Roku has introduced a batch of new features amid the rollout of OS 7.5, including a live TV pause capability for integrated Roku TVs that use a digital antenna to capture free over-the-air TV signals.
Roku said the new OTA-TV feature, seemingly targeted to cord-cutters and cord-nevers, lets users pause TV for up to 90 minutes, though this capability requires a USB storage device with 16 gigabytes or more of storage to be connected to the Roku TV. Hitachi America, Haier America, Sharp, Insignia (Best Buy’s in-house brand), and Hisense are among Roku’s TV partners.
Roku’s OS 7.5 update also brings the mobile private listening feature to Roku TVs, putting that on par with a capability offered on “current-generation” Roku streaming player (models that are post May 2011). Roku TV users can enable that when using the OTT platform in tandem with the Roku mobile app (so long as the devices are connected to the same wireless network).
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The company said OS 7.5 and the updated Roku mobile app for iOS and Android also enable multiple people to use the Play on Roku feature on a Roku device, while also adding screen mirroring to more models, including the Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+ and Roku Ultra.
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With the update, Roku streaming player models with remotes with on-board volume buttons can now control the volume level of TVs and audio receivers that support volume control via HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC).
Roku announced earlier this year that it has about 10.6 million active accounts, meaning that they have done some streaming in the last 30 days.
