Roku launches Labs programme alongside platform update. September 18, 2026 10.53 Europe/London By Julian Clover Roku has unveiled Roku Labs, a programme giving viewers early access to experimental apps, as part of a wider platform update covering subscription bundles, discovery and the international rollout of its redesigned home screen. Launching initially in the United Stayes, Roku Labs will be accessible through a dedicated tile on the Roku home screen. Viewers will be able to test apps in development and provide feedback to help shape future features. Four experiences will be available for testing at launch: Roku Stocks, Roku Weather, Backdrops Studio for creating custom screen artwork, and Roku Immerse, which offers scenic screensaver environments. Roku said its original game Roku City Dash had already graduated from the programme and was now available to viewers. Brian Pinkerton, SVP Advanced Development at Roku, said the initiative would give households "a seat at the table to explore, test, and shape experiences in real time". The wider update will bring Roku's redesigned home screen to Brazil and Mexico in the coming months, with localised content destinations and a tailored For You section. Roku is also introducing Premium Subscription bundles in the United States and Mexico. In the United States, more than 30 combinations include services such as AMC+, FOX One, Hallmark+, Howdy and STARZ. Roku says the bundles offer savings of up to 30% compared with taking subscriptions individually. Discovery changes include personalised explanations in search results, showing why titles have been recommended based on viewers' preferences, watch history and trending content. Roku Voice is also adding on-screen weather information, including temperature, humidity, precipitation and wind, accessible from anywhere on the platform. Roku said the new OS features would roll out across all Roku TV models and streaming devices in the US over the coming months. Separately, the company announced it is open-sourcing Roku LT OS, the lightweight operating system used in its remotes and Roku Smart Home products. The software will be available free, alongside a development kit and video training series. San Jose State University's Spartan Racing team is using Roku LT in a four-motor electric race car scheduled to compete in summer 2027.

Roku's new AI search and voice commands transform streaming discovery. Roku has released a major software update via its Labs beta program, introducing a smarter contextual search engine and enhanced natural language voice commands that deliver faster, more accurate results across 500+ streaming services. Early testers report significantly improved content discovery. The wider release is expected later this year. Thursday, September 17, 2026 Roku has rolled out a significant software update that brings new capabilities to its streaming platform through the Roku Labs program. Available first to select users who opt into early testing, the update introduces an enhanced search system and improved voice command features designed to make finding content faster and more accurate across multiple services. The company announced the changes via its official channels, highlighting how the refinements address common frustrations users face when hunting for specific movies, shows, or genres. According to the report published by Android Authority at https://www.androidauthority.com/roku-os-update-roku-labs-smarter-search-voice-3712090/, participants in the Roku Labs beta can now experience these features ahead of a wider release scheduled for later this year. At the center of the update sits a smarter search engine that understands context better than previous versions. When users type or speak a query, the system now considers multiple factors including genre preferences, viewing history, and current trends to deliver more relevant results. For example, searching for the word "comedy" might surface recent stand-up specials, popular sitcoms, or new original series depending on what the account holder has watched before. The algorithm also pulls information from a broader range of streaming channels, reducing the need to switch between different apps manually. Voice control has received particular attention in this release. Roku's voice remote and the mobile app now interpret natural language requests with greater precision. Users can say phrases like "show me action movies with strong female leads" or "find documentaries about space exploration from the last two years," and the system will return curated lists instead of generic matches. The improved voice recognition also handles follow-up questions more effectively. After an initial search, a user might ask "what about ones with subtitles?" and the results will update without requiring a complete new query. These voice enhancements build on Roku's existing integration with popular smart speakers and home assistants. The update ensures consistency whether the command comes from the physical remote, the Roku mobile application, or a linked Google or Amazon device. Response times have decreased noticeably, with most searches completing in under two seconds according to early testers. Beyond search and voice, the update includes several smaller refinements that improve daily use. The home screen now displays more personalized channel recommendations based on recent activity. A new quick-switch feature lets users jump between recently used apps with a single button press on the remote. Picture settings have been expanded to include automatic adjustment options that detect ambient light levels in the room and modify brightness and color temperature accordingly. Roku has positioned the Labs program as a way for enthusiastic users to influence product development. Anyone with a compatible Roku device can join by navigating to the settings menu and enabling the beta option. Feedback collected during this testing phase directly shapes the final version that reaches the broader audience. The company reports that previous Labs features, such as private listening improvements and enhanced accessibility options, originated from user suggestions gathered through this channel. Compatibility remains broad. The new software works on most recent Roku streaming