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Roku — which makes some of our favorite streaming devices — announced at CES 2023 that it will make its own TVs for the first time this spring, hoping the move will better showcase and align its hardware with TV operating system.
• product: Roku Select and Roku Plus Series TVs
• Launch date: Spring 2023
• Price: $119 to $999
• Why it’s worth your attention: Roku is one of the best-known streaming platforms and has long been used on TVs and soundbars from other manufacturers. With this announcement, the company will now design and build its own device with value and a better streaming experience in mind.
Roku has long been known for its simple, well-designed streaming software. In addition to being a plug-and-play streaming device, you can also get Roku OS with one of the connected TVs made by other big names like TCL, Philips, and Walmart brand Onn.
With this announcement at CES 2023, Roku decided to be the captain of its own destiny, hoping to better showcase the capabilities of its software while the company has a firm grip on its own hardware.
The HD Roku Select and the more premium 4K Roku Plus line of TVs will come in 11 models ranging from 24 inches to 75 inches, but the real focus will be on value, with prices ranging from a measly $119 to just under $1,000. Roku is mum on more details, but it has announced the addition of voice-activated remotes to all new TVs, with the Plus series being upgraded to the Roku Voice Remote Pro.
While I haven’t heard any announcements about future Roku partnerships here, the company says it has no plans to sever ties with its current manufacturing partners.
“Our goal is to continue to create a better TV experience for everyone. These Roku-branded TVs will not only complement the current lineup of partner-branded Roku TV models, but also enable us to enable future smart TV innovations,” said Mustafa, President of Roku Devices Ozgen said.
With the emphasis on low prices, the takeaway here may be the value in image quality. However, for those looking for an easy and less expensive way to stream their favorite shows and movies, you might want to wait for these new Roku TVs to ship this spring before buying.