Roku 3, a faster and more powerful media player, to go on sale

Roku has announced the Roku 3, the latest version of its flagship media player that will go on sale online Wednesday for $99.

The company said the Roku 3 is designed to be faster than its predecessor thanks to improved hardware and a redesigned user interface.

The new media player has been outfitted with a dual-band 2.4GHz-5GHz Wi-Fi, which the company said gives the device a wider range and enables it to download content faster.

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The Roku 3 replaces the Roku 2 XS but will still have the ability to do the same types of functions, including showing full 1080p HD video. The device will also be capable of connecting to the Internet through an Ethernet port. The Roku 3 comes with USB ports and it’ll also have a microSD card slot. The device is capable of 7.1 and 5.1 surround sound.

The Roku 3 will also come with a new version of the Roku remote that has a headphone jack. The Roku 3 comes with headphones, which users can plug into the remote for a private listening mode. Additionally, the remote can also be used for motion-sensing games like Angry Birds, just like the remote for the Roku 2 XS.

On the software side, the Roku 3 will launch with a new user interface. Roku said the new interface is designed to maintain Roku’s simplicity while making it easier for users to navigate through hundreds of channels.

“Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it fast,� Roku said in a video demonstrating the new user interface.

Existing Roku devices will also receive the new interface as an update next month.

The Roku 3 can be purchased online from Roku or Amazon starting Wednesday. It’ll be available for purchase in retail stores in April.

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