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Do any of you use the Roku device? I was talking with some coworker about the Roku and they stated that they use a Roku with a smart TV because the interface is more user friendly. The fundamental problem with Roku was the assumption that Smart TVs would make the Roku device obsolete. What do you think? Do any of you use the Roku with your smart TV?

Aseahawkfan wrote:Do any of you use the Roku device? I was talking with some coworker about the Roku and they stated that they use a Roku with a smart TV because the interface is more user friendly. The fundamental problem with Roku was the assumption that Smart TVs would make the Roku device obsolete. What do you think? Do any of you use the Roku with your smart TV?

When I first started streaming, I bought Amazon's Fire Stick and plugged it into one of my "dumb" TV's so it could function as a smart TV. Later, when I decided to go to Spectrum, their app that I needed to stream with wasn't compatible with Amazon's product so I had to buy a Roku device.

The Roku device is far superior to Amazon. It has volume controls on the side of the remote whereas the Amazon did not. I really can't compare it to a smart TV as I don't have one. I've run ethernet cables to all of my locations so all TV's will be able to access the internet so long as they have a USB port. I may be buying an additional Roku device for my overhead projection TV so I can get ESPN and other cable sports channels. Right now, I just have access to the over-the-air stations like Fox and NBC on the overhead projector.

They sell for less than $40 so you're not risking a lot of money. My advice would be to go ahead and buy it over Amazon and if you don't like it, send it back.

Interesting. I'm looking at ROKU stock. I'm starting to see the original idea is false that it would only be useful for Dumb Tvs and as people bought smart TVs it would start to decline. If the attraction is a very user friendly interface for a modest price, that might not be the case. They may continue to sell well as the go to device with a better interface that can be used on any type of TV. That can go a long way to making a product a solid long-term stock play.

Aseahawkfan wrote:Interesting. I'm looking at ROKU stock. I'm starting to see the original idea is false that it would only be useful for Dumb Tvs and as people bought smart TVs it would start to decline. If the attraction is a very user friendly interface for a modest price, that might not be the case. They may continue to sell well as the go to device with a better interface that can be used on any type of TV. That can go a long way to making a product a solid long-term stock play.

Ahh, so you're looking for opinions of the product regarding a potential purchase of their stock. I assumed you were thinking of buying the product itself.

I'm not sure what other products Roku makes or what other ventures their company is in, but my guess is that these "fire sticks" will go away once tv manufacturers perfect smart TV's and people start to cycle out the 'dumb' tv's for smart ones. I don't see why the features offered by the portable stick can't be integrated directly into the TV's or what advantage they'd have over a smart tv.

RiverDog wrote:Ahh, so you're looking for opinions of the product regarding a potential purchase of their stock. I assumed you were thinking of buying the product itself.

I'm not sure what other products Roku makes or what other ventures their company is in, but my guess is that these "fire sticks" will go away once tv manufacturers perfect smart TV's and people start to cycle out the 'dumb' tv's for smart ones. I don't see why the features offered by the portable stick can't be integrated directly into the TV's or what advantage they'd have over a smart tv.

That's the interesting part. What you stated is what was the investment thesis initially. But Roku is still growing even as Smart TVs become more ubiquitous. It seems that Roku has an easier to use interface that can be used on any TV. Whereas smart TV manufacturers must each come up with an interface that doesn't infringe on another TVs interface to differentiate their product. So an inexpensive platform for making your TV easier to use might remain valuable if Smart TV manufacturers are required to create differentiated user interfaces to stand out in the market and avoid patent infringement. That might keep ROKU relevant long past market saturation of smart TVs.

Aseahawkfan wrote:That's the interesting part. What you stated is what was the investment thesis initially. But Roku is still growing even as Smart TVs become more ubiquitous. It seems that Roku has an easier to use interface that can be used on any TV. Whereas smart TV manufacturers must each come up with an interface that doesn't infringe on another TVs interface to differentiate their product. So an inexpensive platform for making your TV easier to use might remain valuable if Smart TV manufacturers are required to create differentiated user interfaces to stand out in the market and avoid patent infringement. That might keep ROKU relevant long past market saturation of smart TVs.

Patents only last so long. Roku won't be able to live off their current innovation for very long. They'll need to continue to create new products or modify their existing one with different features if they're going to stay relevant. There's a long list of "one hit wonder" companies.

RiverDog wrote:Patents only last so long. Roku won't be able to live off their current innovation for very long. They'll need to continue to create new products or modify their existing one with different features if they're going to stay relevant. There's a long list of "one hit wonder" companies.

True. But cell phone patents have run out and yet only two major types of cell phones exist: Apple and Android. Sometimes being the first mover in a market can put you far ahead if you can keep upgrading your product in an attractive fashion.