New Features on Pik TV - June 2, 2019

[dru]

Update June 2nd, 2019

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New features and performance improvements are now available to the Pik TV app on the Android Media Box, Browser, and Mobile apps. Our latest updates will enrich the experience and reduce lag. Here’s what you can expect:

What’s New?  

Improved Voice Features 

Including the new voice commands, Pik TV STB now supports more than 150 phrases; including “critically acclaimed movies”, “turn on closed captioning”, “launch 3rd party apps”, and “open Netflix”. Find out more here.

Next Episode Coming Up 

For all you binge watchers out there, we will be introducing Next Episode playback that will reduce the effort required to continue watching your favourite TV series.

More ways to channel surf 

Just for the App and Browser versions of Pik TV, we are introducing the ability to see what other live programs are playing without having to launch the Guide.

Performance Improvements 

Improvements in load times when launching TV guide and opening Episode Lists within the application.

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For more support articles, please visit the dedicated Pik TV support articles

For more discussions topics, please visit the Pik TV Neighbourhood forums

[starscream323]

Play Store still show Sept 12, 2018 as the latest version. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.telus.mediaroom.tvx.proda&hl=en

Some sort of delay?

[Tai]

Hey @starscream323! Thanks for the heads up. Our teams are just finalizing the new features and making some last-minute tweaks, so we have updated the release date for these updates to next week. If there are any more delays we'll keep this post updated. Otherwise we will be on the edge of our seats for next week. 🙂

[starscream323]

Thanks for the update @Tai !

Does your team know if there are any plans to update the Pik TV box to Android 8.0 in the near future?

Other Android boxes like Nvidia Shield and Sony TVs have been updated to Android 8.0.

[Tai]

@starscream323 Based on the version number, the update planned for next week will still be Android 7 / Nougat. Unfortunately I haven't heard any chatter here about the next planned release yet. Sorry!

[clint17]

Hello

How about having a closer look at the 3 ADB catlog files I posted on Google Drive that can be reached here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KHDvqVIuVomsvb14UO2uM0iu6FyaGynR?usp=sharing

Each time the Android box got stuck in screen saver or simply died with a black screen or showing the program guide, but not functioning anymore. The last four digits of the filename give the time in hours and minutes when the box visibly died. It is really stupid to release new features without having the old known errors fixed first! 

And another thing: Not having a place were developers can be reached to report bugs is a shame considering the poor performance of the PikTV offering! Or did I miss something?

Clint

[psitech]

How about fixing the set-top box problem with Netflix fitzing out almost ever time? It's become almost impossible to watch a Netflix title to completion. The vdo turns to snow and the box needs to be rebooted. Pulling the power doesn't fix it like it used to. Netflix is one of the reasons I got Pik TV set-top box - but it's so bad now I'm about ready to cancel. 

Also, the using the guide is still frustrating slow - especially on start-up. It can take 15-30seconds for the system to respond to the remote after it displays the channel and overlays the guide.

[yvrmike]

It's clear by the survey Telus conducted over the summer that they are aware that Pik TV is a problem child. 

What other consumer media product requires a hard power off reboot multiple times a week just to be barely and unreliably "usable"?

Name one.

I can't.

[tek9]

I have to agree. Why is the focus put on AppleTV while Telus' Pik TV android box is plagued with slowness and needs to be rebooted regularly? Are there any improvements coming to Android PikTV? If the hardware is the issue or it's too weak maybe make it possible to install the app on any Android powered smart tv? Having to wait 10-15 seconds for the guide to respond after the app starts is pretty annoying.

[lukaM]

Telus clearly doesn't have resources to do well all three - PikTV Android box, mobile app, and Web interface.

So why not concentrate on what's going to be used by most users, app IMHO?

Let's face it, box is dead. Nobody is going to buy proprietary buggy hardware with uncertain future.

Web relies on Adobe Flash, support for which will be dropped by the end of 2020.

That makes PikTV app obvious choice.

[tek9]

Yes - but the development of the PikTV android app is a different pathway from development of Apple app (and there doesn't seem to be much happening in the android part). It would be also nice if Telus was actually clearly communicating what the future steps are. Instead of being completely mum.

[yvrmike]

as I mentioned another post I have acquired an Apple TV box and I have to say the difference is like night and day between the Pik media box and Apple TV.

No amount of software optimization is going to narrow the gap.

On an Apple TV device, pick becomes hugely useful as opposed to ranging from being unbearable to barely usable on the other device.

My recommendation to Telus would be that they stop marketing the Android device.

The one thing I miss from the Android box is the built-in Chromecast functionality.

So, if you really want to stick with chick, I would suggest you consider picking up an Apple TV device. I've been holding off commenting for a couple of weeks to see how things went and it continues to behave perfectly, and not only performance but even picture quality is better.

Others on here have suggested the same, although I haven't seen details on why they thought it was so, no doubt there are post somewhere in the forum on that, and I intend to do one myself.

I still think it's quite correct and legitimate to be frustrated that the Telus branded device packaged with the service performs so poorly.

Mike

[lukaM]

Not sure AppleTV should be priority. There are many  more phones, then AppleTVs.

[clint17]

Hi

Why is everybody bashing the Android box? Outside of Pik TV it's working perfectly! A shareholder of Apple stock? Let's face it: The people who designed the app have no clue how to get it right! The Telus forum is pretty much the only one with all these whiners and complainers - and this box is used by other companies too, without major problems. Just push it to the Apple, and Telus will loose a fair amount of subs who are not going to switch. They will be lost forever for T because switching to Optik - no thanks. same garbage just more money down the drain.

So what? After more than two years of living with this cripple, is there really nobody who can design a working app? First getting to work what exists before adding new features! Pik TV was created to be low priced and simple, mainly for cord cutters or people without OTA. Please keep it this way!

Rant over, have a good nite.

[tek9]

That's why it would be great if Telus clarified if there any any improvement coming to PikTV Android APP anytime soon. Clear communication wins customers. Sweeping things under the rug doesn't.