Roku launches new STB lineup.(SMART TVS AND OTHER OTT DEVICES)

--New Angry Birds Game, Same Price, Smaller Size

Roku has moved from out of the shadows into the limelight for Internet-enabled TV devices at a very quick pace.

Despite launching its last STB revamp less than a year ago, Roku has rolled out three new boxes under the name Roku 2.

The Roku 2 lineup is smaller than its predecessors but keeps the same price structure of $59 (Roku HD), $79 (XD) and $99 (XS)--it seems $100 is still the magic price point for these devices.

For the new lineup, the extra and new features for the devices include:

--Rovio's Angry Birds, games and a remote that contains a gyroscope and accelerometer for only the top line of device, the Roku 2 XS.

--All new boxes support the remote, but only the XS comes with it. Eventually users with the other two models will be available to buy the game remote as part of a bundle that includes a 2GB MicroSD card for $30.

--The XS supports MicroSD cards.

--At least 60 games are in the works since Roku offers an additional MicroSD card that expands the Roku support "from 4 games to 60," according to the company's site.

--New content apps like AOL HD, Epix, Facebook, Major League Soccer and Fox News.

--1080p video out on the XD and XS.

"Roku is the best-selling streaming player on the market because of its simplicity, breadth of content and value. Now we're setting the bar even higher with Roku 2--a more powerful platform with new features including casual gaming," said Roku CEO Anthony Wood. "We've worked closely with Rovio to bring the first full version of Angry Birds to the TV--and best of all, we're including it for free with the top-of-the-line XS model."

The new devices will be available at Roku's Web site, Amazon, Best Buy, Fry's Electronics and RadioShack.

Roku is betting it all on casual gaming and OTT, with at least the latter being a proven strategy for it. The devices will be a great move for both Roku and Angry Birds, as long as the device can compete. If it turns out to function well, even Nintendo may have something to fear in all of this.