Since its release earlier in the year, the Roku 3 has been the little black streaming box to beat. Now the company has updated the rest of its streaming lineup with UI and design cues from the flagship streamer.
Roku announced the all-new Roku LT, as well as the Roku 1 and Roku 2 today. The latter two replace the Roku HD and Roku 2 XD. Like all of its set-top boxes, the updated streamers have access to 1,000 apps (Roku calls them Channels) via the Roku Channel Store. While most of the channels are one-off portals to streaming sites, the Channel Store still gives Roku a distinct advantage over devices like the Apple TV with access to apps like Rdio, Amazon Instant Video, Crackle, and more.
Roku also announced a new partnership with the M-Go video service that will give viewers quick access to movies and TV shows available for rent and purchase at the top level of the UI. M-Go purchases are routed through a viewer's Roku account, a sign the company may be trying to make renting and buying movies as easy as it is on the Apple TV, but without having to create its own video service.
The updated Roku line starts at $50 with the 720p Roku LT. The $60 Roku 1 ups the resolution to 1080p, and the $80 Roku 2 includes 1080p video, dual-band wireless, and a headphone jack in the remote for wireless private listening. The only thing the Roku 3 has on the 2 at this point is the motion-control remote and an Ethernet port. The Roku LT, 1, and 2 all have a composite input in lieu of the Ethernet port found on the Roku 3.
All three streamers can be pre-ordered now and will end up in your local retail store in October.
