The long-awaited Roku OS 13 is finally rolling out to all supported devices in the United States. The update brings many new features and improvements that Roku teased in the last couple of months.
One of the most important changes coming to compatible devices is Roku Smart Picture, which automatically improves picture quality dynamically as users stream.
Furthermore, backlighting, uniformity, and colors will also automatically adjust based on the type of TV, while Picture Mode will optimize across detected content types including sports, movies, reality, animation, and more.
To take advantage of the new Roku Smart Picture, you’ll have to press the * button on a Roku Remote while streaming and click into Picture Setting then Picture Mode. Keep in mind that this feature will not override Dolby Vision and HDR10+ formats if they are detected on compatible devices.
Another new feature coming to Roku devices is Backdrops. This allows users to select from a catalog of free artwork or their personal images to display on their TV when they are not streaming.
A Backdrops app will be pre-installed on user’s devices and is accessible through the home screen app grid. This specific feature will be available on Roku TV models in the coming months followed by streaming players at a later date.
In addition to these two new features, Roku also announced updates to the mobile app. For instance, the navigation tabs located at the bottom of the Roku Mobile app home screen will include Search and Account, joining the existing Home, Remote, and Devices tabs.
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Apart from that, the search experience has been redesigned for more simple, visual discovery across the Roku platform. After updating to the latest version, users will see rows of top-searched movies and TV shows, along with popular genres, and be able to add what interests them to their Save List for viewing at a later time.
Other important changes coming with Roku OS 13 include IMDb ratings, Roku Voice for Search Keyboard, and trailers. Finally, the new Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd Edition) is getting Quick Launch and Guide buttons.
Cosmin, a tech journalist with a career spanning over a decade, brings a wealth of experience to PhoneArena. His expertise lies in brands like Samsung and Nokia, and he has a keen interest in innovative technologies. After a brief stint in PR, Cosmin returned to tech journalism in 2016, committed to delivering clear and objective news. When he's not writing or appearing as a guest on TV and radio shows, Cosmin enjoys playing RPGs, watching Netflix, and nurturing his passion for history and travel.
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