Roku may have just solved the biggest problem in home TV streaming – here’s how

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ZDNET Key Takeaways

• The new Roku upgrades will be free for all current customers.
• The upgrades include an AI-enabled Roku Voice feature.
• The company is launching a new $198 smart projector.

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Roku, the streaming device maker, just announced a slate of updates for existing Roku users, as well as a new affordable projector. Updates include improvements to the Roku City screensaver, Roku Voice, live TV channels, the Roku mobile app, and headphone mode.

One of the biggest updates is the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) features to its Roku Voice feature. The enhanced voice experience will allow Roku Voice to answer questions about shows, movies, characters or actors. Users can ask more nuanced questions, such as “How scary is The Shining?” or “What are the other films with actor X?”

Also: I changed 6 settings on my Roku TV to significantly improve performance.

Roku Voice will maintain context during the conversation, allowing you to ask follow-up questions on the same topic. This update will be available soon on all Roku devices, and users will be able to experience it via the Roku Voice remote or the mobile app.

Bluetooth headset mode is also coming to the Roku streaming stick And Roku Streaming Stick Pluseliminating the need for a mobile app and allowing you to pair Bluetooth headphones directly with Roku streaming sticks. Until now, you had to connect your Bluetooth headphones to your phone and use the Roku mobile app to enable headphone mode with these devices.

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New interactive buttons are being introduced to trailers on the Roku platform, including a “Ways to Watch” button and a “Save” button. You can jump to the movie directly from the trailer without having to leave the trailer menu.

The live TV channel is getting a makeover. You will see a new search bar in the live TV channel guide and live TV area. When you view titles or browse the platform, Roku will display up to two streaming apps under each title where you can stream, prioritizing your active subscriptions.

Also: Which Roku streaming stick should you buy? I tested all the models, and here is my choice

For sports fans, Roku is introducing new discovery features, including live scores that appear on tiles for each game, without requiring a specific game selection. If you press the new Reminder button for an upcoming sporting event, you will receive a notification when the game is about to start.

Later, a new personalization feature will allow you to fine-tune your favorite content, including your favorite sports and TV or movie genres.

The mobile app is also receiving updates, including shortcuts that feature popular requests, such as subtitles and setting sleep timers. You’ll also be able to rate movies and shows and mark them as already watched (which I’d love to see Netflix adopt). The top of the app will sport a new navigation bar, allowing you to scroll through categories seamlessly.

The announcement included the new ability to interact with buildings in Roku City that were featured in a promotion. As an introduction, Roku has added new marquees that you can select to be transported to an exclusive musical performance by Demi Lovato.

Also: Your Roku TV has hidden settings and menu screens — here’s how to access them

After unveiling the first Roku TV projector last month, the streaming device company announced the new Vankyo smart projector which is available at Walmart. This portable projector offers 1080p HD resolution, auto keystone, autofocus, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. It is priced at $198 and offers 330 lumens of brightness, 1,500:1 contrast ratio, and dual 5W speakers.

Roku recently expanded its smart home compatibility to include Philips Ambilight, providing a more immersive streaming and gaming experience with Philips Hue lights.