StreamerUser
Roku Guru
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Re: Roku keeps adding Howdy - How to block
I'd suggest its "bad customer relations" not to read the Terms or monitor/understand their devices DAILY behavior when firmware (RokuOS), middleware (many different Roku services, including screensavers & themes ad ad modules) and apps (The Roku Channel, Howdy, Photo Streams, Backdrops, Live TV Guide, NetFlix, Prime etc etc) are added/updated - and theres no way to prevent this via device settings (some of it it can be somewhat limited but not prevented). It takes a lot of "gall and audacity" not to expect Roku (or any platform and/or content developer) to promote new apps/services/functionality/content that they've spent significant time/effort/cost developing for their streaming platform/devices. This is what all streaming platforms/service/content providers/developers do, including Roku's streaming platform market competitors of Google, Amazon, and Apple - they all have platforms & services & content they've developed and/or promote, and they maximize this on their own platforms/devices the same way Roku does. You are 'stuck' with the platform provider's OS on virtually every platform device (this isnt unique to Roku), though some allow/provide greater flexibility modifying the platform or controlling updates (firmware/middleware/services/apps) than others. As with any TV's platform/OS, you aren't required to use it beyond the basic TV functionality (again, not unique to RokuOS TVs), and alternative OS-based external streaming platforms/devices abound (though of course those platforms/providers have the same basic interests/behavior as Roku). There's even an entire 'school of thought' that one should never use the TV's internal OS/apps and only use an external device OS/apps (can't say I agree with it, but its somewhat pervasive). And no, Roku doesn't need your account or device info for this - thats just the generic required response of Roku's community CS employees/bots.17Views0likes2CommentsRe: Roku keeps adding Howdy - How to block
Considering I don't work for Roku or their contracted third-party CS I dont need to be "diplomatic" on their behalf; however you should suggest the "Rowdy" service/app name change to Roku - I'm sure they'll consider it as much as not promoting their own content/services by auto-(re)installing their own app on their own platform.... If leaving the Howdy app installed but unused at the end/bottom of your app list is unacceptable, you can always disconnect your Roku or block its internet access @ the router - that will surely prevent the Howdy app from being installed...20Views1like0CommentsRe: Backdrops keep getting re-enabled
wcastle For the same reason other Roku-developed/managed/operated apps/services/functionality "keep coming back" if removed (e.g. Howdy, Photo Streams, Live TV Guide, The Roku Channel, etc): Roku spent/spends significant time/effort/cost developing/maintaining/operating the services/apps/content and therefore wants you/us to use it. You also agreed to this behavior when you when you consented/agreed to the Roku account/device Terms: We (or our content providers) may update, add, or remove channels, content, and/or content providers from time to time (possibly without notice to you). There is no point complaining: Roku isnt going to stop developing apps/services/content (and auto-(re)installing them from time to time if removed) unless and until they go out of business. Just leave the Backdrops app installed and move it to the end/bottom of your apps list to prevent/minimize unwanted app list changes (I suggest moving all the unwanted/unused Roku apps to the end/bottom of your apps/list).6Views0likes0CommentsRe: Howdy app won't stay deleted
Jack_asster Docsman cmfurnia et al The Howdy service/app is Roku-owned so you can expect it to be re-added to your device if removed, especially if/when there is an app/service update, or to promote new subscriptions. It is/would be against Roku's own interests not to promote their new Howdy streaming service by automatically (re)installing the Howdy app from time to time - this is no different than Roku auto-(re)installing other Roku middleware/apps/services (e.g. Backdrops, Photo Streams, The Roku Channel, Live TV Guide, etc). Since you (and everyone) agreed to this behavior ("We (or our content providers) may update, add, or remove channels, content, and/or content providers from time to time (possibly without notice to you).") when you consented/agreed to the Roku account/device Terms it should be expected/anticipated, and there is no point complaining. Just leave the Howdy app installed and move it to the end/bottom of your apps list to prevent/minimize unwanted app list changes.17Views0likes0CommentsRe: Roku keeps adding Howdy - How to block
Anonymous Hauntedkitty22 rockaway1836 et al: The Howdy service/app is Roku-owned so you can expect it to be re-added to your device if removed, especially if/when there is an app/service update, or to promote new subscriptions. It is/would be against Roku's own interests not to promote their new Howdy streaming service by automatically (re)installing the Howdy app from time to time - this is no different than Roku auto-(re)installing other Roku middleware/apps/services (e.g. Backdrops, Photo Streams, The Roku Channel, Live TV Guide, etc). Since you (and everyone) agreed to this behavior ("We (or our content providers) may update, add, or remove channels, content, and/or content providers from time to time (possibly without notice to you).") when you consented/agreed to the Roku account/device Terms it should be expected/anticipated, and there is no point complaining. Just leave the Howdy app installed and move it to the end/bottom of your apps list to prevent/minimize unwanted app list changes.24Views0likes4CommentsRe: Using a Roku with a digital-to-audio converter
joneseses Though the SS+ (3830) store page's summary device specs incorrectly lists BT support, the actual BT support pages indicate correctly otherwise - there is no BT support for the SS+ (3830), though an older version of one of the support pages also incorrectly listed the 2 newer Stick models a few moths ago. However, the Ultra (4800/4802/4850) and Ultra LT do have BT audio output (and input) support, though it may or may not connect/work with your BT gear depending on version/profiles/etc (you'd have to buy one and test the pairing/connection). Otherwise as Strega2 suggested you could/should get an HDMI audio extractor - there are many versions of these available including with analog RCA outputs @ Amazon/etc for as little as $15-20 or more (if thats your desire).13Views0likes0CommentsRe: Roku no longer updating
