By Christine Persaud
Roku has just released the latest update to its app, OS 9.3, which will begin rolling out to devices in Canada over the coming weeks.
The free, automatic software update focuses on helping consumers get to content quickly and improving overall performance.
“The Roku OS continues to get better with a specific focus on delivering better performance, new content and more ways to find it,” says Lloyd Klarke, Director Product Management at Roku. “With Roku OS 9.3, we’re enhancing Roku Voice in Canada with increased natural language understanding, additional media playback controls and fun features like the ability to find Hollywood hits using movie quotes.”
At the heart of OS 9.3 is increased performance, including a reduction in device boot times, faster launch times for a select number of channels (with more supported channels coming soon), and a more responsive Home Screen.
Control Roku players and Roku TV models by speaking commands to Amazon Alexa and/or Google Assistant devices. Through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant devices, you can now control media playback and search for entertainment. Roku TV users can also tune into channels or inputs, control volume, and switch their TV on/off.
The free mobile app has also been redesigned with a new navigation bar at the top of the mobile screen providing access to Roku Search, the ability to switch between Roku devices, and a shortcut to the remote control screen. The redesign includes quick access icons so you can launch useful mobile app features without the need to exit the remote control screen, including the ability to browse and/or launch recently viewed channels directly from the remote screen and more.
Roku OS 9.3 will begin rolling out to select Roku players in April and is expected to roll out to all supported streaming players in the coming weeks. Roku TV models are expected to receive the update in phases over the coming months.