Roku TVs Are Getting Smart Camera Integrations, but I Really Want These Features

Although it’s known for its streaming devices, Roku has also recently added a line of smart home products, such as security cameras that feed seamlessly into your television. While the expansion is somewhat appealing, there are a few streaming features I wish Roku would look into before adding flashy smart cameras.

1

Research Consistency

Yes, Roku could have a smart home security systembut as a flagship streamer, it still has some work to do in terms of basic functionality. And the search function is a feature that could use some TLC from Roku.

A finicky search function is nothing new for Roku, although the problems of users have not always been the same. A glitch means that the streaming device fails to get results, even when the requested content exists. Regardless of the keywords you use, Roku will give you the same message: No search results.

For others, the search option disappears altogether. In some cases, this is due to regional restrictions, but US users have reported the same snag. Workarounds include performing a system reboot or plugging a Roku device into wall power instead of TV power, but these fixes have mixed results.

Personally, my Roku search function is plagued by inconsistent entry points in a series. For example, when I play a new TV show directly from a Roku browser, it ends up in episode eight instead of episode one. Roku presents the demo page, with a button to “Play on [respective streaming app],” shooting straight into an episode.

There’s no way to see that you’ve started streaming the wrong episode until it’s paused. More than once, I’ve cursed Roku for spoilers that I’ve been exposed to because of this problem.

Until Roku fixes these glitches, I will continue to use a separate device to search for titles, with their associated streaming apps. A more functional search capability on Roku would certainly cut out those extra steps.

2

Programmable quick shortcuts

If you have a Roku, you will immediately recognize the four branded buttons on the bottom of the remote, otherwise known as Shorten app. Each will take you directly to a streaming app. On some remotes, these include Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video. In others, the selection is Netflix, Disney +, Apple TV + and the Roku Channel.

This can be useful if you subscribe to the four streaming apps featured, but there’s no way to reprogram those shortcuts to different apps. That’s a lot of wasted remote real estate if you don’t like those platforms.

Of course, this comes down to the fact that these companies pay Roku for placement. So it makes sense that they aren’t customizable, and I don’t see Roku changing this practice anytime soon. That said, more room for custom shortcuts goes a long way.

At the time of writing, there are a few select Roku models that come with a remote with limited customizable shortcut options:

If you don’t own or are thinking of buying one of these Roku models, you can still buy a new one Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd Edition) to go with your existing streaming device or TV. Just check compatibility by entering your serial number The Roku accessories page.

However, I would like to see a remote with more than one customizable shortcut button and less intrusive paid shortcuts. I frequent Max, Peacock, and the Criterion Collection, none of which are presented on brand shortcuts. A quick launch button only gets me so far.

3

An Internet browser

The feature – or lack thereof – that Roku users are most critical of is a non-existent web browser. While competing smart TVs from Amazon to Samsung all have native browsers for browsing the web on the big screen, Roku does not. For what? Year of support doesn’t explain beyond confirming that Roku “does not provide the ability to browse the Internet on your television.”

There is a solution. If you screen mirror or cast to a RokuYou can freely surf the web on a personal computer or phone, launching it on your Roku to see it on a larger scale. However, when you mirror, you expose not only your web browser, but your entire screen. Therefore, screen mirroring does not work in every situation.

Instead of a workaround, Roku could introduce a native browser. I think this is a licensing issue, where having a web browser opens up the possibility of accessing a streaming service that doesn’t license its app with Roku. But you can already work on this casting your screen. So what’s wrong?

A streaming platform might not be able to please everyone, but it can (and I say, should) solve its basic problems before expanding into a new market. There are many things I like about Roku, and I was excited upgrade to the new Roku Ultragiven its impressive 4K specs. However, I’m less inclined to jump on Roku’s new smart home products unless some of these streaming shortcomings are addressed.