This week on TechHive: A software update makes the Fire TV more annoying

Last week, Amazon started pushing out a Fire TV software update that advertised a couple small, but pleasant improvements: The system keyboard now supports speech-to-text within apps, and a new magnifier option helps vision-impaired users read what's on the screen.

But this update, to version 5.2.6.0, also comes with a trade-off that makes banner ads impossible to ignore on the Fire TV home screen. If you want to browse through Amazon's selection of videos, movies, and apps, you'll probably have to scroll past an advertisement along the way.

This is an obnoxious step backward for an interface that had been making great strides. And unlike Amazon's ads on other devices, the Fire TV's banner ads cannot be removed, not even for a price. Read the full column on TechHive.

Weekly Rewind

New Roku rumors: Roku may have some new hardware on the way, including a 4K HDR Streaming Stick and a faster version of its $30 Roku Express. Best of all, Dave Zatz reports that Roku is updating its remote controls to include TV power and volume buttons, even on models that don't include private headphone listening. These buttons will likely control the television's volume and power via infrared, so you can safely stow your TV remote away.

Stranger still, Variety reports that Roku may be working on an answer to Amazon's Echo speaker, presumably allowing users to control their Roku boxes with hands-free voice commands. At minimum, several job listings suggest that Roku is putting a greater emphasis on voice search in general, which is great news given that Roku is sorely behind other streaming platforms in this area.

It's unclear when any of these efforts will come to fruition, but we'll probably start to hear more later this year.

More Catch-Up

Hulu's live TV service is available on newer Roku players now.
The Nvidia Shield TV gets a $179 model--with no game controller--to match the Apple TV 4K. (It's still $199 with a game controller thrown in.)
Libraries will soon offer free streaming movies and shows on your TV.

Save More Money

If new Roku players are indeed inbound, we're likely to see some clearances on existing models. According to Slickdeals, Walmart is selling the high-end Roku Ultra for $64, down from its regular price of $99. But to get this deal, you'll have to find a brick-and-mortar store that has the Ultra in stock. Enter your zip code into this link to see if any stores have the offer in your area.

Normally I'd say the Roku Premiere+ is a better deal, even though it lacks the Ultra's voice search and handy remote finder button. But at $64, you might as well get the best.

Thanks for reading!

My apologies for a late and slightly abridged newsletter this week. I took yesterday off for Rosh Hashanah and have been in catch-up mode this morning.

As always, you can support this newsletter through my Patreon page (for recurring donations) and my Ko-Fi page (for one-time donations), and send feedback by replying to this email or finding me on Twitter.

Until next week,
Jared

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Cord Cutter Weekly is a labor of love by technology journalist Jared Newman. Say hi on Twitter, and let your friends know there's a better kind of TV out there. Or, unsubscribe here.