Roku OS 11 Update Adds Photo Streams, Recommendations, and More

Roku has announced the next version of its operating system for TVs and set-top boxes and it’s adding a range of helpful new features.

Roku today announced Roku OS 11, which adds some long-overdue personalization features including new audio features, an improved mobile experience, and Roku Photo Streams. The OS 11 update will be rolling out in the “coming weeks”, says the company.

“We recognize not everyone interacts with their TV in the same way, so we are proud to offer a platform full of choice, while simultaneously providing our users an easy-to-use experience,” said Roku senior vice president Gidon Katz to The Verge.

More importantly, perhaps, Roku OS 11 also brings personalization to the home screen, with a new “What to Watch” top-level menu item that displays curated content choices across multiple services.

Roku also added a new calibration tool within the settings menu to help you sort out audio sync issues that may come up with a Streambar device. Roku has also tweaked the app to make it more visual. For instance, you’ll find new interface elements that will provide you with more information about where you can stream movies and TV shows.

It’s also adding support for Spanish, German, and Portuguese to Roku’s voice-enabled keyboard functionality, and a new automatic speech clarity setting that also adds Standard, Dialogue, Movie, Music, and Night sound modes on Roku stream bars and speakers.

Outside of audio improvements, OS 11 introduces a feature called Roku Photo Streams. If you want, you can now use your Roku device to turn your TV into a digital picture frame by using the feature to upload your favourite photos and turn them into a screensaver. You can share Photo Streams with friends and family members. And in turn, they can add their own photos, creating a shared album.

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