Technology

59466 readers

4896 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.

Our Rules

Follow the lemmy.world rules.
Only tech related content.
Be excellent to each another!
Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
Politics threads may be removed.
No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
Only approved bots from the list below, to ask if your bot can be added please contact us.
Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed

Approved Bots

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

445

Roku lays off 300 workers and removes streaming content to save money (www.engadget.com)

submitted 1 year ago by DannyMac to c/technology

85 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Roku looks to be seriously tightening its pursestrings. The company’s laying off a full ten percent of its workforce, over 300 employees, in addition to a conducting a number of other cost-cutting measures, as reported by Variety. These job cuts are just the beginning, as Roku’s also removing streaming content, consolidating office space and reducing outside service expenses. The goal here is a major reduction in the year-over-year operating expense growth rate.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I read this in some other article, but it seems like the margins are slim for their hardware because while (IMHO) the interface is still best in a very poor class, almost everybody else does it more or less adequately, so they can't charge much of a premium. They've been making more money on their ad-supported streaming, both on-demand and their collection of all the free linear streams that you use to convince your rerun-loving gramma not make you climb into the attic to install an OTA antenna. The SAG and WGA strikes have done a number on how much advertisers are buying and at what prices. While I always wonder if there aren't other places to cut first (coughexecutivecompensationcough) I don't doubt that they're in a way worse place than they were a year ago.

[–] PopOfAfrica 16 points 1 year ago (2 children)

The best streaming device is an old Linux PC with one of those Logitech touchpad keyboards.

The amount of ads on streaming sticks infuriates me.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

Good suggestion, particularly for folks around here, but it's not exactly the same product category as a consumer offering. :-)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I tried to run an HTPC for awhile, but all the random restrictions and issues made it more of a hassle. Stuff like streaming sites capping the resolution when played through the PC, not native apps, etc. It really was a worse experience for me than a dedicated streaming box.

[–] Elgordofordo86 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have never liked Rokus interface.... I prefer android TV. Most people don't realize there is an app only mode on android TV that is exactly that, just apps in a drawer. No ads, no fuss. I also like that there is much easier side loading on Android TV.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I switched from a Chromecast to a Roku TV and I've been looking the interface a lot more. There's probably some settings I didn't mess with, but Roku's default setting displays a lot of info in a good space, and it looks good, and I've only seen the occasional ad off to the side, not taking too much screen real estate. I also am a sucker for customizable and seasonal themes, though lol.