Sky is back with a blockbuster boost to its Glass TVs and Stream boxes. The best part is, those with one of these devices in their living rooms will get the new features for free. The update, which started rolling out today, includes a range of changes, such as controlling Sky’s internet-powered gadgets using your smartphone and receiving programme reminders that can be set for any item in the TV guide.

The settings are also getting simplified, which should make things far easier to navigate, and there is a host of new accessibility features, including the ability to change the contrast between the background and text in Sky apps.

“Sky’s ever-evolving operating system, Sky OS, just got better, giving Sky Glass and Stream customers even smarter ways to control their TV,” Sky explained.

So, if you have a Sky Glass TV, Sky Glass Air device or Sky Stream box, here are all the new features that are available now. You shouldn’t need to restart the device or delve into the settings, as the upgrade will take place automatically.

New features coming to your Sky device this week.

Set reminders for unmissable shows

Useful reminders are rolling out to all Sky Glass and Stream customers now, so no more scrambling for the remote when a big game is about to kick off, or the big end-of-season finale is being shown. Programme reminders can be set for anything in the TV guide. To access this update, Sky says that viewers simply need to go to the show page of what they’d like to watch and select “Set a reminder.”

Once that’s done, a notification will then appear at the top of the screen when the show begins.

A smarter way to control the TV

It’s something that’s been available on Sky Q for a while. Now Sky Glass and Stream customers can finally control their TV from their phone with the new digital Sky remote app, available on iOS and Android. That means if the remote disappears down the side of the sofa, it doesn’t matter.

From the app, it’s easy to find favourite shows in seconds, change channels, and manage playback (play, pause, skip) with just a tap. Remote app users can also enjoy built-in accessibility features like screen reader support.

Settings, simplified

Sky says that the settings are now easier to reach – just press the three dots on the Sky remote and scroll right. No need to scroll down.

They’ve moved to the quick access menu for faster navigation to picture and sound settings, parental controls, accessibility and more.

A whole host of new accessibility features

Upgraded voice guidance experience: Customers can now adjust the voice guidance speed to their preference when navigating the UI, as well as some of their favourite apps including Sky Sports+, Sky Store, Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and RTE

High contrast in Sky apps: Change the contrast between the background and text in Sky apps, by turning on High contrast via the Sky Glass or Sky Stream settings.

Magnification: Turn on magnification mode via Accessibility settings to zoom in up to 400% and use the number keys on the remote to pan across the UI.

Audio Description on demand: Audio Description is rolling out for Sky on-demand shows, bringing the same accessible experience already available on Sky broadcast channels to Sky Cinema and Sky Entertainment on-demand content.