@eclairesndonuts wrote:
I tried finding a way to contant the development team, but I’d like to make a case for the OS developers to create an adapted version of the Roku OS that could be downloaded onto any Smart TV with compatible (sufficient) hardware. TVs that are capable of running current versions of Android, Samsung, or LG OS should have plenty of processing and graphics power. A downloadable OS that could replace the base OS on other Smart TVs could provide for a lower customer acquisition cost (this wouldn’t require building a device for each user) and also speed up the growth of Roku OS adoption. Think of the case with computers -you can replace the operating system as you wish. Why should a TV be any different? If Roku doesn’t do it first, a big-pocketed competitor such as Google or Amazon will do it -if they aren’t working on it already. Please, if anyone knows how to contact the Roku developers, pass this message along.
Thank you!
Emma
Think of your average customer, not a tech expert. How would they do this? Plugging in a $30 device into HDMI is way easier, pretty bulletproof experience. Very hard to equal that.
The smart TV itself would have to support a software OS replace over network or OTA. Manufacturer unlikely to allow this, so you would need to sideload/jailbreak the TV. That needs research and wont be possible for many, if any, TV.
Or existing OS on TV would have to support a hypervisor/container, to allow Roku to guest. Unlikely.
Or Roku would need to package their environment as an app on another platform, and pass other platform app certification process. Other manufacturer unlikely to support this, even if technically possible.
Now, if you wanted Roku *CHANNEL* on smart TV as native stream on Smart TV, well that might be doable, even profitable.
And a better Roku remote that truly allowed a single remote experience for all Roku and all TV capability, well that would be great. It could be done, Roku just needs to do a joint IR device with say Oneforall, e.g. repackage oneforall 7935 (which does provide single remote experience) to look more Roku branded and with 4-6 branded buttons.
Or Roku makes a device with OTA tuners (maybe hard disk recording). But that has already been well discussed here, unlikely to be commercially viable and doesn't sit very well with Roku business model.
A travel Roku with a UI that makes the Roku over hotel WiFi experience better/reliable, maybe acts as 4g/5g mifi with VayPayEnn capability, yeah maybe as a premium product for road warriors, RV, truck drivers.
Not a Roku employee
