Roku add an Internet web browser

I completely agree. Please add one in it would make it much easier as I would not need to switch devices when needing to search for something that will be played on the Roku anyways.

There is a fast browser and web app on there roku streaming  devices but people have to pay to browse the web

Xboxcontroller 

I'm generally curious do you use your TV for all your internet use? or is that what you would like? I've just never seen a TV as a device that serves that purpose.

They've done research on this too and study's have shown that only a small small minority of people want an internet browser with their TV. Of all the TVs I've seen my friends have over the years not one use there TV to pursue the wild web. I have heard of people enjoy watching the high quality picture of adult videos using this feature but my guess is most use there phones.

Tim_Hare CanadaGuy1978 3vy- nonet 

Tim you obviously know how easy internet access is on a Roku. I forgot which one started this thread but dude if the internets is so critical you should know how to “cast” from your smart phone to your Roku. It’s honestly the fastest way to browse the internet too using your phone instead of a TV remote. Also, if you think I’m ripping on you. I’m just mirroring the how your post sounded and made me want to respond. Also, dude, if it’s that important do you homework. You could have found out all the interests functions Roku has or doesn’t in the time it took to write that post. So in closing don’t be angry at Roku be angry at yourself and also do some self reflecting in general. 🤷🏻‍♂️ 😤🤫🤧

When I bought my first Roku player over 10 years ago, I never expected or wanted it to have a web browser. I can't think of a worse device (meaning a streaming video player) to try to browse the web on. And in the time since, I can still think of no reason I would want one. I've already pointed out, today's web sites are designed to a pointing device and keyboard for access. My Shield will accept a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, but I still can't see why it would be better than a laptop that's within arm's reach. And if I find something I want to see on the big TV screen, I simply screen share it to my streaming device, such as my Roku or Shield. No need for a browser in the streaming player. 

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MaryLittleLamb wrote:

 It would take little effort to include a web browser app ... so just do it. 

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Are you a programmer with extensive knowledge of the Roku OS? If not, you have no clue of the effort needed, or if it's even possible. Roku uses a modified version of Linux to build their OS, and it's highly likely they have removed the pieces required to make a viable web browser. They have to remove much of the Linux core to keep the size of the OS within limits, and in doing so a browser might not be viable. And there's also a size limit for each app, and a browser that will display a modern web page likely would be too large. 

This has been answered, although not by Roku themselves and without their input we're simply guessing. The Roku OS is a highly modified version of Linux. Roku removes everything then can that they don't use to minimize the OS size and maximize performance. By removing these pieces of Linux, the Roku OS cannot support a practical web browser. Today's web sites are designed for modern web browsers to support video and advertisements. Since there's no way to connect a keyboard to a Roku, using a web browser would be tedious and not very fun. 

If you really desire a web browser on the Roku, then screen mirror your phone or tablet to the Roku and you will have a much more enjoyable experience. There are also a handful of inexpensive Android based streaming players, and Google does have web browsers in their Play Store. But I will caution you that I've tried a web browser on both the Nvidia Shield and the Onn 4K Media Player, and they don't work well at all on those platforms. I would expect the same if someone was able to write a browser that works on a Roku. 

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RowkuHater1980 wrote:

----Want to adult stuff but your girlfriend's got your phone locked down with snooper apps so tight you can't even get in Facebook without getting interrogated?

TV browser! 

Different Girlfriend!  Or lock your own phone down before someone else does! 😀

Sorry Dfresh567 , but for one, your last post is a bit garbled...

Second, not all Roku TVs do well with casting, it seems.

My Roky does not like to show up when try to connect with anything, so I for one would really like to see more internet apps for Roku. After all, they are supposed to be smart devices, with internet, so why not the basics, like a web browser?

I've used a browser on a Smart TV (Samsung). It's a terrible experience when you don't have an actual keyboard and mouse/touchpad. Today's web sites are designed with the expectation of a mouse or touchscreen.

I see zero value of having a browser built into a TV or streaming player's OS. If you want to web search on your big screen, then screen share your laptop, tablet or phone onto the Roku. That works just fine.