This stick is no stooge. It has the brains of a puck, and most of the brawn. But because it’s a stick, it’s cheaper and simpler, and therefore a great option for people new to the whole puck-and-stick game.
On paper, Roku’s new HDMI stick
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For those of you who own a decent HDTV (seriously, how many folks living in developed countries do you know who still watch stuff on their fat and chunky CRTs?) in the living room, you will be pleased to hear that Roku has just announced their spanking new Roku Streaming Stick. Basically, as long as your HDTV comes with an HDMI port, you will be able to pick up this compact stick design that was first pioneered by Roku and use it to stream your favorite entertainment. The Roku Streaming Stick might be small in size, but just like how we ought not to judge a book by its cover, so too, should we refrain from downplaying the capabilities of the Roku Streaming Stick based on its relatively diminutive size.
For starters, the Roku Streaming Stick can be plugged discreetly into an HDMI port, making it the ideal companion for those beautifully wall-mounted TVs, all the while without having to compromise on the complete Roku streaming experience. Just how much entertainment will you be able to enjoy with the Roku Streaming Stick? We are looking at access to 1,200+ channels of movies, TV episodes, music, news, sports, kids’ shows and free programming that will arrive streamed in up to 1080p HD video, not to mention the presence of a TV user interface that boasts of the famous and well known Roku Search.
Apart from that, Roku has decided to throw in a WiFi remote control for the entire household’s use. You will obviously need to download the free Roku apps for Android and iOS devices in order to maximize your user experience, especially for those who desire a mobile experience to browse and select content to stream. Apart from that, you can also opt to cast Netflix, YouTube and personal media from your devices to your TVs, with Roku working on newer mobile features including the ability to cast content from a computer to the TV to arrive in a newer version or update.
The new Roku Streaming Stick (HDMI version) will cost $49.99 a pop from Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Target.com, Walmart.com and Roku.com, where it ought to arrive in retails stores this April.
Press Release
[ Roku Streaming Stick hits the market copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
3M’s partnered up with Roku to provide a “big-screen” cinema experience from the comfort of your home. Announced today at a joint event, the Streaming Projector is a 4.3 x 4.2 x 2.0 inch palm-sized device that can project images in WVGA resolution up to 120-inches across walls or any other smooth surface of your choosing with a brightness of 60 lumens. The 1lb pod-like gadget has a battery life rated at just under three hours — a little more than the running time of most blockbuster movies — and also features a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio out, in addition to an inbuilt speaker. Of course, you need media to pair with it and that’s where Roku’s included streaming stick comes in handy, delivering an array of commercial content over dual-band WiFi. It’s set to ship sometime this November for $299 as an Amazon exclusive.
Gallery: 3M Streaming Projector
3M, Roku team up for Streaming Projector to ship this November for $299 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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We’ve been waiting for Roku to release its miniaturized dongle since CES, and now we finally know the flash drive-sized Streaming Stick will be available next month for $99. Priced the same as as the Roku 2 XS set-top box, it brings the same feature set but in a smaller package designed to work directly with your HDTV, thanks to power, remote control and data signals fed through an MHL-compatible HDMI port. While it will work with other MHL-ready host devices, manufacturers with Roku Ready stamped and certified HDTVs on shelves this fall will include Apex, Insignia and Hitachi — Onkyo plans to ship receivers early next year. If you pick up an otherwise dumb flat-panel with the stick bundled along with it the price is set by that manufacturer, but the standalone plan means buyers savings are focused on the two cables they won’t be needing, and simplified remote capability since their TV remote can talk to the Stick directly. Like the Roku 2 XS, the Streaming Stick also includes the motion control capable game remote.
A separate move will benefit many existing Roku owners, as it is also announcing that Walmart-owned Vudu is launching on the platform today. You will need a Roku HD (2500), LT or Roku 2 box (or the Streaming Stick, once it launches) to take advantage of the Vudu app and its streams that bring quality of up to 1080p and 7.1 surround sound. That also means access to Vudu-compatible UltraViolet movie titles on yet another set-top box, if that’s a consideration, and users score a $5.99 credit with Vudu just for linking the account to their boxes. All the details are in the press release after the break, and on the Roku blog.
