You probably want a streaming device(Opens in a new tab) for your TV, whether you're a cord cutter(Opens in a new tab) or not. Roku is a popular choice, particularly as it ramps up its own original content(Opens in a new tab). Roku devices offer plenty of variety and portability, from the budget Roku Express(Opens in a new tab) to the feature-packed Roku Ultra(Opens in a new tab). Whichever one you have, there's more to know beyond the basics. Here's how to get more out of your streaming device.

Roku has been slowly expanding its line of affordable soundbars, most recently with last year's compact, "pretty good" Streambar, and now comes the $180 Streambar Pro, the successor to 2019's Smart Soundbar. While none of Roku's soundbars will appeal to audiophiles, they're perfect for everyday viewers looking to upgrade their TV's tinny audio without breaking the bank, and the 2.0-channel Streambar Pro ups the ante with surprisingly solid sound and a new virtual surround mode. The Streambar Pro's efficient audio performance is already a strong selling point, but the real draw is an integrated Roku streaming player with 4K HDR playback, not to mention Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, and AirPlay 2 support. This review is part of TechHive's coverage of the best soundbars. Click that link to read reviews of competing products, along with a buyer's guide to the features you should consider when shopping.

Google's latest Chromecast streaming media dongle is a bit different. With a full interface and a remote, the new Chromecast with Google TV costs £59.99 and sits above the basic £30 Chromecast. You can still Google Cast to the new device, but the new flat plastic dongle is more than just a simple receiver, running the full Android TV software similar to the Nvidia Shield or smart TVs from Sony and others. Once plugged in, the new Chromecast is set up using the Google Home app on an Android, iPhone or iPad in about five minutes. Scan the QR code on your TV, log in with the required Google account, and choose some apps to install.

If you want to control a Roku player or Roku smart TV by voice, you have lots of options. Many Roku devices include a remote control that supports voice commands, and you can also control Roku hands-free with an Amazon Echo or Google Home smart speaker. But along with all those voice control options comes several limitations, especially when it comes to launching videos or TV channels directly. Knowing what Roku can and can't do will spare you some headaches when you're barking out orders. We'll talk through how to get set up with Roku voice controls, a list of supported voice commands, and some tips for making your experience smoother.

Comcast's vice president of AI product, Jeanine Heck, speaks with TechRepublic's Tonya Hall about the success of an AI voice remote product, integrated with deep learning. The following is an edited transcript of the interview. Tonya Hall: It's push to talk, and not always listening. Jeanine Heck: Thank you, Tonya. Hall: So, what is your role entail, exactly? Heck: My role is really to be a product manager, and that entails working with the engineering team to ensure that we're building products that are valuable to our customers, and so it's important for me in my role to understand the customers needs, how they use our products today, how they may want to use our products tomorrow, and also making sure that the products are very competitive in the marketplace.

The last ten years have seen radical changes in the cable television sector. Market forces, new technologies, and consumer demand have remade cable companies as telecommunications giants handling bundled services. Chances are that streaming content and upstart players will continue to remake the industry, and we'll see even more new models and technologies emerge over the next ten years. Jeanine Heck is one woman driving this dramatic shift at Comcast. If you're a Comcast customer, then chances are you're already using a product she was responsible for bringing to life: the voice remote.

Tile's Bluetooth trackers help people keep tabs on their keys, wallets and other items they don't want to lose, and today the company is making it a little easier for some to keep track of their important objects. Tile is teaming up with Comcast so that Xfinity customers with an X1 Voice Remote can simply ask where their item is. All they'll have to do is say something like, "Xfinity Home, find my wallet," or, "Xfinity Home, where are my keys?" And the last known location of the Tile associated with that object will be displayed on their TV screen. This is the first time Tile has offered this type of video and voice control with its trackers.

Comcast's voice remote for its X1 platform has become an increasingly popular feature, and the operator has kept it stocked with a constant flow of updates that, for example, support voice commands for special events such as the Super Bowl or the Winter Olympics. The technology that underpins that platform is also branching well beyond the TV. Comcast has already started to integrate the X1 voice remote with Xfinity Home, its home security and automation service. Comcast also recently added another voice wrinkle with a Phone Finder feature for Xfinity Mobile. Those customers can activate it by saying, "Xfinity Mobile, find my phone" into the X1 voice remote, or by uttering their 10-digit phone number into the remote.

Fresh off a successful IPO, Roku is keen to keep the momentum going. And what better way to do that than to launch a set of new devices, packed with a bunch of free (ad-supported) channels. The company tends to refresh its line-up in the fall, and this year is no exception. As rumored, there's a 4K streaming stick, but that's not all. Roku is also upgrading its budget line-up, slashing the price of its top-tier device (the Roku Ultra), and giving its Roku OS a fresh coat of paint.

Seiko, Westinghouse and Element Electronics announced a series of 4k sets with Amazon Fire TV technology built-in. The series includes Amazon's interface, along with support for a voice remote with Amazon Alexa. The new Amazon Fire TV series will allow customers access to a selection of streaming and over-the-air content in one place, including more than 6,000 channels, apps and live TV broadcasts when used with a separate HD antenna. The programming guide makes it easy to find what to watch, and thanks to the voice remote with Alexa, you can use your voice to launch apps, search content and play music. "Teaming up with brands including Seiki, Westinghouse and Element on a new range of smart TVs allows Amazon to deliver an experience that's familiar and easy to use," said Marc Whitten, vice president, Amazon Fire TV.