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.

  • @BradleyUffner
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    409 months ago

    This sounds like it could display ads over your pirated content.

    • @[email protected]
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      199 months ago

      Only if you’re the kind of absolute dolt to let your television connect to the internet

      • @[email protected]
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        59 months ago

        I am not looking forward to the point where more hardware manufacturers start taking the route that automobile manufacturers are currently taking and start building cell radios into the thing.

        • @[email protected]
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          89 months ago

          I can’t wait for the new brand of unboxing videos which entail opening up the device and removing the modem.

        • LostXOR
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          19 months ago

          Freedom is still just a ribbon cable (or soldering iron) away!

        • @[email protected]
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          19 months ago

          I mean, that’s already a problem. Can’t recall the name but Amazon has their own network they’re working on to allow devices to communicate when they don’t have internet access

          Personally, I opened up my tv years ago and desoldered the microphone that was built into it, and removed the antennas for it’s wifi chip. Total pain in the ass, but it’s worth doing if you like your tinfoil hat.

      • @HauntedCupcake
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        89 months ago

        The TV itself is overlaying ads onto content supplied via HDMI. This includes BluRay players and Nvidia Shields.

        I don’t think there was anything mentioning content detection of BluRays to stop playing the ads