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Roku unveiled a Roku OS update on September 17 that adds Roku Labs, a Home Screen hub where U.S. customers can access experimental apps developed by the company. The initial lineup covers weather, stock tracking and Roku Dash, a game set in Roku City.
Experiments Move to the Home Screen
Roku Labs will appear as a dedicated Home Screen tile, giving the company a direct way to place unfinished software in front of customers. The apps remain in development.
Roku Dash has players guide a UFO through Roku City, the neon skyline used in Roku's default screensaver. The other launch experiments bring weather information and stock monitoring to the television.
Home Screen Expands Abroad
The update also extends Roku's newer personalized Home Screen to Mexico and Brazil. Roku says those versions will include localized content and recommendations tailored to each market. Its Voice assistant is separately gaining the ability to answer questions about the weather.
Subscription Bundles Arrive
Roku will begin offering mix-and-match streaming subscription bundles in the U.S. and Mexico. Participating services include AMC+, Fox ONE, Hallmark+, Howdy and Starz. TechCrunch reports that such bundles are generally priced below purchasing the included plans separately.
Remote Software Opens to Developers
Roku also said it is open-sourcing Roku LT OS, the software that powers its remote. The move could allow external developers and hardware makers to create their own applications and devices.
Source: Roku’s new Labs hub brings experimental apps to the big screen
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