Roku has taken on Google & Amazon, by revealing it is developing its own smart voice-controlled assistant, to integrate with a growing range of home entertainment products.
The smart voice assistant will be called ‘Roku Entertainment Assistant’ and is scheduled to roll out this year, alongside an upcoming update with Roku Connect.
Roku has announced it is also building complimentary smart speakers and soundbars, which will be connected to its suite of streaming TV players, featuring integration with the upcoming smart voice assistant.
At current, the Roku’s voice capabilities are restricted to launching apps and performing search requests. The company claims the new voice assistant will be able to respond to broader queries about music and videos.
The news reveals Roku’s larger ambitions to establish a home entertainment network.
The announcement follows Roku’s new home entertainment licensing program, which allows brands to build various home entertainment products (e.g. smart speakers, surround sound, multi-room audio systems, and sound bars) using Roku’s Connect software.
Consenus is, eventually multiple devices utilising Roku’s Connect software will work together, creating a wireless ‘home entertainment hub’ which consumers can control using their voice.
