As we recently posted, Roku is expanding its reach by obtaining exclusive rights to all of the failed streaming platform Quibi’s content. That is just one small reason Roku announced that, according to NPD’s Weekly Retail Tracking Service, they are the #1 selling smart TV OS sold in the U.S. and Canada. I can totally appreciate why.
Until the past September, I hadn’t used a Roku device in years. A work project required me to get one, and I was truly impressed with what Roku has become. I’m even planning to add Roku setup boxes to my other televisions! Now Roku has announced exclusive rights to Quibi’s library of more than 75 shows and documentaries.
We are big fans of Roku here at Gear Diary. They make some truly excellent hardware and strive to offer a hardware and software experience that makes streaming easy, no matter what your choice of content. It’s been frustrating, then, that they didn’t have a deal with Time Warner’s HBO Max. It was basically the only streaming service you COULDN’T get natively on your Roku…until now!
When we reviewed the Roku Ultra and Roku Streambar, we highlighted how Roku is the best choice if you’re not tied to one particular streaming service. That value proposition has only increased now that Roku has added Airplay and HomeKit support to many of their 4K devices!
Roku prides themselves on their laser focus — it’s all about making streaming the best possible experience for their users. Their interface is simple, their devices are plug and play, and their entire ecosystem is built around offering multiple options at every price point. We took a look at the Roku StreamBar and new Roku Ultra and came away very impressed!
Streaming is one of the biggest changes to how we consume media, and Roku has been at the forefront of bringing the ability to binge-watch “Great British Baking Show” for an entire lost weekend. For them, streaming isn’t just one business arm out of many, it’s their entire purpose, and Roku is intent on improving and sharpening their streaming services.
If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us all, it’s that streaming is an essential service. It’s also taught us to wash hands better, but that’s more life advice and less relevant to why you’re probably reading Gear Diary. In any case, if you’ve been working your TV to the limit, check out the new TCL 5 and 6 Series 4K smart TVs with Roku!
Roku is basically everywhere in the television world right now. There are devices that attach to your television, Roku OS built into televisions, it’s inescapable. But the folks at Roku aren’t content with just dominating as a streaming OS; they’re adding support for surround sound as well so your streaming experience is as immersive as possible!
Access to streaming services is an integral part of the television experience. There are so many services that integration across the software, your subscriptions, and your hardware is crucial. Roku has a plan for that, with “Roku TV Ready” partnerships, assuring consumers their experience will be as seamless as possible.
Roku usually gets lost in debates about Chromecasts, Fire TV, and Apple TV, but they’ve quietly chugged along putting out solid streaming boxes and carving out a reputation as a solid neutral choice in the streaming wars. They’re taking that further with a new exclusive partnership with Walmart and their new onn Roku Smart Soundbar and onn Roku Wireless Subwoofer!
Roku, long known for their streaming devices, has decided to up the ante in the audio market by introducing the new Roku Smart Soundbar and Roku Wireless Subwoofer. The Smart Soundbar is said to produce excellent sound on its own, but the new Wireless Subwoofer should a punch of bass. Preorders are open now on Roku.com for October 2019 shipping.
The TCL 6-Series is a great 4K LED TV, especially when you take into account the affordable pricing. With 55” and 65” models, the 6-Series shines with excellent picture quality, high-dynamic-range imaging (HDR), easy-to-use smart TV features, and a nice, small remote with voice-control features. Starting at $649.99, the TCL 6-Series deserves a top spot on every holiday shopping list.
Roku is a company that has defied all conventional wisdom to become a household brand. They’re in the streaming business and up against Apple, Amazon, and cable companies, yet they just keep ticking away gathering more and more loyal users. Now they’re making a jump from hardware to software by expanding their Roku Channel and bringing it to computers and tablets in the USA.
Shopping for a new TV to watch the Super Bowl on? Well here is a TV deal that rivals even some of the best Black Friday deals. TCL has dropped the price on their S Series 55-inch 55S405 model to $369.99. The 49-inch 49S405 has also been dropped and is now just $329.99. The TVs both feature a 4K Ultra HD Resolution, HDR, a 4K Creative Pro upscaling engine, a 120Hz CMI effective refresh rate, dual-band Wi-Fi, and an ethernet port. And of course they come running the awesome Roku TV interface.
TCL might be known for being a budget TV brand, but their product announcements at CES indicate that they are focused on bringing even more premium features to their TV series, and that includes a major focus on HDR. To that effect, today they announced two new series of 4K UHD TVs with HDR and Dolby Vision.
TCL has just announced that they’re expanding into the world of audio with their new Alto Family of products. The first release in the product line is the TCL Roku Smart Soundbar, of course, a soundbar is a natural product progression for the growing TV brand.
One of my favorite devices that I use in my home is my Roku. Even though I have a Smart TV, I was actually pretty disturbed that Roku TV was not on my Sony Vizio when I purchased it. So I was surprised when I found out a lesser known (in the US) brand by the name of TCL announced they would be making Roku TVs.
In a new report from The Wall Street Journal, Apple seems to be in the talks to launch an slimmed-down online television service which would have around 25 channels with some major names like ABC, CBS, and Fox, and heavy hitter cable channels like E!, and Syfy.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Greg’s take on Why I’m Considering Getting an Apple Watch, more than I enjoyed yet another over-long, under-delivering Apple ‘event’. Part I can understand, as I was listening to the audio stream through my car for a half-hour, but I found this the biggest Apple snoozer I can recall. Let me give you 10 reasons why!
Popcornflix is now sharing their expanding tub full of movie and TV with PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 owners. The free streaming service is now available on Sony gaming consoles in the U.S and Canada with availability coming very soon to Latin America.
Sling TV is a $20 streaming video service presently viewable on Roku, iOS, Android, Mac, or PC. Sling TV provides mostly live viewing of: ESPN, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, and others. For many people it may be just the service that allows them to cut their cable cord for good.