I've never heard of roku. I'd suggest voting with your dollar. It looks like this is some form of set-top-box system, I suggest using free software if you want freedom -- is XBMC still a thing?
Seemed like a stupid product to lose money and I told him. I have never heard of Roku outside of conversations with him.
Which really isn't that surprising. I'm a late 90s with ADSL kid. I've pirated movies and shows since I was 15. So I never had cable as adult, I have never bought a "TV" just computer monitors.
My parents have some google stick (thats what a Roku is?) on their TV that my sisters bought. I find it super annoying.
Quite well known here in the US.
Honestly, I'm surprised Amazon didn't just buy out Roku, the Fire stick is not really that special.