In addition to announcing a trio of new hardware devices, today Roku is debuting the latest version of its smart TV software, Roku OS 10, with a slew of enhancements aimed at helping Roku users get more from their streaming devices.
The free update starts rolling out today to select Roku players and is expected to roll out to all supported streaming players, including the new Roku Express 4K+ and Roku Streambar Pro, and all Roku TV models in the coming weeks.
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Here’s what you can expect to see once your device gets the update.
Improvements for Roku players
Apple AirPlay 2 & HomeKit
Select 4KRoku devices got access to Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit in 2020, but OS 10 brings these features to select HD devices, including the Roku Express, and select HD Roku TV models.
AirPlay 2 lets Roku users stream, control, and share content from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to compatible Roku devices, letting them watch on a bigger screen. Compatible devices also get HomeKit support, which enables control via Siri or the Home app on Apple devices.
Instant resume
One problem when exiting a Roku streaming app (channel) is that you can’t quickly get back to where you were when you relaunch it later. You basically have to start from scratch. With instant resume, select apps will remember what you were watching and your progress, letting you get back to your movie or show much faster.
Instant resume will be supported on more than 15 streaming channels including AT&T TV, FilmRise, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, Fubo Sports Network, HappyKids TV, Plex.tv, Starz, The Roku Channel, with more to come.
Customizable live TV channel guide
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If you’ve ever had to contend with a cable or satellite receiver that won’t let you hide the channels you aren’t subscribed to, you’ll appreciate the ability to customize the Roku live TV channel guide. You can now hide individual channels from view and add channels to a favorites list for a custom guide view.
You can quickly switch between guide views to see favorites, recently visited, or all channels.
Automatic Wi-Fi network detection
Roku
Many of us have Wi-Fi routers that run multiple bands like 2.4GHz and 5GHz, but there’s a tendency to simply connect our wireless devices to the default 2.4GHz network. While that might be more than enough bandwidth for surfing the web, when it comes to high bandwidth streaming video, the 5GHz is often the better choice.
In Roku OS 10, your player device will automatically scan for Wi-Fi networks that have the same SSID (network name) as your current network, but that use the faster 5GHz frequency. If it finds one, it can prompt you to switch to that network, but you’ll still have to enter your Wi-Fi password.
Improvements to visual search results for Roku Voice
Roku added visual search results in Roku OS 9.3, giving folks an easier way to see matching content with categorized rows including relevant movies, shows, short-form entertainment. Now, when you initiate a voice search while within a streaming channel, those results will be displayed in a less disruptive partial overlay with content from the active channel in the first row, followed by rows of other matches from elsewhere on the platform.
Voice entry for select on-screen keyboards
This is a big one for those who are sick of hunt-and-peck on-screen keyboards. Your voice can now be used instead of typing. It doesn’t work with every on-screen keyboard within the Roku ecosystem but when it is supported, you’ll know, thanks to a microphone icon that appears when it’s an option.
HDR10+ support
You can still only get Dolby VisionHDR support on the Roku Ultra and select Roku TVs, but OS 10 brings HDR 10+ to the Ultra, Roku Express 4K, and Roku Express 4K+. These devices will automatically detect HDR10+ TV compatibility during setup or users can configure the Display type within the Settings menu.
Improvements for all Roku TVs
Automatic game console configuration
Roku
Roku TV users who connect a new game console to their TVs will benefit from some new automatic settings. When a supported game console is connected to an HDMI port, the input tile on the home screen will automatically change to the game console icon along with an appropriate label.
The TV will also detect the console’s capabilities and automatically enables settings like Game Mode, which reduces latency by turning off some of the picture processing that can introduce lag.
Depending on the Roku TV model being used, settings that get automatically configured may include HDR gaming, auto low-latency mode (ALLM), variable refresh rate (VRR), high frame rate (e.g. 4K at 120Hz), and THX Certified Game Mode.
Improvements for select Roku soundbars
Virtual surround sound
Roku
Roku Smart Soundbar and Roku Streambar Pro owners get an improved sound experience with a new virtual surround setting. It uses software to simulate a full 5.1 surround system using just the four speakers built into the soundbars.
