Forum Discussion

keyboardpls's avatar
keyboardpls
Newbie
5 years ago

Roku Keyboard Needed ASAP

I just bought a brand new Roku "smart" TV. The TV itself is very nice and was priced great. However, its absurd to call the new TV a "smart" TV... With all the technology available today its unacceptable that Roku TVs do not support data input via a keyboard. I have 2 of the miniature 2.4ghz wireless keyboards. It would take almost no effort for Roku to allow devices like that to control their apps, even if it was only for searches, logins, (data entry in general). PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE add this functionality. It will bring your products into the realm of perfection! Literally EVERY one of your customers are wishing for this....

25 Replies

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  • lakesider's avatar
    lakesider
    Reel Rookie
    5 years ago

    Drowning in remotes. How about software that links my "tactile" pc keyboard to roku.  Touch screen or mouse controls require watching two screens almost simultaneously to find (frequently used) menu options that are typically buried deep in the layers of bloated option panels.

    • atc98092's avatar
      atc98092
      Community Streaming Expert
      5 years ago
      lakesider wrote:

      Drowning in remotes. How about software that links my "tactile" pc keyboard to roku.  Touch screen or mouse controls require watching two screens almost simultaneously to find (frequently used) menu options that are typically buried deep in the layers of bloated option panels.

      That would require Bluetooth support for peripherals, and that means hardware the devices don't have. The new Ultra 4800 does have Bluetooth for streaming media to it, but it doesn't currently offer hardware (peripheral) support. For that player, it might be something that can be added via software. But for any other player there's no chance. For those, the only keyboard option right now is the Roku app on a phone or tablet. 

      • lakesider's avatar
        lakesider
        Reel Rookie
        5 years ago

        I can control roku with my pc mouse. Why not the kb?

         

         

  • makaiguy's avatar
    makaiguy
    Community Streaming Expert
    5 years ago

    Roku app on phone or tablet can be used for keyboard input.  Still a virtual keyboard but better than the cursor-based one built into the Roku tv or device.

    • DarthDagger's avatar
      DarthDagger
      Streaming Star
      5 years ago

      Exactly what I was about to say... get the Roku app keyboardpls, in addition to the keyboard I find the private listening mode to be extremely useful. You can also browse channels and search for shows. The app is a must have if you want to get the most from your Roku.

    • Blankenship's avatar
      Blankenship
      Reel Rookie
      3 years ago

      It needs to have tactile feedback and a lot of folks still don't use smartphones. A remote keyboard would be much better.

  • atc98092's avatar
    atc98092
    Community Streaming Expert
    5 years ago

    Those wireless keyboards you mention all require connecting a USB transceiver into an available port. The TV only has one port, and it's designed for use either for media playback or being able to pause live TV. While the Roku OS is based on Linux, the kernel is customized for the OS and likely has removed the ability to connect a remote keyboard. It's done to simplify the OS core functionality, reduce memory requirements, and make it more secure. 

    Those wireless keyboards cannot connect to the existing 2.4 GHz WiFi connection. They're the same frequency band, but use different protocols so one can't be used with the other. 

    • Montag's avatar
      Montag
      Reel Rookie
      4 years ago

      Couldn't a USB hub be used to mitigate this problem? Also, unless I'm mistaken, Roku OS is a custom Linux distribution, so it should  be able to support peripherals like keyboards and USB hubs. If I'm not mistaken, that kind of functionality is built into the kernel, so it really shouldn't be hard for Roku OS developers to enable that kind of functionality.

      • atc98092's avatar
        atc98092
        Community Streaming Expert
        4 years ago

        Yes, the Roku OS is a version of Linux. However, it's highly modified and they strip out anything unneeded, so there's likely no drivers for a keyboard. Most Roku devices are tight on system memory, so the OS has to be kept as trim as possible. It might simply not be possible to add those drivers back in. And of course very few current Roku devices have a USB port. 

    • makaiguy's avatar
      makaiguy
      Community Streaming Expert
      5 years ago

      Hmmm .. you might be able to use the Roku phone app and use a bluetooth- or usb-connected keyboard with the phone.  If it works, it sounds to me like more trouble than it's worth, but I'm not the one all hot to have a keyboard.

  • ToxicCrouton's avatar
    ToxicCrouton
    Channel Surfer
    4 years ago

    Roku will never allow usb keyboards because of their corporate greed. They are paid well to make sure you see an ad every time you pick up your remote. If you could simply use a keyboard with no ads on it netflix and hulu would cry endlessly until they removed the option. They are extremely greedy like most corporate entities...

    • atc98092's avatar
      atc98092
      Community Streaming Expert
      4 years ago

      You can use the Roku app on your phone or tablet and a keyboard is available. Kind of shoots your greedy Roku story full of holes. 

      • ToxicCrouton's avatar
        ToxicCrouton
        Channel Surfer
        3 years ago

        if you think about it when you open the app the first thing you are met with is ads. so no those holes you are talking about are not there.

    • Blankenship's avatar
      Blankenship
      Reel Rookie
      3 years ago

      "If you could simply use a keyboard with no ads on it..."

      I don't think that matters. There aren't normally any ads showing when you have YouTube or Netflix search pulled up on your Roku TV, even without a keyboard. Having a tactile keyboard wouldn't eliminate ads from searches because there aren't any. Also, having a keyboard would allow you to look up your shows faster than clicking on the remote, which logically could result in more cash flow for Roku and the various streaming platforms for those who prefer typing in their search over voice recognition.

      • ToxicCrouton's avatar
        ToxicCrouton
        Channel Surfer
        3 years ago

        i was referring to the advertisements on the remote itself. whether you realize it or not the hulu and netflix buttons on your remote are ads.

  • Blankenship's avatar
    Blankenship
    Reel Rookie
    3 years ago

    YES! Up vote on this. A "smart" TV should be able to have a REAL tactile keyboard, even a palm sized one.

  • kallensand's avatar
    kallensand
    Reel Rookie
    3 years ago

    I couldn't agree more it is the most stupidly ridiculous small-minded nearsighted absurdly ignorant move not to have external keyboard access to a Roku TV. Anyone with half a mind realizes after 30 seconds of using a Roku TV that a keyboard would change its use from hair pulling and awkward to effortless. Having said that come on Roku get off your **bleep** give us what we want, what your product really needs.