Roku Releases iPhone App

Roku continues to become even more accessible with an iPhone remote app. Users can control the set top box by a swipe or touch, add or remove channels or launch and rate channels. The app is free and the company notes that an Android version is on the way. Last week they also updated the Roku 2 and LT players with MKV playback support, updated game performance, better audio and longer battery life.

Via Roku

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NAV Holiday Gift Pick - Apple TV Holiday Priced

'Tis the season. If you planned to invest in Apple TV, now is the time. With streaming of movies and TV shows from iTunes and availability of content from Netflix and various online sources, the box is unassuming at its 4" square size. Control by remote, or by iPhone/iPad/iPod touch with app. At $99.00, this might challenge Roku as the set top box of choice.

Via Apple TV

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Freakin' Friday! Roku 2 Includes Angry Birds

Roku 2 has arrived in a more diminutive form and we guess that the company is hoping to calm those Netflix subscribers who freaked at the latest price hike. The box now includes a redesigned remote, a free (!) TV version of Angry Birds and 250 channels including FoxNews and Epix movies. Add subtitles and access to Amazon VOD (for a fee) and kiss your cable or satellite goodbye.

Via Roku

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Roku to Add Angry Birds

Roku is doing what other Internet gaming consoles would like to do, making Angry Birds accessible to its users. Already available on Google Chrome and soon to be on Windows Phone 7, they are hoping that being able to play it on big screens will make the neighbors scream squeal with excitement. Watch for versions Seasons and Rio, a dedicated video station with shorts and merchandise to also become available from the Roku Channel Store.

Via Roku

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Roku Offers Amazon Prime

Roku keeps taking steps forward, this time in conjunction with Amazon. Their Amazon Prime is now available on the set top box for a mere $79.00 a year. We say mere because for that approximately $6.00 a month you get streaming of over 5,000 movies and TV shows.

Via Roku

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Freakin' Friday! Roku Sales Pass Million Mark

Roku has announced that they have sold over one million of the tabletop players and determine that an average user watches about 11 hours per week. About 100 channels are offered and the company claims that there have been more than a billion streams thus far. In a recent interview, Roku CEO Anothony Wood said he doesn't foresee bandwith usage caps. "Unlimited [broadband] sells," he said. "It's just a good marketing strategy."

Via Hacking Netflix

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Freakin' Friday! Roku Lowers Prices

Hooray for competition and free enterprise. In anticipation of Google TV and other such devices, Roku has dropped the price on its SD, HD and HD-XR players. They have also announced that they will be offering 1080p later this year, although it will be limited to USB storage. Even with that limitation, it certainly takes Internet video streaming more accessible to those on a budget.

Via Roku

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Vimeo Comes to Roku

Vimeo has finally arrived on Roku. Following the likes of Pandora, Netflix and Amazon VOD, you can now sort videos according to their picks, your uploads and selections saved for later viewing. Of course, nothing is perfect as the service lacks sharing, albums, and channels, but it's a start. Vimeo itself recently added HTML5 for iPhone and iPad support.

Via USA Today

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Watch Alice Free with Amazon VOD Signup

Roku owners can watch Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland for free if they sign up for Amazon VOD. Already have the service? Then you can rent it for $3.99 in SD or $4.99 in HD or buy it outright.

Via Hacking Netflix

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Roku to Add Netflix Channel

Roku has decided to update its UI to make it more user friendly. The Netflix Channel, due out in June, is a free update. New additions include the ability to search the entire Instant Library from your TV, browsing of movies and TV shows and adding same to Instant Queue.

We have to admit we are definitely fans of Netflix Instant Streaming. Our current "Dexter" marathon is only equal to our recent "Damages" run. It's a wonder we get any work done here these days.

Via Roku

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Roku Adopts Open Platform Channel Store

Now might be the time to consider a Roku investment. It now has an open platform Channel Store that allows producers to implement their video services in addition to current providers that includes Netflix Amazon OD, Flickr, Pandora and Motionbox. If you already own one, updating is free and works on all models, including the HD-XR and SD.

Via Roku

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Roku Unveils SD and HD-XR

Roku has released its SD and HD-XR. Both stream movies and TV in HD. The SD plays your Netflix Instant Watch library at no additional cost, streams Amazon OD, sets up in 5 minutes and can be used either wired or wireless.

The top of the line HD-XR loves Amazon OD content in addition to Netflix, has an extended Wi-Fi N dual-band built in and plays both DVD and HD on any TV.

And if you really want to impress the neighbors, the HD-XR comes in a Premium Cable Pack.

Via Roku

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MLB.TV Available on Roku

MLB.TV Premium subscribers will now be able to watch games on their Roku. Included are out-of-market games as well as access to on demand from the week. Of course, your Roku can be used to pause, fast forward, rewind and resume to replay that unassisted triple play endless times for any family member that missed the first 600 viewings on TV. The player should automatically update with the new channel and if you are not yet a MLB.TV subscriber, it will cost you $35.00.

Via Roku

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Amazon Offers HD VOD

Good news for HD TiVo and Roku owners. Amazon is now streaming HD on its VOD service. There are over 500 movies and TV shows. Rent a flick for $3.99 or $4.99 or a TV episode for only $3.00.

Via Amazon HD VOD

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