By Stuart Thomson

Vodafone España has launched a new advanced 4K set-top box that can be used as a connected home hub.

The Vodafone TV 4K Pro includes audio functionality designed by Bang & Olufsen and integrated Dolby Atmos speakers as well as 4K HDR and voice control.

The box, manufactured by Sagemcom, integrates both Vodafone’s own V-Home software and Amazon Alexa, enabling Vodafone customers to use their TV to control connected home equipment.

Vodafone said that the box was part of its strategy to enable voice-controlled TV, begun with the launch of a voice controlled remote in 2019 and followed up with the launch of the Átika intelligent speaker last year.

The new box will be available to convergent and fibre cusostmers for a monthly subscription of €5, which compares with €3 for the standard 4K box and zero for Vodafone’s ‘boxless’ offering, which enables users to watch the service via Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast and smart TVs as well as other devices.

The device comes with four microphones to allow users to control their TV experience along with other connected home equipment. It integrates the operator’s own voice-based system Átika and also includes a button that allows them to deactivate the voice control if concerned about privacy.

In addition to Átika, which can be used to navigate the TV experience, including access to apps such as HBO España, Amazon Prime Video, Flimin and ATRESplayer Premium, the device includes Amazon Alexa software, which can be used to access the likes of Amazon Music, Spotify and Deezer as well as to control lighting and home security equipment via Vodafone’s V-Home service, set alarms, provide information on demand and organise calendars.

Other functionalities include WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 and a Bluetooth-enabled voice-control remote.