Dish has added Google Assistant voice command compatibility to its family of set-top boxes, marking the latest expansion to the operator’s hands-free TV options.
Customers with all generations of internet-connected Hopper DVR, Hopper Duo, Joey or Wally models can control their TV via voice commands after pairing with a Google Assistant-enabled device, such as Google Home, and Android or iPhone mobile devices.
“Since we first introduced voice control technology, we’ve seen our customers really embrace the hands-free TV experience,” said Niraj Desai, Dish VP of product management, in a statement. “Our collaboration with Google is an exciting opportunity for us to continue meeting demand for voice and changing the way we interact with television.”
Dish customers can use voice commands for functions including content searches, volume adjustment, launching apps, setting recordings, and playing, pausing and navigating forward and backward through a program. Dish said the search functionality displays results from live, recorded and on-demand content, along with Netflix TV shows and movies.
“We want to make it easy and fun for people to turn their living room into a smart entertainment center with the Assistant,” said Michele Turner, Sr. Director of Google Smart Home Ecosystem. “By working closely with DISH, we’ll ensure that customers can easily control their TVs through the Assistant, instead of searching for or having to share the remote.”
Dish already offers direct compatibility with Amazon Alexa, and was the first pay TV provider to do so, announcing the integration at CES 2017. Last month, the operator expanded Alexa compatibility to its Hopper family set-top boxes.
