SmartStream

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Barb Gonzalez  |  Apr 13, 2016  | 
A hands on review of the MightyTV movie streaming discovery app. Check out the tips on how to use the social and mashup features of this unique new app.
Barb Gonzalez  |  Mar 31, 2016  | 
Dish's Hopper 3 has a completely redesigned interface, powerful new hardware, and 4K capabilities that have improved the Dish experience making it easier to watch what you like whether it's your favorite sports team or learning about what's coming to theaters.
Barb Gonzalez  |  Mar 10, 2016  | 
Sony's Playstation Vue and AT&T's DirecTV Now promise a streaming alternative to cable TV programming. These bundles and the FCC's proposal to open access to cable channels without a cable box are changing the way we get our TV programming.
Barb Gonzalez  |  Feb 25, 2016  | 
Mighty Audio has launched a Kickstarter campaign for an iPod Shuffle-like device that stores and plays Spotify playlists.
Barb Gonzalez  |  Feb 18, 2016  | 
On a trip to Kenya, I discovered the best way to stream my movies and music while traveling outside the U.S.
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 26, 2016  | 
Spotify has made a name for itself as one of the leading streaming music services and this week will add video to its Android and iPhone apps. Officially, video will roll out on the Android app first, followed by an update to the iPhone app in the coming weeks.
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 13, 2016  | 
Like many other gadgets at CES, this was the year that ideas became reality in streaming services, media players, and smart TVs.
Barb Gonzalez  |  Dec 17, 2015  | 
With the Sonos Controller app's latest update, a public beta of Apple Music is now available for streaming to Sonos speakers. The update also adds Trueplay speaker tuning, which optimizes sound quality based on the acoustics of where a speaker is located.
Barb Gonzalez  |  Dec 03, 2015  | 
The newest Chromecast model has hardware and software improvements. Do you need to upgrade to the second-generation Chromecast or to the Chromecast Audio?
Barb Gonzalez  |  Nov 18, 2015  | 
The fourth generation Apple TV finally brings true apps to your TV but doesn't offer 4K. Still, new features may make it your top choice among the new media streamers.
Barb Gonzalez  |  Nov 04, 2015  | 

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $130

AT A GLANCE
Plus
4K streaming to UHDTV
Agnostic search finds titles in multiple services
Notifications when specific movies become available

Minus
Remote mic is inaccurate
Search can’t find specific episodes of specific seasons

THE VERDICT
If you own a 4K TV, this is a slam-dunk. If not, the advances in hardware are still enough to step up from a Roku 2.

One must wonder if Roku waited to release its fourth-generation media streamer until the aptly named Roku 4 was capable of streaming 4K content. The newest Roku box can connect to compatible UHDTVs to stream 4K movies, TV shows, and videos from Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, M-Go, and a growing number of 4K streaming sources. And though 4K streaming is the Roku 4’s main appeal, improvements in hardware and the software interface make it the best Roku box yet.

Barb Gonzalez  |  Oct 21, 2015  | 
The new Amazon Fire TV streams beautiful 4K video but it doesn't yet have all the features listed in its product description.
Barb Gonzalez  |  Oct 08, 2015  | 
This fall brings lot of streaming news with the release of new Chromecast and Roku models as well as new features to Hulu, YouTube and Amazon Prime. It may be time to upgrade.
Barb Gonzalez  |  Sep 23, 2015  | 
The next generation of Fire TVs is coming in October along with updates on the existing models. Amazon is upping the ante with great new features and capabilities.
Barb Gonzalez  |  Sep 09, 2015  | 
A new Apple TV arrives in October and it's (finally) been upgraded significantly.

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