Roku launches Labs hub for experimental apps on connected TVs

A neutral summary of Roku’s new Labs hub brings experimental apps to the big screen, published by TechCrunch. Summarised for the Ceeve reading list; the original reporting is TechCrunch's.

Roku has unveiled a new Labs hub within its OS that makes experimental apps available to US customers through a dedicated Home Screen tile. The initial offerings include weather and stock tracking applications, alongside a game called Roku Dash that involves piloting a UFO across Roku City, the company's neon-styled screensaver featuring pop culture references and advertisements.

The move reflects Roku's efforts to develop first-party apps that could become revenue streams whilst competing with more advanced AI-powered connected TV products from Google and Amazon. Simultaneously, Roku is expanding its personalised Home Screen to Mexico and Brazil with region-specific content, enabling its voice assistant to answer weather queries and launching bundled streaming subscriptions across multiple smaller services at discounted rates.

Roku also plans to open-source the software powering its remote, Roku LT OS, allowing external developers to create compatible applications. These developments suggest Roku is positioning itself more centrally within connected households and expanding its ecosystem of services, which may matter for those seeking roles in Roku's product and developer relations teams using Ceeve.

Read the original on TechCrunch

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