Items tagged with (nasdaq:roku)
It's been a while since we visited the ongoing feud between Google and Roku. When we last broached the topic, we were hopeful that the two companies could work out their differences over YouTube TV on the Roku platform. Unfortunately, over a month later, the two companies are further entrenched in their positions on YouTube TV access. Now, Google is offering YouTube TV customers with Roku TVs free hardware to ease their pain. Google sent the following message to select YouTube TV customers: To ensure our loyal YouTube TV members have a great watch experience (including the ability to watch 4K content on our optional new add-on service coming soon!), we want to offer you a free TiVo® Stream...
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We've been covering the ongoing war of words between Google and Roku over YouTube TV negotiations for the past few weeks. And unfortunately for customers caught up in the drama, it's starting to devolve into an unsavory war of words. Most recently, Roku was accused of lying about allegations that Google made anticompetitive requests regarding YouTube TV and YouTube. Google admonished Roku by saying, "To be clear, we have never, as they have alleged, made any requests to access user data or interfere with search results. This claim is baseless and false." The company also acknowledged that it did ask Roku to support the open-source AV1 codec, which would raise hardware costs for Roku streamers...
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The fight between Roku and Google is getting weirder by the day. It all started last week when the former accused the latter of anticompetitive practices with YouTube TV, including search result manipulation and the retention of user data. Google, of course, disputes those claims. Yesterday, Roku sent an email to customers alleging, "We are disappointed to share the news that Google has chosen to let the YouTube TV contract expire." However, in a YouTube TV blog post that went up just a few hours later, Google fired back, writing, "Roku terminated our deal in bad faith amidst our negotiation. Unfortunately, Roku has often engaged in this tactic with other streaming providers." In other words,...
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Roku today yanked YouTube TV from its list of available channels for customers, after it says that Google decided not to renew its contract. This means that Roku users who haven't already added the YouTube TV channel to their account will no longer be able to do so. However, Roku is taking steps to protect customers that already have the YouTube TV channel installed. According to Roku, "users like yourself retain access to YouTube TV while we work to reach an agreement." Roku plans to continue blocking new channel adds and protecting existing YouTube TV customers "unless Google takes actions that require the full removal of the channel." The company also cautions users against removing the channel...
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Yesterday, Roku stirred the hornet's nest when it aired the dirty laundry between it and Google over YouTube TV. YouTube TV is Google's streaming TV service, and it is available on various streaming platforms, including Google TV, Fire TV, and Roku. At the time, Roku alleged that Google engaged in anticompetitive behavior in its current negotiations over the inclusion of YouTube TV on its platform. "Google is attempting to use its YouTube monopoly position to force Roku into accepting predatory, anticompetitive, and discriminatory terms that will directly harm Roku and our users," said Roku. "We simply cannot agree to terms that would manipulate consumer search results, inflate the cost of our...
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When we talk about YouTube TV, it's often because Google once again raised prices on subscribers, making the service more unpalatable to the general populous. But a new price hike isn't why Google is gaining attention today; instead, it's because of policies that smart TV platform leader Roku claims are predatory and monopolistic. Roku sent an email to current YouTube TV subscribers using its platforms over the weekend, describing how negotiations with Google have broken down. According to Roku, it "cannot accept Google's unfair terms as we believe they could harm our users." Roku sheds a little bit of light in the email on the impasse by saying that it won't agree to Google's "anti-competitive...
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Just about every TV that you buy these days is "smart", meaning that it is an internet-connected device that allows you to access many different streaming platforms including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, Disney+ and countless others. When it comes to smart TV operating systems, there are several them out there including Roku TV, Tizen, Android TV, FireOS and webOS. According to data from NPD's Weekly Retail Tracking, the Roku TV platform managed to garner 38 percent of the market in the United States between January 5th and December 26th, 2020, making it the clear leader. Its market share in Canada was just a bit lower at 31 percent. Roku also claims that as of December 31st, 2020 it has...
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Roku has announced two new additions to its popular streaming lineup today: the Streambar and an updated Ultra standalone box. These are some of the more expensive entries in Roku's extensive lineup, but should help to improve the company's dominant position in the streaming market. Kicking things off is the new Streambar, which combines the functionality of a soundbar with integrated Roku hardware. The Streambar measures just 14 inches in length and connects to your television using an HDMI cable (or optical if you choose). As you might expect from a modern streamer, the Streambar streams 4K HDR video and even includes support for Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant. Later this year, the Streambar...
