Tech

In a strategic shift, Roku plans to make its own TV sets

Enlarge / A Roku streaming box. (credit: Ars Technica) TV-streaming platform Roku is looking to expand beyond dongles and software deals to make its own TV hardware, according to a report in Insider . The story appears to be based on two sources with different levels of familiarity along with Roku’s plans. The first will […]

Tech

Some Roku smart TVs are now showing banner ads over live TV

Enlarge / A Roku streaming box. It seems these ads aren’t appearing on Roku’s own hardware like this device; instead, they’re appearing on TVs that license Roku’s software platform. Some Roku smart TV owners are seeing banner ads appear over live content, according to a thread on the r/cordcutters subreddit. A user named p3t3or posted […]

Tech

Roku vs. Google drama winds down as companies forge multi-year YouTube deal

Enlarge / Roku’s 4K Streaming Stick. (credit: Roku) Roku and Google have arrived at a multi-year deal that will keep the YouTube and YouTube TV apps available on Roku’s devices, Roku announced on Twitter this morning. The agreement comes months after the YouTube TV app was pulled from the Roku Channel Store and just one […]

Tech

Roku OS 10. 5 announced alongside new Streaming Stick 4K

Enlarge / Roku Streambar owners can use their device as a center audio channel in a 3. 1 or 5. 1 speaker configuration. (credit: Roku) Today, Roku announced a new streamer in its lineup, the Streaming Stick 4K , alongside a “plus” version of the device with a better remote . The company also confirmed […]

Tech

Apple and Roku have newly upgraded streaming remotes—are they worth buying?

Enlarge / Apple’s and Roku’s new remotes are a welcome upgrade to their respective streaming experiences, and they’re compatible with older models. (credit: Corey Gaskin) Apple and Roku know that remotes for streaming devices are important. It’s why they recently inked a deal to put an Apple TV+ button on Roku remotes going forward. It’s […]