
    edited 12 June 2017, 11:09AM
    Darren2 said:

    This is good news as I have been using the Amazon Echo(Alexa) since 3 weeks after it first came out last November.

    A closed-off solution of its own, that is precisely what this seems to be. More an open solution that works with most major app-supporting devices, is that such a controversial concept for you to grasp?
  • WayneWayne Member Posts: 82 ✭✭
    edited 17 July 2017, 6:49PM
    Hopefully YouView will integrate Alexa into the YouView app. There already exists a 3rd party app (Ubi) on Android with access to Alexa. I imagine Amazon will add Alexa to the Amazon Android app before too long. After all, Apple iOS users have already received an updated Amazon app with Alexa support.
  • Simon12Simon12 Member Posts: 391
    edited 12 June 2017, 1:37PM
    Darren2 said:

    This is good news as I have been using the Amazon Echo(Alexa) since 3 weeks after it first came out last November.

    How do you work that out redchiz. It's linking YV box to IoT/IFTTT. Which opens up all kind of possibilities. I already have two echo devices and they are great. What YV I'd doing here is cutting out the h/w and s/w Dev for a whole load of future stuff and getting a load of other good stuff thrown in for free.
  • Simon12Simon12 Member Posts: 391
    edited 12 June 2017, 1:39PM
    Tim C said:

    How about fixing all that's been broken by NextGen first!

    What peeps seem to forget here is that simple Alexa voice commands should reduce button presses and remove some of the 'Broken' stuff anyway.
    I'm all for this proposal.
  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,465 ✭✭✭
    edited 12 June 2017, 1:43PM
    Darren2 said:

    This is good news as I have been using the Amazon Echo(Alexa) since 3 weeks after it first came out last November.

    Most of us already have devices which can handle voice commands, why are YouView only committing to one? As an aside though it will be interesting to see how an Amazon device or anything else is going to communicate with a non-wireless box. Further upgrades all round?
  • Simon12Simon12 Member Posts: 391
    edited 12 June 2017, 8:48PM
    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.
  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,465 ✭✭✭
    edited 12 June 2017, 1:45PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    Bargain.
  • Simon12Simon12 Member Posts: 391
    edited 12 June 2017, 1:47PM
    Darren2 said:

    This is good news as I have been using the Amazon Echo(Alexa) since 3 weeks after it first came out last November.

    My Echo devices already link to miHome sockets via a wired hub, so what you see as an issue, , err, isnt.
  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,465 ✭✭✭
    edited 12 June 2017, 1:51PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    Here's an alternative, just rest your smartphone on it...
  • Simon12Simon12 Member Posts: 391
    edited 12 June 2017, 1:50PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    ....and that's sarcasm yeah?
  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,465 ✭✭✭
    edited 12 June 2017, 1:52PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    Here is a much cheaper alternative, just rest your smartphone on it...
  • Simon12Simon12 Member Posts: 391
    edited 12 June 2017, 1:52PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    Really not worth the effort to argue with you. I suspect if you had the Amazon devices already this'll be a good plan from YV. Yah-ho
  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,465 ✭✭✭
    edited 12 June 2017, 1:54PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    I suspect that is why you think it's a good plan, don't blame you. Bit narrow-minded though.
  • Simon12Simon12 Member Posts: 391
    edited 12 June 2017, 2:11PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    Nope. Selfish actually :p
    Note- I am not arguing with you, I'm egging you on ;)
    Come on, it's the price of an All-in-one remote and opens up a whole host of other possibilities.
    I understand if you have other options this'd be frustrating, but the Alexa option is not just voice command. There's all the other IFTTT stuff that comes with it. Think of it that way.
    YV chose Alexa, there are other IoT options but I guess at this point they can't afford to invest in them all.
  • mike_taylormike_taylor Member Posts: 20 ✭✭
    edited 12 June 2017, 2:31PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    I can't believe we are discussing this when all the missing features of oldgen are still missing from nextgen after 6 months.
    Is it  really that hard to push a button on the remote control.
  • Matthew JohnsMatthew Johns Member Posts: 98
    edited 13 June 2017, 9:41AM
    Foreseeable issues:
    Alexa, please:
    1) List the most recent things I've recorded
    2) Jump fifteen minutes forward in this programme
    3) Delete the oldest episode of this series
    4) Record the next episodes of 'Allo 'allo, Doctor Who and Twirlywoos
  • Simon12Simon12 Member Posts: 391
    edited 12 June 2017, 2:37PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    Were discussing this coz it's out there as a future, option.
    Re button pressing - when it comes to my Octogenarian in-laws, yes, absolutely. Controlling Alexa is a piece of p####, by comparison.
  • VisionmanVisionman Member, Super User Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭
    edited 12 June 2017, 2:44PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    Yeah, thats what I was thinking too. That for people with, say, arthritis, this goes one step further over and above the accessibility keyboard.
    I'm now happy with the disagree icon, because its gone.
  • Simon12Simon12 Member Posts: 391
    edited 12 June 2017, 4:11PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    Yep, and its not just dexterity. My in-laws have a morbid fear of the remote on modern TV's and STB's I have tried to get them to use a number of boxes to view guide and record stuff. Absolutely impossible. What you and I would consider simple baffles them.
    Alexa - however - easy peasey. I realise so far with tem its just been dipping the toe in the water by choosing music to play, and asking random stuff of Alexa, but to them its much more intuitive.
    The success of this YV voice controller is going to be how well the Alexa/YV commands are integrated.
  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,465 ✭✭✭
    edited 12 June 2017, 4:16PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    Please do not think my objections are to the principles of voice control as I too can see the benefits. It is just the approach which I find strange. Although a fly on the wall at the corporate jollies which led to this tie-up might be able to tell some interesting tales.
  • Simon12Simon12 Member Posts: 391
    edited 12 June 2017, 4:24PM

