Roku also officially launched its streaming products in Germany last year. Now the manufacturer has announced the innovations of the upcoming Roku OS 11, which is the system that runs on streaming sticks and dongles. Among other things, the voice-activated keyboard starts in Germany. Roku Voice simplifies device setup and channel sign-up for supported apps by allowing users to enter email, password, and PIN information with their Roku Voice Remote. This is definitely coming to Germany, the other functions are likely to follow for the most part.
So there are new sound modes for Roku Streambars and speakers. The sound modes – Standard, Dialogue, Movie, Music and Night – can be accessed by users by pressing the star key * on their Roku remote or via the Roku mobile app. A/V Sync extends player and audio device support with a simple calibration tool in the Roku mobile app, synchronizing audio with what’s happening on screen. This feature is available when the Roku mobile app is connected to the Roku Player or Streambar and is accessible from the settings menu.
Also feasible after the update: Upload your own photos via computer or smartphone and use them as Roku screen savers. It’s called PhotoStream. Once a stream is approved, friends and family can also upload their own photos.
The app also gets a few visual tweaks. When searching for TV shows or movies, new visuals in Roku’s OS 11 highlight which channels are streaming TV programming for free or where it can be streamed with existing subscriptions. The new content details in the mobile app also show pictures of the performers.
Watch What? is a new shortcut on the home screen menu that leads to movies and TV shows from a variety of streaming channels, including those you interact with the most. There is also live TV in the start screen menu, so US users have a larger selection than in this country.
With Roku OS 11, users can see they’re recently watched live TV content and discover the latest local and national news, sports, movies and more in the Live TV section, now located in the home screen menu. The update will be distributed in the next few weeks.