Nvidia continues to improve the Shield TV experience, now offering users another way to control their Android TV box. Assistant support has been around for a little while now, but Alexa is joining the party thanks to a new skill. Simply activate said skill, link your Nvidia account, and you can start controlling your Shield with your Echo or other Alexa devices.Alexa can control things like power, volume, media playback, and navigation. Simply ask her to turn on your Shield, head to settings, open Netflix, or pause that YouTube video. If you have an Echo device in your living room, you actually now have an easier method of getting around your Shield TV than Assistant built into the remote. For now, Nvidia says that this is limited to the US.
To get started, open the Alexa app, head over to Skills & Games, and search for "Shield TV." You'll see one pop up called "NVIDIA SHIELD TV" by Nvidia Corp. Activate it and it'll ask you to link your Nvidia account, and you're good to go from there. Here's a list of currently available commands, but more will be coming soon:
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“Alexa, turn on SHIELD.”
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“Alexa, turn off SHIELD.”
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“Alexa, set volume to 80 percent on SHIELD.”
Opening entertainment apps
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“Alexa, open Prime Video (on SHIELD).”
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“Alexa, open HBO NOW (on SHIELD).”
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“Alexa, pause (on SHIELD).”
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“Alexa, play (on SHIELD).”
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“Alexa, next (on SHIELD).”
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“Alexa, previous (on SHIELD).”
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“Alexa, fast-forward ten minutes (on SHIELD).”
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“Alexa, go to settings (on SHIELD).”
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“Alexa, go home (on SHIELD).”
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“Alexa, go to control settings (on SHIELD).”
But wait, there's more. From now through November 10, if you buy a Shield TV from Amazon or Best Buy, you'll get a free 3rd-gen Echo Dot. If you already own a Shield TV, Nvidia says that, assuming you're a Shield Rewards member, you'll get an email offering you an "exclusive discount." Unfortunately, I don't think we get the free Dot. Sad day.
PRESS RELEASE
Say More: Control SHIELD TV with Amazon Echo Devices
A new Alexa Skill has launched in the US enabling hands-free control of SHIELD TV with your Amazon Echo devices*.
Comfortably holding the crown as the most open streaming platform, SHIELD gives you more of what you want than any streaming media device. It’s the streamer with access to more of your music, movies and TV shows from multiple ecosystems. Not to mention the widest range of 4K content.
That now extends to voice services as SHIELD is the only streamer you can control with both Amazon Echo and Google Home devices. Available through a new Amazon Skill, you can ask Alexa to help with navigating and enjoying your favorite movies, TV shows, music and more.
Another cool feature for SHIELD users in the Amazon ecosystem: Dolby Atmos passthrough support for Prime Video. In addition to the jaw-dropping 4K HDR visuals, you now get breathtaking spatial audio to match in Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan.
I’m in! Let’s Get Started
Start the process by pairing an Echo to your SHIELD from within the Amazon Alexa app. This is the app you downloaded on your mobile device from Google Play or the App Store during Echo’s initial setup.
First, you’ll need to enable the skill. Open the Alexa app, click the menu button and select “Skills & Games,” then search for “NVIDIA SHIELD TV.” Select the skill and press “Enable.”
After accepting the terms, continue the linking process in the Alexa app by connecting your NVIDIA account. You’ll need to be logged into the same NVIDIA account on your SHIELD before completing this step.
The final steps in the app are to select the SHIELD and Echo devices you’d like to connect.
Once finished, you’re successfully linked and can now control SHIELD with your Echo.
Special Offers for a Limited Time**
Through November 10, 2018, purchase a SHIELD TV from Amazon or Best Buy and you’ll receive an Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for free.
Already own a SHIELD, but not an Echo device? SHIELD Rewards members can look for an exclusive discount on the newly released Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) in your Inbox. Not a member yet? You can subscribe to Rewards here.
With SHIELD, there’s always more to come. That extends to the integration between SHIELD and Echo devices. Support is currently limited to the US, but we’re working to bring this functionality to other regions.
Here are some of the voice commands that currently work, with more on the way:
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“Alexa, turn on SHIELD.”
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“Alexa, turn off SHIELD.”
-
“Alexa, set volume to 80 percent on SHIELD.”
Opening entertainment apps
-
“Alexa, open Prime Video (on SHIELD).”
-
“Alexa, open HBO NOW (on SHIELD).”
-
“Alexa, pause (on SHIELD).”
-
“Alexa, play (on SHIELD).”
-
“Alexa, next (on SHIELD).”
-
“Alexa, previous (on SHIELD).”
-
“Alexa, fast-forward ten minutes (on SHIELD).”
-
“Alexa, go to settings (on SHIELD).”
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“Alexa, go home (on SHIELD).”
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“Alexa, go to control settings (on SHIELD).”
(Note: Following the first command, Alexa will assume subsequent relevant commands are for SHIELD. Where "on SHIELD" is noted in parentheses, you can continue controlling SHIELD with just the command.)
SHIELD gets better, once again. How will you use Echo to control SHIELD?
To get started, open the Alexa app, head over to Skills & Games, and search for "Shield TV." You'll see one pop up called "NVIDIA SHIELD TV" by Nvidia Corp. Activate it and it'll ask you to link your Nvidia account, and you're good to go from there. Here's a list of currently available commands, but more will be coming soon: