Roku’s Massive Upgrade: All the New Features Revealed
▼ Summary
– Roku has updated its Voice Search with AI to enable conversational queries about various topics and on-screen content.
– A new “Ways to Watch” button and search functionality in Live TV Channel Guide and Live TV Zone simplify content discovery.
– Real-time sports alerts provide dynamic updates, including Reminders for upcoming games and Live Scores with simplified highlights.
– Bluetooth Headphone Mode is now available on Roku Streaming Stick models for private audio listening with wireless earbuds.
– The Roku Mobile app is adding features like Shortcuts, Find My Remote, Closed Captions, and a Rate button for content feedback.
Roku is rolling out a substantial platform upgrade packed with new features, including AI-powered voice search, real-time sports alerts, and enhanced content discovery tools. These improvements are designed to speed up how users find and enjoy entertainment, solidifying Roku OS as a leading hub for streaming. The update, announced recently, brings a more intuitive and connected viewing experience to millions of users.
The Voice Search function now incorporates artificial intelligence, enabling you to ask more natural, conversational questions. You can inquire about a broad spectrum of topics, from “What type of fish is Nemo?” to “How frightening is The Shining?” This smarter voice assistant understands the context of your queries, so you can fluidly ask follow-up questions without repeating yourself. For instance, after discussing the best horror movies, you can immediately request to watch “Halloween,” and the system will comprehend the connection.
A new “Ways to Watch” button lets you jump directly into a movie or show right from its trailer. Furthermore, Roku has integrated a search bar directly into the Live TV Channel Guide and Live TV Zone, making it significantly easier to find trending and on-demand broadcasts without leaving the live TV interface. The operating system also introduces a “What to Watch” section that intelligently displays where your desired content is available across various streaming services.
Sports enthusiasts receive special attention with the introduction of real-time sports updates. This feature delivers dynamic information and simplified highlights for your favorite teams, ensuring you never miss a crucial touchdown or goal. The system provides two primary types of alerts: Reminders and Live Scores. Reminders notify you of upcoming games directly on your television screen, and you can opt for mobile notifications for even more immediate updates. You can customize these for different events, such as the first pitch in a baseball game or kickoff in a football match.
Live Scores offer a clean, consolidated view of ongoing game results and highlights from your preferred teams, which is incredibly useful for tracking leagues like the NFL, NBA, NHL, and college football.
Several other noteworthy enhancements are part of this update. Bluetooth Headphone Mode is now available for the Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus, allowing for private listening with your favorite wireless earbuds without disturbing others. The accompanying Roku Mobile app is also receiving several new features, including Shortcuts, a Find My Remote tool, Closed Captions, a Sleep Timer, and Daily Trivia. A new Rate button lets you Like or Dislike content, which helps Roku’s algorithm provide better, personalized recommendations.
Finally, the “For You” page has been reorganized for simpler navigation. Content is now neatly separated into distinct categories like Sports, Movies, and TV Shows, making the interface more straightforward and user-friendly. All these features are available now with the latest Roku software update.
(Source: Tom’s Guide)
