Roku Brings Full Remote Control to Apple Watch Users
Roku releases a new Apple Watch app that transforms your wrist into a fully functional remote for Roku players and TVs. The miniaturized app includes navigation, voice search, and even a remote finder feature.
Roku introduces a new Apple Watch app that effectively puts a remote control directly on users' wrists. The application works with Roku media players and select Roku TVs, offering a miniature version of the smartphone remote experience. Users simply need to update their Roku iOS app to version 6.1.3 to trigger the automatic installation on their watch.
Despite the limited screen size of the Apple Watch, the app provides a surprisingly robust set of features. It includes standard playback controls, directional arrows, home and back buttons, and quick access to recently used channels. Additionally, users can activate voice search to launch apps, find specific movies, or switch HDMI inputs on their Roku TV.
The wearable app also retains the highly useful Remote Finder functionality for Roku Ultra and compatible Roku TV models. This allows users to trigger an audible chime from their lost physical remote control directly from their wrist. The only notable omission is the ability to stream free content from The Roku Channel, which is intentionally left out of the smartwatch experience.