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Roku is the latest company to lean into the trend of throwing artwork onto your TV screen, offering viewers some serene relaxation time when they\u2019re not actively watching something. Today the company announced a new feature \/ app called Backdrops, and it all sounds very familiar.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Rolling out first to Roku-branded TVs and third-party Roku TV sets (and then to Roku streaming devices \u201clater in the fall\u201d), Backdrops features \u201ca catalog that includes famous classics, wide-ranging museum collections, abstract designs, and more.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Here\u2019s more on what to expect:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nViewers can also learn more about the artwork, including artist name, year it was created, and a brief description for each image, even cycle in photos from their personal collection to display on the largest screen in their home. Whether wanting to relive that unforgettable sunsets captured or showcase a favorite piece of art, the choice is in the hands of the viewer.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\nCredit where it\u2019s due, Samsung\u2019s The Frame sparked this whole phenomenon, which has since been copied<\/a> by Hisense, TCL, and other TV makers. Amazon has also brought an \u201cAmbient Experience\u201d<\/a> to its Fire TV platform for a similar effect. There\u2019s more to The Frame\u2019s success than the artwork alone, of course; the TV has customizable bezels and a matte screen finish that makes the whole effect more convincing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nOne nice aspect of Roku\u2019s approach is that there\u2019s no subscription required to access any of this; Backdrops will let the company\u2019s customers choose between \u201cthousands\u201d of art pieces for free. And as you can see in the screenshot above, some notable artists are included.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nRoku is at least recognizing it\u2019s a little late to this game with the silly, over-the-top video up top that describes Backdrops as \u201crevolutionary.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nBut fear not: Backdrops won\u2019t be replacing Roku City as the default screensaver on Roku\u2019s platform. The two function a bit differently. Backdrops can be triggered manually, or you can set an artwork collection to display whenever a Roku TV is in its \u201coff\u201d state. Bu if you doze off on the couch, you\u2019ll still wake up to Roku\u2019s signature side-scrolling metropolis screensaver. That\u2019s precious ad space, after all.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n