Roku promises simpler streaming with new update

Image credit: Roku

Roku has announced a new update is coming to current generation streaming devices, which is designed to make the streaming experience "even simpler and more enjoyable".

The streaming device company is releasing Roku OS 9.1, and it says that it's expected to roll out to users "over the coming weeks".

One new feature of the updated operating system, Guest Mode, "enables visiting guests to sign in to subscription channels using their own account credentials", which Roku says is "perfect for short term rentals". We can certainly see it being useful for Airbnb hosts who want to give their guests a variety of entertainment options. 

Easier account linking

Another new feature is Automatic Account Link, which means users won't have to keep entering their account information to watch subscription channels when switching between different Roku devices.

For US users only, Roku has also refreshed its interface by ordering search results by release date and price, while shows on the Roku Channel brought up by voice searches will begin playing automatically instead of simply being displayed in the search results.

Roku recently welcomed Apple TV to its lineup of subscription channels, giving Apple a wider potential audience – especially with its new Apple TV+ streaming service. Whether the new service will follow suit remains to be seen, but with a release date set for the end of 2019, we'll have to wait a little while before we find out.

Olivia Tambini

Olivia was previously TechRadar's Senior Editor - Home Entertainment, covering everything from headphones to TVs. Based in London, she's a popular music graduate who worked in the music industry before finding her calling in journalism. She's previously been interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live on the subject of multi-room audio, chaired panel discussions on diversity in music festival lineups, and her bylines include T3, Stereoboard, What to Watch, Top Ten Reviews, Creative Bloq, and Croco Magazine. Olivia now has a career in PR.