Check your Roku for this update

Roku users have seen a series of recent updates that improve the overall streaming and browsing experience, as well as new features. For example, Roku finally added cloud DVR support in one of the latest updates. In February, Roku also began testing a new home screen layout. In a similar vein, Roku released Roku OS 15.2, aiming to further improve the experience, but it is primarily aimed at developers creating content for the platform, particularly apps and services. But these changes will have a snowball effect, significantly changing some of the most frustrating aspects of Roku’s ecosystem.

The tangible benefits of the update will become more evident and widespread as developers take advantage of the new advancements. Roku’s Perfetto-based application tracing tool has been upgraded, allowing developers to “view the BrightScript heap graph to inform (them) which SceneGraph and BrightScript objects are consuming the most memory.” » It also extends the BrightScript APIs with low-memory event notifications, remote control information, and supports AES-GCM encryption ciphers.

The updated information monitors will allow developers to see which application processes are using more system resources, like memory, so they can reduce and optimize them to create more lightweight services. This should indeed result in smoother browsing, faster app launches, more stable video playback, and also fewer app crashes. Major frustrations when using Roku devices come from intermittent freezes, slow navigation when moving between menus, and delayed reactions leading to repeated and unnecessary button presses. These performance changes should help resolve a lot of these issues.

Roku is rolling out its updates gradually over several weeks to compatible Roku devices, so you can see these updates live on your device anywhere between now and June. Roku does this with stability and performance improvements introduced in the meantime to ensure the entire process runs smoothly. Not to mention, the ecosystem of Roku devices is diverse, ranging from real streaming sticks and media players to built-in TV hardware. Not everyone will receive updates at the same time.

More importantly, since Roku OS 15.2 has many backend changes aimed at developers, it will also depend on when apps are updated and take advantage of new technologies. To check which version of the Roku operating system your device is running, go to Settings > System > About, and you will see the version number listed next to Software Version. You can also see the Hardware ID and Model there to identify which Roku device you have, if you’re not sure.

You can also go to Settings > System > Software Update to check for available updates. If you don’t have update 15.2 yet, don’t worry; The previous version, 15.1, added new Roku TV features to help you better organize your Home screen, as well as a host of other improvements. Roku seems to be getting better and better.