Roku TVs could one day show ads as soon as you pause playing a game on a connected Xbox, or stop a stream on an Apple TV.

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.

  • AlolanYodaEnglish
    241·
    9 months ago

    If Sony patented this idea, does it mean nobody else can use it until it expires? Good guy Sony always looking out for us

    • MsPenguinette@lemmy.worldEnglish
      15·
      9 months ago

      I kind of feel like starting a non profit that solely creates patents for evil ideas with no intention of ever licensing them

    • atocci@lemmy.worldEnglish
      15·
      9 months ago

      I think you can still pay to license patented technology for commercial use if the patent holder is willing. Just because they haven’t used it yet doesn’t mean they won’t though!