The Roku: TV of Tomorrow

What is a Roku?

The Roku is a topnotch streaming device that allows users to stream multiple apps as well as TV and movie channels quickly! Any user is able to set up and figure out how to operate the device within just a few minutes. The Roku also is considered a "set-top box" which is just a fancy way of saying it is something that brings TV and Internet right to your very own television set. 

Pros: 

•  The Roku is very inexpensive and allows anyone to cut the cable bill with over 1,600 apps and over 150,000 movie and TV channels to choose from
• The easy set up is fast and is really only takes about 5 steps to install
• The speed of the device is amazing with being able to view Netflix one minute and HBO Go the next. Thus, the response time is very noticeable to competitors 
• The new headphone in the remote jack grants all users the capability to be anywhere in their home and listen to the device

Cons:

• While the device seems reasonable with price, the user must have a debit or credit card in order to use and set up
• The Roku does not have (yet!) any sort of live streaming for things such as sports games or the Oscars (However they could be apps for something like this)
• One must have wifi or Internet in order to use this device, so that may rate as high as your cable bill in the future

The Bottom Line

After playing around with the Roku and seeing all the features it has, I would have to say that it is a top pick when looking into TV streaming devices. It gives the user full access to the Internet as well as popular apps like Netflix and Youtube with the push of a button on the small, yet durable, remote. While the device doesn't allow live stream of sports or other events, the Internet does and the user is able to watch those events in other ways, thus users may actually go out somewhere to watch and interact with other people rather than sitting at home watching it. While the Roku may not have taken over cable yet, it allows the user to be in charge of their TV and that can be very powerful.

Number of Apps

The Roku has over 150,000 movies within the apps that it offers users. It also offers over 1,600 apps within the app store of the device. It allows the user to use top TV apps like Hulu, Netflix, NFL Channel, and even music stations like Pandora and Rido. Anything a user could want to watch is within this box, including streaming your own music is very possible. All of these apps in such a tiny little box is amazing. 

Speed

When it comes to the speed of the device, it all depends of the wifi connection. If you know already that your wifi is quite slow, the Roku may also move slowly. This is not a for sure deal, however this is something that users better understand before thinking that their Roku is broken. While the speed of the Roku out shines any other opponent, the wifi could always be a factor into the problem. 

Pricing Options

This is something that all users LOVE! And do I mean LOVE! The idea that one is able to chose how much they are wanting to pay for something vs. the set in stone deal is amazing. Users will have to love the idea that if they are looking to pay under $40 than the Roku 1 is the way to go. If you are looking for a top of the line product, the Roku 3 at $99. There is also a happy medium with the newest idea, the Roku Stick, my preferable choice that rings in at $49.99.

Diversity

As said before the idea of being able to buy more than one style is a sure win. If you are looking just for a sleek design, the Roku stick will be more than happy to assist you with that. It just plugs into any HDMI jack and from there takes the you into a whole new world. The Roku 1,2,3 are all state of the art as well with a solid grounding device. This device would sit in front of your television and act as a cable box, but much smaller and cheaper. Another thing to notice are that the Roku 3 has a headphone jack within the side of the remote so the user is able to watch great TV while not waking anyone in the house up! Now that is technology!

Where to buy

Roku’s are beginning to pop up everywhere and anywhere you can think! Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, or even Target will carry the newest Roku that any user could want. Roku.com also does a great deal of selling and they often PUT ITEMS ON SALE WITH FREE SHIPPING, so take note! The price as I said before will vary, but to what you are willing to spend.

Is Cable Going to be Old School?

Sick of that TV bill being just too darn high? With the Roku any TV can become a smart TV (as long as the user has access to a TV with an HDMI cord. Older TVs will not have this feature) Roku’s have really shaped the idea of cable and has made users think often times about canceling that nasty cable bill.

Conclusion

Overall this is a great device that will really make any user happy. Roku has done a good job at making sure there is something for everyone on their, and they are working everyday to make everything easier on all of us.