In January 2004, Roku's digital media player, called HD1000, was powered by the Roku OS.[8] The Roku OS was reportedly based on Linux with kernel version 2.4.18, and leveraged open-source software, including Samba, Busybox, jpeglib, and zlib. The Roku OS also accompanied a C/C++ based software development kit (SDK), for its media player, in order to provide a development environment supporting Windows, Mac, or Linux-based hosts.[8]
2014–2017: Extension to smart TVs
According to a news report in August 2014, The Roku OS featured on a Hisense TV model.[9] Later, in June 2015, it was reported that the operating system powered an Insignia TV model.[10] In October 2015, Roku announced the release of Roku OS 7. This release allowed television viewers using Roku’s streaming devices to "follow" actors, directors, as well as TV shows and films.[11] In June 2016, Roku OS 7.2 was launched,[12] followed by a Roku OS 8 release announcement in October 2017. The latter operating system release featured single sign-on for paid TV customers and integration of TV programming from over-the-air TV, among other updates.[13]
2018–2021: New features, vulnerabilities
In June 2018, WIRED wrote that Roku devices running Roku OS 8.0 or lower were found to be vulnerable to a type of web attack known as DNS rebinding.[14] The WIRED article also cited Roku as saying that it had created a software patch in response, and was rolling out the patch to its customers.[14]
April 2019 saw the release of Roku OS 9.1 adding "automatic account linking" (sparing users from re-entering login credentials previously entered on a Roku streaming device or TV), genre search, smarter voice control and other features.[15]
In April 2021, Roku announced the release of Roku OS 10, which featured "instant resume" for streaming channels, automatic configuration for gaming consoles, AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support to Roku HD streaming boxes and TVs etc. In May 2021, Engadget reported on an "exploit" which took advantage of two vulnerabilities, in Roku OS versions lower than 10, to enable a "persistent root jailbreak" on Roku devices. The exploit gave users control over what channels they installed. Roku stated in response that it had mitigated the vulnerabilities by updating Roku OS 9.4.
2022–present: Usage growth
In March 2022, Roku announced Roku OS 11, adding new audio options, custom photo screensavers and more.[17]
In March 2023, the Roku OS was reported to have 70 million active accounts[18] and to have led the US smart TV and streaming device sector in 2022.[19][4] In October 2023, Roku announced Roku OS 12.5, which focused on sports, live TV, and easier content discovery.[20]
In April 2024, the Roku OS was reported to be the TV operating system with the largest share of TVs sold in the U.S. and Mexico during January-March 2024, accounting for approximately 40% of sales in each country.[21]
