Ok I know this question has been asked before maybe a 1000 times, but I haven't still found a definite answer so here goes:

There's an app for the Amazon Fire TV stick that's called AirReceiver (I saw it work in this YouTube video https://youtu.be/aURioeXxZU8 ) that mimics the native Apple TV's AirPlay feature perfectly.

I know that Apple doesn't allow native AirPlay support on other streaming devices, but there's always third party applications to the rescue!

So my question is: Why isn't there a similar application for Roku?

I know there aren't any apps because I've searched, I'm asking why? Is it a hardware limitation, or legal, or what?

Legal. No AirPlay on devices that Apple doesn't license.

DBDukes wrote:

Legal. No AirPlay on devices that Apple doesn't license.

I know, but I'm talking about 3rd party apps, is this illegal also? I mean even unofficial apps (i.e. outside of Roku Channel Store)? I can't find any!

asaeles wrote:

DBDukes wrote:

Legal. No AirPlay on devices that Apple doesn't license.

I know, but I'm talking about 3rd party apps, is this illegal also? I mean even unofficial apps (i.e. outside of Roku Channel Store)? I can't find any!

If Apple doesn't license it, then they would be illegally using it. And Roku has the capability of stopping non-Channel Store apps that violate any rights or ToS.

According to this thread, there was a channel called Trimeplay that was providing at least some AirPlay functionality for a while, but it seems to have been defunct now for many years.  The creator of the channel discusses the challenges of incorporating AirPlay into the Roku BrightScript programming language.

Squirrels LLC has an app called Reflector 3 that can turn a FireTV, Windows PC, etc. into an AirPlay receiver.  It would be great if they would create a channel for Roku that would turn it into an AirPlay receiver.  With the number of Roku units out there, I'm sure they'd like to.  The only thing that's holding them back is probably there willingness to tackle the BrightScript language.

Well, Apple wants to promote their own player (Apple TV), so they aren't going to make any effort to support competitive players like Roku. And for a 3rd party to provide a legal channel for Roku, they would have to license it from Apple. I have my doubts that would be cost effective.