Two of them offer 4K video streaming.
Advertisement
Though Roku’s new streaming player has a more angular design than its predecessor, the big changes are on the inside, with the device capable of streaming 4K content. The Roku 4 will even help locate a misplaced remote. Will I need a new TV?
In many ways, that remote control finder embodies what Roku is all about, and why the company has bee successful despite competition from juggernauts like Amazon, Google and Apple. And by others, I mean the three new video streaming devices that have been announced recently by Apple, Amazon and Google? One of the oldest in the field is Roku, who is now revealing its play with the new Roku 4 player.
The operating system upgrade will roll out to Roku owners later this month.
The new look of the hardware is the first indication that under the hood, things are different.
Roku’s newest model, the Roku 4, has a faster processor and mobile app. Now it’s Roku’s turn with the new Roku 4.
Connectivity options on the box are also prepped for 4K ubiquity. The app only works on the same Wi-Fi network as the Roku for now, but will expand out of the house later. The device offers a quad-core processor, up to 60 fps 4K streaming and a 1080p home screen and user interface. The new console comes with a dedicated button to find your remote which is handy if you are one of the many that tends to lose them.
The new Roku box goes on sale today for $130 and will ship sometime in October, the company says.
The Roku OS 7 update’s headline feature builds on May’s introduction of a “Feed” to the players’ homescreens.
Of the four companies behind the biggest-selling streaming devices, Roku is the last to introduce new items before the crucial holiday shopping season.
The free Roku Mobile App for iOS and Android also received a few major overhauls, it’s now much easier for consumers to access key features including Roku Search, Roku Feed, Remote Control and Play on Roku. At least, that’s how Roku is describing it. This doesn’t mean you can watch content from within the Roku mobile app, but you can utilize the new follow function or get notifications. Since 4K content is still scarce, Roku makes it easy to find with a curated 4K Spotlight channel. And “Hotel and Dorm Connect” lets you tap into Wi-Fi networks that require login credentials. In addition, the company unveiled a redesigned Roku mobile app that brings more control to a mobile device, and soon will feature an on-the-go mode that allows for access to features such as the Roku Feed while away from home.
Content discovery also becomes easier with the enhancement of Roku Feed.
Advertisement
While products like the Apple TV take aim at the high-end market, Roku has reached a large audience – 7.5 million active users – by selling through retailers like Walmart and, as of previous year, partnering directly with TV manufacturers to make internet-enabled TVs with built-in streaming capabilities.
