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Sky TV and Rush Digital fuse with Amazon Alexa

Amazon’s Alexa has teamed up with Sky TV, enabling viewers to verbally activate the digitised helper to inform users whats on and help them find content to watch.

Alexa has recently launched a flurry of collaborations with New Zealand media outlets, and Sky TV is the latest to integrate the software, meaning consumers have an increasing amount of voice activation software at their disposal.

The Sky TV Alexa skill can be used by anyone with an Alexa-enabled device such as the Amazon Echo, Echo Plus, or Echo Dot and provides a convenient voice-activated experience.

At launch users will be able to ask Alexa what programmes are on, when they are on, what channel they’re on, check a channel number or what the Sky “picks of the day” are. 

Julian Wheeler, Sky’s chief product and technology officer, says Alexa is already a useful and entertaining part of the lives of millions of people across the globe.

“We’re thrilled to work with Amazon to offer one of the first New Zealand Alexa skills when the Amazon Echo Family launches this month.”

Alexa will use resources from Sky’s EPG (electronic programme guide) to help users navigate through channel information across free-to-air, Sky and pay-per-view channels available on the Sky platform.

Wheeler adds that regular updates will be instilled as Alexa develops new skills, and by linking it up to a Sky account, users are able to do more tasks by simply asking which could include changing the channel, turning the volume down and interacting with the company’s electronic programme guide on command.

To enable the software, users with an Amazon Alexa device have to enable the Sky TV skill using the Alexa app. Viewers are then able to open the Sky Tv skill with a selection of prompts such as “Alexa, open Sky TV” or “Alexa, launch Sky TV”.

Sky TV worked closely with Auckland based creative technology at Rush Digital to help develop its Alexa Skill.

Pavan Vyas, chief executive and managing director of Rush Digital says Rush continuously helps businesses create impact with the latest technologies.

“Being at the forefront of voice user interface we were immediately excited by the New Zealand launch of Amazon Alexa and what it could mean for Sky TV.”

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