Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) is getting close to the official debut of its voice-activated remote control, the XR11, and is already making it available to customers for early trials.
On Wednesday, Comcast sent emails to select subscribers, offering them a "thanks for being great customers," and inviting them to try the MSO's "revolutionary voice remote with voice-activated control before its official release."
Comcast has yet to announce pricing or a release date for the new remote, which is designed to work on the X1 video platform with the XG1 set-top and Xi3 client.
The DSL Reports message board has a picture of the remote here.
In January, Santa Ana, Calif.-based Universal Electronics announced that it's a manufacturer of the device.
As showcased by the email promotion, voice control can be activated with the touch of a blue button (the one with the imprinted microphone). Voice commands, in turn, can be used to search for shows or favorite actors, and to get programming recommendations, among other things.
For more:
- read this DSL Reports message board
- read this Multichannel News story
- read this Universal Electronics press release
Related links:
Comcast may be forced to join Apple's new pay-TV service
Comcast more vexed by HBO Now than other MVPDs, analyst says
Comcast still holding out on Playstation app as consumer tension starts to boil
Comcast Xi3 client boxes now support live-TV buffering