Today, Roku announced the launch of the Roku Channel in Canada — a streaming service and channel that has been made from the ground up in order to deliver quality free TV shows and movies for the consumer. Best of all, the channel will be completely free, with ad support promised to be a third less than leading ad-supported Canadian programming.
Read moreRoku Launches the Roku Channel in Canada Free to use, limited advertising support
Streaming has quickly come the defacto way for many people to access the media they love. From HBO Go, to Netflix, streaming services and the streaming devices you watch them with have become the way for cord cutters to enjoy media, without the pesky need for cable or satellite. Today Roku announce the inevitable release of their new Streaming Stick+, the first streaming stick to allow 4K streaming.
DAZN, Canada’s online sports streaming service is now available to watch on Roku streaming devices and Roku enabled TV’s.
Roku has recently unveiled a new home entertainment licensing program. Additionally, the company will be rolling out a new voice-controlled assistant, which works through Roku Connect.
Roku will be introducing a new home licensing program that aims to make it easier for the consumer to enjoy their streaming content around the whole home. The new program will allow OEM brands to build soundbars and smart speakers, surround sound and multi-room audio systems that all use the Roku Connect software to work together in a home entertainment ecosystem or network.
Roku is also planning on rolling out a new voice assistant, the Roku Entertainment Assistant, optimised for home entertainment. It, along with Roku Connect, is expected to be rolled out as a free software update to the Roku® operating system by this Fall to most Roku TV models and Roku players.
The Roku Entertainment Assistant will enable consumers to use voice commands to enjoy entertainment on voice-supported Roku devices. Consumers will be able to issue commands such as, “Hey Roku, play jazz in the living room,” which will initiate a smart soundbar with Roku Connect enabled, to play, even if the TV is turned off.
“We’ve always focused on making it incredibly simple for consumers to find and enjoy streaming entertainment on their TVs, and with an expanded Roku ecosystem, consumers will be able to add great sound to their TVs, and audio around the whole home in a modern way,” said Roku CEO Anthony Wood. “Consumers will love the benefits of a home entertainment network, such as having more affordable options, adding one device at a time, using their voice, having a simplified setup and Wi-Fi connectivity, and holding just one remote control. And, of course, OEM brands benefit by offering their products in a more appealing way to our already large and engaged audience of millions of active accounts.”
OEM manufacturers can choose from a wide variety of options when on how to employ Roku’s smart software technology:
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Roku will be introducing American consumers to a new range of streaming devices under the Roku family.
Read moreRoku To Introduce New Range of Products, Lower Priced Roku Ultra
Streaming has quickly become the go-to way to consume media. With services like Hulu, Netflix and Funimation, there has never been more ways to watch movies and TV. Roku, a leader in the steaming space, today announced that they are refreshing the full lineup of devices.
Roku Inc. has revealed a new, more powerful, Roku Streaming Stick for customers to sink their teeth into. The latest model of the pocket-sized device was developed with performance in mind, now featuring a quad-core processor and sporting an affordable price tag of $59.99 CDN.
The new stick is said to have 8x more processing power than the previous model and will deliver both a fast and smooth experience for consumers. The device will also run the company’s latest operating system, also announced today, Roku OS 7.1.
OS 7.1 enhances the user experience by providing new categories to the Roku feed, which already provides users in the U.S. with over 2,000 streaming channels and over 100,000 available movies and TV episodes.
“The Roku Streaming Stick is one of our most popular models. Consumers appreciate having access to the complete Roku streaming experience in a portable, low-cost device,” said Sharad Sundaresan, SVP product management for Roku. “The new Roku Streaming Stick takes our popular experience to the next level with a significant upgrade in power and performance, as well as features that are specifically designed to get people to the entertainment they want to watch quickly and easily whether they’re at home or on the go.”
Features of the device are:
⦁ Only pocket-sized streamer with a quad-core processor; more processing power than Amazon Fire TV stick and Google Chromecast™
⦁ Private listening via a mobile phone or tablet using the Roku Mobile App for iOS and Android™ devices
⦁ Dual-band MIMO wireless for great connectivity
⦁ Included remote for easy navigation and control
⦁ Small, sleek design makes it simple to move between TVs in the home or use while traveling
⦁ Cast video from Netflix and YouTube mobile apps directly to the TV
⦁ Control with Roku Mobile App for iOS and Android – play personal video, photos and music on TV using the Play On Roku feature
⦁ Hotel and Dorm Connect for easy connection to wireless networks away from home
Roku’s new streaming stick is available later this month at Best Buy along with Roku’s 4k UHD Insignia TVs, which the retailer exclusively offers at BestBuy.ca.
The Roku Streaming Stick will also be available at other consumer electronics retailers such as Walmart, Staples and Londo Drugs. The device can also be purchased online at Amazon.ca or Shop.ca.