Why the Roku 2 Video Streaming Device is a Huge Disappointment

The success of the original Roku media streaming device has given rise to the highly anticipated Roku 2 video streaming device '" but before you head off to buy this new gadget, hold your horses because it doesn't offer much that we haven't seen already.

It's Basically the Same as the original

If you loved, the original Roku video streaming device, keep on loving it, because the Roku 2 doesn't promise much of anything new. Sure, the Roku 2 has an all-new design (before it gathers dust), has a shiny number 2 next to its Roku logo, and can play Angry Birds, but that's about it. The Roku 2 offers 1080p quality on its most advanced model, but so did the original, and the overall experience of the new Roku device is nearly identical to what you've enjoyed since you first shot out and bought the original.

The New Features are "Meh"

I've already hinted at this, but it deserves to be discussed further; the Roku 2 only offers a few paltry upgrades from the original. If you weren't already sold on having that shiny number 2 next to the Roku logo and it's all new design, you'll likely be blown away (sarcasm) by its new Ethernet, USB, and SD card support '" which takes away from the Roku 2's ability to stream videos from the internet, and instead focuses on physical storage. Most of the new features added to the Roku 2 should have been implemented into the design of the original and aren't at all impressive in the new edition.

Angry Birds? Why?

If you haven't heard the news, the biggest selling point of the new Roku video streaming device is its ability to play the highly popular and successful mobile game, Angry Birds. Angry Birds is one heck of a fun game to play on your mobile phone, portable gaming device, or on your tablet, but leaves a lot to be desired on the new Roku 2 video streaming device. Angry Birds takes forever to load and plays a bit sluggish on the Roku 2 and doesn't have the added ability of being played while on the go. If you're going to play games on your HDTV, you'd be better off playing PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, or Nintendo Wii titles '" not Angry Birds on the Roku 2.

Still No YouTube

When most people think of the words "video streaming" they immediately think of YouTube, and while it was a bummer that streaming YouTube to your HDTV wasn't an option on the original Roku device, it's a major disappointment that it wasn't added to the feature list of the new Roku 2. Instead of adding Angry Birds and a few extra ports, the Roku 2 would have been better off with YouTube support.