Roku is rolling out a new version of its media hub that no longer takes up space in front of an HDTV. The new Roku Streaming Stick is a device that packs all the functionality of a Roku 2 XS into a USB stick-sized device that plugs directly into an HDTV’s HDMI port.
The Streaming Stick is powered through an MHL-enabled HDMI connection, letting it get energy from the HDTV itself. This requires an HDTV that supports MHL, which is a relatively new technology, so you might not be able to plug a Streaming Stick into your HDTV. While it should work with any MHL-enabled HDTV, it might not offer full functionality like remote control integration unless it’s a new Roku Ready product.
Roku Ready HDTVs, A/V receivers, and Blu-ray players are MHL-enabled devices that are guaranteed to work with the Roku Streaming Stick, and will both let users control the Streaming Stick through their device remote and adjust volume through their Streaming Stick remote. Hitachi, Insignia, and Mitsubishi are among the HDTV manufacturers confirmed to be working on Roku Ready screens, and other major brands are expected to join in the future.
The Streaming Stick includes a motion-sensing remote similar to the Roku 2 XS’s, but it uses Wi-Fi Direct instead of Bluetooth to communicate with it. The remote lets the Streaming Stick play games like Angry Birds in addition to the over 600 content channels Roku currently offers.
Read also:
Roku Streaming Stick To Launch In October (World Internet TV on PC (blog))
Roku Streaming Stick launches in October for $ 99, Vudu comes to the Roku … (Engadget)
Roku Streaming Stick Arriving Next Month For $ 99 (Geeky gadgets)
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