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AirPlay 2 and HomeKit Coming to Select 4K Roku TVs and Devices Later This Year

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Roku today announced that AirPlay 2 and HomeKit will be rolling out to select 4K TVs and devices as part of a free software update later this year.

roku-tv-and-stick.jpg

AirPlay 2 will enable users to stream videos, music, podcasts, and more directly from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to a compatible Roku smart TV, with no Apple TV box necessary. And with HomeKit support, users can easily control the TV's power, volume, source, and more using Siri or the Home app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Roku-based smart TVs are available from brands such as TCL, Sharp, Hisense, Hitachi, Sanyo, and RCA, or customers can connect a Roku streaming stick to their existing smart TV via the HDMI port to access the platform.

Roku OS 9.4 will begin rolling out to select Roku players this month and is expected to roll out to all supported streaming players, including the all-new Roku Ultra and Roku Streambar, in the coming weeks. Roku TV models are expected to receive the update in phases over the coming months, according to the company.

Eligible customers who purchase and activate a Roku device from October 23, 2020 to January 31, 2021 will receive a promotional code for three months free of Apple TV+. The offer is limited to new Apple TV+ subscribers.

Article Link: AirPlay 2 and HomeKit Coming to Select 4K Roku TVs and Devices Later This Year
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/09/28/roku-homekit-airplay-2-announcement/
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wonderful. Nice to see Apple expanding reach again versus only the walled garden (harkens back to iTunes for windows). Wish Apple would do more of this sort of thing.
 
adamw said:
My TCL ROKU TV has long been awaiting AirPlay 2 support. Will this ever really happen? Will they support older models?
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Roku didn't share any details unfortunately. Just "select" 4K Roku TVs & sticks. I recently bought a 2020 TCL model, so I presume it will be included fortunately.
 
This is good news because budget 4K TVs from Hisense, which uses Roku, we’re on sale for $499 for a 70” and $999 for a 75” at Costco and Costco.ca in August and September 2020!
 
Joe Rossignol said:
Roku didn't share any details unfortunately. Just "select" 4K Roku TVs & sticks. I recently bought a 2020 TCL model, so I presume it will be included fortunately.
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Hopefully TCL is making better Roku TVs. I bought one in 2017, By early 2019 and outside of the manufacture warranty the backlight in it was going out in the middle of the screen. Ended up practically unusable, was a pretty common occurrence too from what others told me. I went with an LG. Not the greatest experience with Apple due to their lack of providing Airplay 2 etc. However, with having my AppleTV 4K its not as bad.

I'll never by a TCL again.
 
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Sorry but Roku is garbage. A friend of mine just bought a Roku TV. They now require a $60 subscription to be able to use the TV for anything—even TV functions not utilizing Roku. I called the Roku support number in an attempt to help him and was informed by the billing manager that they just changed their Terms of Service to require a subscription. Needless to say, he is returning the TV.
 
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Goodeye said:
Hopefully TCL is making better Roku TVs. I bought one in 2017, By early 2019 and outside of the manufacture warranty the backlight in it was going out in the middle of the screen. Ended up practically unusable, was a pretty common occurrence too from what others told me. I went with an LG. Not the greatest experience with Apple due to their lack of providing Airplay 2 etc. However, with having my AppleTV 4K its not as bad.

I'll never by a TCL again.
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I've been gaming on a late 2017 TCL panel constantly for the past 3 years (4 series). The only issue I've ever experienced is the occasional OS reset (maybe once or twice a year). ← Push a tiny button and 20 seconds later, Bob's your uncle. Chosen for it's inexpensive cost of entry into 4K gaming. Constant pounding without the fear of damaging an expensive panel. Can't be beaten, imo. Worked so nicely, last year I replaced my bedroom Vizio with an excellent and budget friendly 6 series. No regrets. Their TV's aren't as good as high end Sony's, LG's and Samsung's from a picture standpoint, but the difference in picture quality is more than made up for in the price tag. To be fair, their 8 series will give the others a run for their money.

tl;dr Anecdotes amirite?
 
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Val-kyrie said:
Sorry but Roku is garbage. A friend of mine just bought a Roku TV. They now require a $60 subscription to be able to use the TV for anything—even TV functions not utilizing Roku. I called the Roku support number in an attempt to help him and was informed by the billing manager that they just changed their Terms of Service to require a subscription. Needless to say, he is returning the TV.
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That doesn't sound right at all. I've never heard of a Roku TV requiring a sub. Got details?
 
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Val-kyrie said:
Sorry but Roku is garbage. A friend of mine just bought a Roku TV. They now require a $60 subscription to be able to use the TV for anything—even TV functions not utilizing Roku. I called the Roku support number in an attempt to help him and was informed by the billing manager that they just changed their Terms of Service to require a subscription. Needless to say, he is returning the TV.
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That's just patently untrue. I bought my dad a cheap TCL a couple of years ago, and he loves it. I myself bought a TCL Series 5 just a few weeks ago, and it's great. Neither of us pays a subscription to use the TV - I don't even know how that would work. Yes, we have channels like Netflix and Amazon, but we pay Netflix and Amazon for those services.
 
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Good work Apple. Now hopefully you get Apple Music and TV+ on the PS5 at launch and then I'll be content.
 
And now you'll be able to airplay hbo max to Roku until Roku stops playing gatekeeper and allows them on the roku store.
 
Val-kyrie said:
Sorry but Roku is garbage. A friend of mine just bought a Roku TV. They now require a $60 subscription to be able to use the TV for anything—even TV functions not utilizing Roku. I called the Roku support number in an attempt to help him and was informed by the billing manager that they just changed their Terms of Service to require a subscription. Needless to say, he is returning the TV.
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This is completely false information.
 
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So if you were to buy a Roku device today, would you not be eligible for the Apple TV+ promo? I tried to find more details in the Businesswire posting, but that wasn't included. My parents are about to buy 4 Rokus, but it would be nice to know if they are both AirPlay2 and promo eligible. Strange that the announcement leaves out model details.
 
Apple had to encourage Roku to do this. There are many Roku owners who wouldn't think of buying an AppleTV (like me, for example). Of course, if you're not invested in products requiring Apple's walled garden, this news is "meh". I fired Apple a couple of years ago.
 
Hope, AirPlay 2 is supported on Roku - Streaming Stick+ 4K Streaming Media Player. Though I love my AppleTV 4K box which has the best UI.
 
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