Roku TVs can now detect what you’re watching on cable to see if it’s available on Netflix
Televisions with Roku’s software preinstalled can now
automatically detect what you’re watching via cable, satellite, or an
antenna. The new feature, coming to Roku TVs as part of a the latest operating system update,
is called “More Ways to Watch” and is designed to show you whenever a
show or movie you’ve got on can also be streamed using popular services
like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Video. This could allow you to watch an
in-progress episode from the beginning, find other episodes of a series,
or view recommendations for similar content.
Roku uses Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology
to recognize what’s currently being viewed in your living room. Somewhat
creepy, yet also helpful! Not that the creepy side is stopping other companies
from doing the same thing. Roku is at least being careful about how
it’s all being implemented. More Ways to Watch requires customers to
opt-in once the feature is rolled out or whenever they perform an
initial out-of-box setup on a Roku TV. Only Roku TVs are doing this
right now; your streaming set-top box isn’t (yet) detecting what you’re
watching.
Other new additions that are part of the Roku OS
7.6 update include thumbnails for live TV pause, choosing favorite
channels when you’re watching TV through an antenna, and giving custom
names to inputted devices.
The update will roll out over the next few weeks and Roku
estimates it will reach all compatible devices by June. For 4K Roku TVs
in particular, More Ways to Watch will be available sometime this
summer.
The article was published on : theverge
Post a Comment