Today is the day; Roku Originals have arrived. At launch, Roku Originals aren’t exactly “original” as they consist of 30 repurposed Quibi shows. You know, the bizarre mobile-first, short-form video service that sputtered out after just a few months, with many assets ultimately acquired by Roku. However, on the bigger screen (although Roku also does … Read more
So about that Roku Apple TV+ button: don’t bank on it arriving with your new remote. Roku’s primary business is advertising and, outside of Netflix’s presumed contractual requirements, the remaining button tie-ups (likely both cash and commission) seem quite variable – dependent upon region, bundled hardware model, timeframes and unit sales, etc. As such, our … Read more
By way of reddit, we learn Roku has soft launched a new $30 ‘Roku Voice Remote Pro‘. Beyond the obvious “voice” recognition functionality, maybe now always listening for wake words, the new and notable feature here is Roku swapping out the copper top for a rechargeable battery – non-removable and charged over micro-USB according to … Read more
Having acquired the rights to Quibi’s subscriber list (and most content), Roku has made first contact. With a suggestion users review their privacy policy, which was lasted updated in 2020. Hello, Quibi has recently become part of Roku. As a result, your account information will now be governed by the Roku Privacy Policy. Please familiarize … Read more
Amazon has just dropped the dime on a new pair of Roku wireless speakers. Dimensions remain the same, but there is at least one stylistic change in excising v1’s unsightly top dimple. Further. the streaming pioneer no longer bundles the funky table-top remote and highly redundant TV streamer remote. Based on the slight model number … Read more
By way of CordCuttersNews, we learn that Roku is now selling interactive advertising widgets against television commercials displayed on Roku televisions (shown above). What makes this somewhat different from TiVo’s historic approach (shown below), and unsettling to some, is that our Roku smart televisions are watching what’s on our screen (since at least 2017) vs … Read more
Along with a minor refresh of the Roku Express and Roku Ultra this week, the streaming powerhouse also unveiled a new customizable remote. While it doesn’t do away with the “spam buttons,” as Roku is primarily an advertising delivery company (and Netflix requires it), the enhanced remote control adds two new numbered personalized shortcut buttons … Read more
Roku has streamlined access to Roku Channel video subscriptions with virtual app icons that deep link premium content. The Roku Channel originally launched with ad-supported TV shows and movies, but was recently updated to resell premium libraries like HBO… as device manufacturers Amazon (Fire TV) and Roku continue generating the bulk of their revenue via … Read more