Roku intros new Streaming Stick 4k with better Wi-Fi

Roku has announced an upgraded streaming stick which offers 4k resolution, and is rolling out a new iteration of its OS. Roku OS 10.5 promises better voice search and a new watch list feature for the Roku mobile app.

The new Roku stick will compete directly with Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which claims to be 40 per cent more powerful than its predecessors, and introduces support for Wi-Fi 6.

Roku says its streaming stick 4k is faster and more powerful than ever. It’s said to boot up to 30 per cent faster and supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+. It also has a redesigned long-range Wi-Fi receiver said to be 2x faster than previous devices.

In addition to the familiar list of premium streaming services, owners will also have access to Roku Originals on The Roku Channel. It’s also compatible with voice content via Alexa or Google Assistant enabled devices, and supports AirPlay 2 and HomeKit.

The Roku OS 10.5, which will roll out to Roku devices, introduces Roku voice search for a greater number of apps, including netflix and Spotify. A newly added Home tab in the Roku Mobile app will also simplify content navigation with Zones, comprising browsable collections of movies and shows. Films and TV shows can be tagged to a Save List.

“The Roku Streaming Stick has been a fan favourite for years and we’ve redesigned it in the Roku Streaming Stick 4K to be faster and more powerful than ever,” said Mark Ely, Vice President, Retail Product Strategy at Roku. “It’s super-charged so you can stream in beautiful 4k and Dolby Vision even at a distance from your router and tucked neatly behind your TV. Whatever your streaming needs, we’ve got an incredible product lineup that features innovations from our singular focus on the TV streaming business.”

The Roku Streaming Stick 4k will sell for £49.99 when it launches in October.