Gallery: Roku Streaming Stick hands-on
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Roku Streaming Stick launches in October for $99, Vudu comes to the Roku platform today originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 03:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The new Roku stick—which was announced earlier this year—has finally got a price: $100. It’s going to be available on Amazon and Roku in October and other retailers during the Fall. More »
Onkyo’s CEDIA booth served as a way for it to show off all manner of new audio technology including this funky iLunar dock (above), which uses tech developed by Swiss audio company Sonic Emotion to create a “3D sound field” from stereo sources. We couldn’t get much of a feel for it on the show floor with the wide open spaces and noise, but according to Onkyo, its six full-range drivers and downward-firing subwoofer combine to send sound in all directions, resulting in a stereo experience no matter where the listener is seated in smaller rooms. There’s more details on that, as well as a few other mini audio systems and a new amp in the gallery and press releases after the break. One other development we noted was the Roku Streaming Stick-ready branding popping up on Onkyo receivers since its partnership was officially revealed, and there was even a dongle conspicuously front mounted right there in the booth. We’re still for a release date and pricing, but it looks like hardware partners are ready to go.
Gallery: Onkyo @ CEDIA 2012
Continue reading Onkyo shows off a few mini audio systems, one amp and Roku-ready receivers
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Onkyo shows off a few mini audio systems, one amp and Roku-ready receivers originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Sep 2012 18:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Roku unveiled its miniaturized Streaming Stick at CES, and while we still don’t have an exact release date or price tag, the company has produced a list of manufacturers that will deliver “Roku Ready” hardware. That list is comprised of Element Electronics; GlobalVue International, LLC; Haier; Hitachi America, Ltd.; Insignia / Best Buy (which already tried out this strategy once with the whatever-happened-to-the TiVo-powered cTV); Mitsubishi Electric (TVs); Onkyo and Integra; OPPO and TMAX Digital, Inc.(Apex Digital(R) TVs). In case you’ve forgotten, the Roku Streaming Stick plugs into MHL-compatible HDMI ports to not only feed video to the HDTV, receiver or other device, but also accept remote control inputs and power, and brings its own WiFi hookup for internet access. That way, users can add this single accessory to make a “dumb” flat panel into a connected TV all without any extra cords or switching remotes, and, if necessary, easily upgrade in the future.
As CEO Anthony Wood mentioned just days ago Roku’s current focus is finding companies willing to work together to provide a well integrated experience for the add-on. To make that clear for potential buyers, Roku Ready devices like HDTVs, receivers and Blu-ray players will not only be stamped with a logo to show they’re compatible, some will arrive with the dongle packed in. Its due date is set for “the coming weeks” so it shouldn’t be long until we nail down the other details about the Roku Streaming Stick — all currently available information can be found in the press release after the break.
Gallery: Roku Streaming Stick hands-on
Filed under: Home Entertainment
Roku Streaming Stick ready devices will come from Insignia, Mitsubishi, Onkyo, Oppo and others originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The little media streamer company that could, Roku, has gained some powerful friends in its latest round of financing, with $45 million in funds coming from the likes of BSkyB, News Corp and another partner who would prefer to remain nameless at this time, as well as previous investors Menlo Ventures and Globespan Capital Partners. While we leave you to ponder which company might be that unidentified source, Roku is simply continuing on, earmarking the money for use in building brand awareness, expanding internationally and much, much more. Also, that MHL-connected Roku Streaming Stick introduced at CES? It hasn’t gone away and is still on track for launch later this year, with an eye towards providing a “Roku Inside” bundled experience for otherwise dumb flat-panel HDTVs.
Roku’s alignment with BSkyB (which reported a $10m stake in its earnings this morning, as well as the option to distribute its own branded Roku hardware) makes sense after the pay-TV giant launched Now TV recently with the hockey puck as one of its supported platforms, while CEO Anthony Wood tells us the fruitful partnership with News Corp had its root in the Fox News, Wall Street Journal Live and X-Factor channels it launched last year. Wood cites plans to make Roku “the TV distribution platform of the future”, and this fifth round of financing — larger than all previous rounds combined — may help push it in this direction, check out a few more details in the press release after the break.
Filed under: Home Entertainment
Roku picks up financing from BSkyB, News Corp and more, keeps eye on the premium streaming crown originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 02:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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