Netgem has unveiled its new proposition for the UK market, combining free-to-view content with ‘skinny bundles’ and on demand from the public service broadcasters through Freeview Play.
But arguably the most significant feature is the inclusion of Amazon Alexa voice control within the company’s new SoundBox and NetBox range, the first manufacturer to do so. The initial models are currently available on the Amazon store in the UK and later through other retailer outlets.
A free year’s subscription to Amazon Prime is being offered by Netgem to purchasers of the new products.
In addition to Amazon Prime Video there is also Rakuten TV, Hayu, Hopster and Trace TV. However, Netflix is not currently present.
Netgem is also looking to some of Britain’s smaller fibre providers that are rolling out in the UK with the incentive of providing their customers “We want to work with ISPs to offer them the benefit of Netgem-powered devices. Some of them we are in active discussions with,” confirmed Sylvain Thevenot, Managing Director of Netgem UK. “We are happy to work with a number of business models and understand it’s not necessarily natural for ISPs to provide a TV because there’s well established large scale operations in the UK… we’re happy to provide the service on a rental basis.”
In the second half of 2018, Netgem will release NetBox 4K with AirPlay and Dolby Digital support, and will add microphones to its SoundBox 4K to offer voice control without any additional device.
