Honestly, I don't get the issue. But then, I've spent the last 25 years adapting to the leaps and bounds in available household tech advancements. Why would you not want a rechargable remote that you can just plug in for a few minutes, and use while it's charging, rather than throw out toxic batteries and keep buying more toxic batteries? I get that you have a charger across the room. Why isn't it next you where you sit?
I don't know man. I have a power strip right next to me with USB ports right on it, with various types and lengths of cords to charge whatever I please, right here next to me at arms length. Every single rechargeable thing I own can be plugged in right next to my recliner. How much more lazy can I get?🤣
If my remote batteries have to be changed I actually have to get out of my chair and walk across the room to replace them!!!!! 😱
So anyway, to answer you're initial question: "did anybody actually want a rechargeable remote?" My answer is YES BY GOD, YES!!!!! I'M FLIPPING SICK TO DEATH OF BUYING BATTERIES!!!!!
🤣😅
> YES BY GOD, YES!!!!! I'M FLIPPING SICK TO DEATH OF BUYING BATTERIES!!!!!
Great line MrXxx but not a good argument 🙂 Like dai69 I keep a stash of rechargeable AAs close at hand. These are inexpensive, widely available, and can be swapped at a moment's notice without running a cord to my couch. We all adapt, but not all changes are advancements.
This is probably a terrible reply pronator and I'm truly sorry if you or others don't like it at all, but this is what I would do to solve the dilemma of not being able to use my Roku remote because it's charging. I'd buy another one here so that one is always charged and use that one while the other one is charging. Problem solved?
Update: Unless I'm wrong, it appears that the new Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd edition) doesn't have a headphone jack, so be aware of that if you do go ahead and purchase another one. If this is true, it appears that Roku may be getting rid of the headphone jack on their newer generation remotes. They also removed the two programable buttons on this newest remote. I've read that the quick launch (rocket) button replaces at least one of the program buttons and the guide button can also be reprogramed if you can figure out how to do that.
Removing the headphone jack is not an improvement, it is the removal of a useful feature. I know the first thing people will do is rush to defend this move by saying you can pair bluetooth headphones to your Roku. My response is so what? It would be better if you could do both and you don't need to remove the headphone jack from the remote to also support bluetooth listening.
Those wanting AA battery headphone Roku remote could do searches on ebay for RC-AL9 or RC-EL3 remotes.
All the Roku branded tv's released last year all came with headphone jack voice remote that takes AA batteries. Also the Roku Streambar Pro comes with this kind of remote too. The Roku tvs relased in 2024 come with Voice Pro 2 remotes which are rechargeable.
You shouldn't be forced into getting a rechargeable remote if you don't want to. There are a lot of problems with these Roku rechargeable voice remotes not holding a charge and draining too quickly. Or dying and won't charge at all, there are many discussions here about it. All that is avoided if you can simply put in batteries.
Certainly true that I didn't. I use rechargeable batteries in my remotes. I only need one remote, not multiple remotes as was suggested by someone. My remote, the RC-AL9 had all the features. No it has inconveniently broken after all reasonable replacements have been sold (out of stock) or been discontinued.
I don't want a battery that is not serviceable.
I don't want only bluetooth connectivity. Wired headphones work best for elderly relatives.
I want easily programable shortcuts.
Voice controls are OK, but I rarely use them.
Bluetooth connections are OK, but I have never used them.
I regret in the extreme that Roku has gone this way and has eliminated the RC-AL9 (headphone jack, 2 programable shortcuts, removable batteries) and similar remotes for the reasons listed above.
