SARATOGA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Roku® today unveiled that Element Electronics; GlobalVue International, LLC; Haier; Hitachi America, Ltd.; Insignia, a Best Buy brand; Mitsubishi Electric (TVs); Onkyo and Integra; OPPO and TMAX Digital, Inc. (Apex Digital® TVs) are among the first companies working closely with Roku to develop new consumer electronics devices for the Roku Streaming Stick™. Launching in the coming weeks, the Roku Streaming Stick is an easy and cost-effective way for consumer electronics manufacturers to add the proven Roku streaming platform to a device that features Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL). These new ‘Roku Ready®’ devices will display a distinctive Roku logo on their packaging, indicating they will work seamlessly out of the box with the Roku Streaming Stick. In addition, select devices will be bundled with the Roku Streaming Stick so consumers can immediately receive the full benefits of the Roku streaming platform.
Announced in January, the Roku Streaming Stick is a tiny, wireless streaming player that is the size of a USB flash drive. It features built-in WiFi, a processor, memory as well as software, updated on a regular basis, free of charge. Once plugged into a MHL-enabled device, the Roku Streaming Stick will stream video and music as well as enable casual game play from the more than 500 entertainment channels available on the Roku platform. When paired with a TV, the Roku Streaming Stick integrates the Roku streaming experience seamlessly into the TV user interface, giving the customer the ability to use the TV remote for all streaming activities.
“The response to the Roku Streaming Stick is tremendous. Consumer electronics manufacturers recognize the value in making products that stream entertainment, yet it is very difficult for them to deliver and sustain a vibrant, robust streaming platform on their own,” said Chas Smith, vice president of business development at Roku. “The Roku Streaming Stick adds instant access to the leading streaming platform with virtually no overhead from manufacturers, while giving consumers the best streaming experience available.”
“By partnering with Roku, and developing a line of new Mitsubishi TVs that will support their new Roku Streaming Stick, we will be able to offer the best big screen TVs and the most powerful internet streaming device together, bringing web-based entertainment to a whole new level for our customers,” said James Chan, vice president of marketing, Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America (MEVSA), Inc.
MHL is a new standard that is seeing wide adoption by consumer electronics manufacturers. MHL resembles HDMI in appearance but unlike other connectors, it delivers power and other critical elements for the Roku Streaming Stick.
The Roku Streaming Stick will be available in the coming weeks from Roku and retailers. It will be sold separately as well as bundled with select consumer electronics devices. Pricing will be announced at a later date. For more information about the Roku Streaming Stick visit www.roku.com/streamingstick.
About Roku Inc.
Roku is the leading streaming platform for delivering video, music and casual games to the TV. Roku launched the first player to stream Netflix to the TV in 2008, and today streams more than 500 entertainment channels to millions of customers. Roku streaming players can be purchased from Roku and major retailers in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and the Republic of Ireland. Founded by Anthony Wood, Roku is headquartered in Saratoga, Calif. For more information, visit www.roku.com.
Roku and Roku Ready are registered trademarks and the Roku Streaming Stick is a trademark of Roku, Inc.