As more consumers are cutting the cable cord, alternative TV options are increasing and improving, which will only get stronger over the next couple of years.
Google’s own media streaming instrument, the Chromecast, is pushing the competition to the extreme by retailing it for a price of only $30 to $35, making it the cheapest in the market today. And that’s a great value to consumers and TV fans alike, whether Roku and the other competitors in the market admit it or not.
Apart from its reputation as the pioneer and the pacesetter in the streaming market, Roku also enjoys familiarity with consumers and the sentimental users in them would likely stick to something that they have proven before. That is the marketing and promotional focal point of Roku 4 when it comes out but whether its rather hefty price would keep its sentimental users loyal or not remains to be seen. However, now that Apple TV video-streaming box is out with a $149 price tag, it would be easier for the Roku 4 to carry the same retail price when it is released before the end of the year.
In addition to its main features, the Roku 4 will reportedly have a reset button on the front, a stabilized firmware, an improved channel store, and a support for 802.11 AC Wi-Fi.
It will also come with a 2GB of RAM, which is far greater than the 512MB of RAM that the Roku 3 had. It shall also come with wireless technology and an internal antenna to improve the signal. Rumors also point to the device coming out with an ultra-HD resolution.
I don’t think Roku has anything to worry about.
First off, it’s doubtful anyone looking to upgrade their streaming boxes is willing to pay the steep fee of $150.
The other thing I feel that Apple has greatly overlooked is going to be the durability of the new Apple TV remote. I am interested to see results of it surviving rigorous drop testing, as well as replacement cost.
My current ATV remote has taken a beating, and I don’t think something as sensitive as the new iteration will survive a key trial: Kids.