Roku Updates Streaming Stick with More Power (and new software tricks)

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Those who follow me on Twitter already knew something was in the works… and, today, Roku comes clean with their new streaming Stick (3600). As you’d might expect, it’s more powerful — featuring a quad-core processor and dual-band MIMO wireles packed in an even smaller HDMI dongle. Also along for the ride is the new 7.1 OS, which enables “private listening” from Roku’s mobile app. Instead of routing audio through your television, it’s streamed to your smartphone and can be listened to over wireless or Bluetooth headphones, so as to not disturb  others and as previously seen via the Roku 3 remote control. While currently a Roku Stick exclusive, I’m hopeful the 2015 Roku 2 will be treated to Roku’s most unique feature in the not-so-distant future.

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As to other software goodies to look forward to, Roku’s updated API now allows app developers to ingest content via digital tuner — think Roku TV. So that creates all sorts of interesting possibilities. And I’m still holding out for a USB-connected tuner for full-on boxes like the Roku 4

14 thoughts on “Roku Updates Streaming Stick with More Power (and new software tricks)”

  1. Roku is still my preferred streamer. But barely. Historically, I haven’t been sold on the stick form factor (including Amazo’s), given limited power and wireless receptivity. This new model looks promising, assuming it can get enough power over only USB (and dissipates heat better than the Roku 4).

  2. Roku is my go to streamer. Two Roku 3s and one stick in the house. They work so much better (faster) than trying to use TiVo to stream Netflix and other services. The new stick could be a replacement for any of my existing units if they fail, but I’m not going to upgrade my stick just because.

  3. “Roku is my go to streamer. Two Roku 3s and one stick in the house. They work so much better (faster) than trying to use TiVo to stream Netflix and other services.”

    That used to be quite true! I used to never use my TiVo for OTT, always using my Roku instead.

    But, BREAKING! There’s this whole new “OnePass” thing that happened that actually made it faster, easier, and more coherent to use your TiVo for OTT stuff…

    (My Roku is still hooked up to the teevee, but the remote gets pretty dusty these days.)

  4. I probably watch half my Netflix/Amazon on TiVo. Still not fully leveraging OnePass with Roku 3 and Fire TV so much faster than TiVo and starting to gravitate towards AFTV given recent software updates and richer apps than Roku (like HBO GO). My Apple TV is unplugged at the moment and I sold my seriously underpowered Fire TV stick a couple weeks back.

  5. “Still not fully leveraging OnePass”

    Yeah. That’s the one trick right there. I went from literally never doing OTT via TiVo to pretty much always doing OTT via TiVo after OnePass came out. And it’s only cuz I fully leverage OnePass.

    (When I do want to pop into the services from the top end, which is infrequent for me, I’ll often turn to the Roku for speed. But I generally get my OTT picks from TiVo search, or via kmttg search.)

  6. Chucky, I’ve been with you as a believer in OnePass as a feature that sets TiVo apart from other streaming platforms. But what I’ve really been, I guess, is a believer in the *promise* of OnePass. Too often it lets me down when recent streaming content isn’t yet reflected in the OnePass database. Particularly for content from Hulu (where network series as well as their own original series get released one episode per week), OnePass just doesn’t cut it unless you’re watching a show or movie several days after it was added to the streaming service. And never mind the fact that Showtime add-on subscription content isn’t supported by OnePass either for Amazon Prime or the updated Hulu app. Then throw in the fact that OnePass streaming listings for some shows sometimes mysteriously disappears and then maybe reappears a few days later. More often than not these days, I just delve straight into the streaming app and find the content there to watch. They all make it pretty simple from their main screen to find the stuff you usually watch anyhow.

  7. Dave, that last bit you wrote in your post above is, to me, the most exciting part. I’ve been banging on for awhile now about the need for a box that unifies all the major streaming apps plus live OTA TV (that can be paused and rewound using the box’s on-board memory). Why Roku or Amazon Fire doesn’t either sell as USB add-on OTA tuner or build one directly into their boxes (at least as an optional model), I have no idea. Down the road, they could even allow the user to attach a USB hard hard and give them a few bucks per month to unlock DVR functionality too.

    Apple TV can already do this if you buy the Channels app and a compatible Silicon Dust tuner. Channels recently announced they’re working on adding DVR functionality too. It’s a pretty attractive solution but I could imagine it being more elegantly integrated with streaming content and the box’s overall OS/UI if OTA TV support were offered as a first-party solution (by Apple, Roku or Amazon) rather than a third-party discrete app.

