Roku unveils $70 Streaming Stick+ with 4K & HDR, faster Express & Express+ models
Roku on Monday announced a new lineup of video streaming devices and software, led the by Streaming Stick+, an upgraded version of its portable player with support for 4K resolution and high dynamic range (HDR).
The $69.99 product is also said to have four times the wireless range of its predecessor, and come with a voice-enabled remote, supporting voice search previously reserved for devices like the Roku Ultra. A new operating system -- Roku OS 8 -- improves natural language comprehension, while adding other things like the integration of live TV programming into search results, and single sign-on support for paid TV subscriptions, something Apple pioneered with iOS 10 and tvOS 10 last year.
The Express ($29.99) and Express+ ($39.99) continue to lack 4K and HDR, but have been given new processors five times faster than before. The two products are essentially identical except that the Express+ is a Walmart exclusive supporting TVs with composite inputs.
The Roku Express.
Also still on the market are a regular Streaming Stick ($49.99) and the top-end Ultra. The former now includes a voice-enabled remote, while the Ultra is essentially unchanged, aside from a dedicated power button on its remote and a permanent price cut to $99.99.
All of the upgraded players are slated to ship Oct. 8. The Roku OS 8 update will be a free download for compatible devices, including Roku TVs, but roll out gradually throughout October and November.
Roku's lineup could create problems for the Apple TV 4K, which shipped Sept. 22. While Apple's set-top is more powerful and sports features like Siri, Dolby Vision, and more elaborate apps, it also starts at $179, well above even the Ultra. The Streaming Stick+ may be more directly aimed at Amazon's new Fire TV, though, which shares similar specifications.
The $69.99 product is also said to have four times the wireless range of its predecessor, and come with a voice-enabled remote, supporting voice search previously reserved for devices like the Roku Ultra. A new operating system -- Roku OS 8 -- improves natural language comprehension, while adding other things like the integration of live TV programming into search results, and single sign-on support for paid TV subscriptions, something Apple pioneered with iOS 10 and tvOS 10 last year.
The Express ($29.99) and Express+ ($39.99) continue to lack 4K and HDR, but have been given new processors five times faster than before. The two products are essentially identical except that the Express+ is a Walmart exclusive supporting TVs with composite inputs.
The Roku Express.
Also still on the market are a regular Streaming Stick ($49.99) and the top-end Ultra. The former now includes a voice-enabled remote, while the Ultra is essentially unchanged, aside from a dedicated power button on its remote and a permanent price cut to $99.99.
All of the upgraded players are slated to ship Oct. 8. The Roku OS 8 update will be a free download for compatible devices, including Roku TVs, but roll out gradually throughout October and November.
Roku's lineup could create problems for the Apple TV 4K, which shipped Sept. 22. While Apple's set-top is more powerful and sports features like Siri, Dolby Vision, and more elaborate apps, it also starts at $179, well above even the Ultra. The Streaming Stick+ may be more directly aimed at Amazon's new Fire TV, though, which shares similar specifications.
Comments
Now I’m not saying that Roku isn’t a good product, it’s very good, but their market is being attacked by giants who have deep pockets and can wage war for a long time. You might say Apple is in a similar situation with the iPhone and you would be wrong. Apple is slowly diversifying with services, hardware, software, original content, the list is growing. If I were the Roku CEO I would be constantly looking over my shoulder at the giants focusing their gaze upon me. Remember when Nokia was the leader in cellphones.
i figured out why Apple won’t make the TV a serious gaming machine, they wanna keep the same price point(like they usually do). They’re waiting until the tech is affordable for $199. The day we see an A12x chip, AR, 3D Touch, Taptic Engine etc. in a $179 Apple TV is the day the consoles will lose market share and the cheap streamers will be undesirable.
(Repeating myself,) but I had to replace a failed 1080p HDTV. I got a good price on a Roku 4k HDR smart TV. I've not turned on my ATV4 since. It isn't that I dislike the ATV4, but the Roku was easy to set up, easy to use, and fits my very modest needs. I dislike the ATV remote. One remote to rule them all is something I really do like. Siri has one redeeming feature for me: "what did he say?" YMMV.
I rented my first 4k movie from Vudu. Went like clockwork, and it streamed flawlessly. I thought the 4k was visually stunning, but am not a big movie watcher. The free upgrade on iTunes of the handful of movies I own to 4k is a nice perk, but it is unlikely to make me upgrade the ATV just for that. Again, YMMV.
I had a Fire TV stick in one of the ports on the old HDTV. I never used it. The new Roku set has an Amazon app that is essentially the same OS, so the Fire stick, along with yet another remote is now in the "discontinued tech" box in a closet.
I hate ads on my streaming services though so Roku would never be an option for me. Cheaper isn’t always better but enhancements (hardware and user experience) always cost more.
Apple’s fan base is intact they’ll buy again and again. Sog35 pretty much nailed it for me with his comments.
as far as your numbers above: it's a goddamn TV box, I don't care how much RAM and what CPUs it has. It's also, I believe $179 vs. $79. Not sure how build quality would affect a set top box, it just sits there. The remote design is not good for the ATV, it could be gold-plated for all I care, would be just as finicky. So, that being said: I'll keep using my two ATV 3s for the time being, but good to see competition in this space. Of course I have all my media in Apple's ecosystem and I'm locked in Apple's Hotel California.
Now I’ll finally be getting a new Apple TV 4K, since Apple decided to catch up in this space, only because I’ll get a great discount on it. Also, because I buy digital movie codes on the secondary market where iTunes movies and shows are ALWAYS CHEAPER, because no one buys them as codes for Vudu or UV are more expensive, this will be a bit of savings for me.
The new Apple TV is great like you said. Although, just as has been since the beginning, Apple will still be far behind in this space as they always have been. People just care about streaming. Nothing else. Prove it otherwise.