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by stinky613 3122 days ago
> you're in like .01% of the population that wants [a self contained video streaming device with its own physical remote, processor and OS that does not need anything else but a internet connection]

Then why is Roku the most popular brand of streaming device?[1]

> You have log into an account within the 'roku os'

...and with Chromecast you have to log into an account within the Google Home mobile app. In both cases you only have to log in that first time.

> you also have to have the remote on you

No, you don't. You can use the Roku app on any iOS or Android device.

Most people who buy a device like this are trying to watch Netflix or Hulu; not trying to cast video files from a local storage medium. Note that the marketing copy on Roku.com[2] focuses on everything _except_ casting. And it's the same for Amazon[3].

[1] http://www.businessinsider.com/roku-vs-chromecast-amazon-fir...

[2] https://www.roku.com/how-it-works

[3] https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Fire-TV-Family/b?ie=UTF8&node=...

1 comments

And even though it's not a focus, Roku still has a perfectly usable Miracast/WiFi Display implementation that works with any Miracast source. I've used it successfully from both my android phone and win10 laptop.