sticks, Roku TVs from various manufacturers, and the company's streaming boxes. Older models from several years ago may receive a pared-down version of the features due to hardware limitations. Users are encouraged to check their device settings for availability. The smarter search system relies on an expanded content database that now includes metadata from over 500 streaming channels. This comprehensive coverage means results often span multiple services, presenting users with the best viewing option regardless of which app hosts the title. Price information appears alongside each result when content requires rental or purchase, helping viewers make informed decisions without opening separate applications. Privacy considerations received focus during development. All search data processing occurs with user consent, and participants can adjust how much information the system uses for personalization. Roku states that voice recordings are not stored unless explicitly saved for review, and users retain the ability to delete their history at any time through the account dashboard. Early feedback from Roku Labs members has been largely positive. Many report that the new search reduces the time spent browsing from several minutes to just seconds. Parents particularly appreciate the ability to find age-appropriate content quickly using simple voice commands. One tester mentioned discovering an entire series they had overlooked because the improved recommendations surfaced it based on similar titles they enjoyed. The update also strengthens Roku's position in the competitive streaming hardware market. While companies like Amazon, Google, and Apple continue to advance their own platforms, Roku maintains a reputation for straightforward operation and wide content availability. These latest improvements address two of the most frequent user complaints: difficulty finding specific content and inconsistent voice performance. Looking ahead, Roku plans to expand the voice capabilities even further. Future versions may include conversational memory that remembers preferences across multiple sessions. The company is also exploring integration with more third-party services to broaden the range of controllable functions through voice. For those interested in trying the new features, the process is simple. After joining Roku Labs through the device settings, the update typically downloads automatically within a few days. The interface includes clear indicators showing which features are part of the beta test. Users can provide direct feedback through the Roku mobile app or by using the built-in suggestion tool on their device. This release demonstrates Roku's continued commitment to refining the core streaming experience rather than adding flashy but rarely used capabilities. By focusing on search accuracy and voice reliability, the company addresses the practical aspects of how people actually use their streaming devices on a daily basis. The changes may appear subtle at first glance, but they significantly reduce friction in the content discovery process. The smarter search also incorporates trending information from across the streaming world. When a new season of a popular show drops, the system highlights it prominently for users who have shown interest in that series or similar programming. This proactive approach helps viewers stay current without needing to follow multiple social media accounts or entertainment news sites. Accessibility has been enhanced alongside the main features. Voice search now works more effectively with screen reader tools, and the improved natural language processing better interprets commands from users with speech variations. These changes make the platform more inclusive for a wider range of household members. Roku continues to listen to its user base through multiple channels. The Labs program represents just one avenue for input. Regular surveys, app store reviews, and direct customer support interactions all contribute to the development roadmap. This update reflects many of those collected insights, particularly around the desire for more intelligent content discovery tools. As more users gain access to the beta, additional refinements will likely emerge based on real-world usage patterns. The company has indicated that the search algorithm will continue to learn and adapt over time, becoming more accurate as it processes additional data from willing participants. The voice improvements extend to control functions beyond content search. Users can now adjust volume, change inputs, and manage smart home devices using more conversational phrases. This expanded capability turns the Roku remote into a more central part of the living room control system for many households. Overall, the update represents a meaningful step forward for the Roku platform. By making search more intelligent and voice commands more natural, the company has addressed key pain points that have persisted across previous software versions. Users who join the Labs program will get an early look at these changes while helping shape the experience for everyone else. The rollout schedule suggests that the wider public release will arrive before the holiday season, allowing new and existing Roku owners to benefit from the improvements during a period of increased streaming activity. For current users, checking the settings menu for the Labs option provides the fastest path to experiencing these enhancements firsthand. The combination of better search results, faster response times, and more intuitive voice interaction creates a noticeably smoother experience that aligns with how modern viewers expect their entertainment systems to perform. Subscribe for Updates News and insights with a focus on media transformation.

Roku launched Roku Labs, a new hub for experimental apps on its platform. The feature is part of the company's latest operating system update. The update also includes personalised home screens in additional markets and streaming subscription bundles. Roku Labs allows users to test new applications before they receive a wider release on the streaming platform. The rollout represents Roku's effort to expand its content offerings whilst giving users early access to upcoming features and apps.