#ROKU CHROMECAST FULL#

Like the current Roku boxes and the old Streaming Stick, the new stick will also support what's called Play on Roku, which allows the Android and iOS mobile apps to stream music and photos stored on the mobile device, along with videos that they shot on the mobile device, to a Roku box and the TV it's connected to. (Since Netflix and YouTube are already on the Roku box, the utility is less exciting than it might be.) Like the Roku 3, the Stick will also support a Chromecast-like feature called Send to TV, which allows you to sync the Roku device with Netflix or YouTube mobile apps to play the same streams as are playing on an iOS or Android device.

Story continues More video-casting options coming The Stick also lacks the Roku 3's USB port for playing videos from a USB drive. The model bundled with the stick lacks a headphone port for private listening, as well as accelerometers that allow it to be a game controller for titles like 'Angry Birds.' Like the other Roku devices, the Streaming Stick can also be controlled from a mobile app. The main difference between the Roku Streaming Stick and the Roku 3 is the RF remote control. (An upgraded Apple TV is rumored to come soon, however.) Beyond regulars like Netflix, Hulu Plus and HBO GO, Roku has Amazon Prime Instant Video, Vudu, Redbox Instant and others.

But Roku does have a better selection of mainstream channels than the $99 rival Apple TV. Admittedly, many of them are niche – such as Cowboy Classics and Zombie TV. the 14 Chromecast apps currently available (though more are coming).

#ROKU CHROMECAST FULL#

Like its big brother, the Roku Streaming Stick (available in April in the U.S., UK and Canada) offers the company's full assortment of more than 1,200 Channels, vs. In fact, this device is far closer to the $99 Roku 3.

But the Roku Streaming Stick offers a lot more for the extra $15. Both plug into a TV's HDMI port, are powered by a USB charger, and deliver streaming video, such as Netflix, to a TV. It would be easy to call Roku’s new $49 Streaming Stick a knee-jerk reaction to the $35 Google Chromecast.

Roku chromecast