Roku has announced the latest update to its platform, OS 12.0. The new OS version will be automatically updated or available for download on most existing Roku streaming players, smart soundbars, and Roku TVs (including their new in-house branded TVs). OS 12 adds some new features as well as refining features introduced on the previous platform update OS 11.5, which was released in September 2022.
New features coming to Roku devices via OS 12 in the following months include:
Live TV
Local News: This feature allows users to watch live news channels personalized by location or stream channels from major cities across the U.S. In addition, news recommendations are powered by AI, ensuring that users enjoy a curated experience within the Live TV Zone that conforms to the viewer’s subject interest. Roku users can search for “local news” using either Roku Search or Roku Voice or just select the Live TV Zone on their Roku Home Screen Menu.
Tip: Roku Adds Free NBCUniversal Local News Channels
Premium Subscriptions: This addition to Categories within Roku’s Live TV Channel Guide, allows users to discover and sign up for premium channels that they are not currently subscribed to. Premium Subscriptions will join previously launched Categories (Recents, Favorites, and Subscribed) and genres including News, Sports, Movies, and Entertainment, among others.
Tip: The Categories feature within Roku’s Live TV Channel Guide this past fall.
Content Access and Discovery
Sports: Roku previously launched a Sports experience where users can browse and stream live and upcoming sports-related events across the Roku platform. Roku is expanding Sports coverage with golf and additional soccer programming.
Tip: In the coming months, a more personalized sports experience based on location, favorite team, and viewing habits will be added. CBS Sports, MLB.TV, NBA App, and NBC Sports will join the list of supported channels for the sports enthusiast.
Continue Watching: Located within What to Watch, Continue Watching gives users a single location to jump back into the content they love. Content from supported channels will now show up nearly instantly in the Continue Watching row after a user has finished watching their favorite TV show or movie. Additionally, discovery+ and Prime Video have joined HBO Max, Netflix, Paramount+, and The Roku Channel as supported channels of the Continue Watching feature with BET+, Freevee, Frndly TV, and STARZ launching soon.
Roku Mobile App Updates
Revamped Account Hub: This allows users to create and adjust Roku Account preferences. The Account Hub updates will include a new sign-up and sign-in process; the ability to establish security, privacy, and notification preferences, as well as device management on their account; and more.
Streamlined Home Screen: Within the Mobile App’s Home tab, a simpler interface will be added with new personalized features tailored. These include dedicated Sports and Continue Watching rows, more ways to discover new content across the platform, and more.
Live TV Channel “Guide” Button: Previously, Roku introduced a dedicated Live TV Channel “Guide” button on the mobile app remote when connected to Roku TVs. In the coming months, the mobile app remote will feature the “Guide” button when connected to players, enabling users to launch the Live TV Channel Guide from the mobile app.
Enhanced Roku Photo Streams: Roku announced Photo Streams in OS 11.5, which users the ability to share photos with friends and family on TVs. The latest update includes faster image uploads and easier management. Users will be able to upload images from a photo album, choose thumbnails for streams, add or delete images more easily, set streams as screensavers, and share streams with family and friends from their phones. Users will also have the ability to upload up to 1,000 images per stream.
Availability
OS 12 will roll out to Roku users starting by the end of March 2023, with additional updates coming for new channel partners, content expansion, and updates to the mobile app in the coming months.
If Roku makes related announcements, that information may be added to this article or a new article will be posted as needed. You can also periodically check the Official Roku Blog.
Tip: OS updates are downloaded automatically to your Roku device when they become available. All OS updates are free.
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Edward Stotts
October 1, 2023 at 12:41 pm
I don’t have that on my ROKU TV.
Ian White
October 1, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Edward,
Did you update the OS?
Best,
IW