Smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, and even your PC are all great for entertainment, but they don’t do things quite like a dedicated streaming device. Today, there is a lot of content available on free video-sharing platforms like YouTube and a lot of TV channels also have internet-based streaming services where you can watch the channel via the web. While these are all good to have, they aren’t necessarily the only or even the best solution. If you are considering a streaming device for your home, here are the 6 best devices currently available.
1. Amazon Fire TV 4K
Amazon Fire TV 4K is the top-of-the-line variant of the Amazon media streaming bundle and offers an incredible 4K experience. The platform is a redesigned and recalibrated version of Android, however, its main focus is Amazons’ media content. It has everything you would want from Amazon Prime Media including uncut versions of Prime Music and Prime Video. Combined with the 4K capabilities and the fact that it has all the popular platforms like Hulu and Netflix, it’s a fantastic option for heavy media users.
2. Google TV
In the past, Google launched what was known as the Android TV, today that service has been discontinued and replaced by Google TV. The latest video streaming service by Google has some of the main features of Android TV in a better-constructed package with a few additional perks. One fantastic feature of the Google TV is that it doubles as a gaming platform and you can play a lot of the AAA titles directly from the Google interface. The games are slightly modified to cater to the limited hardware available. In terms of storylines and game dynamics, they are exactly the same as the console versions. You can also find some classic games that are light and easy for both adults and children alike.
3. Roku
Roku is a streaming platform that has been gaining a lot of momentum because it is very open in terms of the services it offers. Whether you are looking for Amazon products, Google products, or just the regular Netflix and Hulu services, you will find it on Roku. Roku calls these services ‘channels’ and also gives users the ability to create and monetize their own content much like they would on YouTube. So if you already have a YouTube channel, you can share the same content through Roku and now you’ve gained another revenue stream. As Roku has millions of users, not only is the revenue really good but you also get a lot of traffic and exposure which will certainly benefit your other publications.
4. Apple Play
If you are part of the iOS world then Apple Play might be the right choice for you considering how seamlessly it syncs with other iOS devices. Whether you want to stream content from the iTunes store or you want to watch media through other platforms like Netflix, you can do it through the Apple Play TV. Also, consider a TV with Apple Airplay if you are looking to upgrade the TV itself. For people who have an older TV, an Apple Play device is the optimum upgrade as it also has the features of the Apple Airplay. Apple Play also comes with a Siri-enabled remote and you can also integrate the Apple HomeKit with the interface.
5. Amazon Fire 3rd Gen
If you are looking for a more cost-effective option and don’t need the 4K quality that the top-of-the-line Amazon device offers, then consider the 3rd Gen Fire edition. It has nearly all the features of the latest device with the exception of a few features, most notable 4K support. Considering that it has all the latest firmware updates, in terms of performance it is just as good.
6. Tivo Stream
Anyone who’s dealt with DVRs probably remembers Tivo devices. Their latest offering isn’t a DVR so it doesn’t require a subscription and it’s quite reasonably priced for the services it offers. You can simply plug this into your TV and use it like any other media streaming device and access all the international, local, and web-based content that you enjoy. Local TV is offered through Sling TV. The standard model comes with HD resolution while the higher-end version also offers 4K.
Popular video streaming services such as Netflix not only provide you with a lot of the good content you would otherwise find on TV, but they also have their own unique content which is only available through that platform itself. Similarly, people who don’t have a smart TV can get the entertainment they want by investing in a streaming device. Even those with a smart TV don’t have access to all the latest streaming platforms, so getting a device is a great way to access that content. Plus there are additional features like smart home connectivity and even gaming, so get your streaming device and consolidate all your entertainment in one place.
