Roku Search Makes Finding What to Watch a Breeze

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Roku on Monday rolled out a new update to its devices, Roku Search, that makes it easier for users to find movies and TV shows on the company’s line of streaming devices.

Roku Search replicates one of the best aspects of the Xbox 360, namely, the ability to search for a video title across a multitude of services. This means that instead of having to search Netflix, Hulu, Vudu and Amazon for a program, you can search all services at once.

Roku 2, Roku LT, Roku HD and Roku Streaming Stick users can use Roku Search to query Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, Vudu, Crackle and HBO Go.

You can search for not just program titles, but also actors and directors. Roku Search will show you where the show is available. Then just select the channel and you’re taken directly to the TV show or movie. If you’re not already a subscriber to that particular service or channel, it will still show you the option. Then you can decide if you want to subscribe.

Roku Search solves a very real annoyance that plagues many connected device owners. Just last night, my husband and I settled in to watch The Perfect Storm. While we wound up watching it on Blu-ray, I was curious to see if it was available on any of our streaming services. Because the Xbox was in the other room, I was relegated to searching on my phone, rather than on my Apple TV or Blu-ray player.

Roku isn’t the only company embracing multi-service search. Xbox has offered the feature for more than a year. When Nintendo launches its Wii U next month, it will also feature the ability to search various subscription services as well as local listing. The upcoming Boxee TV also features an omnisearch feature.

Roku has been on a tear in recent months — introducing new form factors, adding support for more services and aggressively going after the sub $100 market. Roku Search will make the device that much more competitive going into the holiday season.

Let us know your thoughts on Roku Search in the comments.

Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/10/29/roku-search/

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