'Essentially, they wanted us to read their minds': Roku is rolling out a huge free upgrade to the Home Screen on its TVs and streaming devices and the company explains how it arrived at the new personalized, sometimes AI-driven, redesign

Date:
Wed, 27 May 2026 14:16:59 +0000

Description:
Roku unveiled its biggest Home Screen update in a decade, and it leans into personalization and some AI.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter The Roku interface is getting a huge update It leans into organization, with some AI It remains recognizable for long-term users, though Your Roku TV Home Screen is getting a significant free update but don't worry, it'll still feel familiar.

I often tell people that the best TV remote in the business is from Roku. Nothing even comes close, but what's often overlooked in the mix is the Roku interface or Home Screen for your Roku device or TV. It's not only simple,
but playful. The sleep screen is a hideout of iconic pop-culture references, slightly altered so as not to incur intellectual property wrath, but we all get the inside jokes. The business side of the interface, where you navigate platforms and content via tiles, is just as simple. Latest Videos From You
may like Roku just added 6 more free streaming channels, and expands Instant Resume Amazon announces a free Fire TV upgrade and reveals a new Fire TV
Stick Roku is releasing two new projectors and a free update for its devices

"Simplicity has always been our north star," noted Margaret Schmidt, Roku's
VP User Experience & Design. Some of the research Roku did, including eye-tracking, is on screen here. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future) As a longtime Roku customer, first on my TCL 65-inch TV and now on a variety of sticks and set-top boxes, I was a bit worried about this Home Screen update. Why mess with what works?

But the changes, which were announced today (May 27, 2026), look mostly intelligent (yes, there's even some AI) and still on-brand for the company with a purple, playful spirit (and a reported 100 million households).

The updates focus on personalization and content access, and run relatively deep. "This is our first major update to Roku Home Screen in a decade," said Preston Smalley Roku VP of Viewer Product, during Wednesday's launch event. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our
trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

As for why now, Smalley said Roku research showed them that "It's not always as easy as it should be to find something to watch, even with all that content." (This may qualify as the understatement of the year.)

When I use my Roku devices, I often quickly navigate to Sling TV, where I watch most of my local broadcast channels. In Roku's new interface, there's now a Quick Access panel, so I don't need to scroll or hunt for the tile. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Roku) (Image credit: Roku) Of course, Roku had to get in on the AI craze, and now it's using it to power the zeitgeist-rich
"You Daily Scoop," which presents trending shows and other pop culture events like celebrity birthdays. What to read next Google TV will now push vertical YouTube Shorts right on your homescreen I spoke to the CEO of a TV manufacturer about the future of TV hardware Netflix made a big change to its Apple TV app, removing a ton of functions

It lives inside the new "For You" section that will, of course, try to
surface content you might like based on past activities. Roku claims your selection will be unlike anyone else's.

As Rohit Mahto, Roku's Director of Recommendations, explained, "[Users]
expect deeper personalization from day one. But he added that there are literally billions of home screen permutations. "Machine learning and AI helped us get it right," he added.

When I asked about the level of AI at work here, Mahto explained that "it's a mixed bag thing." While they use "state-of-the-art LLMs," the focus for Roku is different. "We are hyper-focused on the streaming space, streaming data." (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future) Roku's approach is similar to what
I've seen from Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV. I don't mind it. However, these feeds often lead to services and platforms where you're not already a subscriber. Hopefully, Roku sticks with the services you already use and doesn't try to squeeze in or tease new shows on platforms where you're not already a subscriber.

To help with the "what to watch" hunt, Roku is introducing "Destinations," a sort of mood-based section. You know, "What are you in the mood for?" It
gives you broad, category-based selections.

In Roku's research, they found "82% wanted to turn on their TV and have the show they have in mind right at the top of their TV. Essentially, they wanted us to read their minds, said Smalley. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Roku)
(Image credit: Roku) The interface has also been reorganized, with a
collapsed Home Screen menu and shortcuts that get you more quickly to, say, where you left off with "Continue Watching".

Finally, City Tile gives you a closer look at Roku City. It basically takes you through all the sometimes hidden features for more discovery and, of course, engagement.

Summarizing the changes, Smalley said, "Its really moving from a static app grid to something thats dynamic and personalized around you." As for what's next for Roku and the Home Screen, he said, "Were only just getting started.

Roku says these changes are rolling out now, though we expect it may take a bit of time for them to show up on all of your Roku devices. I'll be checking mine tonight. Thinking of buying a new TV? Try our TV size and model finder! You tell it how far you sit from your TV, we'll tell you what size to buy based on viewing angle advice from image quality experts, and we'll recommend our three top TVs at that size for different prices. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/televisions/streaming-devices/essentially-they-wante d-us-to-read-their-minds-roku-is-rolling-out-a-huge-free-upgrade-to-the-home-s creen


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)