Roku iOS app update lets users stream videos to televisions

Similar to Apple TV's AirPlay, the new Roku iOS update allows users to beam videos recorded and stored on their mobile devices to their TVs.

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Dara Kerr

Aug. 8, 2013 7:10 p.m. PT

Roku added a small, yet significant, addition to its app for iOS on Thursday. With the new 2.3 update, users can now stream videos stored on their iOS device directly to their televisions.

The new functionality is part of an update to the "Play on Roku" feature that the company announced last September. "Play on Roku" lets users stream music and photos stored on a phone or tablet via a Roku device to a television. Basically, it's Roku's answer to the Apple TV's AirPlay. "Play on Roku" also works with Android.

With music, cover art and artist information is displayed on the TV, as well as the ability to cue up songs underneath slideshows. With videos, anything recorded with an Apple mobile device can also be shown on the TV. However, the app isn't as flexible as AirPlay because it doesn't work with third-party apps and doesn't include TV shows or movies that users have synced with their iPhones and iPads.

Besides the new video feature, the Roku iOS app already lets users browse Roku channels, use an Apple mobile device as a remote control, and more.

The iOS video feature is supported on Roku 3, Roku 2, new Roku HD, Roku LT players, and the Roku Streaming Stick; the Roku app is available for several versions of the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.

(Via Macworld.)