In the ever-evolving landscape of streaming and smart home technology, people often ask me, “How does it all work together? My phone? My wireless speaker? My TV? I just want to have an easy way to do things and enjoy more!”
Some really exciting news is happening as we speak with the new Roku OS 9.4 update on TCL Roku TV Models. With this new Roku OS update comes a host of great new stuff, including updates to your TV’s on-screen menus (really cool!), access to free Live TV Channel Guide right on your home screen (coming soon!), making theme packs more dynamic with new sounds, improvements to the set-up process, plus exclusive TCL Roku TV updates such as cutting edge gaming performance with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) on select 6-Series TVs, and the latest in audio connectivity with eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) across many models.
In addition to all of those enhancements, the latest free automatic Roku OS software update is bringing big changes to our already amazing suite of voice capabilities, allowing you to have more intuitive command of not just your TV, but your entire connected home. We are proud to announce Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit connectivity is now available on most TCL 4K Roku TV models!
“So, what does this mean to me?” you may be asking. Simply put, TCL Roku TV will now offer great ways to control your TV with the top 3 voice assistants. Here are some exciting highlights:
Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit Compatibility
With Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit compatibility, TCL Roku TV customers can work easily within their Apple-centric home environment.
Want to enjoy your favorite show? Simply say, “Hey Siri, watch The Handmaid’s Tale in the family room” and you are off!
You can also create helpful routines to make your day easier. For example, with your home set up, just saying, “Hey Siri, Good morning,” can turn on your lights and power up the TV so that you can catch up on the morning news!
Additionally, iPhone, iPad and Mac users can now enjoy AirPlay 2 to quickly and easily share content from your Apple devices to your TCL Roku TV for everyone to enjoy! You can even use screen mirroring to share exactly what’s on your Apple devices’ screen right on the TV—a great way to enjoy family pics and more!
While this just scratches the surface of what this new update will do for Apple fans, let’s not forget what the Roku OS already does for users of other devices.
Google Assistant
TCL Roku TV models already work with Hey Google for voice control so you can pause and search for content and launch channels. Google Assistant can also turn your TV on and off, turn up the volume, mute, switch inputs and change channels if there is an OTA antenna connected. Try saying “Hey Google, raise the volume on living room Roku” to your Google Assistant-enabled device and Google will raise the volume on whatever you are streaming on your living room TV—hopefully in stunning fidelity through your TCL Roku TV Ready sound bar!
TIP: Did you know that if you want to listen to music, you don’t even need your TV’s screen on? You can simply turn off the display without interrupting your favorite playlist!
Amazon Alexa
TCL Roku TV users with Alexa-enabled devices can pause a show, launch a streaming channel and search for entertainment by simply saying things like, “Alexa, find comedies on Roku,” “Alexa, pause Roku” or “Alexa, open Hulu on Roku.” Additionally, you can turn on the TV, change the volume, mute the TV, switch inputs and change channels if there is an OTA antenna connected by saying, “Alexa, turn on Roku” or “Alexa, turn up the volume on Roku.”
Roku Voice
Let’s not forget that part of the Roku OS is the easy voice control integration, which has amazing capabilities built right into our TVs. These capabilities are great for customers who don’t rely on any one ecosystem mentioned above but can still use Roku Voice. Depending on your TV, you can use either use your enhanced remote with voice control, or the free Roku Mobile app to both control the TV and unleash really cool voice control features to search for your favorite movies and TV shows.
Want to watch a specific movie? Simply press and hold the mic button on the Roku Voice Remote and say “Find Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” to find it across all available streaming channels, and then show you those options in ascending price order…how cool is that?!
Looking for an affordable date night? Just ask your TV to find, “Free Romantic Comedies,” and you’ll be whisked off to romantic Italy with Audrey and Gregory, to watch Roman Holiday in no time!
Don’t forget to have Siri, Alexa, or Hey Google dim the lights to set the mood!
One Awesome Last Thing!!
How often do you watch a show, only to get a little tired and want to finish it in bed? After laughing your way through a few episodes of Seinfeld, just power everything down in the living room, go to your TCL Roku TV in the bedroom, and simply say, “Play Seinfeld on Hulu,” and you can pick up right where you left off…Newman!
The above examples are only the beginning of all the great things you can do with your TCL Roku TV and the wide variety of smart home devices loved by customers all over. Of course, there’s now even more to enjoy with AirPlay 2 and HomeKit compatibility!
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