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TCL took the Smart TV market by storm with its affordable 1080p and 4K offerings that came bundled with Roku functionality and the familiar stubby remote control. In recent years, the company has increasingly added in higher-end features while still trying to pay homage to its value roots. TCL’s latest intersection of premium features with pricing that won’t break the piggy bank comes in the form of its new 2020 6-Series Quantum Dot (QLED) Roku TVs. What’s special this time around is that these TVs use mini-LED backlighting technology, which can rival OLEDs when it comes to black levels and contrast ratio. The mini-LEDs are backed by up to 240 Contrast Control Zones...
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Depending on what devices you have been using to stream Netflix, you may find that it is no longer accessible today. That's because Netflix has flipped the switch and stopped supporting its service on older hardware, including a handful of Roku streaming players, certain Vizio TVs, and some Samsung TV models. Netflix actually announced plans to stop supporting certain devices earlier this month, saying at the time that it would happen on December 1st. That day has come, and if you own an affected gadget, you will see a message saying, "Netflix will no longer be available on this device." Most of the affected devices are very old at this point—up to around 8-10 years old. As for which specific...
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Anyone looking to cut the cord and get a smoking good deal on a Roku Ultra 4K HDR streaming device will want to pay attention to this deal. Walmart is offering a Roku Ultra with Premium JBL Headphones in a single bundle. The listing says that the Roku Ultra and the headphones are 2019 models, so this isn't clearance for older hardware. Being the day after Black Friday, the discounted price on the bundle is impressive. The Roku Ultra and headphones bundle is on sale for $48, which is a $51 discount. Roku Ultra Streaming Media Player 4K/HD/HDR with Premium JBL Headphones 2019 - $51 off at $48 The Roku Ultra supports HD, 4K, and HDR content and has enhanced voice remote features to make it easier...
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Before you cut the turkey today, you may want to cut your cable with one of these deals. Streaming devices from Roku, Amazon, and NVIDIA are all on sale starting today. There's enough savings going around to fill your plate. Up first, Roku has their Ultra and Streaming Stick+ models listed on Amazon for more than half off. Roku's make for a popular options thanks to their compatibility with a wide variety of streaming platforms and live TV. Roku Ultra - $51.99 off at $48.00 Roku Streaming Stick+ - $30.99 off at $29.00 Amazon is getting in on the game themselves with the Fire TV Stick 4K priced half off. Their new "hands-free" Fire TV Cube is enjoying a discount as well. Both of these products...
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It's becoming harder and harder to find TVs these days that aren’t "smart" straight from the factory. Smart TVs with their integrated internet connectivity and media platforms make it easier for hardware OEMs to track your viewing habits (by default) and make additional revenue from advertising. Roku is looking to take its ad-related business to the next level with new pop-ups that are delivered to customers when commercials are playing on their Roku TVs. The folks over at Cord Cutter News noticed that Roku has recently started placing pop-up ads during commercial breaks during both cable TV and over-the-air programming on Roku TVs. (Image courtesy Cord Cutter News)...
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Are you in the market for a new streaming player? Roku just released new versions of the Roku Express and the Roku Ultra. The two streaming players are meant to provide a “device for every type of streamer”. Roku last refreshed its line of players this past autumn and the updated devices come with a number of new features. The new and improved Roku Express is reportedly 10% smaller than the original Express. The device is meant to blend in with the user’s environment and it can be powered by one’s television if an outlet is unavailable. The Roku Express features HD streaming. It also includes a power adapter, high-speed HDMI cable, and a simple remote. Roku...
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Roku just made it easy to upgrade your television's audio and add streaming capabilities in one fell swoop. The new Roku Smart Soundbar is notable because not only is it the company's first soundbar, but it also comes with a built-in Roku Ultra streamer, allowing users to stream videos in up to 4K Ultra HD with HDR support. Granted, most modern TVs come with built-in streaming capabilities, so for some it might be a redundant feature. However, for those who prefer Roku to Chromecast (the latter of which is found on many TVs), the Roku Smart Soundbar could serve as a nifty 2-in-1 upgrade, piping out better audio than a TV's speakers with 4K HDR streaming support to boot. "We’ve been very...
