how is it seamless, I want a independent device to watch videos on, not a device that have to connect with my phone, tablet or pc then "cast" video to it.
I want a self contained video streaming device with its own physical remote, processor and OS that does not need anything else but a internet connection
Roku and FireTV are different classes of Devices than a ChromeCast
That's actually all i want, a wireless hdmi cable. But I'm in a tiny minority.
That is what a PiHole is for ;)
I also have my phone on me, I still have no desire to use it to control the FireTV when I can just use the arrow keys on the remote, select the video and press play.
if I want to search i will use an actual computer and create a playlist or use the 'watch later" flag on youtube and play from that list on the firetv...
it is not "47 steps" I find using the phone to be cumbersome and battery draining
ohh and I doubt I am in the .01% of normal consumers that want that. I maybe in the .01% of Silicon Valley type Tech people that want that. But your every day consumer, every day moms, dads, grandpa's etc want exactly what I describe, which is why the FireTV is so successful
I always have my car keys handy too, but if I had to tap out morse code on my key fob to watch a Seinfeld rerun, I'd kill a hobo just to feel something again. A dedicated device is sometimes far preferable than a general one.
Then why is Roku the most popular brand of streaming device?[1]
> You have log into an account within the 'roku os'
...and with Chromecast you have to log into an account within the Google Home mobile app. In both cases you only have to log in that first time.
> you also have to have the remote on you
No, you don't. You can use the Roku app on any iOS or Android device.
Most people who buy a device like this are trying to watch Netflix or Hulu; not trying to cast video files from a local storage medium. Note that the marketing copy on Roku.com[2] focuses on everything _except_ casting. And it's the same for Amazon[3].
[1] http://www.businessinsider.com/roku-vs-chromecast-amazon-fir...
[2] https://www.roku.com/how-it-works
[3] https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Fire-TV-Family/b?ie=UTF8&node=...