Roku Labs Brings Experimental Apps, Bundles and Open Source Software to TVs
Roku Labs brings experimental weather, stock and gaming apps to U.S. TVs, plus personalized screens, streaming bundles and open-source remote software.
Summary
On September 17, 2026, Roku unveiled a Roku OS update introducing Roku Labs, a Home Screen tile giving U.S. customers access to company-built apps still in development. Initial apps track weather and stocks, while Roku Dash lets players fly a UFO through Roku City, Roku’s neon purple and pink default screensaver featuring pop culture references and advertisements. The first-party experiments could become monetizable services that strengthen Roku’s position in connected households.
Roku is also expanding its newer personalized Home Screen to Mexico and Brazil with localized content and tailored suggestions, while its voice assistant gains weather answers. Customers in the U.S. and Mexico will be able to mix and match typically cheaper subscriptions from AMC+, Fox ONE, Hallmark+, Howdy and Starz. Roku will open-source Roku LT OS, the software powering its remote, potentially enabling developers and makers to create applications and devices. Roku still faces often more advanced AI-powered connected TV products from Google and Amazon, supported by Gemini and Alexa+.
Positives
- Three initial Roku Labs apps bring weather tracking, stock monitoring and Roku Dash gaming directly to U.S. Home Screens.
- Mexico and Brazil gain Roku’s personalized Home Screen with localized content and tailored suggestions.
- AMC+, Fox ONE, Hallmark+, Howdy and Starz subscriptions can be combined into typically cheaper bundles in the U.S. and Mexico.
- Roku LT OS will become open source, potentially supporting applications and devices from outside developers and makers.
- Roku’s voice assistant can now answer weather-related questions.
Risks & concerns
- Roku Labs remains limited to U.S. customers despite the broader Home Screen expansion into Mexico and Brazil.
- The weather, stock and Roku Dash apps are still in development, leaving their final capabilities unsettled.
- Google’s Gemini and Amazon’s Alexa+ support connected TV products that are often more advanced than Roku’s offering.
