Roku Unveils New Labs Hub for Experimental Apps

Roku announced an update to its operating system, Roku OS, which introduces a new feature called Roku Labs. This hub allows users in the U.S. to access experimental applications developed by the company. Initially, these apps include tools for tracking weather and stocks, along with a game named Roku Dash, where players navigate a UFO through "Roku City."

Concurrently, Roku is expanding its personalised Home Screen to Mexico and Brazil, offering region-specific content and suggestions. The company's Voice assistant will also gain the ability to answer weather-related queries. Furthermore, Roku is introducing bundled streaming subscriptions in the U.S. and Mexico, featuring services like AMC+, Fox ONE, Hallmark+, Howdy, and Starz, which are designed to be more cost-effective than individual subscriptions.

These new features indicate Roku's strategic move to increase its investment in proprietary applications, which could become a significant source of revenue and solidify its position within connected households. By developing its own apps, Roku aims to differentiate itself in a competitive market, where rivals such as Google and Amazon offer advanced AI-powered connected TV products through their respective assistants, Gemini and Alexa+.

Roku has also decided to open-source the software powering its remote, known as Roku LT OS. This initiative could encourage external developers and manufacturers to create their own applications and devices, potentially fostering a broader ecosystem around Roku's technology.