Roku Rolls Out Search, Feed, And New Roku 2 In The UK

While streaming HDMI dongles like the Chromecast have stolen the spotlight, set-top boxes like Apple TV and Roku still have a large and faithful following. And as a treat for those faithful, Roku is rolling out updates to its software that it started more than a month ago. Arriving on all Roku players, including its own Roku Streaming Stick, are the enhanced Roku Search and Roku Feed features, which are also appearing on Roku's mobile apps. Plus, the new Roku 2 lands in the UK to give interested buyers a more affordable option.

Roku Search and Roku Feed offer Roku users the ultimate convenience in discovering new content as well as keeping up to date with their favorites. Search, in particular, lets them find available movies and their prices, actors and directors, as well as streaming channels from Roku's Channel Store. At the moment, only Netflix, Snagfilms, and Popcornflix are included in the Search coverage but Roku promises more will be coming.

Roku Feed, as the name implies, lets users follow their favorite content without having to search for them one by one manually. Like a news feed, they can subscribe to particular lists that get updated with relevant information in a timely manner. Feed launched with a "Movies Coming Soon" feed that informs users which films are available for streaming and from which service.

Roku Search and Roku Feed, labeled as Search and My Feed, respectively, can be accessed from the new side menu that will appear after the Roku player has been updated. The same search and discovery features are also available on the updated Android and iOS Roku apps.

For those in the UK who still don't own a Roku, the new Roku 2 is now available from Argos, Curry's and Amazon. This revamped version of the previous gen player matches the performance, and now the interface, of the newer Roku 3 unveiled back in 2013. The main difference is that the Roku 2 doesn't come with the "enhanced" remote control. And, of course, it has a lower price tag at 69.99 GBP ($108).

SOURCE: Roku