Look out, Google Chromecast: there’s another cheap media streaming HDMI stick in town. Roku’s new Streaming Stick packs almost all the functionality of a full-sized Roku box into an HDMI device slightly bigger than a USB flash drive. The Stick is powered with a micro-USB cable that plugs into a USB port on the TV or the included power adapter. At $50, Roku’s device is $15 more than Chromecast, but well worth the upgrade. The Streaming Stick comes with a traditional remote and on-screen interface, which is very similar to a traditional TV watching experience. You can still “push” content to the device from your phone, like on Chromecast, but you can also navigate exclusively with your remote. The Streaming Stick also comes with access to all 1,200 of Roku’s channels, including just about every major service – things like Netflix, YouTube, HBO Go, Amazon Instant, MLB.TV and more. If this sounds like a device you’ve just got to have, Roku’s Streaming Stick is due out in April for $49.99.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named LinkedIn’s “Top Voice in Technology,” he covers tech and business for Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular daily business blog. He's a bestselling author, and the creator of the popular, free online course, Generative AI for Execs. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.