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Roku

Roku to allow customers to test new software hands-on

Roku to allow customers to test new software hands-on

Roku Labs is a new program that will let viewers test new apps and give feedback.

David Satin
David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.
Read full bio ›
David Satin
•
Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.
Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.

Roku wants to hear more from its users about new software. On Thursday, the company announced the impending launch of Roku Labs in the United States, a new program that will allow viewers to get their hands on the latest apps from Roku and test them before the final versions hit the market.

Key Details:

  • Try for yourself: Roku is launching a hands-on software testing platform named Roku Labs.
  • Easy to find: Viewers can find Roku Labs on the home screen of the Roku operating system.
  • Up and running: The Roku City Dash game originated inside Roku Bals.

Roku Labs will soon be available at no cost to all Roku device owners in the U.S. Users who want to enter Roku Labs to do a little hands-on testing of the new software will find the Labs tile on the home screen of the Roku operating system for easy access.

In its press release, Roku says that Roku Labs will “give viewers early access to experimental, in-development apps — straight from Roku’s engineers and innovators — letting them test new experiences, share feedback, and directly influence what gets built next.”

In fact, Roku Labs has already produced a feature that users have taken a shine to: Roku City Dash. The original game was first announced in April, and grew out of feedback given by customers during Roku Labs testing and is now widely available on Roku devices.

The launch of Roku Labs could be a way for Roku to try to win back a little public goodwill. Recently, Roku earned the ire of consumers by raising prices on its streaming players due to ongoing RAM shortages. Roku and other companies are facing such shortages as data center construction eats into global memory supplies.

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roku.com

Roku Channel

The Roku Channel is a free, ad-supported streaming service that offers a broad mix of movies, TV shows, live linear channels, and original programming. Available to all viewers — not just Roku device owners — the service features licensed content from major studios alongside Roku Originals, which include exclusive series, movies, and specials previously produced for Quibi, as well as new original projects developed specifically for the platform.

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Programming on The Roku Channel spans multiple genres, including drama, comedy, reality TV, news, and family-friendly content. Popular titles and originals include “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story,” “Die Hart,” “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” and a rotating library of classic films and TV series. The platform also offers live news channels, sports highlights, and themed FAST channels covering everything from classic TV to lifestyle programming.

Viewers can watch The Roku Channel for free on Roku devices, smart TVs, streaming players, mobile devices, and web browsers, with no subscription required. The service is also available on platforms like Amazon Fire TV and Samsung smart TVs, expanding its reach beyond the Roku ecosystem. While ads are included, the experience is designed to be lighter than traditional broadcast television.

With its combination of free access, original content, live channels, and on-demand entertainment, The Roku Channel has become one of the most widely available and accessible streaming destinations for viewers looking to watch without a monthly subscription.

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Free
roku.com
David Satin
David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.
Read full bio ›
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