Roku Takes Aim at Chromecast and Apple TV With $49 Streaming Stick

MacRumors · Mar 4, 2014

Roku today introduced a new $50 HDMI streaming-stick to compete directly with Google's Chromecast and give consumers a significantly cheaper alternative to the Apple TV.

The new streaming stick is a sequel of sorts to a stick that Roku introduced last year that only worked with select Roku-ready TV's. The new stick comes with a full-fledged remote control and largely replicates the functionality of the full-sized Roku 3 set-top box, though it lacks an Ethernet jack and support for gaming. Users get access to more than 1,000 Roku channels, including Plex, Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon, Spotify, Major League Baseball, Showtime, WatchESPN and many more.

"The new Roku Streaming Stick gives consumers more choice for streaming entertainment to the TV than any other device," said Jim Funk, senior vice president of product management at Roku. "Consumers want a ton of entertainment, an easy way to search for movies and TV shows, and options to control the experience with a remote or mobile device. This new Roku Streaming Stick brings all that and more - and in a tiny form factor."

The Roku Streaming Stick connects to the Internet via 802.11n Wi-Fi and plugs into the USB port present on most modern flat-screen TVs for power. It is available for pre-order for $50 from Roku's website or on Amazon.com. It will begin shipping in April.

Article Link: Roku Takes Aim at Chromecast and Apple TV With $49 Streaming Stick

milo · Mar 4, 2014

I'm still waiting for Roku support of multiple netflix profiles. Come on guys, is it really that hard?

iSRS · Mar 4, 2014

Interesting. The price is right for what Roku offers. I still think that Apple can get away with a bit higher because, well, iTunes, but can see the next Apple TV dropping the current version to $75/$80 with reduced functionality

k1121j · Mar 4, 2014

love my Apple TV however excited another device to stick it to the cable companies and networks who refuse to get with the times

kwikdeth · Mar 4, 2014

milo said:
I'm still waiting for Roku support of multiple netflix profiles. Come on guys, is it really that hard?

ive stopped using my Roku except for Plex for exactly this reason. unacceptable. its been months upon months at this point.

larrylaffer · Mar 4, 2014

milo said:
I'm still waiting for Roku support of multiple netflix profiles. Come on guys, is it really that hard?

Do we know for certain that it's entirely up to Roku to support that? Maybe it's Netflix stalling them.

IIRC Android only got profiles a couple of weeks ago.

dannyyankou · Mar 4, 2014

Do I see a Blockbuster button on that remote? LOL

KylePowers · Mar 4, 2014

Awesome device, but hate using Plex on my Roku. UI is bleh.

Edit: Unless it's changed in the 2-3 months I've touched my Roku.

jkeekij · Mar 4, 2014

dannyyankou said:
Do I see a Blockbuster button on that remote? LOL

Yeah, I thought they were long gone. All those buttons and no dedicated Hulu button.

JoEw · Mar 4, 2014

To bad roku is awful. The lag and faulty ethernet made me loose support for Roku, I will stick with ATV and airplay.

Orlandoech · Mar 4, 2014

JoEw said:
To bad roku is awful. The lag and faulty ethernet made me loose support for Roku, I will stick with ATV and airplay.

So you gets defective product and you bail? I bet if you got a defective apple product, you'd commend them for how awesome they were for giving you a replacement or fixing it. Lol.

Mad Mac Maniac · Mar 4, 2014

The fact that I can already buy a roku HD for $39 really doesn't inspire me to want this product. Sure it's hidden away, but its still $10 more with no added functionality (ok, it adds 1080p from 720p)

Edit: wait... from the Roku site, it appears that you can actually send video to the tv directly from your smartphone netflix/youtube app (a la airplay/chromecast). This would actually make this a pretty killer device IMO, especially if this casting function works more similar to chrome cast.

mentaluproar · Mar 4, 2014

I thought Roku had this form factor already. If I remember, it takes a special connector on the back of the TV. I don't remember what made it so special though.

Maybe I'm thinking of something else, but I'm pretty sure Roku had something like chrome cast a while ago.

kwikdeth · Mar 4, 2014

mentaluproar said:
I thought Roku had this form factor already. If I remember, it takes a special connector on the back of the TV. I don't remember what made it so special though.

Maybe I'm thinking of something else, but I'm pretty sure Roku had something like chrome cast a while ago.

they did, it required an MHL-compatible television. cant find any reference if the new version has the same requirement.

http://www.amazon.com/Roku-3400M-Streaming-Stick-Purple/dp/B00BF4P0ZA

helix142 · Mar 4, 2014

Multiple profiles

milo said:
I'm still waiting for Roku support of multiple netflix profiles. Come on guys, is it really that hard?

