Items tagged with Roku
TCL on Tuesday launched its first TV lines that tap Google TV for smart viewing chores—updated 6-series and 5-series sets—seemingly representing a departure from Roku, its longtime cohort. However, TCL insists that is not the case, and says this is an expansion into new territory rather than a case of leaving behind an old partner (more on that in a moment). "With the explosive growth of smart TV and streaming service adoption, TCL is excited to expand our award-winning portfolio with Google TV models in the North American market. Leveraging our vertical integration, massive business scale and innovation advancement to deliver best-in-class products, TCL is further accelerating its...
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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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Smart TVs are hot ticket items this year for Black Friday, and it’s easy to see why. Prices have dropped dramatically on large screen panels, with 4K TVs measuring as big as 65 inches falling well below the $300 mark. This is good news for folks out there that don’t have a lot of money to burn, and just want the most bang for the buck when it comes to screen size and decent image quality. While we could spend all day laying out deals on high-end QLED or OLED panels that retail for $1,000, $2,000 or even $3,000+, we’re going to focus on budget Smart TVs offering under $500 that should still be pleasing to all but the most upper-crust pixel snobs. Insignia 32-inch Fire TV...
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Staying at home all the time can get pretty boring, especially if you are streaming TV shows and videos from online services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and every other provider that has thrown their hat into the streaming ring. If the lack of a streaming stick is holding you back, let's fix that. Ahead of what is actually supposed to be Black Friday, there are deals to be had on a whole bunch of options. Shown above is one of the cheapest options—it is Amazon's Fire TV Stick Lite with Alexa Remote Lite, on sale for $17.99 (save 40 percent). It is a quick, simple, and effective solution to get streaming. This stick is powered by a quad-core processor and can pull and display content in...
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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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If you're looking for a TV upgrade or just need to add another for quality stay-at-home entertainment, Amazon has some smoking-good deals on TCL, Toshiba and Insignia Roku and Fire TV-enabled 4K smart TVs. Some of the options are also HDR enabled, so If you're in the market, check out these solid discounts. The first of the TVs comes from TCL and is the TCL 43S425 43-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV. While this is a 2018 model, it still features current Roku capability and a moderate screen size that will fit into most rooms. The TV is offered with a 31% discount knocking $100.99 off the MSRP of $329.99. That brings the purchase price down to $229 with free Prime shipping. TCL 43S425 43-inch Roku...
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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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In the Smart TV space, Roku has established itself as the global leader with a wide range of supported apps, affordable dongles that can be attached to any TV, and deep penetration with top-selling TV brands like TCL. However, Google’s Android TV platform has been around for a few years and is looking to take some of the sting out of Roku and to a certain extent, Amazon’s Fire TV platform. Google announced today that the number of monthly active users for Android TV have skyrocketed by 80 percent during the last year. The company says that it’s currently working with 7 out of the top 10 Smart TV OEMs to ensure that consumers are able to experience Android...
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With many folks around the country still stuck indoors due to the coronavirus -- and bored out of their mind as a result -- many out there are wishing they had a larger TV for gaming and watching movies in their extended downtime. Not surprisingly, Best Buy currently has some very impressive deals going on a couple of large Roku 4K Smart TVs from TCL that could be the perfect cure for shut-in blues. The first of the TVs is the largest offering, and it's a TCL 75Q825 with a 75-inch a $K UHD HDR panel and mini-LED backlighting. Mini-LED backlighting allows for more precise local dimming and more uniform illumination. TCL also fits the TV with Quantum Dot technology for improved brightness...
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With the coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading like wildfire across the glove, many people are turning to leisure activities in their downtime. While many people are simply working from home, others are left with not much to do at all and have found solace in playing video games or binge-watching their favorite television shows. Amazon is buying in to our "social distancing" protocols with a sale on some popular streaming hardware. Naturally, the online retail giant is discounting its own first-party hardware including the stalwart Fire TV Stick. The Fire TV stick is normally priced at $39.99, but Amazon is currently discounting it by $17 to a low $22.99 with free shipping for Prime subscribers....
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Roku has released its earnings report for the last quarter of 2019, and the company did very well, exceeding expectations. The earnings report says that the company brought in $1.1 billion in revenue for the full year of 2019. The company also says that it reinforced its position as America's number one TV streaming platform (measured by hours streamed). Roku notes that 2019 was a big year for TV streaming with a "massive" shift of the TV ecosystem that gained momentum. In the earnings report, the company said that it believes that investing incremental gross profit in 2020 to extend its strategic advantage positions it for the decade ahead is key. Highlights from the earnings report include...
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Black Friday and Cyber Monday may have come and gone, but that doesn't mean you can't still get good deals. The big game will be here before you know it, and if you want a bigger screen to watch the game or to give as a Christmas gift, here is your chance. Amazon has an excellent deal going on a 65-inch TCL smart TV. The TV is the TCL 65-inch Class 5-Series 4K UHD Dolby Vision HDR Roku Smart TV, model number 65S525. That is a lot of TV for the money, as the regular retail price is $1,199.99. Amazon is offering a $700 discount making the TV 58% off with a price of $499.99. The TV, as of writing, is on Prime for free shipping and promises that it will get to you before Christmas. TCL 65-inch Class...
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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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Black Friday is nearly upon us, though as we have seen in recent years, the deals and bargains are rolling in ahead of time. We are not just talking about previews, either, but actual sales. Over at Walmart, for example, you can score a 70-inch smart TV with a 4K resolution, support for high dynamic range (HDR), and a built-in Roku streamer for a $499.99. That is a banging price for 70 inches of real estate. The Element 70-inch 4K Roku Smart TV for $499.99 has a list price of $798.00, so it's discounted nearly $300 right now. This also matches the lowest price we have ever seen this model go for. Here are some specs at a glance... Diagonal Panel Size: 70 inches Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Panel Resolution:...
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