You Can Now Control Roku Using Your Amazon Echo

If you own an Amazon Echo device and a Roku device, then this is your lucky day. Because, thanks to the new Roku skill for Alexa, you can now control your Roku using your Amazon Echo. Which should make it even easier to waste away on your couch all weekend.

Streaming devices are growing in popularity. Sure, you could buy a smart TV (especially as most TVs are smart these days). However, alongside Apple TV and the Amazon Fire TV, a Roku device is a capable alternative. And it now has a new trick up its sleeve.

Enable the New Roku Skill for Alexa

As detailed on the Roku Newsroom, Roku has released a new Alexa skill. This enables you to control your Roku device using your Amazon Echo. This will work on all Alexa-enabled devices, including the Amazon Echo, Echo Show, Echo Dot, Echo Spot, and Echo Plus.

The Roku skill for Alexa enables you to do a number of things. You can pause a show by saying “Alexa, pause Roku,” launch a channel by saying “Alexa, open Hulu on Roku,” and search for new shows by saying “Alexa, find comedies on Roku” or something similar.

? “Alexa, show me comedies on Roku”

Introducing the new #Roku skill for Alexa, making Alexa compatible with Roku’s existing voice search and control features ?? https://t.co/Ve8GwXA9tK pic.twitter.com/TMz4ohGc3Z

— Roku (@Roku) March 5, 2019

Ilya Asnis, Senior VP of Roku OS, said, “By allowing our customers to choose Alexa, in addition to Roku voice search and controls, and other popular voice assistants; we are strengthening the value Roku offers as a neutral platform in home entertainment”.

This is limited to Roku streaming player and Roku TV owners located in the U.S. Your Roku device will also need to be running Roku OS 8.1 or higher. Just open the Alexa app, click Settings, select TV and Video, then enable the Roku skill and link your account.

Other Things You Can Do With Your Echo

This is just the latest thing you can do through your Amazon Echo. You can also play music using your Echo and listen to podcasts using your Echo. However, for those who value their privacy and security, here’s how to delete your Amazon Echo voice data.

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