Online Streaming

I go on and on in this blog about how technology has changed over the years and how much it has impacted our everyday lives, but the evolution of television, in my opinion, is the one product that has gone through the most changes. When the television was invented it took years for people to become fully accepting of it. It took years for the vast majority of the population to own at least one TV and now American households have at least three per house. There are now multiple size televisions to choose from, different brands, LED, LCD, and Plasma screens, and even 3D televisions. Another decision I never thought could be possible is how people decide to access their television.

There are multiple mediums for people to view television including through their television providers, computers, phones, and now online streaming services. The main medium I will be focusing on is the online streaming phenomenon that has taken over the technology world by storm. Gaming consoles and televisions are not just things to play video games on or to watch live television but to stream other videos from online. These designs offer other apps and games that the original device could not offer by itself. There is now a necessity for a product to not just offer one service but to provide multiple services in one. All of these all in one products have at least one online streaming service whether it be Hulu, Netflix, Crackle, or many others. Here is a quick description of how to stream your online footage and what devices you can use to stream the content onto your television.

Roku is one, somewhat new, product that has definitely caught my eye along with thousands of other television lovers. This is a product that in my opinion is best fit for my age group, the young adult living on their own trying to get as much stuff as possible for as cheap as possible. With products ranging from a one time price as low as $50 to $100, this little box offer access to just about whatever you can already access online and brings it to the big screen in your house. With products such as Roku that completely bypass television providers and their large monthly fees, I wonder if some people may consider this as a complete alternative to live television. My sister who is recently engaged and just moved into her own house, is tight on money and has a Roku. She and her fiance do not have a television provider therefore do not watch live television in their home, but they have access to thousands of movies and other forms of entertainment through Roku. For them, Roku is an alternative to live television and they do not feel as though they are missing out on anything. Like I said earlier, I believe Roku, and products like it, have tapped into the young adult demographic who seek as much entertainment as possible while paying as little as possible. 

Where can Roku and other online streaming products go to next? Here is another video about the upcoming Roku Streaming Stick that was unveiled at the CES 2012 Convention.

I believe the Streaming Stick will be extremely successful due to its portability and being wireless. I have a Roku box as well and the wires are bigger than the actual box, which I find quite annoying. You find a place for the box but then you have to find a place to hide all the big, black, and ugly cords. Roku obviously agreed with me and found a solution.

Who knows where television will be 5 years from now. With each year that passes audiences gain more and more control over what they watch, when they watch it, and what they watch it on. How much more can the audience control? We will soon find out in the years to come.