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swampy2b
Reel Rookie

Roku Giveth / Roku Taketh Away

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My wife and I were enjoying the new update of the past few days with the 4-wide channels and “Continue Watching” front and center on the Home Screen. It made getting to content much easier.  Then suddenly, today, it was gone. What gives?

I’m also surprised by all the negative feedback on here.  We have several smaller TVs (13” - 21”) and the channel icons weren’t too small on any of them. I get people wanting options for the Continue Watching part, maybe an option to control the rating level of shows that show up there?  I don’t know.

At any rate, please give those of us who were enjoying the new features the option to turn them back on please.  

Thanks!

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rfmuth
Binge Watcher

Re: Roku Giveth / Roku Taketh Away

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The 4 tile grid was, originally, sent out randomly as a test, and then removed without warning. Word from Roku staffers was that it would return at some point permanently, either as part of Software version 13.00, or as an independent tweak, unrelated to the version of build number. That time has apparently arrived as more and more of us are seeing it on at least some of our devices. We have also found that it is an independent tweak and not dependent on the Software version or the build number.

When present, the option is found under "Settings" -> "Home screen" -> "Tile size."
The options are "Larger" or "Smaller," with the choice of smaller giving you 4 tiles across.

Various updates are sent out rather randomly it appears. My devices do not typically receive the same updates, including software version or build number at the same time. Your device is supposed to check for updates every time you "turn it on" but you can also force it to check at any time. I often find that this manual update will find and install one or more updates of some kind -- even when performed shortly after tuning on my device and its own check having just been completed. It is only during a manual check that you will get to see what, if anything, is being updated.

To perform a manual update check, go to "Settings" -> "System" -> "Software Update" -> "Check now"

Note that you will see the date and time of the last check, as well as the date and time of the last "update" although the latter apparently refers to an actual "software" update, but not other updates. Many things can be updated besides the version and build, such as updating various apps (channels) and some minor items they do not name, but when being installed you will see them listed in cutesy terms like "fine tuning the warp drive" or "enhancing shields." These unnamed enhancements seem to be what add the various menu options that pop in from time to time, and also adds the "Tile size" option that so many of us are looking for.

I hope that helps add some understanding, though it may not do much for enhancing your patience as you wait for the "Tile size" option to arrive on your device.

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47 REPLIES 47
Username2
Streaming Star

Re: Roku Giveth / Roku Taketh Away

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I came to post about this exact issue. I was LOVING the continue watching at the top of the screen and the new layout. And it disappeared on all my devices today as well. Here's hoping they bring it back.

sarah2j26
Newbie

Re: Roku Giveth / Roku Taketh Away

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I finally found it under What to Watch. It's still there it just isn't on the home screen, which isn't as convenient, but it's better than nothing.

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swampy2b
Reel Rookie

Re: Roku Giveth / Roku Taketh Away

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Yeah, I think it's existed under "What to watch" for awhile, from what I've read.  Never knew about it; still a lot of extra clicks.

Also, want the 4-wide channels back.

makaiguy
Community Streaming Expert

Re: Roku Giveth / Roku Taketh Away

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Roku has been testing some changes to the Roku home page with some "lucky" random users over the last several weeks.   It sounds like the test period, at least for some, has ended. 

The features being tested are/were:

• Continue Watching bar
• Channel grid 4 smaller tiles wide instead of 3 "normal" tiles wide
• On Roku TVs, tiles for individual input sources gathered under one single Inputs tile.

Rollout of version 12.5 of the Roku operating system commenced Sept 12.  I expect the things that were being tested will be included in version 12.5 in one form or another. 

Typically new Roku versions are slowly rolled out, individual Roku installation by individual Roku installation, with an update schedule known only to Roku.  If you have multiple Rokus, they may not become eligible for the update at the same time, even if they are the same Roku model.

Roku Community Streaming Expert
I am not a Roku employee, only a user like you.  Please, no support questions via private message -- post them publicly to the Community where others may benefit as well.
If this post solves your problem please help others find this answer by clicking "Accept as Solution.".

Ultra 4800 | Streaming Stick 4K+ 3821 | TCL Roku TV 43S245/C107X
phwhite
Reel Rookie

Re: Roku Giveth / Roku Taketh Away

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Same here -- really liked the new updates, just got used to them and poof... gone!  I just posted about this on a new thread, before I seen this one.

andyross
Roku Guru

Re: Roku Giveth / Roku Taketh Away

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I wouldn't mind the 4x grid, but would love to get rid of the Search/Continue Watching, which is still on both of my Roku's.

RokuCarly
Community Moderator
Community Moderator

Re: Roku Giveth / Roku Taketh Away

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We appreciate your feedback, @andyross.

No worries! We hear you and have a resolution for this. There is an option where you can disable the "Continue Watching" feature on your Roku streaming device/TV by navigating to your Settings > Home screen and changing Continue Watching from "Show" to "Hide."

Let us know if you need further clarification and assistance. Hope this helps!

Kind regards,
Carly

Carly Y.
Roku Community Moderator
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jnelson851
Channel Surfer

Re: Roku Giveth / Roku Taketh Away

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I like the WHAT TO WATCH that remembers Hulu and Paramount and likely other subscriptions recently watched.

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thearches
Channel Surfer

Re: Roku Giveth / Roku Taketh Away

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Four Channels across was PERFECT.

I rearranged my channels to fit the new, better scheme and then it went away.

Please bring it back.

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