Roku announced three new budget streaming boxes to its line, adding the Roku 1, Roku 2, and a redesigned Roku LT.
(From left to right: Roku 3, Roku 2, Roku 1, and Roku LT)
These new streamers replace the Roku's old entry-level models (Roku HD, Roku 2 XD, and the existing Roku LT), designed to offer less expensive options for those who don't need all the bells and whistles available on the flagship Roku 3.
The Roku LT and Roku 1 remotes are slightly different than the budget remotes in the past, featuring direct-access buttons for Netflix, Amazon Instant, Blockbuster, and M-Go.
Eagle-eyed Roku fanatics will also notice that the "jump back" button has been restored to the cheaper models, which previously was only available on the Roku 3.
The Roku 2 adds two killer features to its remote that made the Roku 3 a hit: a headphone jack, for private listening, and Wi-Fi Direct, so you don't need line of sight to send commands to the box.
In a way, the new boxes look even sleeker than the Roku 3, with a sloping case that gets thinner toward the front, while still maintaining enough room in the back for the analog jacks.
The Roku 2 remote doesn't have the motion-control functionality or gaming buttons that the Roku 3 has, but given the scarcity of quality games available for Roku, it's not a big loss.
