Hasta La Gadget!

Those who love the tiny, inexpensive, and all-around awesome little set-top box called Roku will be happy to know that the latest edition has just been unveiled, Roku 3. The set-top box features a sleek black design with rounded, slightly tapered edges and the same signature remote that users have come to love. Check out a picture and video of the device, as well as its specs, after the jump.

One of the biggest changes that users will notice is its new interface, which you can check out in the video below. Says Roku, the updated design offers quicker access to content and features, as well as more content and options being displayed on the screen. Both Search and the Channel Store have been integrated into the home screen to accompany their new designs.

Another new feature is a headphone audio port on the set-top box itself, making it simple to plug in your headset and have a private listening session. When a pair of headphones are plugged into the Roku 3, audio will automatically be switched to the headset while the TV’s speakers are muted. No manual settings changes are required; it’s all plug-and-play.

Those who use the Roku 2, HD 2500, LT, and Streaming Stick models will see the new user interface roll out as an auto update sometime in April, although a definitive date wasn’t given. As for the Roku 3, you can pick it up now from the company’s official website, at Amazon or other retailers online. It is priced at $99.99.

[via Roku]

Roku 3 player unveiled, boasts redesigned user interface is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Roku introduced the new Roku 3 set-top box that delivers more than a hobby. It’s probably the best streamer on the market.

Your move Apple.

Time Warner Cable has already brought live TV streaming to iOS, Android and PCs, and now it’s finally released its TWC TV service on a device for your TV. Now available on newer Roku players (and, we presume, whatever hardware is coming next), it brings up to 300 channels to subscriber’s set-top boxes via the internet. Hit the link below to add the channel to your box — assuming you have Time Warner cable + internet and your Roku is located in the house where you have service, of course. We’ve seen demos of the software on Samsung and Panasonic connected TV platforms before, and the Xbox 360 features similar access from a number of providers, so take that into account when guessing which one may be next up.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Roku blog, Roku Channel Store

The last time Roku properly refreshed its line of media streamers was back in 2011 with the Roku 2 series but we’re apparently in for at least one new addition, if not a whole new line. This 4200X (the current players are in the 2000/3000 series) just popped up in the FCC’s database, although most of the juicy information was withheld. Still, as seen above, its measurements indicate a box that’s just 2.25-inches on each side, smaller than the current top of the line Roku 2 XS which is 3.3-inches long on each side. Other than WiFi with 2 and 5GHz bands we didn’t uncover much else, although we wonder what the company may add in a new model.

One possibility is the (official) YouTube channel we’ve been waiting for since 2011, which CEO Anthony Wood recently told analyst Michael Wolf “isn’t far away”, but would require new hardware. Otherwise, the current boxes have 1080p output, more than 700 channels, and a Bluetooth gaming remote on the high-end units. Previous FCC leaks of the 2 and refreshed HD saw official launches within weeks, so we should know more about this new version pretty soon.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: FCC

Roku set top box owners who happen to like scary movies have a new scary movie channel to check out. The new channel on the Roku devices is called FrightPIX. The scary movie network is free to watch and ad supported. From what I can tell, it is stocked with independent B-films.

However, some of the scary films the company offers have actors in them that you will recognize. The channel offers over 100 feature-length scary movies and promises to add 30 new films each month. The channel covers a wide range of horror genres so you can find just the sort of scary movie you’re in the mood to watch.

The available genres include Creature Feature, Slasher, Splatter, Zombie, Supernatural, Creepy, Cult, Demon and Gothic categories. The company is also launching a new horror movie label called Screen Media Darkside. The movie label plans to focus on the development, production, and acquisition of new genre films.

Two of the new channels more popular scary flicks are Home Sweet Home and high school themed spooky movie called The Expelled. The app for Roku set top boxes was developed by Float Left Interactive.

[via Screen Media]I

Roku gets a new scary movie channel called FrightPIX is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.