I used to think if I can find a Roku 2 XS for $55, I’d prefer that over any other Roku product. But that’s only because I’m cheap, and the XS does everything I really need to do with a Roku. Well, then Roku did it to me again, and introduced a new product at a dynamite price that I just had to try out. It’s the Roku Streaming Stick (3500R) available from Amazon for $49 plus tax.
So why do I want/need another Roku when I already have 3 generations of their products and use them all daily? Truth is, I don’t. But, the ‘Stick’ is simple, it’s portable, and you plug it in and it just works, like a Roku should. And did I mention, it’s cheap.
A couple take-aways from the excellent c|net review referenced below:
Superior streaming stick, slightly slow
1) “Roku’s Streaming Stick offers tons of apps, a real remote, and a compact design for just $50, but the slow bootup times of some key apps keep it from being the ultimate streamer.” My comment: Buy the ‘Stick’ for portability, not for your ultimate media streamer that stays connected day in and day out in the living room. A Roku 3 is much better suited for that. And
2) As a portable device, “At just a little over 3 inches long, it’s easy to throw in a bag for traveling, although be forewarned that hotel Wi-Fi doesn’t always play nice with media streamers, regardless of the brand.” One solution I found to deal with this problem in a majority of travel/rental situations is to carry a TP-Link Nano Access Point ($20 on Amazon). Plug it into the hotel’s wired network, connect to streamer to it wirelessly and you’re off to the races – so to speak – and provided the wireless service your connected to has sufficient bandwidth to support streaming. Many hotel cheap out in this regard and your not going to stream, regardless.
Here’s another review that will help you make up your mind about the Roku’s new ‘Stick’:
Roku’s new streaming gadget has rough edges
And there are many others. From my perspective, this little device (and my Nano) will be traveling with me, my ChromeBook, and my Republic Wireless phone from here on out. [Truth is, my iPad tags along too, since it has cellular data services that help keep my costs down on my Republic plan.]
PS – Though I have yet to test this thoroughly, with the Nano as my wifi access point in a hotel setting, I should be able to leave the Roku ‘Stick’ remote at home and use the Roku remote application on the Republic (Android) phone instead. I’ll be testing that theory on an upcoming trip. If it all works out, that’s one less thing to carry – and that’s a good thing.
