Gadgetory

the new 2016 Roku streaming stick is one of the smallest things you can connect to your TV but as big appeal to users of services like Netflix Amazon video who sling TV HBO Go and all the rest the old purple stick was one of our favorite streamers for the money and we love that it can tuck behind your TV out of sight the new slimmer black one is the same price 50 bucks in the US the biggest improvement the new version is speed roku says the new stick has eight times the processing power of the old one and on our hands-on demo that certainly seemed like the case the old stick is relatively sluggish to load apps and populate thumbnails particularly on complex apps like sling TV but the new one flies through and felt just as fast as any of the Roku boxes to me it also powers up faster which is important if you want to eliminate the power cord by using your TV's USB port Roku has also improved the Wi-Fi connectivity of course you'll still need a decent Wi-Fi network at home to use it since unlike Roku's boxes it doesn't have an Ethernet port the other big new feature is the ability to listen privately by your phone or tablet tap the headphone icon and Roku's app and the sound is transferred to your headphones and your TV mutes allowing you to watch TV at night without disturbing others for example for now that feature is exclusive to the new stick although some Roku remote saw fur headphone jacks with their own - unlike the $35 chromecast the new Roku stick includes its own simple remote and doesn't require your phone to use Roku also showed off a new feature that shows its most popular TV shows and movies across all 30 of the services at searches it seems like a cool way to find something new without having to explore each app individually Roku is our favorite streaming platform at the best selection of apps and interface that doesn't prioritize one source like Amazon video or Google Play movies & TV over any other as the best search and full customization so you can surface the apps you use most just like on your phone if that new stick delivers that great experience with lightning speed for just 50 bucks it could once again be my favorite beating out the chromecast fire TVs and Apple TVs in the world it's coming later this month and we'll have a full review soon I'm David Katz my frisina