Roku

It has been a while since the class of technologies known as DRM or Digital Rights Management has been the focus on contention but the news surrounding Netflix's sudden withdrawal from some devices could put it back in the spotlight. It's only semi-official, considering Netflix has not yet issued a formal explanation, but it seems that affected devices are unable to keep up with such DRM systems, practically locking them out of the streaming service for good.

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Roku allows its users to control their streaming device using a mobile app instead of the remote control. This is convenient for times when the remote is lost, plus it comes in handy when the remote is on the other side of the room and you don't want to get off the sofa. Starting today, you no longer even have to pull out your smartphone.

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Roku offers a variety of streaming devices, and right there in the middle of pack (at least as far as pricing is concerned) is the Roku Streaming Stick+, which is capable of supporting 4K HDR streaming. The Streaming Stick+ strikes something of a balance between capability and size - as the name suggests, this is a streaming stick so it doesn't have the same footprint as something like the Roku Ultra, but the fact that it can stream in 4K puts it a step above some of Roku's other devices.

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We're quickly closing in on the launch of Apple TV+, and in preparation of that, Apple is rolling out its app to platforms beyond its own. Roku has announced that the Apple TV app is available on its platform beginning today. Those who download it will be able to use that app to access Apple TV+ when it launches on November 1st.

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If you're still using a very old Roku device, you're about to lose access to Netflix. The streaming service started notifying customers by email to let them know that it will be dropping support for some of the oldest Roku devices still in use, forcing consumers to finally upgrade to something newer, whether that means getting a new Roku model or a competing streaming option like Chromecast or Fire TV.

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Roku has teamed with Walmart to launch its new Onn Roku Smart Soundbar and Onn Roku Wireless Subwoofer. The two products are offered under Walmart's Onn brand at lower prices than Roku's previously launched Smart Soundbar product, offering better audio than one would get from their TV's built-in speakers, but at a price that makes the devices affordable for most consumers.

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Many months after its arrival on the DIY streaming platform Plex, music streaming service TIDAL has officially launched on Roku. Unlike competing music services like Spotify, TIDAL is known for its high fidelity offerings, giving audiophiles access to audio content at higher qualities that the compressed versions offered through most competitors. In addition, the service offers access to some exclusive content and videos.

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Roku today added two new streaming players to its product lineup in the US and other countries, bringing the total number of devices it offers to seven. The two new devices joining the fray today are refreshed versions of the Roku Express and the Roku Ultra, representing the two extremes of Roku's collection of players. On top of that, the company also introduced Roku OS 9.2, so all told it's a pretty big day for the company.

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Hulu, the company best known for its on-demand video streaming service, also offers a live OTT television streaming plan. Customers who subscribe to Hulu Live TV will notice a new Live TV Guide going live starting today, but only on certain platforms. The rollout has kicked off for supported Roku streaming devices and Apple TV, as well as on the platform's website.

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Reports earlier this week that Roku had apparently canceled its planned voice assistants may have called the code prematurely. The Roku voice assistant was originally announced way back in January 2018, but in the time since then, Roku hasn't said very much about it. As it turns out, Roku hasn't canned its voice assistant as originally reported, but when it does finally arrive, it might not be exactly what you're expecting.

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It certainly feels like voice assistants are everywhere these days, with Apple, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft all offering their own. At one point, even Roku said it was working on its own voice assistant, but that announcement came way back in January 2018. If you've been wondering what's up with Roku's voice assistant, you definitely aren't alone, but today we're receiving some disappointing news on that front.

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Though it seems like Alexa is found everywhere, Amazon's pervasive presence in American homes doesn't necessarily translate to their TV screens...at least when it comes to choosing a streaming platform, that is. According to a newly published analysis, Roku largely dominates the US streaming market with more than 41 million devices across the nation. Surprisingly, Sony holds second place.

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