This week Roku announced that Roku OS 13, which we had previously reported on, is now rolling out with new features for Roku TVs and Roku Players. Now multiple Roku owners have reported to Cord Cutters News that their Roku players including Roku Sticks and Roku Expresses have started to update to the Roku OS 13.
Roku typically slowly rolls out Roku updates over several months to all of its players and TVs. So far, only Roku player owners have reported the update, and Roku TVs seem to have not started the update yet. Roku players are automatically updated often overnight you can manually check for updates in the settings. The update pannel on your Roku will also tell you what version Roku OS you have.
Some of the new features of Roku OS 13 include the ability for your Roku TV to automatically adjust the picture of your TV to what you are watching. This allows your TV to give you the best picture quality no matter if you are watching a movie or sports. Roku will automatically adjust the backlight, colors, and more to give you the best possible picture.
Roku also is rolling out a new mode called Backdrops that will let your TV become a work of art when you are not using it. You can access a wide catalog of free artwork, including famous classics, museum collections, abstract designs, and more, and choose the art to update the vibe of your room. Roku owners can also upload digital art or family photos to curate their own collection to display.
“We want our platform to be relevant to how you watch TV, whether you purchased a device today or years ago,” said Preston Smalley, Vice President of Viewer Product at Roku. “With personalized Backdrops to suit your mood, Smart Picture for crystal-clear visuals, and better ways to help decide what to watch, we’re setting a new standard for streaming excellence. This is the future of TV, tailored just for you by Roku.”
Here is how Roku describes Roku OS 13:
Take browse and discovery to the next level with:
- IMDB ratings: In the coming weeks, you can expect to see IMDb ratings across entertainment details pages, keeping you in the know on what peers have rated TV shows and movies before you dive in. Plus, we’re also populating a new row within What to Watch that will feature highly rated IMDb titles, so users can tune in with ease.
- Trailers: With trailers coming to entertainment details pages across the platform, you can seamlessly preview TV shows or movies, allowing you to feel confident in your selection
- Save List Updates: We’ve made your Save List even smarter so you can stay up to date on the content you’re interested in. Now, when a TV show or movie on your Save List drops in price or when new seasons or episodes are available, we’ll let you know with badge updates right on the entertainment tile, bringing titles that may have been at the end of your list right to the front.
Your ultimate companion is the Roku Mobile App
As an extension of the Roku streaming experience, the Roku Mobile app helps you discover new content, control your TV, launch apps, and so much more. Updates to the app include:
- New navigation bar: Users will now be able to browse between five universal tabs: Home, Search, Remote, Devices, and Account.
- Top Searched TV and Movies: With the all-new “Top Searched TV and Movies” row, you can scroll through what’s popular with other streamers and tune in. The row will be populated with daily searched TV shows and movies from across the platform.
- Search Updates: With a full keyboard, searching has never been easier, and now the results will be more visually immersive while you search for what you want to watch or browse through new categories or actors, among other topics.
You will also find an updated Roku City screen saver now with cars and other hidden features.
Roku OS 13 is rolling out over the next few months to Roku TVs and Roku streaming players. Any Roku TV purchased in the spring of 2024 and later will come with the new Smart Picture and other features.
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