The new Automatic Speech Clarity and Sound Modes, Roku aims to deliver an improved sound quality, knowing that it will need to adapt audio content to variable reproduction systems, including built-in TV speakers, and adjust dynamics to environments with different noise levels. Now available for Roku audio products, Roku's new automatic speech clarity setting dynamically identifies and amplifies dialogue so the spectators don’t miss a word.
In line with that speech-enhancing feature, new Sound Modes for Roku Streambars and Speakers allow users to choose the optimal settings for whatever type of content they are streaming. The new sound modes include Standard, Dialogue, Movie, Music, and Night and can be easily accessed by pressing the star button * on the Roku remote or through the Roku mobile app. As with most sound modes available on TVs and STBs, these adjust loudness levels to larger or tighter dynamics, combined with different frequency curves, tailored for different viewing scenarios.
Roku is also expanding A/V sync to supported player and audio devices with a simple calibration tool within the Roku Mobile app, syncing audio with the action on the screen. This feature is available when users have a player or Streambar connected to the Roku mobile app and is accessible within the settings menu.
What to Watch is a new destination added to the Home Screen Menu, leading to movies and TV shows from a variety of streaming channels, including those that users most frequently interact with. What to Watch provides a personalized selection of recommendations and new titles that were recently added, based on popular and trending content.
In January 2022, Roku added a Live TV Zone on the Home Screen Menu giving users easy access to free live and linear content from The Roku Channel as well as cable alternatives, including Hulu, fuboTV, Philo, Sling, and YouTube TV, to name a few. With Roku OS 11, users will now be able to see their recently watched live tv content and discover the latest in local and national news, sports, movies, and more in the Live TV section now located on the Home Screen Menu.
On the voice recognition features, with OS 11, voice-enabled keyboards are now available also in Spanish, German, and Portuguese in the US and supported countries. Roku Voice simplifies device setup and channel login for supported apps by allowing users to enter email, password, and PIN information with their voice.
Expending the remaining functionalities more in line with things that are available in Apple TV and other Smart TV experiences, Roku OS 11 now introduces Roku Photo Streams, enabling users to create a personalized screensaver using their own photos. Not something that is necessarily a must have, but anyway allowing users to upload images directly to their Roku devices through their desktop or mobile phone and set them as screensavers, turning the biggest screen in the home into a digital photo album. (Apple TV does that automatically because obviously it's linked with the user's own cloud). Users can also share photos with friends and family, creating a shared album.
"At Roku, we are laser-focused on tailoring the streaming and visual experience to fit our customers' personal preferences," says Gidon Katz, Senior Vice President Product & Experience at Roku. "We recognize not everyone interacts with their TV in the same way, so we are proud to offer a platform full of choice, while simultaneously providing our users an easy-to-use experience. With Roku OS 11, we’re offering a platform with new personalized updates across search, audio, content discovery along with a new feature that allows our customers to display and even share photo albums through Roku devices."
Finally, with OS 11, the free Roku mobile app will provide users with a more visual experience when searching on the platform. The new content details on the mobile app also show visual images of the cast and crew to assist with choosing what to watch.
Roku OS 11 is rolling out progressively to supported Roku streaming players, Roku TV models, and peripherals. Roku streaming players, Roku TV, and TV-related audio devices are available in the US and in a few select countries.
www.roku.com
