Do you have a tablet with Android operating system and have a contract with Movistar as an Internet access provider? You can try the company’s new application on your device: Movistar HomeConnect You can turn the tablet into an interactive screen. Landline calls with access to lists and contacts, conversation with the Aura assistant, access to the Movistar Plus+ catalogue and much more.

Movistar offers different products to individuals, from mobile tariffs to routers with which it equips fiber installations. You also have accessories in your store that will extend the benefits of your services, such as WiFi extenders or smart screens like the Nest Hub. The Movistar Home screen was discontinued a year ago. And now there is a way to get it back.

Turn your Android tablet into a smart display

The concept of the application is exactly the same as that of Movistar Home: a screen where listening is activated to respond to commands using Movistar’s intelligent assistant Aura. I tested Movistar Home Connect on my Google Pixel Tablet and the feeling was very similar to interacting with my Google Nest Hub. Of course, much more clumsy in terms of voice recognition and usage options.

After opening the app and approving the relevant permissions (access to microphone, video and contacts), Aura keeps listening To respond to “OK, Aura”. Permanent listening connection may be interrupted as the consumption on the tablet increases significantly (in addition to the microphone, the screen must also be on).

Movistar Plus+ content and recommendations can be requested from Aura, allowing you to launch said content on the TV decoder and This does not appear on the tablet screen.. If your decoder is not open and you use the application to access your Movistar Plus+, as in my case, Movistar Home Connect will not be of much use to you. There is only one thing you can do from the applications to search the catalog. Even with Aura itself.

One positive aspect I found is that the new app simulates a landline perfectly. I didn’t plug it in to avoid having to deal with more cables and junk. Now I can use the tablet to make phone calls: The number you are calling is from a contracted landline.. And it lets you do video conferencing using the tablet’s camera. Other than that, the possibilities are slim.

Movistar Home Connect is an interesting application that does not achieve everything that the dedicated device already does not: Aura’s usefulness is very limited. And to work, the tablet screen must always be on, which is another limitation of Movistar Home Connect. To try Movistar Home Connect, simply download the software from the Google Play Store.

Cover image | Ivan Linares

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