Roku recently launched a new streaming stick which it claims has a faster processing speed which could easily rival some of its high-end counterparts. The new Roku Streaming Stick costs $50 and still outputs in HD and lacks 4K streaming capabilities.

The new streaming dongle from Roku is a bit smaller and longer compared to its direct predecessor. Surprisingly though, the new Roku stick is colored black and not purple.

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However, the most significant changes are not seen by the eye. The new Roku streaming stick sports a powerful quad-core processor, an upgrade which Roku claims is eight times compared to the processing power of the previous model. This massive upgrade is a necessary move for Roku since most streaming apps now have more artwork and have process demanding contents. This contents can often cause the streaming stick to slow down when loading or browsing.

Roku also claims that the new streaming stick have quicker performance, faster boot-up speeds and faster navigation. Roku added that the increased length of the new stick can be attributed to the improvements made to its antenna as well as the integration of some interference-busting shields. Roku said that it had made significant improvements to the new stick in terms of wireless performance.

The new Roku streaming stick comes with a dedicated remote, although it still lacks the headphone jack and the voice-search microphone feature integrated on the Roku 3. On the other hand, users still have the option to get those features by using the free Roku app for both Android and iOS, according to Wired.

The Roku app allows users to use the voice-search capabilities on the new stick and a new update that adds the private listening feature present on high-end Roku devices, according to The Verge.

Compared to two of its biggest competitors, the Google Chromecast and the Amazon Fire TV Stick, the new Roku dongle is still a bit expensive. Moreover, tech analysts still consider the Google Chromecast as the clear leader in terms of market share. On the other hand, Roku claims that the new stick's smaller form factor and upgraded processing power is what set it apart from its competitors.