Roku just fixed the most annoying thing about its remote

Roku just fixed the nigh abrasive thing about its remote

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

If a new leak (kickoff written by The Streamable) is to be believed, Roku may have just released a new feature-rich version of its remote that's worth paying attention to. Titled the Roku Vox Remote Pro, it will business firm "hands-free voice controls," a rechargeable battery and a lost remote finder.

Unfortunately, according to users on Reddit, the listing seems to already have been taken down, with some claiming it'due south on backorder. Curiously, the leaked image embedded below too shows bare buttons where branded ones might be. This likely is an error on Roku's part, as this product may have been unveiled a tad prematurely. When it is officially unveiled, information technology volition probably feature services such as Netflix, Sling and others.

The Streamable did reach out to Roku and was given the following argument: "We're always working on bringing new products and features to Roku users, and part of that process is publicly testing new ideas with a pocket-size set of our customers."

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The Roku Voice Remote Pro looks remarkably like to the ane that comes with the Roku Ultra. That ways users volition get two customizable shortcuts, Telly controls, a headphone jack for private listening and a mute button.

Roku makes an excellent streaming user interface. Information technology's why we believe Roku beats every other streaming device, including ones from Amazon, Google and Apple.

roku remote rechargeable battery — (Image credit: Kingtut206/Reddit)

So far, the Roku Phonation Remote Pro is only available to members of the company'due south Early on Access Program, and will set users back $30. That's the aforementioned price every bit the entry-level Roku Express, for those keeping score. The small print likewise says that but 2,000 of these will exist sold, and according to Reddit, the offering page has already been taken down.

That means you won't be getting one of these someday before long, even if you are already a Roku early on admission fellow member.

Per the small print at the bottom of the screen, information technology says "channel pre-fix buttons vary." This likely ways that dissimilar regions get unlike streaming services pre-programmed on remotes. While users on Reddit wished Roku would make all these buttons programmable, customers will probable only be allowed to customize the "i" and "2" buttons. It's abrasive as I constantly find myself accidentally hitting the Sling push, which asks me to download the service.

This remote would exist appealing to those that accept a cheaper Roku device, like the Express or Premiere, assuming there'south compatibility. That said, if yous have a more than expensive Roku streamer, yous'll likely have a lot of these features already.

Luckily, Roku batteries tend to concluding a long fourth dimension. It'south difficult to call back the last fourth dimension I had to change mine. The good affair with the Voice Remote Pro is that it shows Roku is willing to improve and listen to its customers.

Because this production is currently being tested with a minor number of Roku customers, it's possible a final version volition become fully bachelor sooner rather than later.

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Tom is the Tom's Guide's Automotive Editor, which means he tin can usually be found articulatio genus deep in stats the latest and best electrical cars, or checking out some sort of driving gadget. It's long mode from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He'due south usually found trying to clasp some other giant Lego prepare onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining that Ikea won't let him buy the stuff he really needs online.