That Roku device is about to get a lot smaller. The already compact streaming solution announced the Streaming Stick back in January. Now, they are leaking a lot of interesting details about the upcoming product.
The Roku Streaming Stick puts the power (and channels) of Roku into a device that's the size of a USB flash drive. No set-top box or other wires are needed. However, you will need to have a Roku-Ready device, which we'll get to in a minute.
Roku just announced plans to ship the Streaming Stick starting in October. It will feature an MSRP of $99.99, as well as the option to stream more than 600 channels of content. (Just remember that some subscriptions and/or fees may apply.)
However, you can't just plug the Streaming Stick into any USB port or HDMI input. Instead, the Roku Streaming Stick is compatible with Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL), which means that your HDTV or other device will need an MHL port to get the goodies.
Roku says that those devices are coming as well, with several TV manufacturers planning Roku-Ready HDTVs for the holiday season. Apex Digital will have four Roku-Ready HDTVs, including the 32-inch LE3243R, the 39-inch LE3943R, the 42-inch LE4243R and the 46-inch LE4643R. Best Buy's Insignia brand will also make the 46-inch NS-46E480A13A and 55-inch NS-55E480A13A compatible with the Streaming Stick, while Hitachi will have the 42-inch LE42S606 and LE42T506, the 46-inch LE46S606 and LE46T506, and the 55-inch LE55S606, LE55T506 and LE55U516.
Pricing and other specs for each TV will vary by manufacturer and be available closer to each set's release date.
Back in August, Mitsubishi, OPPO, Onkyo had also announced plans to offer Roku-Ready products. Yesterday, we got word that OPPO was planning to add Stick support in two upcoming universal Blu-ray players. Other product details have yet to be announced.
"The Roku Streaming Stick extends our platform beyond the set-top box and into a range of consumer electronics devices. Manufacturers can now deliver a complete streaming experience without painstakingly building it themselves," said Chas Smith, senior vice president and general manager of Roku's platform OEM business. "And because the Roku Streaming Stick will only get better over time -- with more channels, new features and frequent software updates -- customers can be confident that they will always enjoy the best possible streaming experience."
When not bundled with a device, the Roku Streaming Stick will come packing an "enhanced" remote with volume buttons and motion control for game play. The remote is needed for gaming, but you can use your own remote to navigate through the Roku experience.
Where to Buy:
