Roku set-top boxes can now stream iOS video content to TVs
In an update to its iOS app on Thursday, Roku added the ability to stream content stored on an iPhone, iPad or iPod directly to a number of its set-top TV products.
The new Roku for iOS app expands on the company's existing "Play on Roku" feature that allows users to stream photos and music to a Roku device.
Currently an iOS-only function, the addition of video streaming only applies to content stored in an iOS device's Camera Roll. This limits playback to clips shot by an iOS device, unlike Apple's implementation of AirPlay, which allows for movies and other videos stored in the Videos app to be streamed to a television set.
The new feature is compatible with the Roku 3, Roku 2, Roku HD and Roku LT players, and the Roku Streaming Stick.
In addition to the streaming capabilities, Thursday's update also brings the usual bug fixes and performance enhancements.
Roku for iOS is a free 3.3MB download from the App Store.
The new Roku for iOS app expands on the company's existing "Play on Roku" feature that allows users to stream photos and music to a Roku device.
Currently an iOS-only function, the addition of video streaming only applies to content stored in an iOS device's Camera Roll. This limits playback to clips shot by an iOS device, unlike Apple's implementation of AirPlay, which allows for movies and other videos stored in the Videos app to be streamed to a television set.
The new feature is compatible with the Roku 3, Roku 2, Roku HD and Roku LT players, and the Roku Streaming Stick.
In addition to the streaming capabilities, Thursday's update also brings the usual bug fixes and performance enhancements.
Roku for iOS is a free 3.3MB download from the App Store.
Comments
Apple TV / Air Play is the right way of doing it.
Hopefully Apple can patch Airplay to prevent this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalclips
Hopefully Apple can patch Airplay to prevent this.
Oh this has nothing to do with Airplay.
They are using a software to stream specific kind of material alone to there roxy device.
So you maybe able to stream photographs , and more maybe.
It cant stream just about anything and can't do the mirroring trick.
And here I got all excited thinking that Roku had rolled out an update to the device giving it Airplay capability. The headline kinda implied that. Ah well...
Quote:
Originally Posted by anantksundaram
I don't know when people will figure out that you get what you pay for.
I think a lot of people have, which is why Apple has been having some great years. I have an AppleTV and I absolutely love it. I also have a Roku and guess what - I absolutely love it. The AppleTV has a far-superior interface and its integration with iTunes is amazing. But in terms of content, for now anyway, Roku has it beat by far. Install Plex and you get virtually unlimited access to content, including that which AppleTV will never get (such as Spotify, and dozens of independent and commercial 'channels').
And as for getting what you pay for, while I'd generally agree with you, we've also got an XBOX 360 that cost seven times what I paid for the Roku (and three times what a current generation AppleTV costs). It's unquestionably the worst excuse for a media device I've ever used (and I've been using media devices since Philips introduced Streamium, one of the earliest devices out there released in 2003). With none of us having much time for games anymore, it sits collecting dust. I'd take a $40 Roku over a $300 XBOX any day!
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalclips
Hopefully Apple can patch Airplay to prevent this.
Why hopefully? This isn't a significant threat to Apple, and it offers consumers choice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by djames4242
And here I got all excited thinking that Roku had rolled out an update to the device giving it Airplay capability. The headline kinda implied that. Ah well...
I think a lot of people have, which is why Apple has been having some great years. I have an AppleTV and I absolutely love it. I also have a Roku and guess what - I absolutely love it. The AppleTV has a far-superior interface and its integration with iTunes is amazing. But in terms of content, for now anyway, Roku has it beat by far. Install Plex and you get virtually unlimited access to content, including that which AppleTV will never get (such as Spotify, and dozens of independent and commercial 'channels').
And as for getting what you pay for, while I'd generally agree with you, we've also got an XBOX 360 that cost seven times what I paid for the Roku (and three times what a current generation AppleTV costs). It's unquestionably the worst excuse for a media device I've ever used (and I've been using media devices since Philips introduced Streamium, one of the earliest devices out there released in 2003). With none of us having much time for games anymore, it sits collecting dust. I'd take a $40 Roku over a $300 XBOX any day!
I totally agree! ATV and Roku are the two best boxes on the market, and I believe that it will be hard to disrupt the two of them. The ATV's UI and integration is unparalleled and Roku's built in content, along with the ability for private channels is unparalleled. PLUS it has pretty much every price point covered.
I have an Xbox 360 as well, and while I actually do think that it's an okay media player, I absolutely REFUSE to pay for an Xbox Live subscription only to be able to watch the content that I already pay somebody else to watch. Other than the price, that's the other major downfall that will keep people from buying an Xbox for media consumption ONLY.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mistergsf
I have 2 Apple TVs but I still love my Roku 3. It's another choice for me in content; I use Spotify on it often when I'm doing chores around the house.
sounds like a nice product and good to hear them supporting viewing of photos from iOS devices. Choice is good.
Being an iTunes/Match subscriber I look forward to the iTunes Radio a feature.
Currently I stream music content from a Mac to multiple Airplay speakers throughout the house in parallel. All in sync.
Oh Ok. Thanks.
Apparently it is not what I thought. I had assumed it was akin to Palm and iTunes a few years back. Had it been a genuine Airplay connection then screw consumer choice, it would be one company hopping on to another company's gravy train without doing the work or paying the R&D. As it is perhaps it isn't significant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mistergsf
I have 2 Apple TVs but I still love my Roku 3. It's another choice for me in content; I use Spotify on it often when I'm doing chores around the house.
How do you play Spotify using Roku? Does that require Spotify premium or Spotify basic will do?
I agree, Roku is very good.
Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Disturbia
Ooops ..... there goes Google's chromecast or whatever crap they are bragging about!
When someone shows me a device like this that's just some little USB stick, it makes me wonder how dirt cheap it must be. I just don't even pay any attention to Google. It's information that my bran doesn't really want to know exists. Google just seems like some cheap crap perpetrated on the ignorant.
I'll wait to see what Apple has coming out and then make a decision to buy or wait. I've waited this long for a TV box, so I'm not in any hurry.
Quote:
Originally Posted by drblank
Google just seems like some cheap crap perpetrated on the ignorant.
It really does. Like I said in another thread:
2010- Google TV
2012- Nexus Q
2013- Chromecast
2014- ???
When will people learn that Google introduces new products just as fast as they abandon them?
Quote:
Originally Posted by macinvestor
I have both Apple TV and ROKU. ROKU works far better with Netflix then Apple TV. I was hoping for Apple to buy ROKU. Apple doesn't seem to be able to have that little descriptive window pop up like ROKU does. I see ROKU developing universally while Apple gets stuck in its developmental bureaucracy. Go ROKU! I love all the independent choices. Now if I can stream my Apple music content and video content from my iPod Touch, I'll be a happy camper. Ahh and one more thing, ROKU has a much better hand held remote!
Really? I definitely prefer watching Netflix on my ATV. In addition to finding the image quality better (both boxes output 1080p via HDMI, but I still think the ATV output looks better), along with less rebuffering (not a WiFi issue, both boxes are hardwired to the same switch), a big issue for me is that the Roku will only output DolbyDigital+ for Netflix but the ATV will output regular DolbyDigital. I have a fairly high-end home theatre audio system, but it's just a bit too old to support the newer DolbyDigital+ format. I don't know whether the ATV is doing transcoding or whether Netflix has a special stream for ATV. I get full 5.1 out of the Roku when watching Amazon streaming on it, but only stereo when watching Netflix. This is with a Roku 2 and the latest ATV, btw, both hooked up via HDMI inputs to a Pioneer Elite A/V receiver.