  8. Thanks for the news Dave. I’ve pre-ordered one so I can get my Tribeca Shortlist streaming on ;)

  9. > Roku’s updated API now allows app developers to ingest content via digital tuner

    What’s this all about? I’ve searched and searched and can’t find any other mention of it anywhere.

  10. That’s why you read ZNF, right? I turn up some interesting nuggets other folks don’t. Like reporting that next Kindle would have a battery-powered Kindle before Amazon leaked it to the WSJ. :)

    https://blog.roku.com/developer/2016/04/05/roku-os-7-1-dev-highlights/

    Tuner API – For RokuTVs with built-in digital channel tuners, channels can display Digital Television via antenna. This opens up interesting hybrid use cases for an enhanced Digital TV viewing experience.

  11. I wish the Roku mobile app would show you the Roku UI on the mobile device rather than just having soft buttons. It would make using Roku for music more useful. I could leave the tv off if I use a AV amp with hdmi inputs.

  12. Ok I’m late to this article’s comments… but I made the (mis)fortune of forgetting the small bag I keep with all my chargers, charging cables and my Amazon Fire TV Stick at home and flying out for a ten day business trip. Luckily I had a couple of micro USB cables and one lightning cable in my laptop bag, plus my laptop charger… but ten hotel nights and NO NETFLIX?

    So I grabbed the new Roku Stick on a lark today at Best Buy… WOW! Seriously, wow!

    It won’t convince me to switch back to Roku at home, but just because we are PS Vue subscribing cord cutters and there is no app for Roku at this time. Our Apple TV Gen 4’s (2) sit idle for the same reason, and we have a Gen 2 Fire TV in two rooms, plus a Gen 1 in a third room.

    Since using Vue outside the home on anything other than a mobile device violates their TOS and can get you banned, the lack of the Vue app is irrelevant for hotel use. Ok, enough background, my thoughts for anyone wondering about this device:

    PROS:

    1) FAST. I mean stupid fast. The UI and app loading is as fast as, and dare I say possibly faster than the newest Apple TV. It puts the Fire TV to shame.

    2) Has a very functional remote. Things like Chromecast, or mobile phone remote apps do not work in hotels, since every WiFi connected device is often isolated from other devices.

    3) Has Hotel WiFi sign on capability. This has been out for awhile apparently, but I had no idea. Granted, the Fire Stick handles this better (built in web browser), but Roku’s system works flawlessly – you connect to the Roku to the hotel WiFi. Then you connect your phone or laptop to the Roku’s own internal WiFi and use your device’s browser to sign in, which signs in the Roku as well. Honestly, it works fine, but I don’t think it’s easily explained to a non-techie.

    4) Great App ecosystem. Inexplicable, Fox has apps, but not Fox Sports. But Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Vudu, HBO, Showtime, Plex, MLB.tv and just about every other major app you can think of is there, except iTunes of course – but no non-Apple device gets that. And I still believe it’s the only non-Android running device to support Google Play.

    5) Great universal search. Perfect? No, they never are. But it indexes MANY providers. I put in a popular show and saw 6 different places to see it, and Netflix was first on the list, not some place where you had to pay a few bucks to get it.

    6) Did I mention it’s blazing fast? Faster than Fire TV Gen 2, puts the Fire TV Stick to shame. It’s on the Pro list twice, because for a stick, it’s amazingly fast. Has to be more than just quad core, the actual CPU must be pretty impressive.

    Cons:

    1) No Fox Sports or Playstation Vue channel. Seriously, if they added those two, I’d go buy Roku and throw everything out. One day, someone will have a truly universal device that covers 99.99% of what a cord cutter needs. This is DARN close, and if you’re cord cutting centers around Sling TV, it’s probably just fine.

    2) The remote. It’s a pro, in that the buttons are plentiful, and it, well, has a remote. But no voice search (like Apple and Amazon). It’s cheap, and a little bulky, and has sell out ad spaces (those quick buttons are great until 3 years from now when M-Go is out of business and all of last year’s devices have a stupid looking button on the remote. :)

    That’s really it. I think at $50 it’s an absolute steal. If you need 4K, get the bigger brother. If you need Apple’s ecosystem get the Apple TV. If you need Playstation Vue, stick Fire TV in your home but still get this if you travel. For any other device, I really think this is THE streamer to get for 2016. And it supports Miracast, so Windows users can beam their screen.

  13. I’m trying to watch amazon outside the USA but it says I can’t. Do you have experience with this? The website arcvpn says their service can bypass the block but i’m not sure. Do you know if it will work?

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