Roku Wireless Speakers

I like to see this company getting into the smart speaker space. They're a very easy customer for display only in a product like this, and it wouldn't surprise me a bit to find that it's already on the agenda.

I see I missed their original announcement in July.

TechCrunch

In July, Roku unveiled its entry into the voice-powered speaker market with a pair of Roku TV Wireless Speakers designed to work with the company’s lineup of partner-built smart TVs. Those speakers will now begin to ship to customers starting on Friday, November 16. They’ll also go on sale in advance of Black Friday at a discounted price, Roku says.

The speakers were previously available for pre-order and will normally retail for $199.99.

However, Roku will sell them starting on Sunday, November 18 through “Cyber Monday,” November 26, for $149.99.

The company had earlier said the speakers would begin shipping in late October, so this is a bit of a delay on its part. But they’re still here before the holidays and in time for Black Friday, which is what’s most important.

Streaming Media Device Sales

Young people move to streaming media and cut the cord --  They're also using mobile devices to watch. This is good news for MicroVision. The amount they anticipate increasing is huge and if the trend is real, probably underestimated.

They also do not account for the arrival of new devices that will have features that mobile media sharers will demand.

From USA TODAY

As more consumers experiment with and rely on streaming video, networks and content providers expand their offerings. As a result, "there has been this explosion of streaming boxes that allow content companies to talk to consumers in their homes," says Jason Krikorian, co–founder of Sling Media and general partner at DCM Ventures, a tech-focused venture capital firm.

"Young people look at 1,000 channels that are pushed to them via the cable bundle and say, ‘Why do I need that when all I care about is eight shows and a couple of sports teams?'" he said. "They are interested in new kinds of solutions.”

"Cutting the Cord" is a regular column covering Net TV and ways to get it. If you have suggestions or questions, contact Mike Snider via e-mail at msnider@usatoday.com. And follow him on Twitter: @MikeSnider.