Roku is punting out a software update to all its streaming devices. And while it’s at it, it’s launching a new app too.
The update is called Roku OS 7, and it’ll be available for all of Roku’s current line-up.
Previously, you could follow films that weren’t available on Roku yet and be alerted when they came to the service. So this is really an extension of that feature.
According to Roku’s Lloyd Clarke, it’s “bringing content to the forefront”.
Your new shows and films will appear in the My Feed tag. For example, if there are three new things to watch, it will appear as “My Feed (3)”. What’s new will be indicated with a purple triangle in the top corner.
The other new feature is called hotel and dorm connect. This lets you enter your details like name and room number using the browser on your smartphone when in a hotel or college dorm. That way, you can take your Roku with you and watch your shows using the hotel’s Wi-Fi connection.
There’s also a new app, and it’s been redesigned completely. Now the main sections appear on the front page of the app. You can see your feed in the app, so you can tell what’s new, and you can pinch to zoom on photos.
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Other new features won’t be live at launch, but will come before the end of the year. For example, you’ll be able to follow an actor, TV show or film from the mobile app. So if you see a poster for a new film and want to know when it’s available on Roku, you can follow it on the move instead of waiting until you get home.
There are now 7.5 million active Roku accounts. Last year, users streamed 3 billion hours of content using the platform. The firm looks set to smash that – in the first half of this year alone, that figure was 2.5 billion hours.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
