Roku OS 7 Makes Streaming Video Better, Even in Hotels

You know what’s great about the current state of technology? You don’t necessarily have to buy new hardware to get a thoroughly improved user experience. We’ve seen this on everything from smartphones to video game consoles and those little streaming boxes are no exception. Earlier this year, Roku introduced Roku Search and Roku Feed and the soon-to-be released Roku OS 7 takes that to a whole new level.

With Roku Feed, you had the opportunity to follow movies to get automatic updates about when they became available for streaming. With Roku OS 7, you can now also follow TV shows, actors and directors, being notified whenever there’s a new movie or a new TV show episode to watch or if the price changes on any of that programming. Maybe you’re a big fan of Matt Damon and want to watch anything that has the Martian star in it. You can now do that, being informed when he pops up in Netflix, Google Play, or wherever else his movies might stream. How do you like dem apples?

The free Roku Mobile app for iOS and Android devices has also been updated with easier access to key features. Roku OS 7 also comes with something called Hotel and Dorm Connect. The point here is that you can bring your Roku with you on the road (or to your college dorm) and connect to Wi-Fi networks that require you to sign-in through a web browser. You just do it through your mobile app.

Whether you’ve got a Roku TV, Roku Streaming Stick, or a Roku 3 streaming box, you’ll be able to get your digital fingers on the new Roku OS 7 starting around the middle of this month. Check the press release below for more information, plus a few screenshots below that.

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Roku Unveils Roku OS 7 and New Mobile App

Roku OS 7 Now Lets Consumers Follow Movies, Directors, Actors, TV Shows and Receive Automatic Updates on Streaming Availability and Pricing in My Feed;
New Mobile App Offers Full Control, and Soon On-the-Go Access to Follow When Away from Home

SARATOGA, Calif. – Oct. 6, 2015 – Roku Inc. today announced Roku OS 7 plus a new version of its mobile app. Roku OS 7 is filled with new discovery features that give consumer more access to entertainment choices. With a major update to the Roku Feed consumers can now follow movies, TV shows, actors and directors to receive automatic entertainment updates about pricing and availability. Those at college or who travel and want to stream will now be able to use the new Hotel and Dorm Connect feature for quick wireless connectivity in locations that require log-in credentials to access the network. In addition, the redesigned Roku mobile app brings the full Roku experience to a mobile device, and soon will feature an on-the-go mode that allows for access to features such as the Roku Feed while away from home.

Built for Streamers – Unprecedented Level of Entertainment Search and Discovery
In March, Roku introduced the Roku Feed, a first-of-its-kind discovery feature that lets consumers know when favorite entertainment becomes available for streaming – and at what price. At that time the company debuted Movies Coming Soon, which allows consumers to “Follow” box office movies they’re interested in and receive automatic updates when the movie becomes available for streaming, from what provider and at what price. With Roku OS 7, consumers can now follow movies, TV shows, actors and directors to receive automatic updates in their Roku Feed. Consumers will receive updates when a movie or a new episode of a TV show becomes available, or the price changes.

Notifications on the Roku Home Screen help consumers easily discover when they have new updates in the Roku Feed. Additionally, new updates within the Roku Feed are clearly marked so consumers can quickly identify new information about the entertainment they follow.

New Mobile Experience
Roku is also releasing a major update to the free Roku Mobile App for iOS and Android making it easier for consumers to access key features including Roku Search, Roku Feed, Remote Control and Play on Roku. Now, with just the tap of the screen, consumers can instantly access Voice Search, view and add to Roku Feed, launch Play on Roku to display their photos and videos on the big screen and much more. Similar to the Roku Home Screen, the Roku Mobile App also displays notifications to make consumers aware of new updates in the Roku Feed. “Pinch to zoom” capabilities let consumers view every detail of their personal photos.

In addition Roku OS 7 features Hotel and Dorm Connect, a new feature that allows consumers to connect their Roku player, Roku TV and Roku Streaming Stick® to Wi-Fi networks that require sign-in through a web browser like those commonly found in hotel rooms, college dorms and other public locations. Consumers simply connect their Roku device to the password-protected network, use the Roku Mobile App to sign-in with their login credentials, and they’re ready to start streaming. Now consumers have TV on their terms anywhere they go, whether it’s after a long day of classes, on a family vacation or in the hotel on a business trip.

Availability
Roku OS 7 will be rolled out to current-generation Roku players and Roku TVs beginning in mid-October.

About Roku, Inc.
Roku pioneered streaming for the TV and aspires to power every TV in the world. The Roku streaming platform enables content providers and advertisers to reach millions of passionate and highly engaged consumers who use Roku devices every day for a simple yet powerful way to stream TV on their terms. Roku grows the reach and scale of its streaming platform by distributing its operating system on streaming players and Roku TVs. The company generates revenue from streaming player purchases, license agreements with TV OEMs and pay TV providers, and entertainment consumption, promotion, and advertising sales on its platform. Roku was founded by Anthony Wood, inventor of the DVR. The company is privately held and headquartered in Saratoga, Calif., U.S.A.

Roku and Streaming Stick are registered trademarks and Roku TV and Roku Powered are trademarks of Roku, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries.

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