Amazon’s Fire TV and Fire TV Stick will receive a software update to enable universal voice search for Netflix, HBO Go, and soon HBO Now. Alexa voice control now also works with Amazon Video.
Software update for Fire TV
With universal search you can ask your Fire TV remote’s microphone to find “James Bond movies” across different apps. With the software update, universal search will start including results from Amazon and HBO GO, says Amazon. HBO Now will be supported soon.
- “Customers have told us they love having access to the wide selection of apps, games, and Alexa skills on Amazon Fire TV, and they love how easy it is to find their favorite shows with universal voice search,” said Marc Whitten, Vice President, Amazon Fire TV. “Now, we’re making it easier than ever for customers to find their favorite content with universal voice search across 75 apps and channels, and a new, simple way to see recommendations from Netflix, HBO GO, and HBO NOW right on the home screen.”
Universal search now works with over 75 apps on Fire TV, according to Amazon. The update will also include Netflix and HBO in the personalized recommendations in the custom row in the Fire TV user interface.
Additionally, Alexa voice control can now be used to skip, rewind or fast-forward while watching Amazon Vide. Just say something like “skip ahead 2 minutes”. Lastly, Alexa will start serving up sports updates if you ask her.
The update is rolling out now. Amazon says that Fire TV is the best-selling streaming media player in the US, ahead of other boxes such as Apple TV and Roku. The Fire TV products are available from Amazon.com.
