In the streaming world, Roku is undeniably one of the most well-known names. The company proudly claims to be one of the biggest streaming platforms in the US, and this year, it has been on a roll with new software and hardware launches.
Now, Roku has recently announced what it has coming in the pipeline, as it continues to compete closely in the streaming world with companies like Amazon and Google. From new improvements to search, a new AI feature, and a new capability for the Roku Streaming Stick, here are all the biggest new features that Roku says are "coming soon" to Roku OS.
Roku Voice is getting an AI upgrade
Talking to your Roku will soon be more conversational
Roku Voice is a handy feature that Roku TVs and streaming devices have that lets you use your voice to search for and open things on Roku OS. I typically find it most handy for quickly opening my favorite streaming app, such as Netflix or HBO Max, and for finding where to watch a specific movie or TV show.
In its upcoming software update, Roku announced it is upgrading Roku Voice with new AI capabilities, including the ability to ask it deeper questions about movies, shows, and actors, and more, with the answers appearing on your TV screen. Since it's powered by AI, you'll be able to use Roku Voice in a much more conversational manner and ask it follow-up questions.
In its blog post, Roku showcased a few examples of how it could be used, such as asking Roku Voice, "What's Barbie about?" or "How scary is The Shining?" It's essentially Roku's way of getting you to ask your TV questions and receive answers about movies or shows you can stream, rather than reaching for your phone. With Alexa+ coming soon to Fire TV devices, it's not surprising to see Roku lean more into AI for search and discovery.
A search bar is being added to the Live TV Guide
Finding a FAST channel is about to be a lot easier
One of the highlights of the Roku experience is the wide selection of free ad-supported live TV channels available on The Roku Channel, and its live TV guide reminds me of using a TV guide on traditional cable boxes back in the day. However, since the Roku Channel offers over 500 free live TV channels, finding something specific can be tough, especially if you don't know the channel number.
Finally, with its upcoming software update, Roku is adding a search bar to its Live TV Channel Guide, so you can easily find what you're looking for instead of endlessly scrolling through it. Roku recently added a search bar to the "What to Watch" section in Roku OS, so it's a welcome change to see it brought to the Live TV channel guide, too. Roku says we can expect to see this addition land in the "coming months."
Headphone mode is coming to Roku's latest streaming sticks
You can now listen to your Roku Streaming Stick with AirPods
One of my favorite features on Amazon's Fire TV Sticks is the ability to connect Bluetooth headphones, something that neither of Roku's latest streaming sticks can do. However, that will soon change. In addition to the changes coming to Roku OS soon, the streaming giant announced that its Bluetooth Headphone Mode will be coming to the Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus, and it will be "rolling out globally."
This means if you have the Roku app on your mobile device, you'll soon be able to stream audio directly from your Roku Streaming Stick to headphones connected to your phone, such as AirPods. If you're looking to listen to a show in private or don't want to disturb anyone, this is quite a useful feature. Previously, it was only available on Roku's higher-end devices, like the Roku Ultra and its soundbars, so it's a welcome change to see it being brought soon to its more affordable streaming sticks.
Roku Streaming Stick Plus
- Brand
- Roku
- Operating System
- Roku OS
- Downloadable Apps
- Thousands
- Connectivity
- Wi-Fi
Live scores are coming to Roku Sports
You'll also be able to soon set reminders for games
For sports fans, you'll be glad to hear that Roku hasn't forgotten about Roku Sports, and it is making two handy changes to it with its upcoming update. One of the changes will allow you to see live score updates on the game tiles you can watch (as seen in the image above). The second change will let you set reminders for when an upcoming game starts, with your phone sending you a notification when to tune in.
If you're not familiar with Roku Sports, it's a centralized hub where you can find dedicated fan zones for professional sports leagues, such as the MLB, NFL, and NHL. When you find a live game you want to watch through Roku Sports, it will tell you where you can watch it, such as YouTube TV, Fox One, Xfinity Stream, and more.