Your loved one’s JoyTV is getting its biggest update yet. Joy, the companion who lives on their TV, has a new look and a quicker voice, and she can help with much more. The update installs by itself, so neither of you needs to do anything.
This article covers what your loved one will notice, some easy ways to help them get comfortable, and what’s new for you in the JoyFamily app.
What your loved one will notice
Joy now appears as a friendly animated character. Joy's eyes blink and lips move as she talks, which makes her easier to follow.
The background color shows whose turn it is. It’s green when Joy is listening and amber while she’s thinking or talking. If your loved one isn’t sure when to speak, “talk when it’s green” is a simple rule to share.
Joy is faster. She appears in about half the time she used to, with no black loading screen.
Conversations feel more natural. Joy’s new real-time voice lets your loved one talk with her the way they’d talk to a person.
Talking to Joy
Your loved one says “Hey Joy” followed by what they’d like, such as “Hey Joy, play some Frank Sinatra.” A chime tells them Joy is listening, and another tells them she heard. They can pause after “Hey Joy” and she’ll wait for the rest.
Things your loved one can ask:
They say… | What happens |
“Hey Joy, call my daughter” | Joy calls you (or another family member) |
“Hey Joy, start a video check-in” | Joy starts a video check-in |
“Hey Joy, play some Frank Sinatra” | Joy plays music on YouTube |
“Hey Joy, remind me to take my pills at 2 PM” | Joy sets a reminder and reads it aloud when it’s time |
“Hey Joy, set a timer for 10 minutes” | Joy sets a timer (“How long is left?” works too) |
“Hey Joy, what’s on my schedule?” | Joy reads out the day’s schedule |
“Hey Joy, show me my photos” | Joy opens their photos |
“Hey Joy, paint me a picture of a sunset” | Joy paints a picture |
If something isn’t working, your loved one can just say “stop” or “never mind,” or press Back on the remote. Joy will go away.
While they’re watching a video they've requested, saying “Hey Joy” pauses it while she listens. They can then say “pause,” “play,” “skip ahead,” “go back” or “stop.”
During a call or while watching TV, Joy doesn't respond because those activities take priority over Joy. They can always press the Blue companion button in the upper right corner of the remote to summon Joy while watching TV.
Helping your loved one get comfortable
Try it together on your next visit. Have them say “Hey Joy, play some music” and enjoy the result together.
Start with one or two requests. Music and calling family are usually the favorites.
Write a few phrases on a card next to the TV, such as “Hey Joy, call [your name]” or “Hey Joy, play music.”
Reassure them that they can’t break anything. “Hey Joy, Stop” or the Cancel button always gets them out.
Joy’s paintings
Your loved one can ask Joy to paint anything they can describe, such as a favorite place, a pet or a memory. While she paints, which can take up to a minute, they’ll see Joy working at her easel. Finished paintings are shared with you, so you get a glimpse of what’s on their mind.
Joy can’t paint famous characters, brands or real people. If asked, she’ll suggest something similar in her own words.
Calls between you and your loved one
Calls get through reliably. We fixed a problem where JoyTV sometimes still looked “busy” after a call ended, which stopped family members from getting through.
Calls are easier for your loved one to follow. When they call you, they now see a “Starting your call” screen right away and hear ringing while your phone rings.
Your photo appears on their screen when they call you.
Video messages are clearer. When your loved one records a message, the screen shows who it’s for.
What’s new in the JoyFamily app
Update JoyFamily from the App Store or Google Play to get these improvements.
Never miss a call from your loved one
Calls from JoyTV now ring your phone with a full-screen incoming call, even when it’s locked. On iPhone, it looks just like a regular phone call.
Profile photos show on incoming calls and during calls.
Hanging up is instant: “Call Ended” appears right away, and your camera stops immediately.
Manage your loved one’s JoyTV
Turn “Hey Joy” on or off. Go to your loved one’s Settings and look under Enable AI Companion.
Edit their profile. You can now easily change your loved one’s name, details and photo.
Find Settings faster. Settings now sit right under your loved one’s name on the Home screen.
For the rest of the family
An improved Home screen for invited family members. It shows each person’s photo, a Call Now button, and Send a Message or Photo.
Video messages play right away. Tap View Message and they start playing.
Simpler sign-up. A phone number is no longer needed.
Common questions
Does my loved one need to do anything to get the update?
No. JoyTV updates itself.
Joy isn’t responding to my loved one. What can I suggest?
Have them say “Hey Joy” clearly, wait for the chime, then make their request. If the TV is very loud, turning the volume down a little helps Joy hear them.
“Hey Joy” seems to confuse my loved one, or Joy starts listening by accident. Can I turn it off?
Yes. In JoyFamily, open your loved one’s Settings and switch off Enable “Hey Joy”
wake word.
Where do I find my loved one’s paintings?
Paintings show up under Messages, from the Home Screen simply tap 'Send Message or Photo'.
Still need help? Contact us.