Roku announced a new version of its Streaming Stick on April 4, Tuesday that includes almost all of the features of the company's other video-streaming devices. The $50 high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) dongle provides HD unlike the 4K resolution of the Roku 4 streamer box, but also offers quicker processing speeds and updates to the company's mobile app. Other upgrades to the new Streaming Stick include a thinner shape, color change from purple to black, and quad-core processor.

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The big boost of the Roku stick's processing power is a major change. In fact, Roku chief marketing officer Matthew Anderson shares that it has increased the power by eight times, according to Wired.

Anderson notes that due to the skyrocketing streaming market, mobile apps often include more CPU-focused content including artwork. Thus, Roku's updated stick will help to reduce time needed for loading and browsing. It now includes faster boot-up, navigation, and performance.

In addition to adding a more powerful processor, Roku engineers have also boosted the stick's wireless performance. The antenna's new location makes the stick a little longer than the previous version.     

Roku is improving the performance of the $50 stick by making its internals closer to the Roku 3 box. It has also given the Roku mobile app an update to bridge the gap more.  

The new Streaming Stick includes a dedicated remote control. It also provides the Roku's 3 headphone jack and voice-search mic by using the mobile app for iOS and Android.

Roku's mobile app update also includes a new "private listening" feature. This allows users to mute the sound from their TV set and stream audio from their mobile device, after connecting to the streamer box's Wi-Fi network.

The Roku Streaming Stick is now available for pre-order and the first version's price tag has been cut to $40 while supplies last. Meanwhile, Roku shares that the new Stick will ship within the next two weeks.    

In related news, Twitter will stream 10 Thursday night National Football League (NFL) games during the upcoming 2016 season. The social network spent about $10 million for the package, according to Bloomberg. This move should help the microblogging site as it tries to boost its user base and expand content.

Here's a review of the original Streaming Stick: