Digital Home Thoughts: Roku Rocks Streaming Set-top Box World

"Roku announced Wednesday that the company is revamping its line of three set-top boxes for streaming video. All three models come in a much smaller case, similar to the new Apple TV and about the size of two CD jewel cases. Some models also gain support for 1080p video output, while the top model can stream MPEG 4 files directly from a USB drive."

Streaming technology is gaining more acceptance every day. With the updated Apple TV, it has also been thrust into the forefront of the media's attention. iTunes does have its competitors though. Netflix, Hulu, Pandora all provide streaming services and Roku seems to be the device to combine them all into a single interface. The price cuts and 1080p support for the higher end Roku boxes are welcome changes and helps make sure that there will be plenty of competition among all the Apple TVs, Boxees and other streaming boxes out there. The rising interest in streaming video is also probably why Internet providers are all looking at data caps. It both protects their existing video offerings and should other companies beat them in the battle for streaming video, they will still stand to make a profit.