Roku thinks your remote needs a remote. Say hi to its new Apple Watch app.

We heard you like remotes so we made a remote for your remote.
By Jack Morse  on 
Roku thinks your remote needs a remote. Say hi to its new Apple Watch app.
Exciting! Credit: DUSTIN DRANKOSKI / mashable

Why settle for just one Roku remote control, when you could have two?

That is the bold question posed by the latest addition to the Apple Watch ecosystem: the brand new Roku app. The app, which Roku writes became available for Apple's wrist computer on Nov. 8, does all kinds of neat things — like, as we already mentioned, acting as a remote control.

"Control your Roku device directly from Apple Watch," explains the above-linked Roku blog post. "It’s the same easy to use remote from the mobile app – just sized for your wrist!"

How fun!

To get the app on your Apple Watch, all you need to do is download the Roku app on your iPhone (or, if you already have it, update to version 6.1.3) and you should be good to go.

But maybe you're not ready for the futuristic world you've thrust yourself into head first. Because, with this exciting app, you can also issue voice commands. That's right, no more having to use your grubby little fingers to press play.

"Simply tap the voice icon in the app and say commands like 'Launch Hulu,' 'search for comedies,' 'switch to HDMI 1' for your Roku TV, and much more."

Much more, you say? Oh hell yeah. For example, you can use your Roku-enable Apple Watch to... drumroll please... find your Roku remote!

"Use the Roku app for Apple Watch to signal your Roku remote and it will play an audible chime so you can find it in the couch cushions," explains the blog post.

Yep, no more overturning couch cushions aimlessly in search of your misplaced remote. You can now overturn those cushions with purpose. And, what's more, you can flip them to the definitely not annoying sounds of a chime!

Ain't technology grand?

Mashable Image
Jack Morse

Professionally paranoid. Covering privacy, security, and all things cryptocurrency and blockchain from San Francisco.


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