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Roku celebrates 100 channels in the UK and Ireland, says more are on the way
Hitting any milestones or goals are usually worthy of a celebration, and on this occasion it's Roku's turn to party on. The LT, HD, XD and XS creator is flaunting the reach of 100 channels in its UK and Irish boxes, adding over 60 since its launch date back in January. The outfit isn't planning on slowing down anytime soon, though, saying more channels are expected in the upcoming months and that it aims to bring the one-channel-per-day model to streamers across the pond. Congrats, Roku, congrats.
Official Roku remote app rolls out for Android
After delivering its official remote app for iOS in December, Roku has quickly followed that up with a version for Android. Claiming compatibility with any Android 2.1+ device, it appears to have all the latest tweaks from the iPhone version already included, with a D-Pad and shortcuts to popular apps. Users can also do the same basic functions like add / remove / rate channels, control playback, and control multiple Rokus. Hit the Android Market at the link below to snag the free app for yourself or head over to Roku's blog to let it know if this is truly better than the numerous unofficial apps already available.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: HDTV and home theater
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. For a crowd-pleasing holiday gift, it's hard to do better than a TV (or something that plays on or plugs into a TV), so naturally we're here to help you out once again. Of course, this is an ever-changing industry segment, but we've got you covered -- regardless of whether you need a flat panel or a projector. If you're out shopping for someone that has (or wants to) cut the cable, or someone that has every channel, there's something for you. Of course, we'd also recommend keeping a close eye on the tablet and gaming categories too, but companies like Roku, Samsung and Ceton are making sure you have all kinds of options dedicated purely to video. Give them a look after the break.
Roku streamers officially available at Walmart, no Vudu channel in sight
Though it had already been spotted online, Roku confirmed today that its media streamers are available at physical Walmart stores nationwide. Pitching it as an option for Father's Day gifts, the press release and accompanying blog post highlight the value at $78 for a Roku XD, but we're pretty sure for some all you need to say is MLB.tv. There's no word of any tie-ins with Walmart's Vudu service, but its hard to imagine the retailer being excited to move a box that won't eventually include access to its own offerings.
Roku streamers pop up at Walmart, could a Vudu channel be on the way?
Zatz Not Funny points out the Roku XDS and XD streaming video players have popped up for sale on Walmart.com. Following the usual Walmart pricing they're a buck under the usual MSRPs, but the more interesting question is whether this portends the arrival of the (Walmart-owned) Vudu as a channel on Roku devices. It only makes sense Walmart would want to get its service included before these boxes make their way onto physical shelves, but we'd be more surprised if we didn't hear something before the Walmart star appears on Roku's official retail partners page.
Plex Media Server launches client for Roku
Plex has been serving up streaming video for more than a minute, bringing content to Macs, iDevices, and even jailbroken Apple TVs (not to mention apps for all sizes of Android). For those who are neither Apple aficionados nor dedicated 'droid users, the company has rolled out a client that runs on Rokus. It's currently in beta and only supports video, but Plex plans to provide picture and music management in the future. Plex's XBMC secret sauce paired with Roku's ample streaming content buffet? Sounds delicious. [Thanks, James]
Roku players updated, fixes a few issues but may introduce a new one for PlayOn
A place at retail may be the future for Roku, but for current owners there's a firmware update just issued that brings the box to version 2.9 build 1553. According to the release notes it makes the banner ad on the home screen clickable as well as adding several optimizations that support "numerous new content partners" like the updated MLB app. There's also a tweak to the USB channel to help MKV files play without rebuffering and displaying the WiFi mode in network settings. However, PlayOn users may want to avoid clicking that update button for now, according to another thread in the forums, many are seeing streams on their channel lose audio/video sync by as much as 10 seconds. That's a bit more than we usually need to adjust for, and given the apps unofficial status getting it fixed could be tricky so proceed with caution.
Roku XD player comes directly to Best Buy shelves with no Netgear intervention
After receiving a boost from Netgear it appears Roku's plans for 2011 include hitting retail under its own name, as it's officially announced the Roku XD (no NTV250 branding) is available at Best Buy, as well as Fry's and Radio Shack. Previously Roku only sold its own player through online but after breaking through 1 million units it's apparently ready for bigger things. We've been informed the Netgear-branded boxes will sell out their inventory and be replaced by these going forward, so those interested in grabbing one for the archives may want to do so quickly. 2011 should see a big charge into retail from Roku as it seeks to stay one step ahead of the media streaming competition and this is just the first step; for now one can only wonder exactly what the next move will be.
Roku rolls out version 2.8 software update with refined interface
We've already seen a preview of it, and Roku has now finally rolled out its version 2.8 software update for everyone to try out themselves. The biggest changes all concern the interface, and include improvements like a new seasonal home screen banner, the ability to re-order channels on the home screen, a revised Channel Store with a grid of icons and, last but not least, a home screen clock. Look for the update to gradually roll out to Roku boxes over the next few days, or simply head to the settings menu to force a download it right now if you just can't wait.
Roku previews UI tweaks on the way
Our friends from ZatzNotFunny and Liliputing spotted Roku at a recent event showing off the next version of software for its media streamers: version 2.8, which should add several UI improvements including the updated Channel Store seen above. Also spotted was a special fall-themed skin and placeholder for the soon-to-arrive Hulu Plus access. The DLNA we've been expecting since our Roku XDS review still hasn't made an official appearance but we'll keep our fingers crossed until the update is official and we have a changelog in our hands.
