Select Philips Android TVs are now compatible with Amazon Alexa, enabling users to turn on the TV or adjust audio volume via voice commands.
Amazon Alexa on Philips TV
Philips has promised to bring Google Assistant to its TVs for more than a year but it has yet to emerge. Like Sony, Android TVs from Philips has gained support for Alexa before Google Assistant has arrived.
Alexa voice commands will be supported on 2018 Philips Android TVs as well as 2017 Android TVs with the P5 video engine. To get started you must download the ’Philips Smart TV Voice Control’ skill. You also need an Alexa-compatible device such as Amazon Echo.
Philips explains that users can give commands such as ”Alexa, turn on the TV” or ”Alexa, change the channel to…”. It will also be possible to adjust audio volume, change input, and control video playback (play/pause).
Alexa currently supports English and German.
This is voice control round two. A few years ago, TV manufacturers tried to implement simple voice command systems in Smart TVs, some of which had unsecured microphones built-in to the frame. It never proved successful and companies backtracked. They are now partnering with external companies such as such as Amazon and Google to do the heavy lifting. Alexa and Assistant are available in TVs from various brands, whereas Siri and Bixby are limited to Apple and Samsung TVs, respectively.
