One of the most well-known brands in the streaming device market is Roku. Most likely, you’ve seen it at Best Buy and on Amazon. What does your TV gain from this odd moniker and purple colour scheme? Let’s check.
Roku’s Brief History:
Anthony Wood founded Roku in 2002. For several years, though, not much transpired with the business. The company began collaborating with Netflix in 2007 even before any products had been made available.
The goal was to develop a tool that would enable Netflix streaming on TVs. The idea, however, was canceled by Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, and Roku was split out as a separate business. In 2008, the first Roku was made available; it was still created in collaboration with Netflix.
Many people believe Roku to be the pioneer in popularising the concept of compact, inexpensive set-top boxes for TVs. There are more over 60 million active Roku users as of January 2022. It appears that people like the concept.
What Is a Roku?
Roku: What is it? as well as “What is a Roku?” are 2 different questions. The word Roku refers to both a business and the products it produces, including Roku TVs, Roku set-top boxes, Roku streaming sticks, and Roku soundbars.
You may access streaming services, apps, and games on your TV with any of these devices, which all have the same purpose. Regardless of the model, the Roku device connects to (or is integrated into) your TV and shows the Roku software.
Similar to consoles are Roku set-top boxes. They are tiny boxes that must be placed on a shelf or your television stand. Roku streaming sticks are far more compact; the whole thing plugs into an HDMI port and is concealed behind your TV. Simply said, a Roku soundbar is a soundbar with the Roku software installed.
Roku TVs are the final variety of Roku. The Roku software is integrated across this complete TV. A Roku device does not need to be purchased separately and plugged in. You can operate everything with a single remote because it is all integrated into the TV.
In essentially, a Roku is a hardware and software setup that connects to your TV to deliver streaming services and other content.
How Does a Roku Work?
Let’s talk about the Roku software, which is the reason for the device’s success. The main goal of Roku technology is to make it simple to use. The “home screen,” the first screen you see when you turn on your Roku device, is where that begins.
Your installed channels, apps, and games are all visible on the Roku home screen. The “Channel Store,” which resembles the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, is where you may download them. There are channels for practically every streaming service you can think of, including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Roku’s own channel.
The channels can then be launched and used just like you would on any other platform. You could, for instance, log in with your Netflix account and then stream TV episodes and movies to your TV. The Roku remote makes it simple to browse the screen and start any app you want to utilise.
To Use a Roku, What Do You Need?
A screen and the Roku software are actually the only two requirements for the Roku experience. This can be done in a variety of ways. The most popular method uses your current TV and a Roku device.
However, there are other options available on Roku to achieve this. You can purchase a Roku Express, a compact set-top box, for as little as $20. The $30–$70 Roku streaming stick is an upgrade. The Roku Ultra, a larger set-top box that costs roughly $80, is the next level up. The Roku Streambar, a full soundbar with Roku built-in that costs $90, is at the top of the food chain.
If you’re in the market for a new TV, you may forego all these add-ons and get a TV that already has the Roku software installed. Roku TVs come in a wide range of sizes, resolutions, and prices. Although having everything in one place is quite convenient, updating the Roku experience requires purchasing a new TV as well.
Simply said, a Roku is a gadget that transforms your TV into a smart TV. It displays apps and video games on the large screen for simple remote control use. Similar to an Apple TV or Google TV, a Roku is more user-friendly. Roku is an excellent place to start if you’re looking for a simple user interface to watch Netflix and other services on your TV.