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Amazon Fire TV Cube vs. Roku Ultra: Which streamer is better?
Amazon and Roku’s most powerful streaming devices battle it out
If you are in the market for a powerful media streamer for your 4K or 8K TV, it’s tricky to choose between Amazon’s Fire TV Cube and Roku’s Ultra, as both are capable and excellent streaming devices. Of course, the inclusion of smart speaker functionality in the Fire TV Cube sets it apart from the Roku Ultra. But even beyond that, the two have their own advantages and drawbacks in terms of pure streaming capabilities. So, we are pitting the Fire TV Cube against the Roku Ultra to help you decide which is the better media streamer for you.
Save $30 on Roku's best streaming box right now
Short of its soundbars, the Roku Ultra is where it's at
Over-the-top TV hardware is all over the place these days, but if you want as little physical fuss as possible — you did decide to "cut the cord," right? — the latest Roku Ultra box might just be for you. And for the next couple weeks, you can save a good chunk of change on one.The box features 50% better Wi-Fi reception than its prior iteration to help pipe in payload from Netflix, Hulu, and all the like in 4K with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision to the TV all the way in your garden shed. It's still got Ethernet if you need it plus HDMI and USB ports for the direct connections to your set. The Ultra is also able to display video from casting device (which you may need if you're dealing with YouTube TV) and connects with your Alexa, HomeKit, and Google Assistant setup as well.
Roku introduces two new streaming devices alongside Roku Channel app
Also check out the new Roku OS update
Roku has been a big name in streaming for some time now — it seems like everyone and their mother has at least one Roku device in their house. If you're looking to add one to your home, or just to upgrade your existing streaming experience, you're in luck: the company has announced some hefty new hardware in the new Roku Ultra and Roku Streambar, as well as an OS update and a new standalone streaming app.
The days are getting colder, the nights are growing longer, and your couch's warm embrace has begun to beckon you near, imploring you to have a seat and binge your favorite television shows late into the evening hours. You may try to fight it, but you know you want to check out that new fall lineup on Netflix and Hulu. Immerse yourself in glorious 4K content this season with a Roku Ultra and JBL headphones bundle, only right now on Amazon.In the box, you get the Roku Ultra 2019 edition, a dedicated remote control, and a pair of premium JBL earbuds for private listening. You can also use the official Roku app on your Android handset or iPhone to navigate your set-top box and search for shows with voice input. With just a tap or command, you'll have access to content on a wide range of platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, The Roku Channel, HBO, Showtime, Hulu with Live TV, PlayStation Vue, Apple TV, and even Apple TV+ when it launches in November. If you don't own a 4K TV, no worries; the Roku Ultra will stream in standard HD and HDR, as well.
Even if you're not a Prime customer, there are still some good deals to be found on Prime Day. Roku is discounting a bunch of products starting today, most notably its 4k Ultra box and Streaming Stick+, lowering the prices to $69.99 ($30 off) and $49.99 ($10 off) respectively in multiple shops, including its own online store.
Sometimes Black Friday deals stick around for the better part of a week all the way until Cyber Monday, but sometimes they're incredibly short-lived. Case in point: The 2018 Roku Ultra is on sale for $50, but it looks like it has already sold out at B&H Photo. If you're interested, you had better pick one up while you can.The 2018 Roku Ultra can sling 4K and HDR content onto your home screen, and it's kitted out with dual-band 802.11 AC MIMO Wi-Fi, Ethernet, microSD support, and a headphone jack on its voice-controlled remote — better peripheral support than most recent flagship phones.At the time of writing, it's still available for $50 over at Amazon and Best Buy, but if B&H is any indicator, that may not last too long. So if you're interested in picking one up at the current discount, it might be better to do it now, rather than later.Source: Amazon, Best Buy
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- So it turns out that this deal is the opposite of good. According to Roku, the 2018 version of the Ultra will be on sale for half off, or $49.99, starting on November 22. Walmart is also getting in on this by offering the 2018 Ultra for $48.
The smart TV game has plenty of options, depending on your preference or brand loyalty. If you're a fan of Roku, then this deal might be of interest to you. Amazon has a certified refurbished Roku Ultra (2017) for just $64.99, a nice $35 off the $99.99 MSRP. Roku's 2017 Ultra supports 4K, HDR, and HD streaming. There are plenty of apps available, including the big ones like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and so on. The included remote can be programed to control your TV's power state and volume, and it also has the neat feature of supporting headphone plugin via the 3.5mm jack.
According to the Amazon listing, Roku has certified each refurbished unit to look and act like a brand new one. You get the original accessories, plus a 90-day warranty. If you're looking to add some smarts to your current TV, or bury the built-in system as far from your sight as possible, this is a good option to consider.
It has been a big week for deals here at Android Police, and better still, a whole bunch of them are still going strong, as their savings continue to be available for shoppers looking to take advantage. Whether you're shopping for a new phone, some smart-home accessories, or just looking for a new source of entertainment, these deals have got you covered.
Roku's high-end streaming box, the Roku Ultra, got a hardware refresh and a price cut late last year, falling from $129 to $99. Now, Amazon and Best Buy have it for even less, at $79.99.
Slightly over a year ago, Roku announced three new streaming devices - the Roku Express, Roku Premiere, and Roku Ultra. The company's lineup became rather confusing, and the 4K/HDR-ready Roku Ultra was a hard sell against the $69 Chromecast Ultra. Today, the company announced a refresh for its entire hardware lineup, alongside a major new OS update.
Roku Inc, maker of the popular Roku line of home media players, has just refreshed their entire product lineup at once. The existing lineup of flagship Roku boxes (but not the Roku Streaming Stick) has been replaced by three new products (with upgraded models for each); the Roku Express, the Roku Premiere, and the Roku Ultra.