14 DAY TRIAL // An updated iteration of the Roku application is now available for the owners of Android-based devices interested in controlling their Roku streaming player from their handsets or tablet PCs.
Available for download as version 2.3.0.2083614, the new app release enables users to play videos from selected Android devices to the Roku player.
At the moment, the feature is available only for Samsung Galaxy SIII, Samsung Galaxy S4, Nexus 4, HTC One, and Nexus 7 (2012 model), though we presume that it will be pushed to other devices as well soon.
However, as the release notes of the application unveil, the Play On Roku functionality requires Android 4.0 or newer, which means that older phones and tablets won’t receive it.
“Following on our launch of Play On Roku video support for iPhones and other iOS devices last month, we have just updated the latest version of our Android app which also adds this feature,” the company notes in a recent blog post.
“Now you can stream the videos that you’ve taken with your Android device, to your Roku player with the Play On Roku feature.”
In order to take advantage of the feature, users will need to pair their Android-based smartphone or slate with a Roku player that is powered by software version 5.1 or later.
“For best results, we recommend using a WiFi router that supports 802.11N,” the aforementioned blog post also explains.
The updated flavor of the application also comes with a variety of bug fixes packed inside, as well as with stability improvements.
For those out of the loop, we should note that the Roku application enables Android users to browse over 1,000 channels that are available through the Roku Channel Store.
Additionally, the app allows people to play their photos, music, and videos on their Roku player (though the option is supported only on Roku 3, Roku 2, Roku LT, Roku HD model 2500, and Roku Streaming Stick).
“To get started, you must connect your Android device to the same network as your Roku player. You will be asked to sign-in to your Roku account and connect to your Roku player over your home network,” the company explains.