Roku Device Features, Settings & Updates

[Bacon]

Roku® OS 9 Release Notes

Today we’re beginning to roll out Roku OS 9, an update to the operating system that powers Roku® streaming players, Roku TV™ models and new Roku TV™ Wireless Speakers. This update includes new features such as Automatic Volume Leveling for select Roku devices, voice enhancements including “free” genre search, and performance improvements aimed at delivering the best possible streaming experience when using supported Roku devices.
Roku OS 9 will begin rolling out to select Roku streaming players starting today and is expected to rollout to all supported streaming players by the end of the year. Roku TV models are expected to receive the update in early 2019. A list of key Roku OS 9 features and updates, as well as supported Roku devices, is included below.
Note: Some updates apply to specific Roku devices. In those instances, additional information on where to view supported devices is included.
Key Roku OS 9 features:

• Automatic Volume Leveling – This feature enables a uniform audio level across various types of content, so it will no longer feel jarring when a commercial comes on or when streaming channels are changed. This feature can be turned on/off within the Volume Mode setting that appears in the options menu after pressing the Star button “*” during video playback. Automatic Volume Leveling is available on select Roku streaming players and Roku TV models. Click here for more information on Automatic Volume Leveling and supported devices.

Note that this feature will be available on Roku TVs running Roku OS 8.2 when they are paired with the new Roku TV Wireless Speakers.

• Voice search and control enhancements, including “free” genre search (US only) – Roku’s voice search feature now supports genre-based searches for free entertainment. Customers can use simple voice commands such as “let’s see free documentaries,” “show me free comedies,” “find free dramas” and more to see a list of search results for free entertainment available on the Roku platform.

In addition, customers can now control media playback using their voice to pause, fast forward and more. When using voice search and control, customers will see a new heads-up-display (HUD), as well as receive audio feedback, to provide confirmation that their voice intent was understood.
Additional information about voice search and controls, as well as supported devices, can be found here.
This feature is already available on Roku TV models running Roku OS 8.2.

• Access and control iHeartRadio, Pandora and TuneIn by voice (US only) – Roku customers can now use voice search and controls for music by simply speaking commands such as “Play some Jazz.” Roku OS 9 enables select Roku streaming players to support music commands so customers can launch live radio stations from across the country, podcasts, custom artist stations and more with iHeartRadio; Playlists, stations and more via Pandora; and live radio stations, play-by-play sports, news, etc. with TuneIn using a Roku voice remote, or in the coming weeks with an update to the free Roku mobile app.

To view the full list of Roku devices that support voice controls, please click here.
Voice control of these music services is already available on Roku TV models running Roku OS 8.2.

• Spotify availability – Customers with select Roku players will soon be able to discover, manage and share over 35M songs for free, or upgrade to Spotify Premium to access exclusive features including improved sound quality and ad-free listening. Roku customers with Roku OS 9 will be able to launch and navigate the channel using a Roku remote or via Spotify Connect on a laptop, tablet or mobile phone. Spotify will soon be available to add from the Roku channel store here and selecting the “Music” category once available.

Spotify will be available to add on Roku TV models running Roku OS 8.2.
Supported Roku devices receiving Roku OS 9:

• Roku Streaming Players – 4661X, 4660X, 4640X, 4630X, 4620X, 4400X, 4230X, 4210X, 4200X, 3921X, 3920X, 3910X, 3900X, 3810X, 3800X, 3710X, 3700X, 3600X, 3500X, 3420X, 3400X, 3100X, 3050X, 3000X, 2720X, 2710X, 2700X, 2500X, 2450X, 2400X

• Roku TV – All Roku TV models are expected to receive Roku OS 9

* Note: Streaming channel developers, content partners, advertisers and anyone who would like information related to SDK updates and additional improvements within Roku OS 9 can find more info on the Roku Developer Blog or in our SDK documentation.
Happy Streaming!

[drphibes13]

Is there going to be a way for a manual update, for those of us extremely eager to finally have Spotify back? It's been almost a whole year, which is almost a whole year too long!

[RokuShawnS]

"drphibes13" wrote:
Is there going to be a way for a manual update, for those of us extremely eager to finally have Spotify back? It's been almost a whole year, which is almost a whole year too long!

It will be a while before we allow manual update while we monitor logs.

[aphexacid]

Looking forward to getting Spotify back. Hopefully this doesn’t screw stuff up like the last big update.

[DBDukes]

"aphexacid" wrote:
Looking forward to getting Spotify back. Hopefully this doesn’t screw stuff up like the last big update.

Huh. I had no issues with the last big update. I wonder what I’m doing wrong.

[juiceclone]

roku must have updated our 3600x sticks last night around 10:30 ? because all three now will not run xfinity stream at all...somebody please fix??

[juiceclone]

OK .....  restarted my dumcast/stupinity router several times, and then they required me to actually re-register a AS A CUSTOMER.  After that I was able to re register roku and then xfinity streaming on all three devices and they function correctly .....right now ....

[Pompey]

Finally some product development from Spotify. They have ONLY been promising us something since December 22nd of last year. This might just be a case of too little, too late ..... since casting usually works like a charm, and even the cheapest HTR with app support has Spotify and Pandora and iHeart built in.
Still, will be good for easy music at a standalone TV location when you don't feel like casting from something else.
Funny how Spotify's stock has gone basically nowhere since the springtime IPO.

[NewFargo]

Have read this on a blog today, went home to see if it’s really there and if I could finally run Sptofy.. but no luck
Would be really great to have an option to force update the same way Apple allows beta version of iOs for those who is ready to trade stability to new features

[drphibes13]

"RokuShawnS" wrote:

"drphibes13" wrote:
Is there going to be a way for a manual update, for those of us extremely eager to finally have Spotify back? It's been almost a whole year, which is almost a whole year too long!

It will be a while before we allow manual update while we monitor logs.

Ok. Thanks, Shawn. I really appreciate it. I'm very eager for the return of Spotify!