Platform Market: Roku launches Labs hub for experimental apps

Roku has announced the latest update to its Roku OS, introducing a new feature called Roku Labs that allows U.S. customers to access experimental apps developed by the company. These still-in-development apps are accessible via a new tile on the Home Screen and initially include weather and stock tracking apps, as well as a new game called Roku Dash, where users fly a UFO across the company's screensaver, 'Roku City.' The initiative suggests Roku is increasing investment in potentially monetizable first-party apps. Additionally, Roku is expanding its personalized Home Screen to Mexico and Brazil, enabling its Voice assistant to answer weather questions, and offering bundled subscriptions with smaller streaming services like AMC+, Fox ONE, Hallmark+, Howdy, and Starz. Roku also announced it is open-sourcing the software behind its remote, Roku LT OS.