Just curious if you found a work around or purchased a new TV. Is it just Roku or all smart tvs. Browsing the internet on TV would help my aging mom and grandmother. They don't know how to navigate other devices and would prefer using the remote or voice to search. Is there an app now for browsing online?
There isn't a Roku app and apparently never will be. Browsers are expressly prohibited. I think other platforms may have one, but not Roku.
There isn't a Roku app and apparently never will be. Browsers are expressly prohibited. I think other platforms may have one, but not Roku.
Browsers are available on Android based platforms, but without a keyboard and mouse they are extremely difficult to use.
That's not entirely true. The difficulty depends on what someone wants to do on the platform. No one is asking for the ability to write an essay or anything like that.
It's simply to access content that's not available because there are no apps for it. There have been plenty of situations where apps are denied to be in the App store because content/company is censored for various reasons.
Furthermore, my understanding is that there is a basic type browser for Roku tech that's not accessible to the public as someone pointed out that the privacy policy is displayed using it.
On some Google TV, a mouse key feature is included to navigate using the arrow navigation around for clicking. It's not too hard to use.
Also there are many mini keyboards separate from and included with remotes that can be useful. Here are a few examples from Amazon that's pretty inexpensive for those who wants to be able to type a bit more.
The bottom line is pretty clear that ROKU doesn't want to make this available for whatever their reasons. As I've shared, my reasons are pretty straight forward: to keep my set up simple without additional hardware to support, more cost having to get another device when the TV is very capable, access content not accessible with the current available apps, and environmental--with more devices means more electricity, etc.
Hi there! Choco4Me
Just an addition, here's a support link for reference: [Does my Roku streaming device have an internet web browser? | Official Roku Support].
If you have further questions, please let us know.
Roku Community Team
My Roku barely gets used. Mostly use onboard apps on Samsung TV or my Amazon FireTV Stick.
Samsung TVs don't have Canadian Apps. The Firestick does. Plus you can use voice, but I rarely use voice preferring the old fashioned way. The Amazon Internet browser can be added to the Firestick.
Very few TVs offer a browser. And without a keyboard and mouse navigation using a TV remote is painful.
No, unfortunately there's not internal way to do the browser thing on a ROKU tv. I really don't want to have to buy another device. For our needs, I had to a create a youtube channel and uploads our video to it. However this method worked, but have to deal with commercials unless we upgrade. It's not ideal, but what else can we do.
As for other options, there are many other TVs have have a browser. I would go with those rather than buy a ROKU. You can also get an external device like a computer or tablet or possibly a raspberry pi.
I think there might be a great niche for a simple device that allows for very basic functions for seniors that in many instances would quickly access basic apps that would be great for them without all the complex stuff.
