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.
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
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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
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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
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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.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are $80 off for a limited time
There's a lot to like about the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, but Best Buy has given us another reason -- an $80 discount that pulls the price of the wireless earbuds down to $199 from $279 originally. Made by one of the most trusted names in the audio industry, you won't regret going for these listening devices, but if you want to pocket the savings, you're going to have to proceed with the purchase immediately as there's no telling when their price will go back to normal.
Why you should buy the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are featured in our list of the best noise-canceling earbuds because of their outstanding active noise cancellation. That's actually not a surprise as it's Bose that spearheaded the development of the technology, with these wireless earbuds using microphones to detect sounds from around you and then generate opposing signals to cancel them. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II carry an IPX4 rating for water and sweat resistance so they'll be fine during intense workouts, and they can last up to six hours on a single charge and a total of 24 hours with their charging case.
Best Buy deals: Save on laptops, TVs, appliances, and more
Best Buy has become one of the biggest retailers on the market, with everything from TVs to blenders on sale, meaning you can pretty much grab whatever your heart desires directly off Best Buy. In fact, we draw a lot from Best Buy when it comes to the best TV deals, best laptop deals, and best phone deals, so we know how great of a source it can be for solid deals. To that end, we've gone out and collected some of our favorites in various categories and collected them for you below.
Best Buy TV deals
There may be no better place to purchase one of the best TVs than Best Buy. There is almost always some huge savings to find on TVs at Best Buy, and that’s certainly the case right now. You’ll find deals top TV brands like Sony, Samsung, and LG, and more budget-friendly brands like TCL and Hisense are in play, too.
LG has already started its Memorial Day OLED TV sale
If you're on the hunt for OLED TV deals, you should know that LG has already launched its Memorial Day sale for all kinds of tech-- and yes, that includes OLED TVs. With the holiday around the corner, you can already get the 65-inch LG B3 OLED 4K TV for $1,200 instead of $2,400 for savings of $1,200, the 65-inch LG C3 OLED 4K TV for $1,600 instead of $2,500 for savings of $900, and the 65-inch LG G3 OLED 4K TV for $2,300 instead of $3,300 for savings of $1,000.
OLED TVs use organic light-emitting diodes that eliminate the need for a backlight, and since the behavior of each pixel can be controlled, they can create perfect black levels that other types of TVs aren't able to achieve. OLED TVs also offer wide viewing angles and ultra-thin designs, and with OLED technology being LG's calling card as one of the best TV brands, you can't go wrong with any of these models that are on sale. You're going to have to hurry though -- the Memorial Day sale has just started, but it's not a good idea to wait until the last minute before making your purchase because discounts may change and stock may run out.
65-inch LG B3 OLED 4K TV -- $1,200, was $2,400
