Roku has just released the second generation of their award winning streaming player line; Roku 2. When reviewing the first generation, I titled it “Roku Streaming player will ROK U and your TV.” That being the case, not only will the second generation of Roku, ROK U, but it will also amuse you thanks to its gaming addition.
The new Roku 2 XS is so small, that it is hard to believe that this could very well replace cable and be YOUR favorite entertainment purchase. Personally, with wireless internet, I have not had cable since I reviewed the first generation of Roku.
Set up was a snap for me, as it was as simple as swapping the boxes, acquiring my WiFi signal and then entering my Roku account information. That really is it.
The featured channels include (but are in NO WAY limited to);
- Hulu Plus (subscription req)
- Disney
- Netflix (subscription req)
- Amazon Instant Video
- Pandora
- UFC
AND…….Wait for it…..
- Angry Birds
Those are just a few of the well into the hundreds of channels you can watch. They span interests, genres, etc. Even if you choose not to subscribe to any premium channel, you will never again utter the words “$#@$%, there’s nothing on tv”, even if you are the most experienced couch potato or remote commandant.
In going through the channels, I was able to find the usual cast of characters that I constantly watch on the first Roku as well as the shows I follow, which was nice. I was also able to add a few that I never heard of that looked interesting, such as;
- Classic Western
- Menorah
- Stuffwelike.com
Alas, I must give props where they are due. Roku has taken my favorite Android and iOS game and put it on my 46” LED TV. It comes in the form of the Angry Birds channel. Methodically taking out those notorious pre-bacon beings just warms the cockles of me wittle hart. “The survival of the Angry Birds is at stake. Dish out revenge on the green pigs who stole the Birds’ eggs. Use the unique destructive powers of the Angry Birds to lay waste to the pigs’ castles. Angry Birds features hours of gameplay, challenging physics-based demolition, and lots of replay value.” They do plan on adding Angry Birds Rio and Seasons, as well as other games, as time goes on.
I cannot say with any amount of certainty whether or not the streaming is faster, as it may be my “N” router as well.
As with my first review of Roku, I will leave you with a warning; This product is HIGHLY ADDICTIVE. From Netflix, Amazon video on demand, to Pandora and Hulu Plus, the Roku suits all your entertainment needs. As the great Stevie “Guitar” Miller once sang, “Keep on a Rockin me”……..Roku
Go to Roku.comto learn more, or better yet, get a great deal at Amazon.comon this player as well as other Roku products. And oh ya, tell them that your “FORMER” cable company sent you, because you won’t be needing them any more.
