Roku unveils Roku Labs
September 18, 2026



Roku has unveiled Roku Labs, a new programme built on the idea that “the best innovation happens when customers help shape it”.

Available soon in the US, Roku Labs, which will have a tile on the Roku Home Screen, will give viewers early access to experimental, in-development apps — straight from Roku’s engineers and innovators — letting them test new experiences, share feedback, and directly influence what gets built next.


“Our best breakthroughs have never happened in a vacuum; they start with Roku engineers building and the people watching,” said Brian Pinkerton, SVP Advanced Development at Roku. “Roku Labs continues to bridge the gap between engineers and our viewers, giving millions of households a seat at the table to explore, test, and shape experiences in real time. It ensures every feature that comes to our platform solves a real pain point, brings genuine delight, and reinforces our commitment to streaming.”

One of the first concepts to come out of Roku Labs is Roku City Dash, an original game that takes users inside Roku City, past iconic buildings and unexpected surprises from outer space. Having graduated from Roku Labs, it’s now available to viewers everywhere.

At launch, four more features remain in testing inside Roku Labs: Roku Stocks lets viewers keep an eye on their portfolio, and Roku Weather checks the forecast right from their TVs. Backdrops Studio lets users get more creative with custom artwork and images for their screens, and Roku Immerse lets users set the screensaver atmosphere they desire,