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Yeah I liked them initially, but have since thrown out all their crap and bought Apple TVs. Once Apple got Amazon prime streaming roku lost their only differen

Yeah I liked them initially, but have since thrown out all their crap and bought Apple TVs. Once Apple got Amazon prime streaming roku lost their only differentiating feature. The ads really annoyed me to the extent that I don’t care if they fail.

HelloMcFly 5y ago
Roku's differentiating feature has always been simplicity and universal search. Does Apple TV offer universal search across content providers? I'm asking, I don't know, but it's the one feature I can't give up.
- gonehome 5y ago
  Yep - you can search across all installed apps.
  - pchristensen 5y ago
    Content providers can choose what content to expose to the universal search. Most do, notably Netflix does not, so you can't find Netflix content using Siri.
    - jjeaff 5y ago
      Android tv does. Which you can get on an Nvidia shield or a cheaper off brand device on Amazon. Just be sure to get one that is certified for Netflix. (I think it's some kind of DRM that has to be on the device for the Netflix app to work).
    - lotsofpulp 5y ago
      That is one reason I canceled Netflix, and will not re subscribe until they opt in. Here’s the list of content providers that do integrate: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208083 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208083
- rashkov 5y ago
  I really enjoy using JustWatch for this. Their service allows you to search across all the streaming services, and browsing through their suggestions is fun. I also like using it to keep track of what I’ve watched and what I’d like to watch in the future. Their mobile app is pretty solid too.
datavirtue 5y ago
I have been on Roku forever now and I'm always wondering about these people freaking out about the ads there. It is no where close to the ad intrusion of YouTube. They are not animated, have no sound, and basically stay out of the way. It's like the shinning example of how to do ads.
- gonehome 5y ago
  I pay for YouTube Premium - I have a more than average negative response to ads. For me if I'm paying for something I don't want ads. If you charge me and then also double dip with ads I'll try to find something else that doesn't.
- dtjb 5y ago
  Roku ads take up the entire right half of the main launch screen, visible every time you turn on the TV or change apps. They've recently started displaying branded ads that are even more intrusive, taking over the entire theme + wallpaper (I recall they did this for Mandalorian, Soul, some other big movie launches). YouTube ads help fund content creators. Roku ads are being displayed on a stand alone device that I already paid $100 for.
  - cptskippy 5y ago
    Disable the dynamic wall paper and you won't get branded/sponsored ones.
  - plushpuffin 5y ago
    Also, it's possible to disable that home screen ad, if you mess around in the secret settings screen. Hit Home 5 times. Hit Up, Right, Down, Left, Up. You're now on a secret settings screen. I don't know what its purpose is, internal development? Channel development? Set Image Service to "Dev" Set Home Screen Ad Banner URL to "Demo2" Do a Reset/Refresh of cached settings. Go to main Settings/System and reboot for good measure. When you get back to the Roku home screen you shouldn't see changing ads anymore, just a static black and white Apple AirPlay image.
    - 5y ago

HelloMcFly 5y ago

Roku's differentiating feature has always been simplicity and universal search. Does Apple TV offer universal search across content providers? I'm asking, I don't know, but it's the one feature I can't give up.

gonehome 5y ago
Yep - you can search across all installed apps.
- pchristensen 5y ago
  Content providers can choose what content to expose to the universal search. Most do, notably Netflix does not, so you can't find Netflix content using Siri.
  - jjeaff 5y ago
    Android tv does. Which you can get on an Nvidia shield or a cheaper off brand device on Amazon. Just be sure to get one that is certified for Netflix. (I think it's some kind of DRM that has to be on the device for the Netflix app to work).
  - lotsofpulp 5y ago
    That is one reason I canceled Netflix, and will not re subscribe until they opt in. Here’s the list of content providers that do integrate: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208083 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208083
rashkov 5y ago
I really enjoy using JustWatch for this. Their service allows you to search across all the streaming services, and browsing through their suggestions is fun. I also like using it to keep track of what I’ve watched and what I’d like to watch in the future. Their mobile app is pretty solid too.

datavirtue 5y ago

I have been on Roku forever now and I'm always wondering about these people freaking out about the ads there. It is no where close to the ad intrusion of YouTube. They are not animated, have no sound, and basically stay out of the way. It's like the shinning example of how to do ads.

gonehome 5y ago
I pay for YouTube Premium - I have a more than average negative response to ads. For me if I'm paying for something I don't want ads. If you charge me and then also double dip with ads I'll try to find something else that doesn't.
dtjb 5y ago
Roku ads take up the entire right half of the main launch screen, visible every time you turn on the TV or change apps. They've recently started displaying branded ads that are even more intrusive, taking over the entire theme + wallpaper (I recall they did this for Mandalorian, Soul, some other big movie launches). YouTube ads help fund content creators. Roku ads are being displayed on a stand alone device that I already paid $100 for.
- cptskippy 5y ago
  Disable the dynamic wall paper and you won't get branded/sponsored ones.
- plushpuffin 5y ago
  Also, it's possible to disable that home screen ad, if you mess around in the secret settings screen. Hit Home 5 times. Hit Up, Right, Down, Left, Up. You're now on a secret settings screen. I don't know what its purpose is, internal development? Channel development? Set Image Service to "Dev" Set Home Screen Ad Banner URL to "Demo2" Do a Reset/Refresh of cached settings. Go to main Settings/System and reboot for good measure. When you get back to the Roku home screen you shouldn't see changing ads anymore, just a static black and white Apple AirPlay image.
  - 5y ago