Web Browser

With current hardware it would be difficult to escape an on screen keyboard. But if bookmarking was possible, and you had sites like youtube and ustream already saved, keyboard entry would be minimal.

If sometime a keyboard is released or a mobile device emulated a keyboard, the browser would move to support it immediately.

The Roku XD|S supports usb. Would that support a keyboard??

Would anyone like a web browser on their roku?

there is nothing wrong with the idea of simple browser for the roku. at least for the home brew crowd.
I would like to be able to access the vlc web interface with my roku. since I can stream from vlc it would be nice to hit the web interface from the roku, but honestly the android vlc remote app is pretty cool, and since I use the android roku remote( so I can hide the roku in cabinet) its not bad. but it would be kinda cool to just use the roku remote and and not the vlc remote.

regardless if you think my use for a web browser is silly doesn't change my need for it.
a very simple web browser would be very handy. I am sorry you cant see that.

"nlyt" wrote:
GoogleTV will leap frog the Roku for this fact alone.

Wouldn't bet on it. $200 vs. $59. for a start.

And no keyboard for another... the thought of entering URLs via the onscreen keyboard scares the crap out of me 😛

Eh, give Roku another 3 months. We'll have yet another hardware refresh, a remote with a keyboard, and new high end model with a faster chipset for $99 and the low end model for $50. These people are nuts for new features and cheaper models. 😉

See what happens when you set the bar so high? 🙂

This has been discussed to death. If you want a browser on your tv, buy a laptop and hook it up. The roku is a digital media player. It has an interface designed to access supplied media and play that media when selected.

If you want a browser, then get out there and code it yourself. I don't think you are going to find any current Roku developer that is working on or planning a web browser.

+1 with Scrager.. People really don't want to browse the web any more than casually on TV.. it's been proven by several failed devices that have come and gone.

"scrager" wrote:
If you want a browser, then get out there and code it yourself. I don't think you are going to find any current Roku developer that is working on or planning a web browser.

Must ... resist ... reply ... of Death .... 😉

"jeffrok" wrote:
+1 with Scrager.. People really don't want to browse the web any more than casually on TV.. it's been proven by several failed devices that have come and gone.

One could make an argument that this may not hold true in the current climate for any number of reasons: The web is more ubiquitous, more essential services are handles through the web, more media is consolidated on the web, TV's are more capable of displaying content in an appealing manner (HD resolution), etc.

I'm not saying I want to make any such arguments, or really get into this, but let's not kid ourselves that it's cut and dry and already decided. I think is WILL be decided shortly, when Google TV comes out, but until then we'll see.

I was interested in doing a (very) rudimentary browser for the Roku for a while, until Geoff pointed out that if Roku IS planning on porting webkit or something, it would be a whole lot of work for nothing. I've even got some of the groundwork done...