DISH Activates Google Assistant; Debuts Google-branded Voice Remote

DISH has begun rolling out a software update on the company’s Hopper family receivers that allows customers to access the Google Assistant via the DISH voice remote at no additional cost.

Customers can use the DISH voice remote to ask the Assistant questions related to what they’re watching, as well as receive weather updates, find nearby restaurants, view photos on the screen, control smart home devices and more.

These new capabilities build on the DISH voice remote’s existing ability to control the TV, including navigation, search and channel selection.

To complement this new integration, the company also debuted a new Google-branded DISH voice remote. With a Google-branded voice button, users can easily speak commands into the remote to activate the Assistant. Existing DISH voice remotes also support the integration.Google-voice-remote

“Our customers have enthusiastically embraced voice control technology as a key part of their TV experience, so we wanted to find a way to provide even more value and entertainment with the introduction of the Google Assistant on Hopper family receivers,” said Rob Sadler, DISH director of product development. “With this update, we’ve expanded functionality to allow customers to not just control their Hopper, but to ask questions, get answers and control their smart home all through their remote.”

DISH customers can use the DISH voice remote to ask the Assistant general questions like weather forecasts or game scores – and see answers on the screen. Customers can also control their DISH TV experience; manage their smart home devices, such as dimming the lights or adjusting the thermostat; and relive favorite memories from Google Photos. Verbal and visual responses are seamlessly integrated into the existing DISH voice control experience across all Hopper family receivers using cloud-rendering technology from TVersity.

Customers with a DISH voice remote and a broadband-connected Hopper (all generations), Joey (all models) or Wally can access the Google Assistant once they receive the software update. New customers and existing DISH customers without a voice remote can visit mydish.com/voice-remote to check their eligibility for a free Google-branded voice remote.