Roku: Software v3.1 Now Available For First-Generation Players & The Amazon Instant Video Channel Has Been Updated For All [Roku Rolls Out Software Version 3.1 For Those Still Rocking The Original 1st-Generation Roku Players]

Posted on TFTS by Robert Nelson on Friday, 23. December 2011 under: Audio,Visual

Roku has taken to their official company blog with a few announcements lately. And nicely done, it looks like a software update has come available for those still rocking the original first-generation Roku player. In addition, users of all of the Roku players will soon have an updated Amazon Instant Video channel.

That being said, lets begin first with the update for original Roku player users. This update arrives as software version 3.1 (something that those with the newer models received about a week ago) and brings some new features. Or as the folks from Roku has stated, they are “pleased as punch to release a pretty substantial update to the first generation of Roku players.” Breaking these new features down, here is what those with a first-generation Roku can expect;

Support for new Amazon channel – The Amazon Instant Video channel has been updated with a gorgeous, new design and you’ll need this update to run it. (More details on this channel will be shared on the Roku blog soon.)
Mobile support – Added enhancements to support the official Roku iPhone app, launched in the iTunes App Store last week.
Improved MP4 playback – Improved playback of MP4 files streamed over the Internet and over USB via the USB Media Player channel.
Shop Roku Deals in the Roku Channel Store – Added the ability to purchase Roku players, accessories and toys within the Roku Channel Store.
Improved grid performance – Fixed issues when navigating channels that display content in a grid screen.

In terms of getting that update, it will be pushed automatically to all players within the next day or two. In other words, you can sit back doing nothing and it will still arrive relatively soon. And for those feeling impatient, you can fire up your player and head to Settings -> Player info -> Check for update to get it installed NOW.

Moving past the new found features for original Roku users and we have an update to the Amazon Instant Video channel. This update will apply to users of all Roku models. Basically, the Amazon channel will now have a new home screen view as well as having new categories such as “Editor’s Picks” for movies and television and improvements to search. With that, in terms of the full changelog coming from the folks at Roku, here is how the changes breakdown;

The home screen is now split into two areas with viewing choices on the left and gorgeous artwork that highlights a new release on the right. I’m looking at Queen Elizabeth at the moment!
Once inside a section like Movies you can quickly scroll through titles with the new grid screen format.
You can search from almost anywhere within the Amazon channel by pressing the options (*) button on your remote control. (Pssst…If you have an older Roku remote without an options button, you can use the new Roku iPhone app.)
There’s a new category called “Editor’s Picks” in both the Movies and TV sections. If you are struggling with what to watch, give this category a spin.

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