Roku has just announced a new video-streaming stick that plugs into a TV's HDMI port and feeds Internet video through a Wi-Fi connection. Similarly shaped with Google's Chromecast, Roku's thumb-sized device comes with a remote control, allowing users to access the Roku user interface with shortcuts to movies, TV shows, news, the Roku Channel Store, Roku Search and more. Select channels can be also browsed through a smartphone or tablet, using the free Roku apps for Android and iOS devices. Users can also cast Netflix, YouTube and personal media from their devices to their TVs.



Roku offers more than 1,200 channels (more than 750 channels in Canada, the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland) of movies, TV episodes, music, news, sports, kids' shows and free programming and all in up to 1080p HD video.

Roku?s original streaming stick, the Roku Streaming Stick (Roku Ready version), which the company launched in 2012, will be bundled at retail with Roku Ready devices. The 2012 stick only worked on TVs with mobile high-definition, or MHL.

The new Roku Streaming Stick (HDMI version) has a suggested retail price of $49.99 and it is available for pre-order now from Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, BestBuy.com, BestBuy.ca, FutureShop.ca, Currys.co.uk, LondonDrug.ca, Staples.ca, Target.com, Walmart.com, Walmart.ca, Roku.com, Roku.ca and Roku.com/uk. It will ship to consumers and arrive in retail stores in April.

For comparison, Google's Chromecast sells for $35.