Google Assistant coming soon to Roku devices

Android Authority

• Roku released a lot of new information today on current Roku updates as well as new Roku products.
• One of the new features coming to Roku devices is Google Assistant integration.
• Google Assistant on Roku will enable the usual Google Home features, as well as bring new voice controls to compatible Rokus.

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If you own a Roku device, you are going to see some updates coming soon. One of the most notable new features coming your way is Google Assistant on Roku, which will finally bring Roku into your Google-powered smart home network.

Roku does not give a specific list of which Roku devices will see the Google Assistant update. The press release simply says “select Roku devices.” However, the release does clarify that only Rokus with voice capabilities will be able to use certain new Google Assistant-powered voice commands.

According to Roku, you will be able to ask new questions of Roku using Google Assistant. One of those new commands will be “Show me free [media type].” For example, you could say, “Show me free comedy movies,” or “Show me free sitcoms.” Roku will then show you a list of free content that you can access.

Another new voice command will allow you to change channels on Roku if you have an OTA antenna attached.

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These two features will come bundled as Roku OS 9.0. Once again, Roku doesn’t say which Roku devices will see the update. However, we do know that the following models are compatible with Roku OS 8.1, so if your device isn’t on this list, it won’t get 9.0. If you have a very old device on this list, it might not get 9.0 either, but we’ll have to wait until Roku confirms which devices are compatible:

4660X, 4640X, 4630X, 4620X, 4400X, 4230X, 4210X, 4200X, 3910X, 3900X, 3810X, 3800X, 3710X, 3700X, 3600X, 3500X, 3420X, 3400X, 3100X, 3050X, 3000X, 2720X, 2710X, 2700X, 2500X, 2450X, 2400X, and all models of Roku TVs.

Along with these new software updates, Roku also announced the launch of two new streaming boxes as well as a new perk to be included with its most premium offering, the Roku Ultra. The two new devices — Roku Premiere and Roku Premiere Plus — will cost $39 and $49 respectively and offer 4K streaming. The only difference between the two is the Premiere Plus will offer voice capabilities.

The Roku Ultra will keep its $99 price but throw in a pair of JBL earbuds for free.

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