If you're looking to add Smart TV streaming media features like Netflix or Amazon Video to an older TV, it's hard to do better than Roku's streaming media devices. They feature a huge selection of streaming media channels and a simple intuitive interface for searching and navigating through your favorite shows and movies. And now the company has just unveiled a new version of their streaming media stick which offers some interesting new mobile-friendly features including voice search, app-based remote control and private listening.
A couple of years ago, Roku offered a unique feature that made late night binge-watching more practical: a headphone jack on the remote control. This meant you could watch "Breaking Bad" or "Game of Thrones" all night on your TV or big screen projection system without disturbing anyone. On the new Roku Streaming Stick (2016 Edition, Model #3600R) they've added a similar feature, but it allows you to listen to your shows or movies right on your mobile phone or tablet using your own wired or wireless headphones, or even a Bluetooth speaker.
In addition to private listening, the Roku Mobile App for iOS and Android can act as a remote control, enable voice search or provide an on-screen keyboard. You can also use the "Play On Roku" feature within the app to stream your personal videos, music and photos from your mobile device to the TV using the Roku Streaming Stick. The new Roku Streaming Stick also comes with a standard Roku remote control for those times when you prefer not to use your phone or tablet as a remote.
The price hasn't gone up ($49.99) but the new streaming stick now features a quad-core processor which is eight times more powerful than its predecessor for smooth operation. It also includes dual-band MIMO wireless connectivity to ensure a fast and reliable connection to your home network. As with previous versions, the new Streaming Stick plugs directly into any available HDMI port on your TV and gets its power from a standard USB cable. If you don't have a powered USB port on your TV, you can plug the stick into wall power using the included power adapter.
The new Roku Streaming Stick runs Roku OS 7.1 which enhances the search and discovery experience by adding new categories within the Roku Feed. This enables customers to view popular TV Shows and Movies from different providers all in one place. Owners can now easily view these new categories to discover popular movies and TV shows across a variety of streaming channels on the Roku platform. They can then choose to watch a popular movie or TV show immediately, or Follow it in the Roku Feed to receive automatic updates when the availability or price changes, or the movie or TV show becomes available to watch for free. The Roku Streaming Stick comes with Roku OS 7.1 pre-loaded, but the OS upgrade will be rolled out to all other current-generation Roku players through a software update that is expected to be completed this month and will be rolled out to Roku TV models shortly after.
The new Streaming Stick (Model 3600R) is expected later this month in national chain stores such as Best Buy and Walmart. It can be pre-ordered today from roku.com with expected delivery on or after April 20th.
You can also pre-order the new Roku Streaming Stick on Amazon:
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