LOS ANGELES — Nowadays, some TVs let viewers search for internet video content with their voice. But the experience can be underwhelming once users realize the vocal hoops they must jump through to meet their device’s exacting speech standards.
“We think of the analogy as almost like (the search engine) Alta Vista back in the day to Google, when you had to think about ‘How do I craft my search query?’ and then you made the query,” says video tech vendor Rovi‘s products VP Daren Gill. “Google gave you that ability to just type your query and go.
We think voice should be the same way. I shouldn’t have to think about what it is I need to say. (Viewers should) just say say what it is they’re thinking – what we have to get to is where you just speak naturally and freely.”
Xbox has allowed users to search for TV and movies with voice for a few years, while some Samsung TVs now offer the same. Rovi inherits voice search capabilities fromacquiring Veveo this February.
Gill spoke with Beet.TV at The Cable Show 2014. Disclaimer: This video was produced as part of sponsorship with Rovi.