You can access the new setting by pressing the “*” button on the Roku remote, then choosing the sound settings menu, or by accessing the audio menu within settings on your device.
Supported devices
Roku OS 10 is compatible with all Roku TV models and these Roku player devices: 9102X, 9101X, 9100X, 4800X, 4670X, 4662X, 4661X, 4660X, 4640X, 4630X, 4622X, 4620X, 4400X, 4230X, 4210X, 4200X, 3941X, 3940X, 3931X, 3930X, 3921X, 3920X, 3910X, 3900X, 3821X, 3820X, 3811X, 3810X, 3800X, 3710X, 3700X, 3600X, 3500X, 2720X, 2710X, and 2700X.
Best Prime Day Apple deals in 2024: AirPods, MacBooks, iPads
In case you aren't aware, Prime Day deals are officially coming up in just a few days. However, that doesn't mean you have to wait long until the fun begins. Early Prime Day deals are already here. And Apple, which doesn't always offer too many deals throughout the year, is making a their presence fairly well known this year even during early deals. Sure, some of the deals are on refurbished goods, but there are some good brand new items here too. Expect to see Prime Day MacBook deals, Prime Day smartwatch deals, and Prime Day headphones deals, all from Apple, covered below.
Today's best Apple deals
Amazon Prime Day 2024 is scheduled for July 16 and 17. What we know is that you don't have to wait for the shopping event if you need to buy a new Apple device right now. We've rounded up our favorite Apple deals that are currently available, but you're going to have to hurry with your purchase because we're not sure how much time is remaining on these offers.
Best Prime Day TV deals in 2024: Sony, Samsung, TCL and more
Whenever it is time for a sales season, we know that many people look directly to TVs. It's a good strategy, all things considered, because companies like to show off deep cutting deals on their TVs to get your eyes on them. And this year's Prime Day deals are no different than the usual sales season. Sure, you can dive into the minutiae of robot vacuum Prime Day deals or Fitbit Prime Day deals (if you want those items, we highly encourage it) but the big focus is going to be on TVs. Here, we tackle TVs from the most general standpoint, your classic 4K TV. But there are a ton of TV deals going on, so if you know you want something in particular, you should also be sure to check out our selections of Prime Day QLED TV deals or Prime Day OLED TV deals. We also have specialty selections for every size of TV (50-, 55-, 65-, 70-, 75-, and 86- inch TVs all have plenty of offer) you could want. And then, don't forget to pick up a Prime Day soundbar deal to get the best sound from your new system.
Today's best 4K TV deals
This year's Prime Day 4K TV deals officially run from July 16 to July 17. If you can no longer wait for it, there are some bargains that you can shop right now. There's a chance that the discounts will be larger when Prime Day arrives, but if you see the TV you want, there's no harm it taking advantage of the TV deals below.
There are a lot of TV sizes out there to consider but a 65-inch TV is a pretty common sweet spot among shoppers. And while 65-inch TVs can get a little expensive, there are a lot of Prime Day TV deals among the Prime Day deals going on today, with plenty of 65-inch options to choose from. In fact, there are so many 65-inch TV Prime Day deals worth considering we decided to round up all of the best right here. You'll find them below, and if none of them are offering the right savings for you be sure to check out all of the 70-inch TV Prime Day deals, 75-inch TV Prime Day deals, and 86-inch TV Prime Day deals going on today as well.
Best 65-inch TV Prime Day deal
LG 65-inch 80 Series 4K TV -- $700, was $1,000
For those who want an upgrade to their home theater setup, you should check out the 65-inch LG 80 Series QNED 4K TV. It uses the brand's QNED technology that combines the quantum dots of QLED TVs with LG's NanoCell technology, for the ability to create fantastically bright and colorful images. The TV also offers 4K Ultra HD resolution for sharp details, which is enabled by LG's a7 AI Processor Gen 6 that uses AI to automatically improve the picture and sound quality of whatever you're watching. The 65-inch LG 80 Series QNED 4K TV also runs on the webOS 23 platform to give you access to streaming services, as well as to more than 300 free channels through LG Channels.
