Latest Roku TV update makes any smartphone a wireless headset

One of Roku’s smartest features was the company’s decision to pop a headphone jack right into the remote, turning it into a wireless headset and saving your housemates from overhearing potential spoilers in the process. With Roku’s latest OS 7.5 update, users can now get that same feature on any Roku TV model using any iOS or Android device connected to the same WiFi network. Rather than plugging into the remote, users running the latest update to the Roku TV can listen and control playback through the Roku mobile app on their mobile device. It’s a feature that was already available on some of the company’s streaming boxes — now available on TV sets with Roku’s built-in tech. In addition to private listening, the latest OS update now allows Roku TV users to pause live broadcast TV when they’ve got a digital antenna connected to their Roku set. (You’ll need somewhere to store all that digital video though, so you’ll have to bring your own USB stick with 16GB or more of storage.) Finally, Roku OS 7.5 allows multiple iOS and Android devices to share photos to the big screen at the same time through Play on Roku, and there’s also expanded screen mirroring support for Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+ and Roku Ultra . The new update is available today and will continue rolling out to Roku devices over the next few weeks. Source: Roku Blog

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Latest Roku TV update makes any smartphone a wireless headset

Roku’s next players reportedly deliver HDR, more 4K support

If you held off on last year’s Roku 4 , the company’s next batch of media players might be for you. The big upgrade this time around is the addition of HDR support in the high-end “Roku Ultra” and “Roku Premiere Plus” (which replaces the Roku 3), Zats Not Funny reports from a few leaks. And, as you can probably tell, it looks like Roku is giving up on its numbered naming scheme in exchange for something more obtuse (I’m already dreading explaining the differences to confused shoppers). While the Roku 4 was last year’s only model to include 4K support, it looks like the Premiere (replacing the Roku 2), Premiere Plus and Ultra models will all include it this year. That makes sense, now that 4K TVs are getting significantly cheaper. At the same time, it makes the argument for the company’s highest end player harder to accept. The Ultra will reportedly be the only model to include optical out and a remote control finder, but it sounds like the Premiere Plus with HDR and 4K will be best buy for most. On the low-end, the $50 Roku 1 will be replaced by the Roku Express and Express Plus. It’s unclear what will differentiate these models, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find faster processors than before and a voice-controlled remote in the Express Plus. And, as Zats mentions, these models will likely be the only ones to retain analog RCA ports for connecting to old TVs. Source: Zats Not Funny

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Roku’s next players reportedly deliver HDR, more 4K support