Over the past 10 years, streaming enthusiasts have gotten used to the fall and winter being full of announcements concerning new streaming devices from across the industry. Be it Roku, Amazon, Google, or Apple. Like cell phones and other major electronics, it had become routine to see a new and improved product on the shelves. This year at Roku and it seems other companies as well there have not been announcements for anything new as far as inexpensive streaming sticks and the like.
Why hasn’t Roku launched a new box?
Because new boxes and sticks are typically only released when there is a new breakthrough in processor speeds or other hardware that can improve the performance of a product. When Roku started with its Netflix player, what seems like a lifetime ago, the industry was evolving quickly as was the market for CPU’s and all of those other chips and silicone goodies that make hardware lovers smile. So as hardware produced by suppliers independent of the company improved Roku was able to utilize the innovations to make drastic improvements to its product line adding features like cross-platform searching, its app store and voice recognition. Yes. To all those who just bought their first Roku product most of the features that you take for granted now did not exist when Roku launched. The grid we all know and love was part of the launch for the Roku 3, its fourth streaming product. Even the inclusion of YouTube and ESPN were a long time coming.
Roku has instead put more of its muscle into the TV market by working with its more partners to improve the experience on the TV end. In general, this typically falls more on the manufacturers and individual brands than Roku itself. But for instance, a company like TCL may make a leap on LED technology or how it uses it and then release a new TV with Roku built in.
That is the case this year. While Roku has no new external devices it does on the other hand have a new Roku branded TV coming that improves on its first Roku TV which launched last year. The new models will be available in three sizes, 55”, 65”, and 75”
According to a release by the company, the Roku Pro Series TVs feature exceptional picture quality with a 4K QLED display, Mini-LED, local dimming, and enhanced audio technology.
But the biggest and most obvious change from the new model and most every other Roku TV and the many partner sets is the new pro series is designed to rest flat against the wall. It just hangs there like a picture. This is a feature that had been previously available in high-end models from companies like Samsung with its niche “Frame” line.
So for those of you who are not in the market for a new TV but want to up your experience from an interface or performance standpoint, you will have to wait for chip makers to make a leap first.
I hope you enjoyed another trip behind the curtain.
