Users are unimpressed, eager to toss devices if test sticks.
  • spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    62·
    5 months ago

    Not a surprise for Roku. The company has been getting progressively worse in the last few years and their enshittification is accelerating. Their recent forced download of an update that requires users to agree to arbitration to even use our TVs was intended to ultimately take control of those TVs completely away from the people who own them.

    Right now it’s possible to block Roku’s static ads and presumably the autoplaying ones using a local DNS server like Adblock Home or Pihole, but it’s only a matter of time before Roku blocks everything unless we watch the ads they are trying force down our throats. I’m already in the process of obsoleting all 5 of our Roku devices.

    It has taken Roku years to build up enough market share to allow this kind of behavior and it will take years for the market to abandon them. Their executives will claim ignorance as to why users are walking away when it finally hits their bottom line.

  • gedaliyah@lemmy.worldEnglish
    292·
    5 months ago

    For years I was a big fan of Roku. It represented a better value alternative from the big corporations pushing their own agenda like Google, Apple, Samsung, and Amazon. They made products that were intuitive and user oriented and carved out a very nice and stable market share for themselves because of it. Now they’re just leveraging their hardware relationships to transform the software into something terrible.

    I used to look for tvs with Roku built in. Now I’ve disabled Roku features from my smart TVS and use a separate streaming device.

      • gedaliyah@lemmy.worldEnglish
        71·
        5 months ago

        I think it depends on the model, but there should be something in the power settings to change the startup device. I did a factory reset first to clear any network settings or user data, skipped the setup, and set it to startup on the HDMI input.

    • jacksilver@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      5 months ago

      I think the issue is they hit market saturation and haven’t been able to develop any real revenue streams beyond the sale of devices (which is one time cost while maintenance and development constantly drain them of any profit).

      I suspect the increased enshitification is because they need other revenue streams. Just take a look at their stock price and it doesn’t paint a great picture for them.

    • Lexam@lemmy.worldEnglish
      16·
      5 months ago

      Step 1. Factory reset.

      Step 2. Do not allow it to connect to the Internet.

      Step 3. Connect a Linux based computer to it and run everything through the computer.

      • Pika@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        6·
        5 months ago

        This method will not work on all Roku tvs, some Roku TV brands require you to phone home to activate the TV before you can use it for the first time. Which requires you to not only connect to the internet but also log into a Roku account on it. It’s stupid.

        • CeeBee_Eh@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          5 months ago

          I bought a Samsung TV that wouldn’t let me change the input until I connected it to the internet, I returned that crap within the hour.

    • ripcord@lemmy.worldEnglish
      31·
      5 months ago

      Eh, I just started connecting cheap ($30 or so) used Apple TVs to mine. I saw the writing on the wall.

  • blazeknave@lemmy.worldEnglish
    23·
    5 months ago

    Almost downvoted instinctually as a reaction to the headline. Visceral reaction. I hate this beyond belief.

  • spongebue@lemmy.worldEnglish
    13·
    5 months ago

    Looking around Roku’s site, I found this email address: AdsPR@roku.com

    I’m planning on giving them a brief but firm “oh hell no” letter. I wonder how many others will do the same 🤔

  • nul9o9@lemmy.worldEnglish
    12·
    5 months ago

    Roku had the best smart tv ui. I was seriously bummed when the ads started rolling in a few years ago.

    I want an open source streaming client, but from what I hear DRM gets in the way of that.

    • Fixxelious@lemmy.worldEnglish
      5·
      5 months ago

      Bro they already tried charging you monthly sub for unlocking seat heating functionality… if they are not already here, you can bet they are coming.

  • Brotha_Jaufrey@lemmy.worldEnglish
    10·
    5 months ago

    I only ever tried using a Roku so I could stream my PC to my smart TV, but it turns out there’s MASSIVE latency. Of course I returned it. If I had to deal with that AND ADS, I would have set that shit on fire

  • Tantheiel@lemmy.worldEnglish
    81·
    5 months ago

    So glad I blocked my TVs access to the Internet at the router level. Never complainrd about not setting up a network if the network doesn’t work.

  • drascus@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    6·
    5 months ago

    I have a vero-V but honestly the apps are lack luster. Its amazing if you have your own library of content. I saw my first homescreen add on roku yesterday. I am pissed.