Roku Updates Its Smart Home With Cam Cycling and Alerts on Your TV

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Got a Roku? Prepare for a slew of winter security updates that will make your video cams easier to use when you're watching TV or on your PC. The Roku smart home platform is getting all new compatibility for Roku-powered screens in your home.

If you're watching a Roku TV or a display using a Roku dongle and have any Roku cams in your home, you'll soon be able to:

• Receive updated TV notifications: You can choose to get additional cam alerts while using your TV, powered by the same motion alert settings used in your Roku app. That lets you know when someone is approaching the door or when there's movement in another room, like where your kids are taking a nap.
• View a camera carousel on the TV: Roku's new carousel feature can show a cycling live view from all your cameras, switching automatically to whatever camera is currently detecting motion when necessary.

Read more: The Best Smart TVs

Additionally, Roku is planning a web viewing option so you can log in on any computer with an internet connection and view your home camera feeds, no matter where you are. Google Nest has something similar, which is nice when you're on vacation.

These updates will affect all cameras on the Roku smart home platform, including Roku's own video doorbell and floodlight camera, as well as the Wyze cams that Roku support -- anything you can find in their store.

Expect the camera updates to roll out this winter, so if you have a Roku system you should start seeing them in the coming months. The features are completely free and won't affect any of your current Roku subscriptions at all.

We've seen security camera companies add similar support for viewing through Google Chromecasts and Apple TV, but this update will be particularly useful for those who prefer their Roku TVs and already have a couple of Roku smart home devices.