In ‘garbage’ move, Roku testing auto-playing video ads before loading the home screen

Roku has confirmed user reports that it is testing auto-playing video ads before loading the home screen. Owners of Roku-powered smart TVs are understandably unimpressed … Owners of Roku devices recently started reporting the ads on Reddit and other forums. “I just turned on my Roku and got an unskippable ad for a movie, before I got to the regular Roku homescreen. Has anyone else experienced this?” “I also had that happen today. If it keeps up my Roku devices will be in the trash.” “Yes this started last night for me. Pretty disappointing and intrusive.” Roku confirmed the move to Arstechnica, stating that it was a “test.” When reached for comment, a Roku spokesperson shared a company statement that confirms that the autoplaying ads are expected behavior but not a permanent part of Roku OS currently. Instead, Roku claimed, it was just trying the ad capability out. Roku’s representative said that Roku’s business “has and will always require continuous testing and innovation across ... Read full article.