Posted Fri Jan 5, 2018 at 02:30 PM PST by Steven Cohen
The company has announced a new wireless multi-room audio platform.
Roku has detailed its latest tech innovation. Dubbed Roku Connect, the new whole home entertainment system will allow users to connect supported audio devices together and to their TVs.
"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 set up 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."
Roku Connect can be implemented by OEM brands into various sound bars, smart speakers, surround sound systems, and multi-room audio setups to create a home entertainment network. Different Roku Connect audio devices can then connect wirelessly to each other with support for voice command controls from a single remote. OEM brands will also be able to license smart sound bar and smart speaker reference designs and the Roku OS. In addition, a new voice assistant feature, dubbed Roku Entertainment Assistant, is also in the works for Roku devices. The Roku Entertainment Assistant will allow customers to access content on voice-supported Roku products through verbal commands like "Hey Roku, play jazz in the living room."
Roku Connect and Roku Entertainment Assistant support are both set to be available via free software updates to the Roku OS this Fall on most Roku TV models and Roku players. And though specific audio devices with Roku Connect have not been revealed yet, Roku has announced that TCL will be one of its main OEM partners and the company plans to unveil its first Roku Connect product at CES 2018 on January 8.
Source: Roku
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