Roku adds voice-powered remotes, speakers
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Roku is rolling out a new voice-powered TV remote, voice-powered tabletop remote and wireless TV speaker product.
Why it matters: The new products could help Roku maintain a TV hardware lead over its big tech competitors — Amazon, Apple and Google.
What's new: The new TV speakers will work exclusively with Roku TVs and ship with a "Voice Remote." The remote controls both the Roku TV and the speakers, as well as the Roku TouchTM, a battery-powered tabletop voice remote. It costs $150 for early buyers, then the price goes up to $200 in October.
How it works: Because Roku controls the software in both the speakers and the connect TV devices they sell, they believe the products provide users with a more integrated home entertainment product than their hardware competitors.
The big picture: Roku currently enjoys a lead in connected TV hardware sales over its competitors, but to grow as a company, it needs to diversify its revenue stream and product suite.
- One way they are currently expanding its product offerings is through its business-to-business. In Q1 of this year, Roku made more money from its platform business (which includes connected TV software and advertising) than it did its hardware business.
