1287

Roku is exploring ways to show consumers ads on its TVs even when they are not using its streaming platform: The company has been looking into injecting ads into the video feeds of third-party devices connected to its TVs, according to a recent patent filing.  

This way, when an owner of a Roku TV takes a short break from playing a game on their Xbox, or streaming something on an Apple TV device connected to the TV set, Roku would use that break to show ads. Roku engineers have even explored ways to figure out what the consumer is doing with their TV-connected device in order to display relevant advertising.

(page 2) 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] jabjoe@feddit.uk 33 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Enshitification gold rush continues. It's like now there is a word for it, all these companies are exploring how they can do it.

load more comments (5 replies)
[-] SapienSRC@lemmy.world 28 points 7 months ago

I wish I could find a TV for sale that isn't a Smart TV. It's not necessary and you get issues like this down the road. I'm sure it isn't too long until the other TV manufactures do the same thing.

load more comments (7 replies)
[-] FritzGman@lemmy.world 27 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

You know what people tend to forget?

Shareholders = Consumers of the product too

Marketing departments that come up with these assinine ideas are staffed with consumers of the product too.

As long as enough people are making bank from this stupidity, it will not stop.

The only right answer is not to give them your money. Hard to do that when they all do it and after purchase protests are kind of pointless since they already got paid. So, how to actually impact their bottom line? That's the only language they listen to.

load more comments (7 replies)
[-] net00@lemm.ee 27 points 7 months ago

I've never given money to roku, and now I'll never will

load more comments (2 replies)
[-] Buttons@programming.dev 26 points 7 months ago

Didn't know I'd have to drink a verification can just to turn on the TV

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] werefreeatlast@lemmy.world 25 points 7 months ago

Looks like I'm about to go buy another used computer to setup my streaming services using Kody.

load more comments (6 replies)
[-] AceFuzzLord@lemm.ee 25 points 7 months ago

All I heard is keep my current TV I'm using as a monitor alive for as long as possible.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] helmet91@lemmy.world 25 points 7 months ago

Luckily I'm not involved in this smart-TV saga in any way, as I haven't been watching TV since my childhood (there were no smart-TVs back then, but TV shows in my country were shit).

Now my biggest fear is, if enough people realize that smart-TVs are shit, then desktop monitors will start to become "smart" too. My life will be doomed if that happens.

[-] MonkderDritte@feddit.de 22 points 7 months ago

If they can do that, then nobody can say anything about devices doing the reverse.

load more comments (2 replies)
[-] cley_faye@lemmy.world 20 points 7 months ago

Exactly what people want: more ads.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] Fester@lemm.ee 20 points 7 months ago

Hardware that is supported by ads or requires a subscription should be free, or better yet, not exist at all. Fuck paying $800+ for a TV that leeches forced ad revenue on top of the sale.

And fuck the TV manufacturers for enabling this behavior. Bring back non-smart TVs. I’ll never use Roku or Google built-in streaming, so they shouldn’t be on my TV at all.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] WhatsThePoint@lemmy.world 19 points 7 months ago

Can you just not connect your Smart TV to the internet at all to bypass this? I never connect my Smart TVs to the internet, just my Apple TV since it’s my streamer platform. Seems like this would hamstring their ability to push ads.

load more comments (9 replies)
[-] NegativeLookBehind@lemmy.world 19 points 7 months ago

Cool so what are some good Roku alternatives?

load more comments (10 replies)
[-] henfredemars@infosec.pub 18 points 7 months ago

Roku is pretty great for what it is, but the day I see such an ad is the day it hits the bin. That would finally bother me into driving the TV with an actual PC.

[-] andyburke@fedia.io 23 points 7 months ago

As a former Roku fan, forced arbitration or a brick was the breaking point. Roku can fuck off.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (3 replies)
[-] Landmammals@lemmy.world 18 points 7 months ago

That's a fantastic way to guarantee my TV will not be connected to the internet

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] 8ender@lemmy.world 17 points 7 months ago

Roku, I already had you blocked at Pihole, but now I’m just straight up turning off your network access.

[-] phoneymouse@lemmy.world 17 points 7 months ago

Over my dead body

[-] DoucheBagMcSwag@lemmy.dbzer0.com 17 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Playing Xbox or PS5: "Game on with power thirst"

Watching Xxx content: ((Jergens ad))

Watching a movie: "Don't forget the popcorn"

No. Fuck no. All of my fuck no's that have ever fucked no

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] acr515@lemmy.world 16 points 7 months ago

Is there some open-source replacement for Roku? All I really use it for is a portal to my streaming services that’s easy to navigate with a remote. I’ve noticed my Roku become increasingly more overrun with ads ever since I started using it 4-5 years ago to my dismay, and it’s obviously not stopping any time soon. I’m vaguely aware of Plex but I have no clue where to start with setting it up or if it would even meet my needs

load more comments (19 replies)
[-] jordanlund@lemmy.world 16 points 7 months ago

Well, that would be a way to guarantee I buy a new TV...

load more comments
view more: ‹ prev next ›
this post was submitted on 04 Apr 2024
1287 points (99.2% liked)

Technology

59654 readers
2650 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.


Our Rules


  1. Follow the lemmy.world rules.
  2. Only tech related content.
  3. Be excellent to each another!
  4. Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
  5. Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
  6. Politics threads may be removed.
  7. No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
  8. Only approved bots from the list below, to ask if your bot can be added please contact us.
  9. Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed

Approved Bots


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS