Roku is exploring ways to show consumers ads on its TVs even when they are not using its streaming platform: The company has been looking into injecting ads into the video feeds of third-party devices connected to its TVs, according to a recent patent filing.

This way, when an owner of a Roku TV takes a short break from playing a game on their Xbox, or streaming something on an Apple TV device connected to the TV set, Roku would use that break to show ads. Roku engineers have even explored ways to figure out what the consumer is doing with their TV-connected device in order to display relevant advertising.

  • m-p{3}@lemmy.ca
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    3 months ago

    Any company trying to use the HDMI-CEC protocol in such a subversive manner should lose their license to the HDMI standard IMO.

  • acr515@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Is there some open-source replacement for Roku? All I really use it for is a portal to my streaming services that’s easy to navigate with a remote. I’ve noticed my Roku become increasingly more overrun with ads ever since I started using it 4-5 years ago to my dismay, and it’s obviously not stopping any time soon. I’m vaguely aware of Plex but I have no clue where to start with setting it up or if it would even meet my needs

  • tal@lemmy.today
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    3 months ago

    This way, when an owner of a Roku TV takes a short break from playing a game on their Xbox, or streaming something on an Apple TV device connected to the TV set, Roku would use that break to show ads.

    But what if I want to have ads playing while I’m playing XBox? Can the Roku analyze the image, identify 3d surfaces in the game I’m playing, and plaster ads on them so that they look integrated with the game?

  • RunningInRVA@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Imagine being the guy working on this and how much you hate yourself anytime somebody asks you what you are working on.

  • qwertyqwertyqwerty@lemmy.one
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    3 months ago

    Is there an anti-ad community on Lemmy? Or another non-Lemmy place to work through blocking/avoiding this bullshit? I’m so fed up with the advertisement industry. I don’t want ads on my devices. I don’t want ads in my operating systems. I don’t want ads in my content. I don’t want ads in the sky. I don’t want ads in the ocean. I don’t want to be forced to see or hear ads while putting gas in my car.

    I really can’t emphasize how much I am willing to go through to rid my life completely of advertisements.

      • frostysauce@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        Perfect. Then people can avoid ads at that gas station by going to another gas station with ads!

  • 8ender@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Roku, I already had you blocked at Pihole, but now I’m just straight up turning off your network access.