But what would a Roku purchase mean for Google?
It would give them another streaming platform to take on Amazon. Their Chromecast media player never really sold all that well like Fire TV and Roku media streamers.
Google is also trying to diversify its product line and has been buying up companies like FitBit. And with the right amount of cash (Google has a Lot) Roku would probably sell the company to Alphabet. Which is Google's parent company.
A Roku acquisition, would also be an excellent platform for Google's advertising business. Roku has modeled their business to profit from streaming TV ads. And selling ads is what Google does best.
What Would a Roku Buyout Mean for Roku Customers?
Maybe an entirely new operating system for Roku users based on Android TV OS? Google is even coming out with their own new Android TV box. While this is not very likely, the possibility does exist. But that would squash every Roku channel currently available. Unless they redeveloped their channel for Android TV.
This would a mean saying goodbye to Roku's simple to user interface in favor of a more complicated and less intuitive UI.
Chances are this may not happen and Roku will continue to be Roku. But for how long? No one knows really, except for Google at this point.
Hopefully, this is just another rumor and Roku continues to be the innovative company they have always been. But life is change, and maybe someday even if Google does not buy Roku now. Amazon or Apple will...
Deal Alert: Roku Just Slashed the Price on their 4K Roku Premiere Media Streamer
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