Roku Now Supports Alexa Voice Control

Amazon’s voice-enabled virtual assistant Alexa is continuing to find her way into an ever growing list of products. Roku is the latest company to announce Alexa compatibility for its streaming devices and Roku TVs, which can now be controlled using voice commands through the many versions of the Amazon’s popular Echo smart speaker.

The upgrade can be activated on Alexa-enabled Roku devices running OS 8.1 or higher via the new Roku skill. It’s a simple three step process: 1) open the Alexa app, 2) go into the settings menu and select TV & Video, 3) enable the Roku skill and link an account. Compatible Amazon devices include the Echo, Echo Show, Echo Dot, Echo Spot, and Echo Plus.

Once the Roku skill is enabled, Alexa voice commands can be used to control a variety of functions, including pausing a show, launching a streaming channel, and searching for something to watch. Owners of Roku TVs can switch inputs, change channels, and adjust or mute the volume. Examples of Alexa control include phases such as, “Alexa, launch HBO Now on Roku” and “Alexa, find documentaries on Roku.”

“Consumers often have multiple voice ecosystems in their homes,” said Roku senior vice president Ilya Asnis. “By allowing our customers to choose Alexa, in addition to Roku voice search and controls and other popular voice assistants, we are strengthening the value Roku offers as a neutral platform in home entertainment. Roku customers can get to the entertainment they love faster so they can enjoy more of it.”

For more information on setting up Alexa voice control on a Roku streaming device, visit the support page at roku.com.

COMMENTS
gfrancis0's picture

Enabling the skill and linking devices worked easily. The AI could use a little work, but that is to be expected. I find it useful that some Alexa commands that are not supported actually generate a helpful on screen message to use the Roku remote to perform that operation.

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