Telefonica has followed the launch of its ‘Aura’ voice-activated assistant at Mobile World Congress by unveiling a new consumer device with a large display that's designed to act as the hub for services integrated with Aura’s artificial intelligence capabilities. The device, called ‘Movistar Home’, comes with edge computing features to process and analyse data and is described by the company as the evolution of the traditional fixed phone, acting as a second screen for users to make voice and video calls that can be projected on to the TV.
It can also manage router set up and act as the voice control for TV sets. Just by talking to Aura via Movistar Home customers can change the channel, schedule a recording or ask for subtitles or a recommendation. Sample commands include "OK Aura, turn on the TV and put on channel #0", "OK Aura, record a message for mum", "OK Aura, turn off the Wi-Fi for the kids" and "OK Aura, turn off the lights".
The company’s Aura voice-activated assistant is already available in an initial 6 countries, with the Movistar Home device set to be initially rolled out in Spain in the autumn.
