Table of Content
This was a tough call, but ultimately, we’re all about the up-and-comer. Yes, Google isn’t exactly new to the streaming landscape with Android TV being around for quite some time, but as a revamped TV streaming platform, Google TV is pretty incredible. Compared with Google TV’s personalized For Youlaunch, Roku TV opts for a slightly more plain welcoming. Starting on the Home tab, you’ll see all of your pre-downloaded apps arranged in rows and columns that you can navigate through. Several tabs, ranging fromFeatured FreeandMovie StoretoTV StoreandStreaming Channels, act as filters for Roku’s expansive library of content.
The Chromecast stick only boasts around 6,500 apps, while Roku dominates with more than 20,000 apps in its app store. While Google TV has more storage readily available for more apps, Roku has the most apps of all. The Google Home App is a central hub in the smart home experience. Google Home connects different smart products such as smart bulbs, plugs, security cameras, item trackers, thermostats, and so forth.
Requirements for connecting Roku to Google Home
By linking your Roku Smart TV or Streaming stick to your Google Home App, you can take advantage of Google’s smart voice assistant features to control your TV. If you’re shopping for a new TV, there’s a very good chance that whatever brand and model you settle on, it’s going to be a “smart” one. Integrating Roku with Google Home might seem impossible to many but the truth of the matter is that connecting the two is quite easy than you can imagine. Roku is a streaming player capable of providing top content channels on your TV. They may include Roku TV, Roku Express, Roku Ultra, Streaming Stick, and Roku Premiere among others.
There’s also the Movies Anywhere app, which is an online streaming service that allows you to combine all of your purchases from multiple streaming services in one place. It’s free to join and will allow you to watch Google Play content on your Roku. Before you jump in, though, we suggest you read the privacy policy, as it does log some data. Quick Remote is a very simple voice control solution for Roku.
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Similar to Alexa and Google Assistant, HomeKit controls include play/pause commands, power, volume controls, and basic remote functions. Where Google TV builds itsFor Yourecommendations based on the apps you use and your viewing history, Roku TV is a bit less intuitive. Yes, Roku TV will be able to recommend certain movies and shows to you based on viewing history, but unlike Google TV, you won’t find recommendations sourced from Netflix and other streaming apps. Between Google TV and Roku TV though, which smart OS will get you the best of everything? As experts and devotees of both systems, we decided to break down each platform, weighing in on criteria like features, available apps, and picture/sound quality. Turn on your Roku TV, streaming stick or any other Roku device.
It’s hard to say which overall user experience is best between Google TV and Roku. Neither Google TV nor Roku requires users to pay a monthly fee. Both are free to use, granted you have a proper internet connection and television available to stream with. There are a few ways you can use Google Play with Roku, but with the removal of the Google Play Movies & TV app, you need to take a little detour. To watch Google Play on Roku, you can simply use the YouTube app.
Getting Google Play on Roku
Depending on when your TV was made, it may already have smart functionality built in, but there are still advantages to adding a third-party device. These are the best devices to turn your "dumb TV" into a streaming monster. Select the “Google Photos Albums” icon and press “OK” on the remote to view your Google photos. Use the Roku remote to navigate through different albums.
Cloudwards.net may earn a small commission from some purchases made through our site. However, any affiliate earnings do not affect how we review services. This is where things get fun, because you can customize the command.
Using Quick Remote to Control Your Roku
A “successful” message will be displayed on both devices. You’ll be given an on-screen code so you can link your Roku device to your Google account. Type “PhotoView” into the search box until you see it listed on the right-hand side. There wasn’t a dedicated Google Play Music channel anyway, so you would have had to use screen mirroring to use it through any Roku devices. Press the “home” button on your Roku remote to ensure you’re on the home screen.
Finally, if you get tired of saying “Hey Google, let me talk to Quick Remote” or “Hey Google, tell Quick Remote to…” every time you want to send a command, you can set up shortcuts in the Google Home app. These are simplified commands that are translated into something longer—kind of like the “text replacement” feature on software keyboards. You can tell it to launch specific apps, and it should do it without issues.
So you can keep it simple and straightforward, or as quirky as you want. I’ll go with the former for this example, but you do you. If you only have one command, you can also say “Hey Google, tell Quick Remote to start Netflix” and it should do the same thing.
This pair even has the Alexa assistant built-in for instant voice search and hands-free navigation. The Roku Express 4K Express offers hundreds of apps and is easy to install on a spare HDMI port on your television. Roku is our favorite smart TV interface, and it's easy to set up with your own apps. You can link more than one Google Account by selecting the “settings” icon and then “link an additional Google account.” Then, follow the steps listed above to link your other account. You can easily remove your Google account here by selecting “remove account link from device.” You can also change your display settings here if you need to. Since Roku doesn’t have a dedicated Google Play Movies & TV channel, you need to use the YouTube Roku app to access Google content.
In terms of Roku TV features, it’s fair to expect plenty from a streaming-centric company that has been around for a long time. We’re pleased to say that the Roku platform definitely delivers … although the Google TV experience is a little more personalized to start. Another great Google TV feature is the ability to “cast” content from a mobile device or laptop to your Google TV hardware.
Quick Remote's integration with Google Home supports only basic commands at this time. Likewise, the app allows you to issue 50 free voice commands per month. Upgrade to the Full Pass subscription if you'd like to use the app more frequently. As more of our devices connect to each other, it’s always nice to know that different products from different companies work together. A Chromecast isn’t expensive, but being able to use your TV directly with Google Assistant is better. Looking at Roku’s larger streaming library, its cheaper alternatives, its smaller size, and its blossoming selection of original content, it feels safe to call it the clear winner.
That being said, while Roku TV offers plenty, the endless options can be tough to digest. With Google TV, the defaultFor Youpage pulls all of your subscriptions and personalized viewing together into one seamlessly curated launch screen. With AirPlay 2 support, you’ll be able to “cast” audio or video from certain apps on your iOS or MacOS device to your Roku TV product, similar to Google TV’s casting function. Keep in mind that not all Roku hardware supports a full HomeKit/AirPlay 2 experience. Once your Roku account is created, you’ll need to link it to your Roku TV device.
The Google interface is better than Roku's in one respect, because it surfaces individual shows rather than making you choose an app first. The removal of the Google Play Movies & TV app in June 2021 made an already limited Google Play on Roku experience all the more frustrating. Roku has tons of streaming services and other content available on its channel store, such as Netflix, HBO Max and even some free Roku channels. However, there are some services that have been left out when it comes to dedicated Roku apps.
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