Roku has updated its line of media streaming devices. Blogger Dave Zatz discovered new versions of the Roku 2 and Roku 3 on sale at a Best Buy store, featuring a slightly updated design, the same prices as their predecessors, and a few significant changes… including an “enhanced remote control” with support for voice search functionality that comes with the $100 Roku 3.
Update: Roku has officially announced the new Roku 2 and Roku 3, confirming everything Dave Zatz discovered a few days early.
That’s not the only change. While the 2015 Roku 3 has the same basic hardware as last year’s model, the new $70 Roku 2Â also has the same basic hardware as last year’s Roku 3. That means the new model has a faster processor than its predecessor and should generally feel a bit zippier and more responsive.
So the only real difference between this year’s Roku 2 and Roku 3 is the enhanced remote. In addition to supporting voice search, it has a motion sensor which lets you use the remote to play games, and a headphone jack that lets you listen to audio without any sound coming from the TV itself.
Don’t need those extra features? Then you can save $30 by picking the cheaper Roku 2 which is basically the same device.
Oh yeah, you can also use voice search by firing up the latest version of the Roku app on your smartphone, whether you have the enhanced remote or not. So you could use voice search with the cheaper Roku 2 if you don’t mind using your phone as a mic.
Despite earlier reports, it turns out both models also feature Ethernet and dual-band WiFi.
Roku isn’t the first player in the media streaming business to add a voice search feature. Amazon’s Fire TV products already let you search by voice, as does Google’s Android TV platform. You can also use voice search with an Apple TV, but you’ll have to use an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad app because there’s no microphone on the Apple TV remote.
Ahh, but the question remains: what celebrity can Roku find to outdo Gary Busey when it comes to flapping and shouting insanely at a TV box?
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I’m still quite happy with my Roku 2 XS but it’s nice to see them adding functionality. These are great little easy to use streaming devices… Anyone have any feedback on the remote control audio quality or it’s effect on battery life?
I have the Roku 3. Remote control audio is really good. On par with other Bluetooth streaming devices with good headphones. The ones included are fine but cheap. It does hit the batteries (2 AA) but it isn’t catastrophic. My favorite feature of the Roku 3 has been the audio jack in the remote. Having two kids under age 5 I can watch movies at full volume in stereo in a silent house.