Roku takes on Google with new Chromecast-like feature | Internet & Media - CNET News: The new Roku feature -- known as discovery and launch protocol (DIAL) -- will essentially turn a user's smartphone into a remote control. While Roku's iOS app and its Android app can already do this, the added feature will let users stream video from third-party apps. Chromecast currently does this with Netflix and YouTube. It's unclear what apps will be able to do this for Roku.