Roku just kicked off a major update rollout, bringing a refreshed homescreen, a new “Labs” program for experimental apps, and the option to bundle streaming subscriptions to save money.
What’s New in Roku Labs & Experimental Apps
Coming soon, Roku Labs will let viewers try out apps still in experimental stages. Among the first offerings is a game called Roku City Dash, alongside new first-party Roku apps for Stocks and Weather. There’s also Backdrops Studio, which lets users customize their TV’s screensaver artwork.
Revamped Homescreen Hits New Regions
After launching in the US back in May, Roku’s redesigned homescreen is now rolling out to Brazil and Mexico, with localized tweaks. The update also improves content discovery with smarter search tools and personalized recommendations. Voice commands are getting upgraded too — beyond searching for shows, users will now be able to request weather previews and more by voice.
Bundling Subscriptions to Trim Costs
Perhaps the biggest move is Roku’s new subscription bundles. Available in the US and Mexico, these bundles combine popular services like AMC+, FOX One, Hallmark+, Howdy, and STARZ. With over 30 combinations to choose from, Roku claims savings of up to 30% versus subscribing to each service separately. Users can manage bundles directly from their Roku device or online.
Another noteworthy development: Roku is making LT OS, the operating system that runs the Roku remote control, open source.
This update suite — Labs, homescreen redesign, subscription bundles — touches both user experience and content access, suggesting Roku is leaning into flexibility and experimentation. What to watch: how users respond to the experimental apps and whether the bundles will genuinely reduce churn. Also worth noting is how Roku’s open-sourcing LT OS might open doors for more remote integrations or community-driven tweaks — a longer-term shift in Roku’s system strategy.