Netgear Roku XD Player gets official, coming to big box retail everywhere
We knew something was up when we saw a Netgear-branded Roku XD hit the FCC and subsequently turn up at Fry's, and now it's official: Netgear will be selling the Roku XD as the -- wait for it -- Netgear Roku XD Player. Hardware and functionality-wise, it's the exact same Roku XD you've come to know and love -- 720p Netflix and Amazon streaming with support for 1080p on certain channels -- but Netgear's vast distribution network means that it'll be sold in Best Buy, Radio Shack, Fry's and anywhere else Netgear products routinely show up. It's a pretty aggressive move for Roku, which was previously online-only -- the company has been saying its goal is to put a box by every TV in your house, and the XD is certainly cheap and flexible enough to tempt quite a few big-box shoppers. Of course, you're be paying a little extra for that extra silkscreen and distro love: Netgear's MSRP is $89.99, $10 more than the straight Roku. (Fry's selling it for $79.99 after "instant savings," though.) That's not exactly impulse-buy pricing, but it's still $10 cheaper than the Apple TV, so it looks like the heat is on -- check out our Roku XDS review and just ignore the part about USB playback to get a feel for the XD. Update: Did we say "coming" to big box retail? One tipster tells us the Netgear Roku Player at the Salt Lake City Best Buy store right now. You'll find pictures of the box immediately below. [Thanks, Jeremy] %Gallery-105024%
Netgear-branded Roku XD on sale at Fry's
You won't find it on Netgear's site but you will find the Netgear branded Roku XD media streamer on the physical and virtual shelves of Fry's. That's right, Roku has hit the mainstream. The Netgear Roku XD Media Player (model NTV250) appears to offer all the same features of its Roku XD cousin including built-in 802.11n WiFi; Netflix, Pandora, and Amazon Video on Demand streaming; and HDMI out for 1080p video. Even the $79.99 price is the same after some "instant savings" shenanigans. Now lets get this baby into Best Buy and Wal-mart for the kind of mass market exposure it deserves. [Thanks, Gary L.]
Apple TV vs Roku HD... fight!
Two tiny black 720p boxes, two interesting choices. The $59 Roku HD will put Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand and Roku's 75 other content channels on your TV quickly and easily, while the $99 Apple TV offers up iTunes rentals, Netflix, and eventually AirPlay streaming from your iPad or iPhone. (You could step up to the Roku XDS with 1080p support for $99, but we don't think the extra money will be really worth it until the USB playback channel is released and / or there's more useful 1080p content available.) It's a tough decision, so check out our Apple TV review, our Roku XDS review, and our in-depth comparison chart to just try to make up your mind. Then again, you could grab 'em both and still not break the bank. %Gallery-103840%
Roku launches revamped HD, XD, and XDS players, starting at $59
We've been wondering what Roku had up its sleeve after the FCC leaked the Roku XD and XDS following Apple's $99 Apple TV announcement, and it looks like those earlier price cuts were just the beginning: the new Roku lineup starts at just $59 for the basic WiFi HD streamer with HDMI and composite outputs. That's basically impulse-purchase territory if you're looking for a quick way to get Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand or one of Roku's 75 other channels on your TV. The $79 Roku XD adds in 1080p streaming support for channels with 1080p content, and the top-of-the-line $99 XDS adds in a USB port for future local playback support, component video and optical audio out, and dual-band 802.11n WiFi. All three boxes share the same new slimmer case, while the XD and XDS get a new sleeker remote with new instant-replay and info buttons. Definitely an intriguing set of upgrades -- we've been playing with the XDS for a few days, so go check out our full review!
Roku XDS review
It's an interesting time for Roku -- the upstart device company has owned the cheap'n'easy Netflix streaming market since the beginning, and its platform has been getting more and more flexible over time, adding various channels like Amazon Video on Demand, MLB.tv, UFC, and others. But cheap and simple aren't necessarily good enough anymore, not with the new $99 Apple TV set to launch in just a few weeks -- and while Roku already took the preemptive step of slashing prices across the board, it's following up with some promising new hardware and features. The new Roku HD offers basic 720p streaming capabilities for just $59, the new Roku XD adds 1080p streaming support for $79, and $99 Roku XDS -- which we tested -- offers 1080p support, a USB port for local media, optical and component outputs, and dual-band WiFi. Apart from the new case, the HD and XD are extremely similar to Roku's previous offerings, but the XDS is immediately interesting -- it offers a number of features absent on Apple's offering. So does the newest flagship Roku have what it takes to remain our favorite inexpensive streamer? Read on to find out! %Gallery-102946%
Roku XD and Netgear Roku XD Player hit the FCC
Well, well, what's this? Looks like Roku has some bigger plans for hitting back at the $99 Apple TV than just price cuts of its own: a Roku XD and a Netgear Roku XD Player just hit the FCC. That's right, Netgear -- Roku's expanding its platform to third parties. We don't know if these two devices are standalones or designed to work together, but we're guessing they're standalones; the Netgear unit might blend in some of the Digital Entertainer line's support for local playback and services like PlayOn, YouTube, and CinemaNow. Of course, the big question is going to be price, since if these are substantially more than the Apple TV's $99 they're going to have to offer some major features, but we should be finding out what's up soon enough: the confidentiality on these docs lifts October 23.
