Category: Reviews
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Roku Streaming Stick 4K Review: Midrange, But Definitely Not Middling
On paper, Roku’s new Streaming Stick 4K seems like it could reside in a perfect sweet spot when it comes to price, portability, and performance. But to really find out if Roku’s hit the mark with its latest streamer, we had to spend some time living with the new device as our everyday, go-to streamer.…
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Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) Review: A Much Better Remote, But What Else?
After many, many months of rumors, Apple’s newest streaming device is finally here. The company’s calling it the second-generation Apple TV 4K and it’s bringing some impressive horsepower under its familiar enclosure. But it’s also packing a new and (potentially) improved Siri Remote, so we’ve got a lot to discuss. If you’ve been curious about…
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Roku Express 4K+ Review: Roku’s Pint-Sized 4K Streamer Packs a Punch
One of the headlining members of Roku’s spring 2021 lineup, the Express 4K+ is the company’s latest attempt to squeeze 4K-capable hardware into a compact, budget-friendly form factor. It’s set to take the spot previously occupied by the outgoing Premiere, while also bringing improved specs to the party. But how does the new Express 4K+…
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Amazon Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite Review
We’re reviewing two devices here, but it’s hard, if not impossible, to tell them apart just by looking at them. One is the latest version of Amazon’s Fire TV Stick, and the other is a new entry in the company’s budget streaming device lineup: the Fire TV Stick Lite. Externally, they’re the same, but in…
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Next-Gen Gaming Consoles Are Solid Streamers, Blu-Ray Players — But They Could Be Even Better
Update (11/22/20): We’ve added more details about the PlayStation 5’s Disney+ app after users discovered limitations on playback resolution. Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series S and X consoles have officially ushered in the next generation of gaming. But while these high-powered devices are clearly focused on video games, the last few console generations…
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Chromecast with Google TV Review: Teaching a Dongle New Tricks
After covering so many rumors and leaks about it, it’s a tad surreal to actually have Google’s new streaming device in hand. But it’s real. This is the Chromecast with Google TV, Google’s latest and greatest streaming dongle — now packing a new user interface based on Android TV and a remote control. We put…
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Roku Ultra 2020 Review: More Speed, More Features, and a Bit More Ultra
Editor’s Note (11/13/20): We’ve updated this review to include benchmarks and other insights gained after installing Roku OS 9.4 and exploring its new features and performance improvements. The latest Roku Ultra is here and the company’s promising a faster, more feature-rich iteration of its top-of-the-line dedicated streaming device. Of course, this isn’t the first Roku…
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Get the New Google Chromecast and 6 Months of Netflix for $89.99
Google just unveiled its new and improved Google Chromecast device during a company-hosted online showcase event Wednesday. The new Chromecast with Google TV is sleek, functional, and colorful with 3 choices including Snow, Sunrise, and Sky. The product is officially live and available for $49.99. Right now, Google is offering a bundle deal that gives…
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Roku vs. Roku: Four Streaming Devices Compared Head to Head (to Head to Head)
Roku’s current lineup of dedicated streaming devices runs the gamut of price points and features. At one end, the low-priced option goes for about $30, while the top-end model has an asking price more than 3 times as much. But what’s the difference among these streamers? What features and capabilities are Roku bringing to the…
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TiVo Stream 4K Review: A Budget-Friendly HDMI Dongle Packs a Limited, but Promising App
TiVo’s Stream 4K represents a different approach for the company. Instead of dedicated DVRs buoyed by paid service plans, the Stream 4K is a budget-priced streaming device meant to compete with Amazon’s Fire TV line, Roku, and others. Its key selling point is an integrated approach to content, pulling in viewing options from a number…