Amazon Alexa - Skills - Use Alexa to Stream Netflix
Prior to cutting the cord in mid-2015, the TV at the Sanders household was on throughout the evening to provide background noise or a secondary source of entertainment.
Since joining the "cord cutter movement", we do the same thing with Netflix, YouTube, or anyone of the streaming offerings.
So when I get home for the evening or step away from the kitchen table serving as the desk for the day, I reach for the Apple TV remote and navigate to get something on the tube.
Recently, as I was clicking away on the remote (3rd generation Apple TV), I realized I was frustrated with the how many steps it takes to pick up where I left off in a series on Netflix.
I want to be able to talk to Alexa and ask her to turn on the TV and play the next episode of whatever series!
There are partial solutions to this problem such as:
- The Phillips harmony hub which pairs with Alexa to offer this feature,
- if you want to uncut the cord the Xfinity X1 service which allows you to talk into where you can talk to the remote,
- Or the 4th generation Apple TV which also has a remote you can talk to...
I want to just talk to Alexa!
There are several steps here which need to happen to make this possible:
- turn on the tv,
- turn on the Apple TV,
- open the Netflix app,
- and then navigate to a specific show.
This is one area where the Google Home may have a leg up on the Amazon product. The Home leverages one of Google's other products, the ChromeCast, to solve the connection to the TV. So after connecting your ChromeCast and Netflix to your Home, you can play anything from the vast Netflix library or YouTube.
Now there is another device at play here. The ChromeCast. Currently, I am using the third generation of Apple TV and ready for an upgrade. To get this functionality, I will make the switch to the Fire Stick.
Amazon make it happen!
