PC Training & Consulting Weblog

The Roku Player connects to a TV to let Netflix subscribers watch movies (and more) by way of an Internet connection. Now, Roku has added new “channels” to other media besides Netflix.

One of these free channels connects to your Flickr photostream, including sets and groups. Another connects to your Facebook account, giving you access to your photo albums and *all* of the photos of all of your friends including photos anyone has tagged a friend in. (I assume privacy settings control this.) Photos appear in slideshows and the Roku remote lets you pause/play, as well as display the next or previous photo. Simply brilliant.

Your Roku player should update automatically in the next two weeks, but you can force it to upgrade immediately – see this link: Hacking NetFlix : How to Get the Roku Channel Store Update Now. The upgrade takes barely two minutes. Setting up your access to Flickr, Facebook, and others requires computer access – you’ll browse specific Web addresses to retrieve or enter codes to establish links between your accounts and the Roku player. I had everything set up in less than 10 minutes.

PS: Roku has several new players to choose from, distinguished by screen resolution and connection speed. Netflix subscribers have alternatives to Roku, including new DVD players and even TVs with access, but these new channels may solidify Roku’s position as the best option.