Tablo and Firestick TV Alexa Routine

Tablo Apps Amazon Fire TV & Android TV
1

Has anyone figured out an Alexa routine to turn on the TV and start the Alexa app?
I’ve tried a routine or a voice command that:
Powers on TV and FireStick
Open Tablo TV app

No problem turning on the TV / FIrestick with Alexa but can’t get the Tablo TV app to open.

2

I have a Fire TV Cube with Alexa built-in. When the TV is Off and the Fire TV Cube is On, I say to the Fire TV Cube, “Alexa, Open Tablo TV”. The Fire TV Cube responds, “Here’s Tablo TV”, and powers on the TV opening the Tablo TV app. I guess it’s the same thing as using a Fire TV voice remote in this scenario.

I tried what you’re doing using an Alexa Routine. So, I setup an Alexa Routine to trigger using a unique voice command and used the ‘Fire TV’ action selecting it to use the Fire TV Cube with the ‘Play Content’ option set it to ‘Open Tablo TV’. When I ask the Fire TV Cube’s Alexa to do the unique voice command, it responds on the Fire TV Cube’s speaker, “Here’s what I found”, turns on the TV, and just searches to show me search results. HUH!

I then tried using a custom action ‘Alexa, open Tablo TV’, and selected the Fire TV Cube as the respond on device, but it still did the same thing giving me search results.

However, when I change the ‘Open Tablo TV’ Routine action to ‘Open …’ any other video app installed, the Alexa Routine opens other apps. And, when I tried ‘Open Tablo’ instead of ‘Open Tablo TV’, the Routine appears that it will open the Legacy Tablo app.

So, it seems Alexa Routines can’t open the new Tablo TV app at all even though direct device voice commands can. Strange…

3

Thanks! I can’t even get Tablo to do Alexa voice. If I say Alexa open Tablo TV app- Alexa says it is opening on FireTV but it doesn’t actually open.

4

I’m pretty sure you have to enable this in your TV. Your streaming device and TV should use HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) to simultaneously turn on the TV and/or streaming device. Look for HDMI-CEC in your TV settings and turn it on. Your soundbar should work the same way if you have one.

https://www.howtogeek.com/207186/how-to-enable-hdmi-cec-on-your-tv-and-why-you-should/

5

To use the voice commands … I don’t know if this works as we don’t use Alexa voice commands.

To open TabloTV using Alexa voice control, simply say “Alexa, open Tablo” or “Alexa, launch Tablo”. You can also use voice commands to navigate within the app, such as “Alexa, go to recordings”. [1, 2, 3]

Here’s a more detailed explanation: [1, 2, 3, 4]

  • Open the Tablo App:
    • Use your Alexa device (e.g., Echo, Fire TV) to say “Alexa, open Tablo” or “Alexa, launch Tablo”.
    • If you have a Fire TV, you can also press the Alexa or Microphone button on your remote and say “Tablo”.
  • Navigate within the Tablo App:
    • Once the Tablo app is open, you can use voice commands to navigate within the app.
    • For example, say “Alexa, go to recordings” or “Alexa, play [channel name]”.
  • Ensure Tablo App is Installed:
    • Make sure the Tablo app is installed on your Fire TV or other device that you are using to control it with Alexa.
    • You can find and install the app by searching for “Tablo” on the Amazon Fire TV app store.
  • Alternative Voice Commands:
    • You can also use more general commands like “Alexa, search for [movie/TV show]” or “Alexa, find [title/genre/actor]” to find content within the Tablo app.

This video demonstrates how to voice control a TV and set-top box with Alexa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0IvAhmANMM

Generative AI is experimental.

[1] https://support.tablotv.com/hc/en-us/articles/14244078418068-How-to-Find-and-Install-the-Tablo-App-on-Your-Device

[2] Alexa control of tablo

[3] https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G3YFGTLKXC2YLWLQ

[4] https://www.amazon.com/alexa-voice-control-fire-tv/b?ie=UTF8&node=23477582011

6

Thank you. I’ve tried the usual methods and nothing seems to work to control Tablo via Alexa. No problem controlling TV or other apps, but no luck with Tablo. If I tried to open or launch Tablo TV using voice Alexa says “Getting from Fire TV” but it never opens. Oh well - LOL.

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