Windows Phone App Review: WPRemote for Roku

ROKUbox lead

Here's something I've been wishing Windows Phone would get for quite a while: a Roku remote control app. It's chosen WPRemote for Roku and it comes from indie developer Localyf. (Note that this app was previously chosen ROKUbox before the Roku company asked Localyf to change its name.)

"What'south a Roku?" you might wonder. That'south what I love nigh yous, dear reader – your inquisitive nature.

Had past the interruption for our full review.

Roku Devices

Roku 2,

Roku is a video streaming device for TVs and HDTVs. The official description:

Roku is a niggling box that allows you lot to instantly stream tons of amusement on your Goggle box. Lookout over 100,000 movies and Tv set shows from Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus and more. Listen to music on Pandora, or listen to your own iTunes playlists. Watch major sports, news, or original Net programming. It'southward all available whenever you want information technology.

There are multiple tiers of Roku units, but they're all affordable ($70-100), back up 1080P video, and Wi-Fi. The top-tier Roku 2 model, the Roku 2 XS, even includes a Bluetooth remote/game controller and the Roku version of Angry Birds.

Virtual remote

ROKUbox Main

WPRemote for Roku emulates all the functions of a standard Roku remote (non the Bluetooth gaming remote). To do this, it scans the user's dwelling network for Roku devices and establishes a connection with them. Since users may own more than ane Roku device (i for each Tv set, natch), the app can salve and switch between multiple profiles.

The remote portion of the app emulates all of the functions of the standard Roku remote (not the Bluetooth game remote). Switching betwixt menus, making selections, playing, and scanning videos using the touch screen interface is a snap. It even includes the convenient Instant Replay button (for when you miss just a sentence or two of dialogue) that Roku 2 remotes lack. The buttons could be larger/have more defined hitboxes though.

Because WPRemote for Roku does not use IR similar a remote control, information technology tin can control the Roku without a straight line of site. Y'all can fifty-fifty be in a different room and information technology will still work, as long as yous remain connected to the same network as the Roku. So what the virtual remote lacks in tactile feedback, it makes up for with convenience.

Actress features

ROKUbox Channels

WPRemote for Roku goes above and beyond the standard remote in a few other ways. Swiping to the right from the remote screen reveals a Channels folio. From hither, icons allow users to spring instantly to any saved channels instead of navigating to them from the Home screen. While I take a lot of channels saved on my Roku (mostly costless junk), I spend the majority of my time with Netflix and Hulu Plus. The Favorites folio makes switching betwixt oft-used channels even quicker.

WPRemote for Roku also has a keyboard push on its virtual remote. It works with channels that allow text entry for searches, such as Netflix. Press the keyboard button on the app'due south remote and the Windows Phone virtual keyboard pops up, allowing users to impact blazon search strings rather than slowly choosing one letter at a time as with the standard remote. Fantastic concept, but A – text defaults to all caps even with functions that let for lowercase letters, and B – blazon numbers and they come out as the alphabetic character D. Neither issue is a large bargain, merely hopefully they'll exist fixed in an update.

Speaking of which, the developer is already promising new features to come. Chief among them is the Netflix Connect feature. From what I can tell, it volition allow users to directly browse and select Netflix programs from the phone. The selection and so loads upwards on the Roku. I haven't tried it out even so, but Netflix Connect could potentially be a much faster and easier manner to use Netflix on the Roku.

Almost perfect

ROKUbox Devices

The debut version of WPRemote for Roku sports a few limitations due to the apply of Wi-Fi. Normal Roku remotes use IR to command the unit, while the gaming remote uses Bluetooth. Since WPRemote for Roku works exclusively with Wi-Fi, there is a brief lag between pressing buttons and the Roku receiving those presses. It'due south barely perceptible unless you try to roll between selections quickly.

Too, if the Roku disconnects from the network for some reason, WPRemote for Roku tin't control information technology until the main device reconnects. That shouldn't exist a trouble unless yous're silly and use WPRemote for Roku to modify your Wi-Fi password, like me. In one case I reentered the information with the standard remote, both the Roku and ROKUbox started working again. Since the Roku two has a Bluetooth receiver but the Roku 1 doesn't, I'd like to see ROKUbox retain Wi-Fi and add Bluetooth support in the hereafter.

Overall Impression

WPRemote for Roku is a fantastic accompaniment app for Roku owners. Information technology works bang-up and even does a few things the existent remote can't do, similar jumping straight to other Roku channels. It'due south convenient to utilise and could be a lifesaver should the real Roku remote ever go missing. With so many features and more on the fashion, this little app will probable prove nearly as indispensible equally the Roku itself.

WPRemote for Roku costs $i.99 and at that place is a gratuitous trial. Get information technology hither on the Marketplace.

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