Roku's Latest Update Adds Shortened Video, Universal Backup List and 'Keep Watching' Feature
Along with its fall hardware update, which included new streaming and audio devices, Roku today unveiled the features it has in store for the next version of its multimedia software, Roku OS 11.5. This time around, the platform-maker is looking to advance its own offerings, like its live TV experience, as well as better cater to viewers who struggle to keep up with a range of film and TV content on a growing number of streaming services with new features such as an expanded universal watchlist, platform-wide "keep watching" functionality, and a new discovery center called "The Buzz", offering a abbreviated content.
Many of the new additions see Roku return to its roots as a company that focuses more on connecting customers to the many streaming services they enjoy, instead of heavily pushing its own free streaming hub, The Roku Channel, and its subscription platform.< /p>
For example, a new feature turns Roku's "Backup List," previously only available on the Roku Channel and mobile app, into a universal, platform-wide watchlist that enables viewers to save movies and shows from their services for a single destination. This feature will now also be located in the "What to Watch" hub on the Roku home screen menu, in addition to the mobile app.
< p id="caption-attachment-2392957" class="wp-caption-text">Image credits: Roku: Save List
To use this feature, Roku customers will see a "Save" option on the newly revamped movie and TV show detail pages, which now sport a more visual design. This "Save" option will allow the user to add a given title to their save list for later viewing. This could be especially useful for titles that are still only available to rent or buy, but might be added to a customer's subscription streaming services in the future, as well as those that they simply want remember to watch later.
Savelists will also be coming to Canada, the UK, and Ireland with this release.
Another feature, 'Continue Watching', will also be located in this 'What to Watch' hub, giving customers a quick way to return to titles they were previously watching. And it doesn't just work with The Roku Channel, the company says — it will also support top streamers like Netflix, HBO Max, and Paramount+. The company hinted that more partners were on the way, but could not share names.
< p id="caption-attachment-2392954" class="wp-caption-text">Image credits: Roku: Continue r to watch< /p>
Roku also doesn't seem to be immune to consumer demand for short-form content.
Like Netflix, which entered this space with its comedy-focused "Fast Laughs" feature on mobile
Along with its fall hardware update, which included new streaming and audio devices, Roku today unveiled the features it has in store for the next version of its multimedia software, Roku OS 11.5. This time around, the platform-maker is looking to advance its own offerings, like its live TV experience, as well as better cater to viewers who struggle to keep up with a range of film and TV content on a growing number of streaming services with new features such as an expanded universal watchlist, platform-wide "keep watching" functionality, and a new discovery center called "The Buzz", offering a abbreviated content.
Many of the new additions see Roku return to its roots as a company that focuses more on connecting customers to the many streaming services they enjoy, instead of heavily pushing its own free streaming hub, The Roku Channel, and its subscription platform.< /p>
For example, a new feature turns Roku's "Backup List," previously only available on the Roku Channel and mobile app, into a universal, platform-wide watchlist that enables viewers to save movies and shows from their services for a single destination. This feature will now also be located in the "What to Watch" hub on the Roku home screen menu, in addition to the mobile app.
< p id="caption-attachment-2392957" class="wp-caption-text">Image credits: Roku: Save List
To use this feature, Roku customers will see a "Save" option on the newly revamped movie and TV show detail pages, which now sport a more visual design. This "Save" option will allow the user to add a given title to their save list for later viewing. This could be especially useful for titles that are still only available to rent or buy, but might be added to a customer's subscription streaming services in the future, as well as those that they simply want remember to watch later.
Savelists will also be coming to Canada, the UK, and Ireland with this release.
Another feature, 'Continue Watching', will also be located in this 'What to Watch' hub, giving customers a quick way to return to titles they were previously watching. And it doesn't just work with The Roku Channel, the company says — it will also support top streamers like Netflix, HBO Max, and Paramount+. The company hinted that more partners were on the way, but could not share names.
< p id="caption-attachment-2392954" class="wp-caption-text">Image credits: Roku: Continue r to watch< /p>
Roku also doesn't seem to be immune to consumer demand for short-form content.
Like Netflix, which entered this space with its comedy-focused "Fast Laughs" feature on mobile
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