Roku just launched its first projector with a whopping 150-inch size — and it's just $249

Roku’s first smart projector has finally arrived, offering 1080p visuals on screen sizes ranging from 40 inches to 150 inches.

Called the Roku D1R Cube, the projector was developed in partnership with Aurzen, which made headlines earlier this year with its Aurzen ZIP Tri-Fold triple-laser projector.

This first Roku projector model is available starting today at select retailers. You can find the white version on Amazon for just $249 with a $70 coupon to boot, and more colorways are launching at a later date.

Roku's first projector is fittingly budget and ultra-portable

Portable projectors are a dime a dozen, but the new Roku D1R Cube has some serious spunk. Built with the Roku ecosystem, it not only has access to all of the best streaming services but is also home to some of Roku's own awesome apps, including Roku Smart Home, Howdy, and more. You can also use hands-free voice command controls with the app in conjunction with the projector.

The Roku projector offers only up to 1080p resolution, but you can hit a screen size as large as 150 inches. The Roku Pro Series can't reach those heights. It can also hit just 331 ANSI lumens, which isn't the best for handling ambient lighting.

For audio, you get two 5W speakers that are equipped with Dolby Audio. It also has Bluetooth 5.2 support, enabling you to connect headphones without disturbing those around you. The D1R can even seamlessly pair with Roku wireless speakers, soundbars, and subwoofers, allowing you to bump its sound stage without any hitches.

For just $250, the Roku D1R portable projector isn't a bad deal. If you're a fan of the Roku ecosystem and are in the market for a budget portable projector for casual barbeques or camping trips, it's a solid new entry and the perfect place for Roku to shine.

Roku lasers in on the projector scene

Roku isn't just leaning on some of the best streaming devices and even value TVs to bolster its product lineups. It's now seeking new avenues for getting the Roku ecosystem into households, and projectors seem like the perfect fit.

It first gave hints of these changes earlier this year, and at the same time, it announced its newest streaming sticks and refreshed TVs. While you could previously just use one of its multitude of streaming sticks with a projector, now it's offering more ways for projector makers to collaborate with the brand.

This should allow the Roku OS and its ecosystem to cast a wider net, but also bring some diversity to the projector space, which is dominated by Google TV and Android. Although it has changed in the past few years, some streaming services, such as Netflix, didn't work on the Android platform, as is the case with the Formovie Theater.

Roku's future partnerships could potentially introduce more cost-effective devices to the market as well. It's a long shot, seeing as projectors can be expensive, case in point being Epson's new portable projector that starts at $999. But, Roku's set its sights on a still-budding arena that's open to competition, and I'm all in to see what it brings to the table next.

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