Roku OS 11 Enhances User Personalization Through the Launch of Roku Photo Streams, Content Discovery Options and Audio Settings

Rhea-AI Summary

Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROKU) announces the upcoming rollout of Roku OS 11, enhancing the streaming experience with new features. Key updates include Roku Photo Streams for personalized screensavers, automatic speech clarity, and expanded content discovery options. Users can easily share photos and enjoy improved audio settings like sound modes and A/V sync. The update aims to personalize user interactions and support deeper content exploration. Roku OS 11 is set to roll out in the coming weeks.

Positive

• Introduction of Roku Photo Streams for customized screensavers enhances user experience.
• New automatic speech clarity improves audio quality for better dialogue understanding.
• Expanded content discovery options provide easier access to popular and trending content.

Negative

• None.

Roku OS 11 Features New Auto Speech Clarity and Sound Settings, Plus Additional Customization and Performance Improvements

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROKU) today announced that Roku® OS 11 will start rolling out to Roku devices in the coming weeks. Roku OS 11 brings personalization to the forefront of the user’s streaming experience with the launch of Roku Photo Streams, the easiest way to enjoy and share favorite photos. Additionally, with Roku OS 11, users will experience expanded content discovery menu options, auto speech clarity, new sound modes, a super-charged mobile app and much more.

Roku Photo Streams enables users to customize their Roku experience by creating a personalized screensaver using their own photos. To do so, users can simply upload images directly to their Roku devices through their desktop or mobile phone and set them as screensavers, turning the biggest screen in the home into a digital photo frame. Want to also share photos with friends and family across the country? Users can easily upload and share Streams with other Roku users so they will appear on their Roku devices as well. Once a Stream is shared, friends and family can also add their photos to the Stream, creating a shared album.

“At Roku, we are laser-focused on tailoring the streaming and visual experience to fit our customers' personal preferences,” said Gidon Katz, Senior Vice President Product & Experience at Roku. “We recognize not everyone interacts with their TV in the same way, so we are proud to offer a platform full of choice, while simultaneously providing our users an easy-to-use experience. With Roku OS 11, we’re offering a platform with new personalized updates across search, audio, content discovery, along with a new feature that allows our customers to display and even share photo albums through Roku devices.”

Additional noteworthy Roku OS 11 features coming to Roku devices include:

ROKU AUDIO

• Automatic Speech Clarity and Sound Modes – Roku strives to deliver the best sound, always. Now available for Roku audio products, Roku's new automatic speech clarity setting dynamically identifies and amplifies dialogue, so you don’t miss a word.
• New Sound Modes for Roku® Streambar® and Speakers products – Choose the optimal settings for whatever you’re streaming. Our new sound modes, Standard, Dialogue, Movie, Music, and Night are easily accessed by pressing the star button * on your Roku remote or through the Roku mobile app and are tailored for different viewing scenarios to ensure the best audio experience.
• A/V Sync – Roku is expanding A/V sync to supported player and audio devices with a simple calibration tool within the Roku Mobile app, syncing audio with the action on the screen. This feature is available when you have a player or Streambar device connected to the Roku mobile app and is accessible within the settings menu.

EXPANDED CONTENT DISCOVERY

• What to Watch on Home Screen Menu –What to Watch is a new destination added to the Home Screen Menu, leading to movies and TV shows from a variety of streaming channels, including those users most frequently interact with. What to Watch provides easy access, a personalized selection of new titles that were recently added, recommendations for users based on popular and trending content, and so much more.
• Live TV on Home Screen Menu – In January, we added a Live TV Zone on the Home Screen Menu giving users easy access to free live and linear content from The Roku Channel as well as cable alternatives, including Hulu, fuboTV, Philo, Sling, and YouTube TV, to name a few. With Roku OS 11, you will be able to see your recently watched Live TV content and discover the latest in local and national news, sports, movies, and more in the Live TV section now located on the Home Screen Menu.

ROKU VOICE

• Voice Enabled Keyboard – Roku Voice simplifies device setup and channel login for supported apps by allowing users to enter email, password, and PIN information with their voice. With OS 11, voice-enabled keyboards will be available in Spanish, German, and Portuguese in the U.S. and supported countries.

MOBILE APP

• Mobile Content Details – With OS 11, the free Roku mobile app will provide users with a more visual experience when searching on the platform. New visual elements with OS 11 provides additional information about where to stream movies and TV shows, highlighting which channels are streaming the content for free or where it can be streamed within existing subscriptions, allowing everyone to get more out of the channels they are paying for. The new content details on the mobile app also show visual images of the cast and crew to assist with choosing what to watch. All of these updates are the perfect match to the recently added Save List, which allows you to save movies and TV shows while on the go so that you can stream them when you’re back home and ready to watch.

AVAILABILITY

Roku OS 11 is expected to roll out to supported Roku streaming players, Roku TV™ models, and peripherals over 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 and functionality of Roku OS 11, 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, 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 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/20220322005394/en/

Anders Steele

asteele@roku.com

Source: Roku, Inc.

FAQ

What are the key features of Roku OS 11?

Roku OS 11 introduces features like Roku Photo Streams for screensavers, automatic speech clarity, expanded content discovery, and new sound modes.

When will Roku OS 11 be available?

Roku OS 11 is expected to roll out to supported devices in the coming weeks.

How does Roku OS 11 enhance content discovery?

The update includes a new 'What to Watch' section on the Home Screen Menu, showcasing personalized recommendations and recently watched Live TV content.

What audio improvements does Roku OS 11 offer?

Roku OS 11 features automatic speech clarity and new sound modes tailored for different viewing scenarios.

Can users share photos using Roku OS 11?

Yes, Roku OS 11 allows users to upload and share photos with family and friends through Roku Photo Streams.