Web Browser
Is anyone working on a web browser for the Roku? GoogleTV will leap frog the Roku for this fact alone. Here is a list of features that would make for an impressive web browser. Bookmarking pages a...
Forum Discussion
"scrager" wrote:
I think chris0071 has hit the nail on the head with why shoehorning a web browser on to the Roku is a bad idea. If this was 1995 and 99% of content on the web was simple HTML and images, then sure. But these days the web ranges from HTML to Javascript to Java to Flash to HTML5 to you name it. Roku hardware wasn't designed for that and trying to make it fit is just going to result in a browser that no one wants to use anyway.
Everyone asking for a browser has this idea that it will work just like the browser on their PC, but I think that is an unrealistic expectation for a box that is focused on streaming media and not doing everything.
Everyone comparing to Apple TV shouldn't even be in here. If you want Apple TV features, then go get Apple TV. Yes, Apple TV will play netflix also, but I can guarantee you that Apple TV won't have a developer community creating channels for everything from archives and NPR to adult content. Even if Apple TV has an SDK, you know they will have an APP store just like they do with the iphone. That means that Apple decides what is good for you and they will only make available channels that are approved. That means none of the private channel experimentation.
One bad point that chris0071 made though:
A method of connecting and displaying a laptop through Roku, on the TV screen, (wirelessly or adding ports to hardwire it in) would seem more useful than an internal browser.
It seems like it would be much easier as well. Add video and audio in ports, and set up a channel to do the dirt work.
Um, if you're going to go through the trouble of hooking an external source up, why not just hook it directly to your TV. No need for a Roku middle man.
One of those comments you made was a personal attack on me. Well..I was just giving an idea to the OP that if he wanted a browser on his TV, he could try the Apple TV approach, because I use it, and I like it. Now..you're probably gonna assume that I'm so kind of troll. Well, I'm not. I own two Roku's. One I bought, and the other I got from Roku for beta testing, and I love them. I've gotten to be pretty deep in the community here, and if someone wants to do something, I'm not gonna just say I don't know to protect Roku's interests, because I don't work for Roku. I know how they can do it, and I'll give them the advice they want. Next time you want to attack me, at least use my name.
