Katarzyna Petru
Roku is rolling out one of the biggest updates to its Smart TV system in history. The most important new feature? Artificial intelligence, which allows you to talk to the TV almost like a human. The new version of Roku Voice has gained conversational features that aim to match the experience known from Google TV Gemini.
TV that you can actually chat with
So far, voice commands on Roku have been limited to simple requests like "open Netflix" or "stop the movie". Now the system goes much further. You can ask:
"What kind of fish is Nemo?",
"How scary is The Shining?",
and the assistant will respond naturally, just like in a conversation with a person.
The new AI in Roku Voice can also suggest further questions and recommend films that you can start with a single click or voice command. Want to ask about good action movies? The assistant will immediately provide a few titles – and it takes just one word to start the show.
Better searching and content discovery
Roku is also expanding its search and preview features. A new “Ways to Watch” button will appear with movie trailers, showing where you can watch a particular title – for example, on Netflix, Disney+, or on the ChooseTV channel. The search function will be added to additional sections of the system, including the Live TV Zone and the live TV channel guide.
More features for sports fans and Bluetooth listening
The Bluetooth Headphone Mode, previously available only on select Roku TVs, will now also be available on Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus devices. This is great news for those who enjoy watching in silence – with sound only in the headphones. Athletes and fans will also receive a Roku Sports section with Live Scores – displaying match scores on tiles – and Reminders, which will notify about upcoming events on their smartphones.
For those who prefer to watch with a delay, a “no spoilers” mode has been added, which conceals results and avoids ruining the fun.
Changes also in the mobile app
Roku is introducing enhancements not just on TVs, but also in its mobile app. In the coming weeks, you can expect:
Find My Remote – remote locator,
Sleep Timer – automatic shut-off,
New shortcuts and subtitle tools,
and a “Rate” button for rating movies or series and synchronising ratings across devices.
The For You section will get a new navigation layout categorised into movies, series, and sports, making it easier to discover content.
When will the update reach users?
Roku has not provided a specific release date, but has confirmed that new features will be rolled out to users in the coming weeks. Initially, the update will be available to customers in the USA, where the company has the largest user base, followed by the rest of the countries.
One thing is for sure – with this update, Roku is entering a new era of interaction with the television, where AI not only executes commands but can also hold a conversation.