    Foreseeable issues:
    Alexa, please:
    1) List the most recent things I've recorded
    2) Jump fifteen minutes forward in this programme
    3) Delete the oldest episode of this series
    4) Record the next episodes of 'Allo 'allo, Doctor Who and Twirlywoos

    Yeah, I know - and you can say that about pretty much every voice control unit. That doesn't mean they are not useful - especially to the elderly or disabled.

    Until we get our own HAL 9000 units, commands are going to have to be simple for units like the Echo/Alexa to interpret.
    I think until you actually have one to use, and get used to the level that you need to interact, then you are always going to foresee issues from ambivalent commands.
  • Simon12Simon12 Member Posts: 391
    edited 12 June 2017, 4:38PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    Who knows why they chose it?
    However, at this point the echo devices have a 70% market share vs 23% for the Google devices. I realise that will change - and no doubt the apple options will also come into the slugging match. I just think they have gone for the one with more commercial footprint.
    Whichever option they chose, it would be criticised, so its a no-win situation.
    As I said before I think they are cash restricted and had to pick one - not several.
  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,465 ✭✭✭
    edited 12 June 2017, 4:43PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    They won't be cash restricted if Amazon are in a sole tie-up, will they? Ker-ching!
  • redchizredchiz Member, Super User Posts: 5,465 ✭✭✭
    edited 12 June 2017, 4:45PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    And again one is left wondering about the position of the minor stakeholders, notably the publicly-owned BBC and Channel 4, in allowing such a narrow development path to go ahead.
  • UrsaUrsa Member Posts: 78
    edited 12 June 2017, 4:55PM

    Foreseeable issues:
    Alexa, please:
    1) List the most recent things I've recorded
    2) Jump fifteen minutes forward in this programme
    3) Delete the oldest episode of this series
    4) Record the next episodes of 'Allo 'allo, Doctor Who and Twirlywoos

    Did you know that Arthur C. Clarke disliked IBM's dominance in the 1960s & thus called his Computer HAL (IBM-1)   .......

    .... I'll get me coat ....
  • VisionmanVisionman Member, Super User Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭
    edited 12 June 2017, 5:00PM
    Simon12 said:

    Btw, Amazon currently have the Dot for sub 45quid. Fill ur boots folks.

    No... thats just you. :)
    Though I acknowledge your right to state that. Though I don't understand what you mean by 'narrow'.
    I'm now happy with the disagree icon, because its gone.
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