Sky Go now lets you skip ads, while Sky Q has new voice control features

By Joe Svetlik
published

Sky Q's new voice controls let you switch apps and record live TV just by speaking, while Sky Go also gets ad skipping.

Sky Q adds more voice control features
(Image credit: Sky)

Sky Q's voice control feature has been expanded, offering you more control through the power of voice control.

For one, you can now switch apps using your voice. Say "Netflix" while watching iPlayer, say, and the streaming app will launch. You can jump between all sorts of apps too, from listening to music on Spotify, to binge-watching Loki on Disney+, to working out on Fiit.

The voice control works the same as before – just hold down the mic button and speak into it.

Saying "Home" will take you back to the Sky Q homepage, while saying "Watch 101" will take you to channel 101 in the TV guide (BBC One).

You can also now record what's on just by saying "Record", while "Audio described TV" will take you to a list of shows and films with audio description enabled. It seems like Sky would really like us all talking into our remote controls.

The Sky Go service has had a refresh too. Sky Sports Recap gives you access to highlights of a live sporting fixture during the match itself – ideal if you missed the start. And, having been limited to Sky Q, it's now available on the Sky Go iOS app. It's promised to be coming soon to Android and desktop devices, too.

Ad skipping is also now an option, letting you cut out those pesky ads, albeit only on some content. All Sky Go customers can also now download content for offline viewing (previously this was only for Sky Go Extra and Sky Q Multiscreen subscribers), and you can now stream on at least two screens instead of one, regardless of your subscription. These updates are live now. Happy watching!

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Joe Svetlik
Joe Svetlik

Joe has been writing about tech for 17 years, first on staff at T3 magazine, then in a freelance capacity for Stuff, The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Men's Health, GQ, The Mirror, Trusted Reviews, TechRadar and many more (including What Hi-Fi?). His specialities include all things mobile, headphones and speakers that he can't justifying spending money on.

4 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Friesiansam
    Great, another Sky Q update.

    I wish they would just leave the software alone, every time they update it, it becomes more irritating. We're getting sick of it recording programmes we don't want, because we recorded one episode from a previous series, two years ago, to give the show a try and, then cancelled the series record.

    When the current contract is up, we are going Freesat, not even going to try and negotiate another discount.
    Reply
  • djh1697
    "When the current contract is up, we are going Freesat, not even going to try and negotiate another discount. "

    Sky Q equipment is loaned by Sky, they could insist that you return it, you can of course get the older boxes for a few pounds now.
    Reply
  • Friesiansam
    djh1697 said:
    Sky Q equipment is loaned by Sky, they could insist that you return it, you can of course get the older boxes for a few pounds now.
    Freesat is not Sky without a sub and, once your initial contract term is over, after getting Sky installed, you can keep the dish indefinitely.
    Reply
  • meditek
    What Hi-Fi? said:
    Sky Q's new voice controls let you switch apps and record live TV just by speaking, while Sky Go also gets ad skipping.

    Sky Go now lets you skip ads, while Sky Q has new voice control features : Read more
    How EXACTLY do you stop Sky Go ads? Failed to find it in settings.
    Reply