#palmsized

This palm-sized PC from China could represent the future of computing

[ad_1]

Having already branched out into web hosting and cloud storage, Alibaba Cloud has unveiled a palm-sized personal computer called Wuying.

Launched at the annual Aspara Conference, the device weighs only 60g and piggybacks on Alibaba Cloud backend, offering “high-performance computing”. In other words, it’s a thin client with a different form factor.

We don’t yet know what’s inside, but…

New Post has been published on https://bestedevices.com/roku-express-2019-review-30-palm-sized-streamer-is-all-you-need.html

Roku Express (2019) Review: $30 Palm-Sized Streamer Is All You Need

"With everything you need and nothing more, the new Roku Express is a bargain for a streamer."

Price

performance

Fantastic search

Tiny size

No voice remote control

No ethernet

There's no question that you need a media streamer that supports Ultra HD 4K, HDR (preferably also with Dolby Vision) and Dolby Atmos if you want the best movie, TV and sports streaming experience. Not everyone needs such a sophisticated device or has the budget to pay for one. This is where Roku's newly updated Express comes into play. At just $ 30, it's the cheapest Roku device and one of the cheapest media streamers. But is it $ 30 well spent? (What is a Roku, you ask? Here's everything you need to know.)

So small

When Roku launched the first generation Express, it was a major change in corporate design. For the first time, a Roku didn't look like a set-top box with rounded squares or a stick. The idea was to reduce a Roku to the bare essentials so that it almost disappears without taking the extra step of placing it behind a TV. This would require a more expensive RF remote control, which would affect the second goal of keeping the price as low as possible.

The curvy design not only makes it look smaller, but also fits a little better into the base of your TV.

The result was a small, nondescript box that could be attached to the bottom of a TV with an adhesive strip if desired. With only one HDMI connection and a microUSB input for the power supply of the streamer, it was minimalist to the core.

The new Roku Express continues this approach. According to Roku, it is 10% smaller than the previous version and now has a pleasantly rounded shape. This curvy design not only makes it look smaller, but also helps the tiny streamer fit into the base of your TV when you want to place it there.

In fact, the Roku Express is now so small and light that the weight and resistance of the HDMI and power cables make it difficult to hold the streamer unless you attach it to your TV or other surface with the included adhesive tape. This would be an aesthetic problem with an RF remote control, but the Express IR remote control needs a clear line of sight to the streamer, so funky angles are not a good idea.

Of course, you can also simply use the adhesive tape. That's what it's there for. However, it is a one-time use strip. If you want to take the Express with you – for example to a hotel – you have to remove it and buy a new one from Roku.

Easy setup

The scope of delivery includes an HDMI cable, a microUSB cable, a USB power supply and the Roku remote control.

You can power the Express with the included adapter or use an available USB port on your TV for even easier setup. Thanks to the improvements in Roku OS 9.2, the actual setup on the screen takes only a few minutes – even less if you already have a Roku account.

I'm a big fan of the introductory video that will be played at the end of the process. You'll get a full tour of the Express’s key features in less than a minute, so you’re up and running without a manual. If you need a refresher on certain functions, you will find many more instructional videos in the new Tips & Tricks channel.

No frills, but lots of extras

Unlike some other Roku streamers, the included remote control is very simple. There is no voice control, no headphone jack, no volume control and no customizable buttons. These fancy extras – all available on the $ 100 Roku Ultra – would simply increase costs so that they're no longer available.

It is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant devices, which opens up a whole world of voice-based options.

This does not mean that you cannot spice up the Roku Express experience. With the free Roku app for iOS and Android, you can add private listening through the headphone jack of your phone, use the microphone for voice search, and it also acts as a secondary remote control. You can even use it to transfer content such as music, photos and videos from your phone to your TV.

In addition, the Express is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant devices, which opens up a whole world of voice-based options when you're part of one of these ecosystems.

It's a great feature set for a $ 30 device.

Serious search

While you get some extra features by spending more on a box like the Roku Ultra, most of the best parts of the Roku experience are built into the Roku software. Whether you're spending $ 30 or $ 100, you can use the microphone (in the app) to ask, "Who said I'll be back?" and see a list of matching media titles. Starting with The Terminator, of course.

There are also the new Roku zones, where you can address topics such as action, drama, children & family, mysteries and much more. They appear when you do a search (if they match your query), or you can find them all by searching for "zones".

It used to be difficult to find free content for Roku. You had to know which channels had free content, or hoped that a movie or show you were looking for had a free viewing option. With the "Featured Free" menu option, you can now call up a list of available free content, sorted by genre. If you select a title, you will receive an information page and the opportunity to jump into the corresponding channel and start watching. If you don't already have this channel, you'll be asked to add it. It's a little addition, but it makes it effortless to find something to look at.

Surprisingly quickly

The Express is just a $ 30 streamer, so I didn't have high expectations for the tiny box's performance. But it surprised me. The Express isn't as lightning fast as the Ultra, but it never lets you down. Screen changes, channel starts and new streams are displayed quickly. If you used an older Roku like a first generation streaming stick or a Roku 3, you will immediately notice a difference.

Our opinion

The new Roku Express may lack 4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos, and some of the neat features you'll find in other Roku streamers, but for the $ 30 low, we don't think you mind. It has everything you need to enjoy the best streaming entertainment out there, in a tiny little box that almost disappears.

With its fast performance and a surprising amount of additional features made possible by the free Roku app, the Roku Express is worth every penny.

Is there a better alternative?

Not for the price. At $ 30, the Roku Express is by far the cheapest streamer you can buy. If you want to add remote voice and volume features, you can spend $ 10 more on an Amazon Fire TV Stick or $ 20 more on the Roku Streaming Stick.

Not sure what to buy? Check out our summary of our favorite streaming devices.

How long it will take?

Roku devices are very well built and the new Express doesn't seem to be an exception. Not much can go wrong with replaceable batteries in the remote control. And with regular software updates from Roku, you can choose to upgrade to a fancier device long before the Express stops working.

Should you buy it

Absolutely. If you don't need 4K resolution or HDR, the Roku Express is a bargain for what it offers.