Joe2019 Correct and full reinstall of an app on RokuOS requires all the steps in order (you must RESTART each device AFTER unstalling the Apple TV app but BEFORE reinstalling the AppleTV app otherwise the app's data/cache is left behind - you must do this for all devices): Remove Apple TV app Restart device Reinstall + reuathenticate Apple TV app You really should state your model #s, not names: Roku (re)uses the same exact model name for different model #s over time: Settings/System/About The device with OS15 was 'randomly selected' to receive/test an initial beta pre-Release build of OS15 - the other devices were not (this is how Roku does it for every major OS version upgrade). You'll be able to upgrade all of your devices once OS 15 is released (sometimes with the same latest 'pre-Release' Beta build already on some devices if Roku decides its stable/bug-free enough). Again: OS 15 hasn't even been announced, yet alone released, though pre-release builds are being tested on some devices. If you want to wait for OS 15 with the assumption that it will address/fix AppleTV playback for all of your devices, you can of course do that. Otherwise... Apple TV content plays without issue on a 3910 (Express+), 3960 (Express), and 3940 (Express 4K), all with OS 14.6.4 Build 9914 (and Apple TV app version 16.0.51), so OS 14.6 itself is not preclusive. Its likely something in your setup (network config, HTS config, or RokuOS config) is preventing playback with the OS 14.6 devices: Is there an error message? Does it go to a 'black screen' instead of streaming? Is there audio but no video? etc. Its common that folks with ad-blocking enabled modems/routers/gateways have all sorts of weird streaming issues breaking some/one app/content playback, but not others, etc, so its best to @ least temporarily disable such ad-blocking functionality, along with (on your Roku devices) setting Auto-adjust display refresh rate (framerate matching) = Off, manually configuring Display Type as 4K DV/4K HDR/4K/1080p/720p TV and Digital output format as Stereo, and directly connecting the Roku to the TV/display instead of an AVR, to test the source of the issue.4Views0likes0CommentsRe: Roku no longer updating
RaleighNole Again, RokuOS hasnt been officially announced or officially released to end users, though early Beta builds of OS 15 have been available for weeks/months to Developers and Beta testers & other selected devices. Roku always rolls out major RokuOS version upgrades over weeks/months, starting with a very limited rollout of early Beta builds to select users/devices (Developer/Beta Tester/other), then gradually expanding limited availability of newer Beta builds (usually) once a week (almost always Tuesday and/or Thursday afternoon/evening) to more and more devices, until such time as Roku determines that a given Beta build(s) (Roku often has model/model-type specific builds) is stable/bug-fixed enough on most models to become a Release version/build. Roku maintains both Beta (provides Beta versions/builds) and Release (provides only Release versions/builds) update servers, though by default all devices are configured for the Beta update servers and are automatically part of a massive (involuntary to the user) 'beta test' and may/can be/will be selected to receive Beta builds at any given point in time. A device can be re-configured to use the Release update servers (and therefore only receive Release firmware versions/builds), but in order to switch it back to the Beta servers it must be Factory Reset. In Joe2019 's case one of his devices has been selected to receive OS 15 Beta builds, and the rest not (yet) - they may become available to receive OS 15 Beta builds as part of an expanded Beta build test, or will become available to receive OS 15 once a build is determined stable/good enough for Release.25Views0likes1CommentRe: Roku no longer updating
Joe2019 RokuOS 14.6.4 Build 9914 is the latest version/build for most devices. RokuOS 15 hasnt been officially announced/released, and is currently still in limited beta rollout testing phase, and your device hasnt been 'selected' for testing. The Express+ (3710/3910/3931) is/are currently supported and will receive OS 15 once released etc. The AppleTV app (AppleTV+ is/was the streaming service, until yesterday, when Apple renamed the 'AppleTV+' streaming service to just 'AppleTV') is not supported on the 3710, so you likely have the 3910 or the 3931 - if you have a model 3710 then the Apple TV app has never been supported (Apple's decision/limitation - not Roku's) on that model since the Apple TV app/service was released (back in later 2019), and you either need to accept that or upgrade to a newer model if you want to use the Apple TV app. The AppleTV app recently updated to version 16.0.51 and may be the source of your issue, though it streams without issue on my Express+ (3910). If you haven't already 1) uninstalled the ATV app, 2) restarted your Roku, and 3) reinstalled the ATV app (in that order, without skipping steps) then you should do so. Otherwise you can try manually configuring Settings/Display type = 1080p/720p TV (assuming HDMI connection) or manually configuring Settings/Audio/Digital output format = Stereo and checking to see if you are able to stream.33Views0likes0CommentsRe: NHK World app not loading: Error "The app is currently unavailable"
renojim I considered and noticed the certification criteria changed as of October, but couldn't determine the specific changes relative to previous criteria (or the NHK app's technical behavior - I've never seen/used the app prior to today) when I checked earlier today, and considering its the current app already installed on devices that had the preclusion message I leaned more towards a possible carriage dispute, especially considering NHK claims they submitted their updated app but that Roku hasnt certified/published it - Roku usually fast tracks certification/publishing in such scenarios, unless there are other issues, which heavily implies/suggests there are additional issues that require resolution, which are often ad insertion/cuts and subscription related in recent years, though sometimes licensing/copyright (e.g. VidAngel). Regardless nothing prevents Roku from disabling/modifying installed apps' behavior (just the opposite as their developer & general Terms specifically allow it), especially those are more reliant on Roku frameworks, but its ultimately more likely to be certification failure as you surmise.45Views0likes0Comments