Practice with Roku OS 9.4: HBO Max via AirPlay and tested speed improvements

In September, we heard about a new update for Roku devices. Roku OS 9.4 promised exciting new features – and potential performance improvements, so we couldn’t wait to update our gear to explore. And this month we checked version 9.4 on several internal Roku devices to see what’s new. Curious about the speed boosts and potentially watching, say, HBO Max on your Roku device? Read on!

Updating your Roku device to OS 9.4

Roku OS 9.4 was recently deployed and the easiest way to check if your device is up to date is to head to the Settings menu, scroll to System, and select System Update. Click the Check Now button to see if any new operating system or application updates are available. If so, you might see your device restart and then you will be taken back to your Home screen.

What about the new features?

Roku OS 9.4 offers some cool new features, but some will depend on the type of Roku device you’re using. Overall, Roku promises better performance on all devices, including faster boot times, load times for major channels, and more. And the company’s various streaming devices and smart TVs will also have access to updated theme packs to add a little more variety to your menus and home screen. These theme packs first appeared in version 9.3, but this update adds sound effects to improve the experience. You can check out our video preview above to hear some of these effects in action.

You will also see tips that sometimes remind you of features like voice commands that you might use with your device. OS 9.4 also introduces a feature that is currently marked as beta, as it’s not quite ready for prime time. This feature adds voice input for supported onscreen keyboards. If an app’s keyboard supports the new feature, a microphone icon is displayed. If you click on it, you should be able to hold down the microphone button on your remote to speak your command instead of typing it. As we mentioned, Roku qualifies this feature as beta for now, but it is looking to add more keyboard support in the future.

Roku TV users have access to the Roku Channel Live TV Guide right from the Home screen. And those of you who use antennas for live content will also have access to a combo guide that merges both free OTA content and free streaming options into one guide. However, you will also have the option to filter the guide if, for example, you prefer to see only OTA-only channels.

If this sounds familiar to you, we reported that Roku experimented with this feature earlier in the year, but it’s now back through OS 9.4.

If you have a multi-channel Roku audio setup, OS 9.4 gives you finer control to adjust and balance the audio levels between your different speakers.

Testing performance claims

In its announcements for OS 9.4, Roku touted performance improvements, including faster boot times and application loading. And we couldn’t wait to test these claims.

For those unfamiliar with our testing methodology: we time each device to see how fast it can load a series of popular apps in a row. And we each test at least three times across the entire app suite to get an average time to compare with other devices.

And for this series of tests, our sequel included Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Roku Tips and Trick Channel. And then we relaunched Netflix at the end to see if it could load faster the second time around.

As for our results, here’s how a Roku Ultra 2020 fared with the latest update. Back when we first reviewed the new Ultra, on OS 9.3, it scored the fastest time ever among our Roku devices, averaging 66.63 seconds. And with 9.4 installed, the overall average is now even faster at 63.59 seconds.

We also tested the low-end Roku Express to see what OS 9.4 could do. The Express posted an overall time of 123.07 seconds in our original Roku vs. Roku showdown. And with 9.4 loaded, the Express registered an impressive 101.61 seconds, a significant improvement over its early times.

So yes, it looks like Roku OS 9.4 should indeed offer performance improvements when it comes to app launch times. Of course, your mileage may vary, especially if your favorite apps differ greatly from those in our test suite, but the overall improvements are encouraging.

Try our AirPlay 2 with HBO Max

Along with version 9.4, Roku also announced support for Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit on select 4K Roku devices. To recap, AirPlay 2 allows users to stream and share content on their Roku device directly from their iPhone, iPad, or other Apple hardware. And HomeKit support lets you control the functions of your Roku device through Apple’s Home app on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

If your device is up to date and supported, you should see an option in the Settings menu for Apple AirPlay and HomeKit. From there, you can customize settings such as requesting a password for connected devices. And on your Apple devices, you should see the AirPlay icon on compatible media. Click this icon to display AirPlay-enabled equipment, including your Roku device. Just select it and you should start hearing or seeing your content on your TV.

In case you were wondering, this does indeed open the door to playing content on your Roku device which may or may not be available through native apps. And that includes services like, for example, HBO Max.

We tested the streaming service on one of our Roku Ultras and it was easy to load the HBO Max app on our iPhone, connect through AirPlay, and get that content to work on our TV. It might not be as convenient as a dedicated Roku app, but for those looking for workarounds until WarnerMedia and Roku make their peace, this is one of the easier ways.

Note on supported devices

And in case you are wondering if your device will receive OS 9.4, here is the list of supported devices.

The company also expects version 9.4 to be available on all Roku TV models. If you’re not sure which model you currently own, you can find this information in the Settings menu, under System, and then under the About menu.

Overall, Roku OS 9.4 brings welcome improvements and exciting new features to supported devices. If you haven’t already, feel free to explore, try out the new voice features, and maybe stream content through AirPlay. And don’t forget to watch our update video to learn more about the new update.