Feature request: Fix NETLIX button on Streaming Stick Remote

I am, and others too, are experiencing frustration when accidentally pressing the shortcut buttons on the remote.  Pressing the Netflix button immediately (and without question) drops out of any current program you may be watching and redirects toward the Netflix site.  When this is done accidentally, it is a frustrating process of trying to navigate back to the channel and program you were watching, missing content, etc.

For me, Netflix is the worst offender, the others (Disney, Apple TV and Discovery) at least have the curtesy of presenting an on-screen "Continue" or "Cancel"  option.

I understand that revenue streams are tied to these buttons, and they are convenient to have, but they need to be tamed. 

Below are suggestions from the result of some AI design sessions:

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Alright, here's the revised version incorporating the recessed button suggestion into the list:

Ah, if I had the ear of someone at Roku, balancing user experience with the revenue generated by those shortcut buttons would be key. Here are a few suggestions I'd offer:

1. Implement a Customizable Long-Press Functionality: * The Idea: Instead of an immediate launch on a short press, a short press could do nothing, or perhaps highlight the button's label on the screen. A longer press (e.g., 1-2 seconds) would then trigger the app launch. * Revenue Retention: This keeps the direct access for users who intentionally want it but prevents accidental launches. The prominent button placement remains, satisfying the agreements with the streaming services. * User Benefit: Significantly reduces accidental launches and the associated frustration.
2. Introduce a "Button Lock" Feature: * The Idea: Add a setting within the Roku menu that allows users to temporarily or permanently "lock" the functionality of the pre-programmed buttons. * Revenue Retention: While users could disable them, the default state would be active, and the option to lock would be within the settings, not immediately obvious. This maintains the initial visibility and ease of access for most users. * User Benefit: Provides a direct solution for those who frequently experience accidental presses without impacting users who find the buttons convenient.
3. Offer a "Confirmation Prompt" Option (User-Selectable): * The Idea: Include a user-configurable setting that, when enabled, displays a brief "Open [App Name]?" prompt with "Yes" and "No" options before launching the app when a shortcut button is pressed. * Revenue Retention: The initial press still directs the user's attention to the intended app. The confirmation adds a small barrier to prevent accidental launches but doesn't completely remove the direct access. The prompt could even subtly reinforce the app's branding. * User Benefit: Directly addresses the accidental launch issue with a minimal extra step for intentional use.
4. Introduce Remotes with Recessed Pre-Programmed Buttons: * The Idea: Redesign the standard remote to feature the pre-programmed buttons with a slight physical recess. This would make them less likely to be pressed accidentally during normal handling. * Revenue Retention: This addresses the accidental press issue directly at the hardware level for all users without requiring any setting changes. The prominent buttons remain for their intended purpose. * User Benefit: Significantly reduces accidental launches due to the physical barrier.
5. Introduce Remotes with Customizable Physical Buttons (Premium Option): * The Idea: Offer a higher-end remote (perhaps a successor to the Voice Remote Pro) with a few physical buttons that users can map to their preferred channels or functions, including disabling the pre-programmed shortcuts if desired. * Revenue Retention: This caters to users willing to pay a premium for more control. The standard remotes would still feature the sponsored buttons, maintaining the revenue stream from those partnerships. * User Benefit: Provides ultimate customization for power users and a way to completely avoid the accidental press issue.
6. Context-Aware Button Behavior (More Complex): * The Idea: Explore if the button behavior could be context-aware. For example, if the user has just navigated away from one of those apps, pressing the button again within a short timeframe could take them back. However, if they've been watching content from a different source for a while, a press would trigger a confirmation or the long-press functionality mentioned earlier. * Revenue Retention: This maintains the direct access in relevant scenarios while mitigating accidental presses during unrelated viewing. * User Benefit: Offers a more intelligent and less intrusive button experience.

My preferred approach, balancing user experience and revenue, would likely be the combination of recessed pre-programmed buttons on standard remotes along with the customizable long-press functionality. These options provide immediate and user-friendly solutions to the accidental launch problem while preserving the intended quick access and revenue stream. Offering a premium remote with customizable buttons would further cater to users seeking more advanced control.

The benefit of the customizable long-press functionality would be that it could be dealt with completely through software, with no physical design change. But I really do like the idea of the recessed buttons too.

You've hit on a key point there! The beauty of the customizable long-press is indeed its software-based nature. It could be implemented relatively quickly through a firmware update pushed out to existing Roku 4K Sticks and other compatible devices, without requiring any changes to the physical design or manufacturing process of the remotes themselves. This makes it a potentially faster and more cost-effective solution to implement on a broad scale.

The recessed buttons, on the other hand, would necessitate a redesign of the remote molds and adjustments to the manufacturing process. This would involve a longer lead time and higher upfront costs. However, as you rightly pointed out, the physical recess offers a very intuitive and tangible way to prevent accidental presses, providing a more robust solution in the long run.

Perhaps a strategic approach would be:

1. Implement the Customizable Long-Press Functionality First: This could provide a relatively immediate improvement to the user experience through a software update. Roku could even experiment with different default long-press durations and gather user feedback.
2. Incorporate Recessed Buttons in Future Remote Revisions: For new generations of Roku Streaming Sticks and remotes, the recessed button design could be integrated. This would provide a more permanent and physical solution to the accidental press issue.

This way, Roku could address the immediate user frustration with a software update while investing in a more refined hardware design for the future. It's a balanced approach that considers both the speed of implementation and the long-term user experience.

It's great that you're thinking about both the software and hardware aspects of the solution! That kind of holistic approach is often the most effective.