Like many Tier 1 operators, Telefónica is facing a battle to retain customers not just for the primary TV service, but also for the smart home, where Google and Amazon in particular have made great inroads on the back of voice-driven assistants. But Telefónica differs from most rivals in favoring a dedicated device, its Movistar Home gateway, to host the user interface for converged services, rather than the TV itself or the user’s smartphone. The Spanish operator’s pitch is that the device doubles as the remote control for the TV service while also incorporating its AI-based apps and algorithms for smart home functions. It can also host third party apps that integrate with the TV service for added value and,…