Roku is a brand digital media players manufacturer and provides content in the form of channels. Roku is a Japanese word which means “six.” It is called so because it was the sixth company of Anthony Wood (CEO) founded in 2002. A Roku streaming device receives data via a wired or Wi-Fi connection from an Internet router. The output is through audio, video cable, or an HDMI connector; it varies.
If you’re using this device, you’ll soon receive a few updates. One of the most prominent features is Google Assistant on Roku.
Roku has recently announced that within a couple of weeks, Roku users will be able to control their streaming boxes, sticks, and Roku TVs by using Google Assistant voice commands. This update is for US customers only.
Roku still has not specified which device will be getting the Google Assistant update. They used the word “selected Roku devices.” in their press release. The release does clarify that only Rokus devices with voice capabilities will be able to use Google Assistant.
After the update, you could command the device to show you content like “Show my action movies” etc. You can also change channels by voice command only if you have OTA antenna attached.
Google Assistant can also help you in managing your daily routine.
Additional features
1. Free voice search: As discussed above, this feature allows you to command for a particular movie or anything.
2. Auto Volume Leveling and Speech Clarity: Both of these apps apply to people who have a Roku TV and Roku wireless speakers. Automatic volume adjustment will prevent an unpleasant transition between content and commercial breaks or between different transmission applications. The clarity of the discourse will emphasize the dialogue to compensate for the lack of a central channel in the configuration of Roku speakers.
3. Music Apps: Roku is also adding voice commands for iHeartRadio, Pandora, and TuneIn.
Also Read: Best Free Music Apps for Android and iOS
The following models are compatible with Roku OS 8.1 but for official news we have to wait for Roku to confirm the compatibility:
4660X, 4640X, 4630X, 4620X, 4400X, 4230X, 4210X, 4200X, 3910X, 3900X, 3810X, 3800X, 3710X, 3700X, 3600X, 3500X, 3420X, 3400X, 3100X, 3050X, 3000X, 2720X, 2710X, 2700X, 2500X, 2450X, 2400X, and all models of Roku TVs.
We could expect the update Roku OS 8.2 for Roku TVs and TV Wireless Speakers in the US around November. The update also brings Spotify. The update will also be available for Roku TV sets in the new year.
Stay tuned for more!