Roku 2, LT and new HD boxes upgraded for more languages, future remote apps

Over on the Roku blog the company just announced it's delivering a software 4.8 upgrade starting today. First up there's a few new features included right away like support for Spanish and German in the UI, performance optimizations and playback improvement for channels like MLB.tv and GBTV. More interesting however is the prospect of what's to come, as it also note "under the hood" preparations for new channels and features, promising upgrades for the iOS and Android remote apps soon. Like the last upgrade, the new version is getting pushed to Roku 2 and LT boxes now, while new HD boxes should see it next week.

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Roku 2, LT and new HD boxes upgraded for more languages, future remote apps originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget’s summer gear guide 2012: home entertainment

In the interest of keeping cool this summer, we've put together a list of the hottest products out right now. From smartphones to e-readers and everything in between, there's no time like the present to re-up that post-spring-cleaning stash. So grab a popsicle or a cold one and dive in -- the water's just right.

Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: home entertainment

Forget heading outside to battle the sun, bugs and whatever other dangers may lurk in the wild -- we'll be inside near the TV. Of course, the summer programming schedule can often leave something to be desired, so we'll have to take that into account in our hardware suggestions going into the break. Also key is access to our preferred programming wherever it might be, broadcast or online. So, which devices are absolute must-have's to keep you chilling where the AC blows through October and beyond? Check past the break to find out.

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Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: home entertainment originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roku players add Dish international TV channels, become that much more exotic

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Roku has already been turning its players into TV hubs, but it's been focused on US programming -- not so hot if you're an immigrant hoping to catch up on affairs back in the homeland. Dish is aiming to remedy that by offering its Dishworld service as an avenue for the media hub: owners can subscribe to over 50 channels without having to spring for a satellite package. The focus is heaviest on south Asia, with Bangladesh, India and Pakistan getting the most service -- including a few cricket channels for good measure. Arab channels like Al Jazeera and Brazilian channels like TV Globo Internacional join the fray as well. Roku 2 and Roku LT viewers living in the US can already subscribe to Dish's service in tiers that start at $20 a month, though Roku HD owners will have to sit tight until the summer to practice their Hindi.

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Roku players add Dish international TV channels, become that much more exotic originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 14:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Roku HD, 2 and LT updated to version 4.7, slew of ‘under the hood’ improvements in tow

New Roku HD, 2 and LT updated to version 4.7, slew of 'under the hood' improvements in tow

It's been nearly a month since we saw the Roku 2 and LT get hit with some performance-boosting updates, and now the pair's about to be on the receiving end of some additional enhancements. Version 4.7 -- which is also coming to that new Roku HD -- brings with it a slew of improvements, including refined stability for the aforementioned player and a sharpened device discovery method on the company's Android / iOS applications. Inside v4.7, Roku's also added support for channels using Microsoft Smooth Streaming as well as other improvements to help with launch of "several new partner channels" later this year. The refresh is set to arrive automatically over the next 48 hours, though you could always grab it manually by hitting the Software Update menu on your tiny box.

New Roku HD, 2 and LT updated to version 4.7, slew of 'under the hood' improvements in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 May 2012 03:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Refreshed Roku HD spotted in stores, drops the 2 but adds some purple flair

Refreshed Roku HD spotted in stores, drops the 2 but adds some purple flair
That purple-striped Roku HD seen skulking about the FCC last month has now been observed in the wild by our friend Dave Zatz. It's apparently on shelves now, with all the features of the box recently introduced as the Roku 2 HD, but without the 2. As he muses, Roku may be taking a "new iPad" style naming approach to its hardware going forward, a theory supported by the support site listing where it's already elbowed out the old Roku 2 HD. As far as differences, it's mostly the same with the exception of full size composite outputs around that should make it more friendly to HD-less environments, while the Bluetooth (for the optional gaming remote) and microSD slot options have been eliminated. We've heard from Roku that this refreshed model has a slightly larger footprint due to those composite jacks, but will stay at the same price of $59.99.

Refreshed Roku HD spotted in stores, drops the 2 but adds some purple flair originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roku celebrates 100 channels in the UK and Ireland, says more are on the way

Roku celebrates 100 channels in the UK and Ireland, says more are on the way
Hitting any milestones or goals are usually worthy of a celebration, and on this occasion it's Roku's turn to party on. The LT, HD, XD and XS creator is flaunting the reach of 100 channels in its UK and Irish boxes, adding over 60 since its launch date back in January. The outfit isn't planning on slowing down anytime soon, though, saying more channels are expected in the upcoming months and that it aims to bring the one-channel-per-day model to streamers across the pond. Congrats, Roku, congrats.

Continue reading Roku celebrates 100 channels in the UK and Ireland, says more are on the way

Roku celebrates 100 channels in the UK and Ireland, says more are on the way originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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