Roku has announced a sweeping refresh of its hardware and software ecosystem, expanding its reach across streaming, smart home, and global markets, introducing new TVs, cameras, UI updates, and broader international availability.
The company, known for its popular streaming sticks and smart TV operating system, hopes these releases will reinforce its position as a top streaming platform and a growing smart home player. Roku continues to innovate on its set-top boxes but is also improving its own line of Roku-branded smart TVs by enhancing picture quality.
Also in the video realm, Roku hinted at a new Roku TV Smart Projector reference design, available to Roku TV partners, but details on this were slim as of this writing.
Roku Enhances Branded TVs
Roku says it is expanding its lineup of Roku-made TVs with better video, audio and software technology such as improved contrast and color accuracy, improved sound quality, faster app launches, and deeper bass.
According to Roku, the company is enhancing custom factory calibration to the new Roku Pro Series, the company’s like of higher-end TVs, to allow customers to regularly adjust settings.
In addition, Roku is bringing its Smart Picture and Smart Picture Max technology, previously only a “premium” feature, to its Roku Plus Series of TVs. This technology automatically adjusts picture settings on a scene-by-scene basis. The tech launched last year for the Pro lineup, but will now be available on the Plus series.
Roku is also bringing mini-LED backlighting enhanced by QLED to the Plus series, upgrading the picture quality at the same affordable price, the company says.
The Plus series is also getting new hardware previously only yon the Pro series, such as a remote finder button on the back of the TV that helps users locate their lost remote and integrated cable management.
All Roku-made TVs are getting the Bluetooth Headphone Mode, which allows user to pair headphones to the TV.
Roku-branded TVs now also include a new 85-inch for its lower-end Roku Select Series.
Two New Roku Streaming Sticks
The new Roku Streaming Stick Plus. Image/Roku
Roku grew its brand on the backs of its streaming TV devices, and is continuing to expand that line with the Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Streaming Stick Plus
According to the company, the new entry-level Roku Streaming Stick is an HD streaming device available for $29.99. It includes the company’s operating system and other features such as Backdrops, free programming, and the Roku voice remote.
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus, meanwhile, is a more advanced streaming stick that brings 4K resolution and HDR to compatible TVs. The stick is still modestly priced at $39.99, but remains compact as to not impact nearby HDMI ports.
Roku says its streaming sticks are designed to fit behind TVs and are over 35% smaller than other brands without compromising performance or speed, although the company did not specify which brands.
The sticks are also designed to be energy efficient, and they can be powered directly by the TV, eliminating the need for hanging cables.
According to the company, the new Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Streaming Stick Plus will replace the Roku Express and Roku Express 4K+, at the same price. Roku Express and Express 4K+ will be available at select retailers while supplies last.
Roku UI Updates
Roku is also rolling out new TV software updates that the company says are focused on enhancing personalization, content discovery, and user engagement. The platform now features a “Coming Soon to Theaters” row, short-form video content in food and home categories, and visual badges to identify free, new, or award-winning content.
Sports fans benefit from a personalized highlights row and mobile notifications, with the Sports Zone expanding globally, starting in Mexico. The Roku mobile app has also been upgraded with deeper content info, improved navigation, and full remote-control capabilities.
Interactive additions include Daily Trivia and a revamped Trivia Vault, while the Backdrops feature turns idle TVs into digital art displays.
New Cameras
The company also announced the new Roku Battery Camera and Roku Battery Camera Plus feature simple setup and long-lasting, rechargeable batteries with the option to add a solar panel for continuous power. According to Roku, customers will get up to six months of battery life on a single charge with the Roku Battery Camera, and up to two years with the Battery Camera Plus.
Feeds from the 1080p cameras can be viewed on Roku TV devices or with the company’s smart home app.
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