Free Roku Software Update Includes Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit Support for 2K Devices, Automatic Wi-Fi Detection, Live TV Channel Guide Improvements and More
Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROKU) today announced Roku® OS 10 has started rolling out to Roku devices including streaming players, audio products and Roku TV models. Roku OS 10 introduces a variety of new features getting users to content faster, improving network and input configurations, offering new ways to customize the experience and performance enhancements. Additionally, Roku announced an all-new Roku Express 4K+, Roku Voice Remote Pro and the Roku® Streambar™ Pro in another announcement today.
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Roku OS 10 Virtual Surround Setting (Photo: Business Wire)
“The Roku OS adds new choices, more value and continues to make streaming easier and easier with each free update,” said Ilya Asnis, senior vice president of Roku OS at Roku. “With Roku OS 10, we are enabling people to get to the content they love faster through features like Instant Resume and the Live TV Channel Guide customization options, and taking the guesswork out of the more complex wireless network and gaming features by automating them. We are also adding tremendous value by expanding Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support to more devices. We hope the customers enjoy the update and look forward to their feedback.”
ROKU OS 10 FEATURES:
GETTING TO CONTENT FASTER
- Apple AirPlay 2 & HomeKit – In addition to select 4K Roku devices, Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit will now also be available on HD Roku streaming devices, such as the Roku Express, and select HD Roku TV models. With AirPlay 2, Roku customers can effortlessly stream, control and share their favorite content directly from their iPhone, iPad or Mac to compatible Roku devices, bringing the experience to the big screen. Compatible Roku devices also support HomeKit, which allows users to easily and securely control Roku devices using Siri or the Home app on their Apple devices.
- Instant Resume – This feature helps users get back to the content they were watching within supported channels faster. With Instant Resume, when users launch a channel again, reload times will be much quicker and they will be taken back to the place where they last left off for a much faster, smoother experience. Instant resume will be supported on 15+ streaming channels including AT&T TV, FilmRise, FOX Business Network, FOX News Channel, Fubo Sports Network, HappyKids TV, Plex.tv, STARZ, The Roku Channel, with more to come.
- Customizing the Live TV Channel Guide (US) – Within the Live TV Channel Guide, users now have more options to tailor their experience including the ability to hide individual channels from view and the ability to add channels to a favorites list for a custom guide view that gives them convenient, easy access to the channels they love. Users can quickly switch between guide views to see their favorites, recently visited, or all channels.
SIMPLIFYING SET UP
- Automatic Wi-Fi® Network Detection – The new automatic network detection feature notifies Roku users of the optimal wireless network band to connect to in their homes so they can enjoy the best possible streaming experience. Roku devices will recommend the optimal wireless network during connection setup and when there is a better network connection available in the user's home, the Roku device will proactively display a prompt recommending that the user connect to that network for an improved experience.
- Automatic Game Console Configuration – For gamers who are Roku TV users, this feature will automatically detect select game consoles and configure supported features to optimize the TV's performance for playing video games. When a supported game console is connected to an HDMI® port on a Roku TV, the input tile on the user's Roku home screen will automatically change to the game console icon for easy identification so users can jump right into gaming. Additionally, the Roku TV will detect the capabilities of the game console and automatically enables settings like Game Mode, which offers the lowest latency picture for a more responsive display and optimal gaming experience. It will also enable advanced features to enhance usability and picture quality for game consoles connected via HDMI. Depending on the Roku TV model being used, settings that get automatically configured may include HDR gaming, Auto Low-Latency Mode, Variable Refresh Rate, High Frame Rate, and THX Certified Game Mode.
- Voice entry for select on-screen keyboards (US) – Roku Voice can now be used with a variety of on-screen keyboards, giving users more convenience and speed when entering information on their Roku device. Keyboards that support Roku Voice will display a microphone icon, so users can quickly identify if voice entry is an available option.
Additional Roku OS 10 features include:
- HDR10+ Support – HDR 10+ enables dynamic metadata that continuously enhances display settings, so users see the most vivid and brilliant colors throughout the HDR10+ content streaming experience. Roku devices will automatically detect HDR10+ TV compatibility during setup or users can configure the Display type within the Settings menu. HDR 10+ will be available on Roku Ultra (2020), Roku Express 4K, and Roku Express 4K+.
- Virtual Surround – Roku Smart Soundbar and Roku Streambar™ Pro owners will be able to enjoy a rich and immersive sound experience with the new "Virtual Surround" setting. This setting creates spacious sound that moves around the room for an enhanced audio experience. Access this new setting by pressing the "*" button on the Roku remote to access the Sound settings menu, or by accessing the Audio menu within Settings on their device.
- Improvements to visual search results for Roku Voice – Users who initiate a voice search while within a streaming channel can now experience a more visual and convenient way to browse Roku Search results without disrupting their viewing experience. Results will be displayed in a partial overlay with content from the active channel in the first row, followed by rows of other matches from elsewhere on the platform, providing users with the full breadth of results to choose from, ordered by the best possible match.
Availability
Roku OS 10 has begun rolling out to select Roku players and is expected to roll out to all supported streaming players, including the all-new Roku Express 4K+ and Roku Streambar Pro, and all Roku TV™ models 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, 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 . 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.
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Contacts
Seana Sullivan
seanasullivan@roku.com
