Roku rumored in talks to support Apple's AirPlay 2

Apple and Roku are reportedly in negotiations to bring AirPlay 2 to the latter's media streamers, and possibly Roku-based TVs by the likes of Sharp and TCL.

If it happens, support should come in the form of a future Roku OS update, according to a MacRumors source. In January, a Roku spokesperson said only that the company doesn't "have anything to share regarding this now," hinting that efforts were underway.

A partnership between the two companies could go a step further with a native Apple Music app, the source added. Roku devices already have apps for services like Spotify and Pandora, but Apple Music has been slow to come to third-party platforms like Amazon Alexa.

During last month's Consumer Electronics Show, Samsung, LG, Vizio and Sony all announced plans to provide AirPlay 2-compatible TVs. Owners will be able to stream photos, audio and video, even asking Siri to push content with commands like "Play 'The Road' in the Living Room."

The iOS Home app is being updated for this in iOS 12.2, where people will also be able to switch inputs or power a TV on and off. That software is still in beta.

18 Comments

indieshack 336 comments · 9 Years

About 5 years ago

This is great news for Roku, which owns this segment. For me, licensing AirPlay has been one of the more surprising and welcome developments from Apple, and i believe essentially means they've given up pushing their own niche streamer (reports of Apple TV being sold at or below cost are garbage unless you include R&D, in which case name your price).

mac_128 3452 comments · 12 Years

indieshack said:

This is great news for Roku, which owns this segment. For me, licensing AirPlay has been one of the more surprising and welcome developments from Apple, and i believe essentially means they've given up pushing their own niche streamer (reports of Apple TV being sold at or below cost are garbage unless you include R&D, in which case name your price).

Roku has a close relationship with Netflix, which bailed on getting into the hardware business at the 11th hour. As a service provider who needs the Apple TV platform now more than ever, they walk a fine line between upsetting Apple, and competing with them.

christopher126 4366 comments · 16 Years

Two words, "Platform agnostic." This is the future as the cable model goes bye-bye. And not soon enough for me!

I just want an 8K 100" TV for $999 with an AppleTV (one f'ing remote). I'll then search and 'rent' everything from Apple.

NetFlix's, Youtube's interfaces are crap and so is 90% oft their respective content.

I don't go to the 'Movies' anymore, the experience is appalling with everyone eating their popcorn, soda's and nachos like donkey's. I'd much rather stay at home!

P.S. Why do American's insist on eating everything with their fingers? :)

larrya 608 comments · 13 Years

christopher126 said:

P.S. Why do American's insist on eating everything with their fingers? :)

There are never enough forks for the popcorn, are there?

larrya said:

christopher126 said:

P.S. Why do American's insist on eating everything with their fingers? :)

There are never enough forks for the popcorn, are there?

Haha! I was referencing the burgers, fries, cheesy fries, pizza, tacos, etc., etc.

We eat like chimpanzees. :)

No offense. :)