Roku Streaming Stick will transform your TV
Business Wire
(CBS) - Roku announced a new wireless device that will turn your "boob tube" into a smart TV.
The Roku Streaming Stick is about the size of a USB stick that's loaded with features, like a built-in Wi-Fi, processor, memory and software. Who are we kidding, though? It will basically be an awesome Netflix and Hulu machine.
Smart TV owners will love the Streaming Stick because it serves as an easy replacement for outdated software. This is especially important because TV manufacturers aren't exactly known for their software programming.
"Extending the Roku streaming experience through the Roku Streaming Stick to smart TVs is a natural next step for the market," said Roku founder and chief executive officer Anthony Wood in a statement.
The Roku Streaming Stick plugs into a mobile high-definition link (MHL) enabled HDMI port in your TV. If you don't know what that is, ask a local electronics salesperson or try the manufacturer's website. MHL is the technology that lets TVs display videos and photos from mobile devices using a direct connection.
Roku makes video streaming players, which lets you get apps like Netflix, Hulu or HBO GO on your TV. The Streaming Stick will come out in the second half of 2012. Roku hasn't specified a price, but their other products range from about $50 to $100.
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Hi all
I am not sure where people in this industry get their thoughts from, but I'm starting to think that the folks at CBS are getting their thoughts from the folks at the "low user ratings" dept. Now I understand that in the industry it takes money; most of it coming from advertisements that's just fact. But pulling TV.Com from roku sounds more like the kid on the playground who didn't get their way and now screams "well then you cant play with my toys".
Lets lay this out...
So what the wonderful folks at CBS are saying is, you cant watch their top shows unless you watch it on their channel on regular TV or by getting on your PC (which none of us pay for these channels). So what they mean to say is by no other reason than kick backs on money that roku refuses to pay them, they will not let their channel be added to the roku channel store.
CBS we don't pay you for the web channel or the TV channel. You get paid by advertisers who pay you to post their commercials and adds hoping it will entice us. You don't make the commercials they do. Seems to me you guys are getting a pretty good deal there.
Why is it you wont post your channel on Roku? Can you not display the same commercials you have on TV.Com? Is there some reason you want us to only view your channel on broadcast TV or on our computers? Granted I have a pretty big monitor but a lot of folks don't so watching on a PC kinda sucks for most.
I have recently removed cable/Satellite from my house and have switched to roku. The way of the future is this streaming media, and I'm on board. I believe that I shouldn't have to pay for the channels I don't want. If your looking for kick backs or money you could add a small monthly fee like hulu or netflix. I personally would pay just to watch NCIS/NCIS La and I'm sure my wife watches too so it would be worth it.
So as I close this post, I would like to state CBS I liked the way you moved towards the future of television; by including your top shows on line at CBS.com and TV.com, but you cant just stand still. The market and industry are still moving and growing with technology, its time you did too