Roku OS 8, delivering enhanced features

by ·

Roku OS 8, delivers enhanced features that add convenience and value to a Roku TV user’s streaming experience. With a focus on bridging the gap between free, local broadcast TV received via HDTV antennas and streaming, the company unveiled several new Roku TV features, including a Smart Guide that shows over-the-air (OTA) broadcast TV and streaming options to help customers search for, find and discover entertainment. Other new features included in the update allow for easier search and voice control, such as enhanced voice commands allowing a user to launch streaming channels, switch inputs or control their Roku TV; TV Everywhere (TVE) single sign-on to eliminate having to enter login credentials multiple times; an updated 4K Spotlight Channel and more.

SEAMLESS ENTERTAINMENT FOR ROKU TV USERS USING OVER-THE-AIR ANTENNAS

  • Smart Guide: An electronic program guide for Roku TVs that seamlessly integrates information for local broadcast TV via an antenna with streaming options allowing customers to search for, find and discover entertainment. The guide provides program information for local antenna broadcast TV channels from seven days in the past to up to 14 days in the future. Smart Guide also integrates the More Ways to Watch feature so users can see additional streaming options, such as: watch a movie or show from the beginning, see more episodes or browse similar entertainment. Over time, Smart Guide will even identify favorite broadcast channels available over-the-air by placing most viewed channels at the top of the program guide.
  • Roku Search for Over-the-Air Content: Local antenna broadcast TV options are now included in Roku Search results for Roku TV customers who use a TV antenna to receive free local broadcast TV. Roku search already spans across 500+ streaming channels and now, when a TV antenna is connected, will include results for local broadcast TV along with streaming options sorted by what is free or lowest cost for the viewer. Users can also search for antenna TV content via the Roku mobile app.
  • Voice Control: Roku TVs now feature voice controls to make it easy to switch inputs, tune to a local antenna broadcast channel, launch a streaming channel and more. Voice controls for Roku TVs can be used via enhanced remotes with the microphone button or through the free Roku mobile app for iOS® and Android™ mobile devices.
  • Fast TV Start: Allows a Roku TV to start quickly and launch a streaming or antenna TV channel in seconds simply using a voice command. For example, a user can say “launch Hulu” and the TV will turn on and open the Hulu streaming channel. Or, if they say, “tune to ABC,” the TV will turn on and tune to the local ABC station if an antenna is connected to the Roku TV.
  • Private Listening for Over-the-Air Content: Roku TV users with an antenna connected to their TV can now use private listening to hear audio for local antenna broadcast content either using their mobile device via the Roku mobile app or through the headphone jack on the remote control on select Roku TV models. This feature is also available for streaming.

QUICKER, EASIER ACCESS TO CONTENT FOR ALL ROKU DEVICES

  • Enhanced Voice Features: Voice search now includes natural language understanding and can search for movies, shows, actors and directors, or even launch streaming channels, in a more conversational tone. For example, a user can say things like, “show me movies with Tom Hanks,” “launch Hulu,” or even more detailed searches such as “show me comedies with Will Ferrell.”
  • TV Everywhere Single Sign-On: TVE single sign-on, available for pay TV customers, eliminates the need to log in to TVE channels repeatedly. Customers who subscribe to Dish, Cox, AT&T and hundreds of other providers will enjoy the convenience of single sign-on when using 30 TVE channels. More providers are expected to be added to the feature over time.
  • 4K Spotlight Channel Update: The redesigned Roku 4K Spotlight Channel makes it easier than ever to find 4K, HDR and Dolby Vision™ content available on the Roku platform for players and TVs that support these standards. The 4K Spotlight Channel now features a new navigation menu to help users quickly select the type of content they wish to view, inclusion of more content categories to easily browse by genre, and the option to choose from multiple streaming channels if a movie or show is available from more than one provider.

Availability

Roku OS 8 will begin rolling out to Roku players in early October, and Roku TV models beginning in November. The software update is expected to rollout to all Roku devices by the end of the year.

More Lifestyle News:

  1. YouTube TV Available on Roku Devices Roku  and YouTube announced the availability of YouTube TV on select Roku® devices1. YouTube TV allows Roku users to stream live sports, local and national news, and must-see shows the moment they air on live TV. For $35/month following a...
  2. Premium Subscriptions on The Roku Channel Roku, Inc. announced it has begun rolling out Premium Subscriptions on The Roku Channel. All supported devices are expected to receive the update in the coming weeks, beginning with Roku® players and concluding with Roku TV™ models. Premium Subscriptions enables...
  3. PlayOn Launches PlayOn Cloud Storage MediaMall Technologies announced the launch of PlayOn Cloud Storage for their PlayOn Cloud customers. PlayOn Cloud turns your mobile phone or tablet into a DVR for streaming video. Launched in November of 2016, PlayOn Cloud allows customers to record and download streaming...
  4. VIZIO 2018 SmartCast OS VIZIO, Inc. unveiled its 2018 SmartCast OS, providing everyday users, cord-cutters and smart home enthusiasts with an unparalleled smart TV experience. SmartCast OS brings popular apps to the TV screen for easy access, serves as the ideal smart home companion...
  5. Dove Channel is on Fire with Amazon Fire Cinedigm Corp announced that Dove Channel, one of its digital streaming subscription services, is  available on Amazon Fire. The Amazon Fire launch follows several significant distribution deals Cinedigm has recently announced, including its channels being added to Google’s Chromecast platform....
  6. PlayOn Cloud Channel Now Available for Roku MediaMall Technologies Inc. today announced the release of a PlayOn Cloud channel for Roku. Customers that have the PlayOn Cloud app for Android, iPhone, or iPad can now watch their recordings directly from the cloud on their Roku. There is...
  7. Roku – New Streaming Player Line Roku announced five new streaming players giving people who enjoy TV better ways to connect to the streaming entertainment they love. The new line up includes a range of player models that offer better performance, improved wireless reception, new convenience...
  8. Roku Hits 15 Million Monthly Active Accounts Roku Inc. announced it reached 15 million monthly active accounts as of June 30, 2017 growing 43 percent over the same period of the prior year. Users streamed nearly 7 billion hours on the Roku platform in the first half...
  9. Roku Offers $20 off the New Roku Streaming Stick+ for Black Friday Weekend Roku announced it is offering a deep holiday discount on the new and award-winning Roku® Streaming Stick®+ across retailers nationwide for the Black Friday weekend. The Roku Streaming Stick+, which is great for high-performance portability1, 4K and HDR TVs and...
  10. Roku Launches “The Roku Channel” Roku announced the launch of “The Roku Channel,” a new streaming channel on the Roku platform specifically dedicated to giving customers free access to a collection of top films and more. Customers will enjoy award winners and big screen classics,...