Roku’s Latest Upgrade: Voice Control Technology Inspired by Gemini AI on Google TV

Roku TV devices have undergone significant upgrades this year, with more AI improvements on the horizon. In the upcoming months, users can expect major enhancements to voice control capabilities, similar to what Google TV devices currently offer, thanks to Gemini.

Aside from the standard commands like opening apps and searching for TV shows and movies, users will soon be able to ask more complex questions. For instance, they can inquire about the level of scariness in “The Shining” or the type of fish Nemo is.

According to The Verge, Roku Voice will not only provide textual responses on the screen but also offer links to the specific series or films being queried about. The software will also support follow-up questions related to the initial query, enhancing the user experience.

Furthermore, Roku is introducing a Bluetooth headphone mode for its latest devices, the Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus. This feature allows users to watch TV privately using their wireless headphones or earbuds without disturbing others in the room.

Enhancements to Roku Mobile App

For users who prefer the Roku mobile app over the standard remote, free features are being added to enhance the overall experience. These include ‘find my remote’ functionality, shortcuts to closed captions, a sleep timer, and daily trivia. Additionally, Netflix-style rating buttons will enable users to like/dislike titles and mark them as watched. The app will also allow sorting of the For You page into different categories such as shows, movies, and sports.

When watching a trailer, a new ‘Ways to watch’ button will appear at the bottom, making it easier for users to find the content being advertised. The search bar is also being expanded to other areas of the platform, including What to Watch, the Live TV Zone, and eventually the Live TV Channel Guide.

Moreover, real-time sports scores will now be displayed alongside games on Roku TV. Users have the option to toggle off spoilers if they wish to avoid them. Additionally, the app can send notifications to remind users when a game is about to start, ensuring they never miss an important match.

These updates are set to be rolled out in the coming months, though it remains unclear whether they will be exclusive to the US or if viewers in the UK will also receive them. We have reached out to Roku for clarification and will update this article with more information as it becomes available.