I have Netflix on a ROKU3 and it seems to support profiles. When I start the app is asks "Who's watching?" and I can select Myself, Wife or Kid each of which is setup as a user via the Netflix webpage

Plutonius · Mar 4, 2014

milo said:
I'm still waiting for Roku support of multiple netflix profiles. Come on guys, is it really that hard?

They originally said that it would be around March of this year so I think it's probably coming soon.

helix142 said:
I have Netflix on a ROKU3 and it seems to support profiles. When I start the app is asks "Who's watching?" and I can select Myself, Wife or Kid each of which is setup as a user via the Netflix webpage

Maybe you are a beta tester

.

kwikdeth · Mar 4, 2014

Plutonius said:
They originally said that it would be around March of this year so I think it's probably coming soon.

Maybe you are a beta tester .

roku 3 had channel support from the get-go, with support for other players "coming soon". me thinks their stalling has more to do with trying to drive sales of the 3 model than anything else.

iBlazed · Mar 4, 2014

And how in the hell am I supposed to stick that in my TV that's hanging on the wall with no space behind it?

2457282 · Mar 4, 2014

It took me a long time to decide between the Roku and the ATV. I finally went with the ATV because of the integration with all my other Apple products. But Roku is definitely a great product and I hope they continue to do well. I am still skeptical about chromecast and basically stay away from all things google.

Rock on Roku. Do well and maybe even push Apple to release their update sooner including the fabled TV.

Doctor Q · Mar 4, 2014

Now that it's so easy to plug in a little device for access to web content, there is less and less need for TVs to have these features built-in. I'd rather have a separate device that I can replace or upgrade.

jlgolson · Mar 4, 2014

kwikdeth said:
they did, it required an MHL-compatible television. cant find any reference if the new version has the same requirement.

http://www.amazon.com/Roku-3400M-Streaming-Stick-Purple/dp/B00BF4P0ZA

As it says in the article... "The new streaming stick is a sequel of sorts to a stick that Roku introduced last year that only worked with select Roku-ready TV's."

This one works with any TV that has HDMI.

iBlazed said:
And how in the hell am I supposed to stick that in my TV that's hanging on the wall with no space behind it?

The same way you plug in any other HDMI cord.

Dave532 · Mar 4, 2014

I've already used this device in the prototype form (the remote does not have those app specific buttons and the device is semi transparent plastic). My only complaint about the prototype is it's a bit slow at starting up but is usable when it's running.

We had the prototype as we develop TV apps for the UK market and this was for testing. Fortunately our existing Roku apps worked fine on the new device without modification.

In general it's a very good device. For those in the UK it has much more relevant content than the AppleTV.

Karma*Police · Mar 4, 2014

starbird said:
Interesting. The price is right for what Roku offers. I still think that Apple can get away with a bit higher because, well, iTunes, but can see the next Apple TV dropping the current version to $75/$80 with reduced functionality

Doesn't seem like the Apple way though. Google took Apple's idea and found a way to make it cheaper cos that's their thing. Apple's thing is to innovate and maintain their price point.

I expect the next Apple TV to offer features no one else does and/or do it much better and maintain the same price point or maybe even sell at a higher price point.

2010mini · Mar 4, 2014

iBlazed said:
And how in the hell am I supposed to stick that in my TV that's hanging on the wall with no space behind it?

Hdmi extender cable?

iSRS · Mar 4, 2014

Karma*Police said:
Doesn't seem like the Apple way though. Google took Apple's idea and found a way to make it cheaper cos that's their thing. Apple's thing is to innovate and maintain their price point.

I expect the next Apple TV to offer features no one else does and/or do it much better and maintain the same price point or maybe even sell at a higher price point.

I am taking the iPad approach. Release a new product, doing things that no one/not many are doing. Then, bump the previous model, which can do a lot of what the new model can do, but not everything, and bump the price down $100. Now, obviously they can't do $100 on an Apple TV, but they could bump $25 off, or, to really take a slice, $50 and sell the current version for $49.

Choices are Chromestick for $35, or an Apple TV 3 for $14 more? Becomes a no brainer.

(Even though I think it is a no brainer now. You go with your ecosystem)

I have an Apple TV 2 (first black one-launch day purchase) now. Been meaning to pick up a second, but holding off. If what I describe above happens, the. I won't be getting just a new version, I will replace the 2 with a $49 3 for the kids/playroom.

Roku Takes Aim at Chromecast and Apple TV With $49 Streaming Stick

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