feature: humax


James Sandison, head of retail at Humax UK, says it’s time for independent retailers to really embrace the smart home revolution


I


n recent years, our industry has seen a proliferation of smart home solutions


with everything from lighting, heating, security, kitchen, bathroom and other household appliances, as well as education and entertainment sources, being connected and controlled from a central hub or mobile device. Of course, this includes TV, which has


experienced an extraordinary revolution over the last few years, with an abundance of devices, apps and streaming services breaking into the market, and millions of users and subscribers clambering to sign up. According to GfK, smart TVs now dominate the UK television category, having grown from 3.7 million units in 2016 to 6.4m in 2020 – representing £2.7 billion or over 97% of the market in value. Over the last 14 months, we have also witnessed an unprecedented level of adoption of home entertainment products and services, as consumers have been forced to stay inside due to the global pandemic. Humax has been designing and manufacturing connected devices, network solutions and smart technology products for more than 30 years, so is no stranger to pioneering new concepts and leading the industry in the connected technology arena. Indeed, the name ‘Humax’ was derived from


the term ‘Human Maximisation’: the company mission has always been to optimise the human experience and improve the lives of people through technology and innovation. And this is something we absolutely aspire to accomplish now, and to continue long into the future.


20 | www.ierdaily.co.uk Connecting the dots


A smarter way to entertain A perfect example of a solution designed to maximise the human entertainment experience was the introduction of AURA: the first Android TV-based Freeview Play PVR to be launched in the UK. This 4K Freeview Play Recorder is the first of its kind to be powered by the Android TV platform. AURA has transformed the concept of the


set-top box or PVR, opening up traditional watching/recording functionality to become a fully smart device at the heart of the home entertainment ecosystem. It allows you to watch what you want, whenever you want, wherever you’re located. Thanks to its built-in Google Assistant


features, users can operate their device and TV using voice control, and activate their smart home systems (turning on lights, heating, speakers, asking questions, setting reminders, controlling security systems, and more). It also offers an unlimited source of content


through the Google Play Store, including a multitude of apps, games and streaming services. AURA meets the needs of the new generations of consumer who instinctively expect to consume their content on demand and/or on the move, rather than live in their


May & June 2021


front room. Thanks to seamless integration with Google, it’s the easiest, most intuitive PVR yet to set up and use – simply log in with your Google account, and all your preferences will be automatically transferred to the device. This also allows AURA to recommend content based on your personal viewing preferences. The AURA app enables you to download


your recordings to watch on your mobile device, as well as setting reminders and scheduling recordings while you’re away from home. Very soon, through a new firmware addition, it will also allow content to be streamed around the home to DLNA-enabled devices.


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