Roku OS 10.5 Offers Easy Access to Content, Roku Voice Help, New Mobile Features and Expanded Surround Sound Capabilities

Rhea-AI Summary

Roku (NASDAQ: ROKU) announced the rollout of Roku OS 10.5, introducing features designed to enhance streaming experiences. The update includes a new Live TV Channel Guide offering over 200 free channels, expanded voice control for apps like Netflix and Spotify, and improved mobile app functionalities. New surround sound configurations for audio devices are available, enabling advanced 3.1 and 5.1 setups. Key highlights also include enhancements for voice entry and sound settings via the Roku mobile app. The update aims to simplify navigation and improve user engagement with streaming content.

Positive

• Launch of Roku OS 10.5 enhances user experience with advanced features.
• New Live TV Channel Guide offers over 200 free channels, attracting more users.
• Expanded voice control functionality increases accessibility to popular apps.
• Improvements in the Roku mobile app enhance private listening and content discovery.
• New surround sound configurations improve audio quality for users.

Negative

• None.

Free Roku Software Update Includes New Live TV Tile for Streaming Players, Voice Control of Netflix and Spotify, Plus Additional Performance Enhancements

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROKU) today announced Roku^® OS 10.5 will begin rolling out to Roku devices in the coming weeks. Roku OS 10.5 introduces new features putting Live TV front and center for streaming player users, tips on how to get the most out of Roku Voice, new surround sound configurations for audio device owners, more voice control options and updates to Roku mobile app features. Additionally, Roku announced an all-new Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ in another announcement today.

Roku OS and Audio Products (Photo: Business Wire)

“The Roku OS is purpose-built for streaming TV, and our laser focus enables us to deliver updates that have an impact and make streaming easier for our wide variety of customers,” said Ilya Asnis, senior vice president of Roku OS at Roku. “With Roku OS 10.5, consumers who want to use their voice can now access new features and ways to get to content quickly. Live TV lovers have fast access to a one-click guide on all Roku streaming devices. In the Roku mobile app we’ve made private listening even better and added a Save List, as well as other helpful features. Roku audio device users can build out complete 3.1 or 5.1 surround sound systems for a truly premium audio and streaming experience. We hope everyone enjoys the update and look forward to feedback.”

ROKU OS 10.5 FEATURES:

EASY ACCESS TO CONTENT

• Live TV Channel Guide for Roku Streaming Players (US) – The Roku Channel’s Live TV Channel Guide has over 200+ free live TV channels and Roku player owners can now add the Live TV channel directly onto their home screen for instant access. Simply search for “Live TV on The Roku Channel” to install the channel onto the Roku Home Screen and instantly browse a wide variety of content.

• Roku Voice – Roku has been expanding the number of channels that support voice commands for direct to playback. Now nearly any channel in Roku Search supports the feature, including Netflix and Spotify.

• Roku Mobile App Home Tab and Save List - The newly added Home tab in the Roku Mobile app provides easy access to the latest and greatest entertainment, and features Zones, browsable collections of movies and shows available across a number of top genres, and popular/seasonal topics, for even more convenient content discovery. Plus, users can save movies and TV shows to the Save List to watch later when they’re in front of their TV again. The Save List can be accessed via the Home and Remote tabs, and users can add titles that they find via search to their Save List.

• Roku Search Music and Podcast Row – Roku OS 10.5 provides a more integrated music experience across the Roku platform with the introduction of voice search and playback of music, podcasts and video podcasts. Users will see search results within a more visual "music and podcast" row and will feature Spotify as the launch partner with millions of podcasts and over 70 million tracks available.

SIMPLIFYING SET UP

• Enhancements to Voice entry for Email, Password, and PIN for on-screen keyboards – Roku Voice can be used to complete device setup or login to supported apps by entering email, password, and PIN information by voice. Keyboards that support Roku Voice will display a microphone icon, so users can quickly identify when voice entry is an available option.

• Sound Settings via the Roku Mobile App (US) - Customers can now control their Roku audio device's sound settings, such as night mode, automatic volume leveling and speech clarity, directly in the mobile app. This feature is great for users who want to quickly and conveniently adjust their sound settings without interrupting their entertainment, music, or game by pulling up the onscreen settings menu.

Additional Roku OS 10.5 features include:

• Wireless Mobile Private Listening for Streaming Players - Advancements to our Audio/Video (A/V) sync feature enhances the wireless private listening experience by intelligently adjusting based on the type of headphones connected. The advanced A/V sync feature enables users to make further refinements via their smartphone camera if needed by measuring the TV screen and automatically adjusting the audio delay between the wireless headphones and the TV. This feature will surface when users have wireless headphones connected to the Roku mobile app and is accessible within the settings menu in the app.

• New Surround Sound Configurations (US) - Roku Streambar®, Roku Streambar Pro, and Roku Smart Soundbar owners now have access to additional speaker configurations with the introduction of 3.1 and 5.1 surround sound compatibility. Roku Wireless Speakers can now be used as front speakers with the Roku Streambar, Roku Streambar Pro, and Roku Smart Soundbar creating a 3.1 (Left/Center/Right) or full 5.1 surround sound system when used with rear speakers.

• Introducing Roku Voice Help –Roku Voice Help can be found in the settings menu and educates users on the kinds of commands Roku Voice supports and provides examples, like how to search for movies and TV shows, launch channels, play music, control playback, and more. Roku Voice Remote Pro owners will also get tips on using hands-free voice.

Availability

Roku OS 10.5 will begin rolling out to Roku devices in the coming weeks.

For more information visit Roku.com.

About Roku, Inc.

Roku pioneered streaming to the TV. We connect users to the streaming content they love, enable content publishers to build and monetize large audiences, and provide advertisers with unique capabilities to engage consumers. Roku streaming players and TV-related audio devices are available in the U.S. and in select countries through direct retail sales and licensing arrangements with service operators. Roku TV™ models are available in the U.S. and in select countries through licensing arrangements with TV brands. Roku is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. U.S.A.

This press release contains “forward-looking” statements that are based on our beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to us on the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements include but are not limited to those related to the roll-out timing, benefits, features, functionality, impact and content made available by Roku OS 10.5, as well as the features, benefits and reach of the Roku platform. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially are detailed from time to time in the reports Roku, Inc. files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. Copies of reports filed with the SEC are posted on Roku’s website and are available from Roku without charge.

Roku is a registered trademark and Roku TV and Streambar are trademarks of Roku, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. Trade names, trademarks and service marks of other companies appearing in this press release are the property of their respective holders.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210920005173/en/

Seana Sullivan

seanasullivan@roku.com

Source: Roku, Inc.

FAQ

What new features does Roku OS 10.5 offer?

Roku OS 10.5 introduces a Live TV Channel Guide, expanded voice control for apps like Netflix and Spotify, and improved functionalities in the Roku mobile app.

When will Roku OS 10.5 be available?

Roku OS 10.5 will begin rolling out to Roku devices in the coming weeks.

How many free channels are available in the Live TV Channel Guide?

The Live TV Channel Guide includes over 200 free live TV channels.

What improvements are made to the Roku mobile app?

The Roku mobile app now features a Home tab for easier access to entertainment and a Save List for users to bookmark shows for later viewing.

What audio enhancements are included in Roku OS 10.5?

Roku OS 10.5 adds new surround sound configurations, allowing users to create 3.1 or 5.1 audio setups with compatible Roku devices.