Roku is giving its remote a lift. On Tuesday the streaming monster declared its new Voice Remote Pro, a battery-powered controller for its different media players, streaming sticks and smart TVs. Subsequent to showing up in a preliminary program recently, the new remote is accessible now at the equivalent $30 as its standard “enhanced” voice remote and features a battery-powered battery and an earphone jack for private listening as well as the “1” and “2” customizable buttons that appeared on the Roku Ultra.
Additionally new is a midfield microphone to allow for hands-free control without touch the mic button. Simply say “Hey Roku” to give commands, from looking for shows to launching applications to turning on your Roku TV (the last requires the TV’s Fast TV Start feature to be turned on). Roku says the mic will get commands from up to 12 feet away.
You can even say, “Hey Roku, find my remote,” to make the remote to play a sound through its built-in speaker. Effectively accessible in the iOS or Android Roku applications, this ought to be a useful feature for individuals whose remotes frequently become mixed up in the couch cushions.
In case you’re worried about privacy, a physical switch on the side of the remote can turn off the always-listening feature, and you can in any case press the mic button when you want to give a command.
Roku says that the remote, which utilizes the older Micro-USB standard to charge rather than the modern USB-C port, will actually want to run for two months before you’d need to plug it back in. There is no wireless or solar charging, with the organization saying that it ought to have the option to fully recharge in a few hours.
The new remote will work with all Roku TV models, soundbars, and players released since 2017 including the new Express Plus and Streambar Pro. It’s on sale now at Roku’s site and will be accessible soon at different retail outlets where its accessories are sold.
The individuals who don’t need the more current features, or favor the ability to supplant batteries, can in any case get the “enhanced” remote or other Roku voice remotes separately.