TV App Agency launches voice controlled Absolute Radio app

The TV App Agency has released an app for Absolute Radio that allows users to control their TV with their voice as well as their smartphone.

“The new app moves beyond the analogue remote control to provide truly interactive television,” the company said. “Now users are free to simply ask for the next channel, stop, start and even refresh.

“While the voice control frees the user from the remote, the dual screen functionality using a smartphone supports deeper media interaction. It means that a smartphone and a smart TV can interact – to search for, navigate and display content.

“It’s going to enable recommendations and campaigns that offer a lot more scope for interactive communication. A smartphone allows users to tweet, send an email to the studio or, of course, use as a phone to call the studio. And most people are already using smartphones while watching TV – according to the latest Nielsen figures, 68% of smartphone owners already do so.

According to Rovi, 84% of connected TV owners regularly use TV apps, and 80% of people who are planning to buy a Samsung HDTV or Blu Ray player are interested in becoming connected because of the content portal. Additionally the study found that TV viewing was stimulated by smart TV usage, with 49% saying that the smart TV offerings made them watch more TV.

The Absolute Radio app provides Samsung Smart TV owners direct access to live streamed HQ audio from the Absolute Radio Network – with the Samsung Smart Hub interface allowing voice access to audio streaming in high quality.

The new app, which is free to download, also provides QR code functionality.