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Roku OS
Screenshot
Roku OS home screen, TV remote, mobile app
DeveloperRoku Inc
Written inC, BrightScript (scripting language), SceneGraph (object-oriented XML framework)
OS familyLinux on embedded systems
Working stateCurrent
Source modelClosed-source
Released to
manufacturing		2004
Latest release12.5 / October 2023[1]
Marketing targetStreaming television
Package managerropm [2]
PlatformsARM Cortex-A53, ARM Cortex-A55, ARM Cortex-A73, ARM Cortex A35, ARM quad core 1 GHz, ARM dual core 1.2 GHz [3][4]
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux)
Default
user interface		Graphical (Multi-touch)
LicenseProprietary
Official websitewww.roku.com/how-it-works/roku-os

The Roku OS is an operating system, developed by Roku Inc, that powers smart TVs, streaming devices and smart speakers. It is a Linux based streaming platform. The Roku OS comprises proprietary software, a customized user interface centered on content consumption, and links to channels and other content available from Roku's Channel Store. In 2022, the Roku OS led the streaming devices and smart TVs sector in the US, and had 70 million user accounts.

History

In January 2004, Roku's digital media player, called HD1000, was powered by the Roku OS.[5] The Roku OS was reportedly based on Linux with kernel version 2.4.18, and leveraged open-source software, including Samba, Busybox, jpeglib, zlib etc. The Roku OS also accompanied a C/C++ based software development kit (SDK), for its media player, to provide a development environment supporting Windows, Mac, or Linux-based hosts.

In June 2018, WIRED wrote that Roku devices running Roku OS 8.0 or lower were found to be vulnerable to a web attack of type DNS rebinding.[6] The WIRED article also cited Roku as saying that it had created a software patch in response, and was rolling out the patch to its customers. In May 2021, Engadget reported on an "exploit" which took advantage of two vulnerabilities, in Roku OS versions lower than 10, to enable a "persistent root jailbreak" on Roku devices. The exploit gave users control over what channels they installed. Roku stated in response that it had mitigated the vulnerabilities by updating Roku OS 9.4.[7]

In March 2023, the Roku OS was reported to have 70 million active accounts[8], and was reported to have led the US smart TV and streaming device sector in 2022.[9]

Features

The Roku OS is a Linux-based closed-source streaming platform which runs free channels such as the Roku Channel, ABC, NBC and Pluto TV, and subscription channels such as Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu.[10][11] The operating system powers Roku TVs, streaming devices and smart speakers.[11][12] According to Roku, the operating system is able to run on low power chips using small memory footprints.[13] The operating system has been suggested to be not as "eye-catching" as other similar operating systems while offering easy access to streaming content.[14]

The Roku OS offers access to Roku's Channel Store to browse available streaming channels.[11][15] The operating system also offers features such as content search, voice control, "private listening" (using bluetooth headphones), "continue watching", "screen mirroring" (to mirror a smartphone screen or a computer screen to TV), "guest mode", parental controls and custom photo screensavers.[11][16][17]

Roku OS 10.5 or higher supports an "independent developer kit" (IDK), meant for Roku devices, to allow developers to create streaming channels and other applications.[18][19]

Devices

Consumer products running the Roku OS include:

  • Roku's streaming devices such as the Roku Express[20]
  • Roku branded smart TVs[21], Roku's own smart TVs[22]
  • Roku-branded home entertainment devices, including smart speakers[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ Archer (2023-10-04). "Roku Unveils Extensive New Platform Update—Including Expert 4K Picture Settings". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  2. ^ RokuCommunity (September 2023). "A package manager for the Roku platform". Github. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  3. ^ Palermo (2021-10-15). "Roku Streaming Stick 4K Review: Midrange, But Definitely Not Middling". Cord Cutters News. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  4. ^ Palermo (2020-10-15). "Roku Ultra 2020 Review: More Speed, More Features, and a Bit More Ultra". Cord Cutters News. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  5. ^ LinuxDevices Staff (2004-01-08). "SDK, coding contest launch around Linux-based HDTV media player". linuxdevices.org. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  6. ^ Newman, Lily Hay (2018-06-19). "Millions of Streaming Devices Are Vulnerable to a Retro Web Attack". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  7. ^ Lawler, Richard (2021-05-18). "Roku jailbreak gives users control over what channels they install". Engadget. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  8. ^ Sarangapurkar, Vishnu (2023-03-09). "Roku is getting a big update, brings its new smart TVs to Best Buy". Android Central. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  9. ^ "Android TV, Fire TV grew streaming OS market share with new strategies in 2022". www.spglobal.com. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  10. ^ Price, Dan (2019-12-13). "What's the Best Smart TV Operating System?". MUO. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  11. ^ a b c d Cohen, Simon (2023-08-04). "What is Roku? The streaming platform fully explained". Digital Trends. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  12. ^ a b Jarvey, Natalie (2018-01-03). "CES: Roku Expands Into Audio Devices With Home Entertainment Licensing Program". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  13. ^ Frankellast, Daniel (2020-09-17). "Roku Devices Are 'Much Cheaper to Build' vs. Android TV, CFO Says". NextTV. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  14. ^ Maring, Joseph (2021-04-14). "Roku OS 10: All The New Features & Upgrades Explained". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  15. ^ Button, Chris (2022-11-04). "Roku TV finally comes to Australia courtesy of TCL". GadgetGuy. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  16. ^ Rahmat, Omid (2023-03-10). "Roku and Google Updated Their TV Apps". displaydaily.com. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  17. ^ Patterson, Ben (2022-09-12). "Roku OS 11.5 boosts "continue watching" and "save list" features". TechHive. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  18. ^ Keck, Catie (2021-10-29). "Roku launches new personal-use developer kit". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  19. ^ Siegal, Jacob (2022-02-26). "Roku just added a great new feature that Netflix has had for years". BGR. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  20. ^ Onawole, Habeeb (2022-09-13). "Roku OS 11.5: All The New Features Coming To Your Roku Device". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  21. ^ Goode, Lauren (2016-03-10). "The first 4K Roku TVs are now shipping, and they're relatively cheap". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  22. ^ Cipriani, Jason (2023-04-25). "Roku Plus Series Smart TV Review: An Impressively Good Deal". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
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