Roku just debuted a new Apple Watch app that lets you control its streaming devices from your wrist.
You can use the app to launch your favorite Channels and control media playback. You can also use its voice recognition capabilities to search for movies and TV shows.
Roku recently surprised Apple fans by adding support for Apple TV+, the company’s new streaming service. Now it is making it easier for Watch owners to control what they’re watching.
The new Roku app for watchOS is just like that on iPhone, only smaller.
Roku comes to Apple Watch
Roku on your wrist has three primary functions:
- Remote: Use the app to control media playback. It’s the same as the iPhone remote, but it fits on your Watch.
- Channels: Connect to your favorite Channels, such as Netflix or Hulu. They will appear in the order in which they were most recently launched.
- Voice: Use voice controls to search for content, or to issue playback commands, such as “search for comedies.” This only works with Roku devices that support voice controls.
There’s another function that works great on Watch: Remote finder. If you’ve lost your physical Roku remote, you can ask Apple Watch to make it play an audible chime so that you can track it down.
Get the Roku update today
The Roku app works with both Roku TVs and set-top boxes. And it’s completely free to use. Download the latest update from the App Store today to enjoy the new Apple Watch companion app.
Note that you may need to install the Roku app for Apple Watch manually if you have disabled automatic installs in the Watch app.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
