Roku has introduced a new version of its Streaming Stick at a much lower price tag than the previous version.
The Streaming Stick was originally launched in 2012 and until now has sold for $99 — and it was marketed as a way to turn an HDTV into a connected TV. But it depended on an MHL-enhanced HDMI port to work. Now, at $49, the gadget is set up to compete head-to-head with Google’s Chromecast streaming dongle.
Just like the $30 Chromecast, it connects to a TV’s generic HDMI port, widening the scope of its addressable market. The device, a purple entry that’s about the size of a USB drive, offers access to a range of over-the-top (OTT) video “channels,” including the usual suspects like Netflix and Hulu, PBS and Showtime. Notably though, it doesn’t offer YouTube.
It also comes with its own RF- and Wi-Fi-connected remote to search and navigate various menu items. The new Streaming Stick is scheduled for release in April.
