Roku just unveiled the biggest overhaul to its smart TV operating system (OS) in 10 years. The most noticeable difference is a new ad space that takes up a large chunk of the screen’s right side.
Before the update, loading up a Roku OS-powered smart TV or streaming device would yield a menu on the left side with sections including “What to Watch,” “Live,” and “Search.” The right side had a row of tiles for “Recommended” content above several rows of tiles representing downloaded apps.
The old Roku home screen. Credit: Roku The right side of the new Roku OS home screen is dedicated to ads. The ad remains visible as you navigate different parts of the Roku menu, taking away space that could be used for displaying apps and content.
