Roku is rolling out a new version of its operating system to Roku devices around the globe.
Roku OS 11.5 and other new features will appear on your device over the “coming months”.
Here are the highlights of what to expect.
What’s new in Roku OS 11.5?
The latest update for Roku streaming devices will add several new features, including new options on the Home Screen Menu, Audio and Voice enhancements, and new ways to discover content.
Here are the new main features:
The Buzz
Coming to the home screen is a new section called “The Buzz”, It’s a location to find short-form video and images, including trailers, video clips and interviews from partners such as ShowTime, Apple TV+, Plex, Vevo, and Crackle.
It will include social interactivity, with users being able to “like” content posts, save content to watch later, and follow profiles. You’ll also be able to start a movie from directly within The Buzz if linked to in a post.
Continue Watching
There will also be a new “Continue Watching” section on the home screen. This allows you to carry on any shows or movies you were partway through on select streaming channels, such as Netflix, HBO Max, Paramount+ and, of course, The Roku Channel itself.
As it’s account specific, it’ll also enable you to pick up shows on a different Roku device as long as you are signed in.
Save List
The Save List, which is also new to the home screen, will store shows and movies you tag on their details pages within channels. A new “Save” button will appear on the relevant pages – hit that and the content will be stored in the list to jump straight into from the new menu option later.
This is basically an extension of the feature already offered on The Roku Channel and in the mobile app.
Roku Store
The Roku Store essentially replaces the Streaming Channels menu on the home screen. It’s a more content-rich location to find new paid and free channels to install.
Bluetooth Private Listening
Private listening has been available through the remote for a while, but only when wired. The only way to listen to audio with wireless headphones has been to pair them with a mobile device and use the dedicated Roku app.
That’s soon to change, with the Roku Ultra, Streambar and Streambar Pro each getting the ability to pair with Bluetooth headphones directly. You can only use one set of headphones at a time, but can pair as many as you like in the settings and easiy switch between then using the star button on the remote.
Roku Voice
There will be new on-screen visual aids when using Roku Voice, which will help users get to the right channel.
For example, if you ask Roku to stream a movie which appears on multiple channels, it will give you the option between them on screen. You can then use a simple vocal command to choose between them.
Categories in Live TV Channel Guide
The Live TV Channel Guide will incorporate different categories to more easily segment them. For example, you will be able to see channels under the categories – recents, favourites, and subscribed.
There will also be genre specific categories available to you, such as news, movies, kids, and music.
Live TV Channel Guide button in app
To make it easier to access the Live TV Channel Guide from the mobile app, a new dedicated button will be added.
When will Roku OS 11.5 be available?
Roku OS 11.5 and other new features will be available as an over-the-air update for Roku streaming devices, TVs and speaker systems in the “coming months”.