Sky is releasing its latest update for the Sky Q platform, and it focuses on increasing content search, Sky Go, and accessibility options for those who are hard of hearing or have visual impairments.
The latest update to the Sky Q set-top box is starting today (Wednesday 31 May), and it will see improvements made on the platform as well as some development of its Sky Go service.
Starting with accessibility options, Voice Guidance has a new feature intended to make it easier for Sky Q customers with visual impairments to interact with the service. Voice guidance can be activated (or switched off) by the pronunciation of the words ‘voice guidance off’ or ‘voice guidance off’ in Sky Q Remote, and it enables spoken descriptions of each menu , As users glide through the interface. Its performance is shown in action, it works quickly and properly.
Voice Guidance works with voice search and existing Sky Q accessibility features such as High Contrast Mode and the British Sign Language Zone (BSL Zone) – which includes on-demand content and entertainment from BSL – as well as accessibility remote. It should be noted that Sky’s accessibility features will not be available on individual apps on the platform (such as Disney +, for example), as each app will have its own selection of accessibility features.
Other updates include a lighter integration with Disney +, with titles for the video streaming service appearing in extensive tone and text searches. Search for Disney + Exclusive such as Falcon and Winter Soldier, and you’ll be taken to a dedicated show center with each episode curated in one location.
Voice search has been continued in more ways to use your voice to find entertainment. Say ‘what should I watch?’ And what you currently have on Sky, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney +, BBC and other apps will get results tailored to your viewing habits. If you are exercising at home then saying ‘let’s get physical’ as you add those abs pieces will bring the latest fitness content from Spotify, Sky, YouTube, FiiT and more.
Sky Go has also made some improvements. There is a new ‘Continuing Watching Rail’ that makes it easy to pick up from where you came out, while ‘Sky Channels’ and ‘Browse by Category’ have more rails / lines of content intended to make it easier to find content. . When out and about, Sky Go has also been rolled out as an iOS widget, allowing content to be accessed even faster without having to search the home screen.
Good to see that Sky Q is rolling out more accessibility features, as TV platforms that promote their credentials continue to trend in the region, last year Freeview Play launched its Accessible TV Guide and Amazon for the Blind K Fire TV Accessibility Options. Sky customers will start seeing these features in the next few weeks.
TV and Audio Editor
Cobb started his career with What Hi-Fi. Started in the dusty stockroom before rising up the ranks to join the editorial and production team as Buyer’s Guide Editor. Both experienced in magazine and…
