Roku hits back at Amazon and Google with new search features
David Farnor | On 07, Apr 2015
The past few months have seen Amazon and Google launch their own streaming media devices with an impressive array of features, including voice searches and higher processing power. Now, though, Roku is hitting back with a raft of updates.
The biggest new addition is Roku Search, which will provide an easy way to find entertainment on streaming channels. Users will be able to search for movies and TV shows by title, as well as for actors and directors, and “all available results” will be displayed by price from “top streaming channels”.
The exact number of participating services, though, is to be confirmed next month: while Amazon and Google already offer voice searches for movie and TV titles from the home screen, only their own service results are displayed. Voice searches will be introduced for US devices, although will not be available in the UK yet.
The menu will also highlight streaming channels in their own separate store to help people find the relevant VOD options from the available 1,400 channels in the store.
Most powerful of all, though, is the new feature called “Roku Feed”, which will let you “follow” entertainment before it’s released on VOD: users will be able to track a movie while it is still in cinemas and be given a heads-up of when it is available for streaming and on which platforms. (For information on what movies are coming soon to which VOD platforms without a Roku box, you can click here.)
In addition to the software upgrades, the hardware will be given an update too. The Roku 2 player will be updated in May to match the performance of the Roku 3, giving viewers the option of a set top box without the remote control with headphone jack. With the new hardware, though, comes a price tag to match Fire TV and Nexus Player: the new Roku 2 will be available in early May from retailers for an MSRP of £69.99.
An updated version of the free Roku Mobile App for Android and iOS will also be available in early May, including support for the new search and discovery features.
Will it be enough to stave off the competition from the newer entrants in the streaming media device race? Roku will be feeling confident. After all, Amazon Prime has only just become fully compatible with Android.