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If you're in the market for a new 4K television, and can't wait until Black Friday to score a stellar deal, Amazon has some pretty amazing prices right now on two TCL TVs that just might be up your alley. The TVs in question measure 43 inches and 55 inches diagonally respectively, and both feature the highly popular Roku TV interface. First up is the TCL 43S425, which features a 43-inch 4K panel. This TCL 4-Series television support HDR and features an LED-backlit panel. The television includes three HDMI 2.0 ports (HDCP 2.2 support), while one of them supports HDMI ARC. The TV also has integrates nicely with Alexa and the Google Assistant. For example, once you enable the Roku skill in...
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If you’re in the market for a big screen TV, there have been waves of great deals rolling in over the past few weeks to satisfy your buying urges. Today, we’ve got another smoking deal, this time on a 55-inch Smart TV from Sharp. In this case, we’re talking about the Sharp LC-55LBU591U, which is a 55-inch 4K HDR TV for those that are looking for more budget-minded entry. More importantly, this is a Roku TV, which means has a built-in Roku Smart TV interface giving you easy access to multiple streaming platforms including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, YouTube TV, HBO Go and numerous others. You’ll also have access to Roku’s own streaming...
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Roku has just announced a new enhancement for owners of Roku streaming devices and Roku TVs. Thanks to a new Amazon Alexa skill that is now available, you will be able to use any Alexa-enabled device to control your Roku hardware. While customers that have Roku Voice Remotes can already bark voice commands, this new Alexa tie-in opens up voice control to a broader Roku audience. In order to enable this newfound Alexa functionality, your Roku devices will need to be updated to Roku OS 8.1 or higher and you will also need to enable the new Roku skill. Amazon’s entire family of Echo devices are supported including the Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Dot and display-equipped Echo Show. Once enabled,...
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People all around the U.S. are tired of paying high prices for cable or satellite TV. High cost has led to a big movement of people cord-cutting and going to streaming services, rather than paying big cable or satellite. A recent survey showed that cord-cutting is going mainstream as more and more people move to streaming only; big cable and satellite companies see the writing on the wall and are moving to appeal to these users. Comcast recently unveiled a set-top streaming box to lure back some of the 106,000 subscribers it lost in its most recent quarter. Roku has announced new services that might push sports fans, who have been on the fence about cutting the cord, to get out the scissors....
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Earlier this year, Roku announced the Roku Connect platform for allowing devices like Roku TVs and settop boxes to wirelessly communicate with smart speakers and sounders. One of the first fruits of that new initiative is coming in the form of the new Roku TV Wireless Speakers. Roku’s primary mission is to allow users to quickly and seamlessly add high-quality wireless speakers to their Roku-powered TV. Roku says that Roku Connect allows its product to be uniquely positioned in the market as it can "optimize sound for the picture and ensure audio video sync". Rather than taking on the soundbar format, the Roku TV Wireless Speakers instead come as a pair of black towers (similar...
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When it comes to standalone media streaming hardware, Roku is the market leader with it family of affordable devices. Roku has even managed to integrate its streaming goodness into smart TVs, including popular budget brand TCL. First initiated in 2014, the Roku TV initiative has grown to include eight television brands (the recent addition of Magnavox will make it nine), and Roku claims that one out of every five smart TVs sold in the United States is running the Roku OS. Now, Roku is looking to further extend its reach by expanding its technology licensing program to include smart speakers and soundbars, which will connect to Roku TVs and Roku settop boxes using Roku Connect. Roku Connect allows...
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Over the summer, Plex Live TV arrived in beta form for all Plex Pass subscribers. Unlike services like YouTube TV or Sling TV, this isn't a streaming service from a content provider. Instead, Plex Pass subscribers have to hook up an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to a compatible digital tuner, after which you can access OTA content from within your home or anywhere in the world using the Plex App. When Plex Live TV first launched, it was made available for NVIDIA SHIELD TV, Android TV and iOS devices. In early August, availably was extended to the Android smartphones/tablets, and Apple TV. Today, that support expands again to include Roku streaming players. Roku is currently the #1 streaming hardware...
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