What’s Next For Roku?

If you have been a Roku user for awhile, you know that Roku is constantly evolving their hardware, software, and general way of doing business.

Several recent reports have came out with possible peeks into the what next evolution of the Roku product might be. Let’s take a look at those reports below.

Roku Remote Upgrade

Zats Not Funny reports that Roku is going for a major upgrade with it’s remote controls. Accord to their report Roku remotes will also be able to control your power as well as volume functions on your TV.

4K HDR Roku Streaming Stick

In the previously mentioned report Zats also confirms that a $K HDR Roku Streaming Stick+ is coming to the new Roku device lineup. Zats has a great track record of breaking Roku device news, so I am confident this is happening.

Roku Echo?

Could Roku be looking to turn itself into an audio hub like Amazon Echo? Variety seems to think so. In a recent report, Variety cites Roku’s recent job posting for audio engineers. They also talk about Jim Cortez working for Roku. Jim apparently was a co-founder of Ivee. Ivee produces the Ivee Voice, “a hardware device home voice assistant with a voice-centric interface. The device could set alarms, answer general knowledge questions, play music, and much more.”

Could Roku be looking to expand their footprint beyond your TV? It definitely looks plausible.

Roku Is Going In Strong Against Piracy

Roku has actively discouraged piracy, and strongly policed it’s Roku channel store for channels carrying illegal content. Roku was even known to ban private channels not listed in it’s channel store when these channels were brought to their attention.

With a recent ban on Roku devices in some parts of Mexico, as well as the pending IPO of Roku stock, the company appears to be trying to clean up any cracks in their eco-system where piracy can squeak through.

Torrent Freak reports that Roku is building an anti-piracy team. The report cites two job postings related to the new team:

  • Director Anti-Piracy and Content Security. “The Director, Anti-Piracy and Content Security is responsible for defining the technology roadmap and overseeing implementation of anti-piracy and content security initiatives at Roku.
    This role requires ability to benchmark Roku against best practices (i.e. MPAA, Studio & Customer) but also requires an emphasis on maintaining deep insight into the evolving threat landscape and technical challenges of combating piracy.”
  • Anti-piracy software engineer. “In this role, you will be responsible for implementing anti-piracy and content protection technology as it pertains to Roku OS.This entails developing software features, conducting forensic investigations and mining Roku’s big data platform and other threat intelligence sources for copyright infringement activities on and off platform.”

That wraps up the current news and rumors concerning what is next for Roku. Have you seen any rumors, or have suggestions for changes Roku should make? Comment below.

William B. West

William B. West

William B. West has been an internet journalist since 1998. Writing for a total of 25 pro wrestling news sites at his peak, before retiring only to return to online journalism in 2011. Currently William is editor of WBWTV.com, a contributor to WrestleOhio.com, and editor in chief of PowYeah.com & Rokuki.com.

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