Roku TVs get refreshed with new apps and a 2015 redesign
TCL's Roku TVs are getting better
Update: TCL has announced that the most premium of its new line of Roku TVs, the 3800 and 3850 series, will be available later this month. The 3800 series, ranging from $229 to $479, features a 1080p panel and 120Hz refresh rate (40-inch and larger only) inside a modern design with quad pedestal stand.
The 3850 series, going from $249 to $699 across its three screen sizes, offers the same specs but within a metallic "gunmetal" finish and all-aluminum quad pedestal stand. You can see the TCL Roku TV 3850 series design below.
Original story follows...
TCL and Roku have announced a whole new line of their second generation cord-cutting smart TVs, the first of which will be available in late March and early April.
The companies' three new lines of Roku TVs follow a successful debut in 2014, when TechRadar praised the first-gen model for offering "all the apps you need in an extremely affordable 40-inch television."
In 2015, the two companies have debuted three new lines: the 3700, 3800 and 3850 series, with new apps and streaming services (now including Sling TV and WatchESPN, which are also now available on the first-gen Roku TV), improved UI and navigation and refreshed designs.
First up is 3700 series, which starts with a 32-inch model at $219 and will arrive shortly. Roku and TCL also plan on shipping a 48-inch version for $429 as well as a 55-inch model for $598.
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Stepping it up
The latter two lines, the 3800 "design" series and 3850 "decorator" series, will also arrive in the first half of 2015, though slightly further out.
For the 3800 series, coming in 32-, 40-, 48- and 50-inch models, TCL and Roku are focused on "a new ultra-modern design" and "quad pedestal stand."
The 3850s, on the other hand, will arrive in 32-, 40-, 50- and 55-inch versions with a "premium design" of gunmetal and an aluminum stand.
TCL and Roku struck gold with this smart TV platform, which focuses on affordability and ease-of-use by putting all of your streaming apps and channels right on the home screen.
The companies also reminded us in their latest announcement that they're still working on 4K TCL Roku TVs, giving us plenty to look forward to.
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Michael Rougeau is a former freelance news writer for TechRadar. Studying at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Northeastern University, Michael has bylines at Kotaku, 1UP, G4, Complex Magazine, Digital Trends, GamesRadar, GameSpot, IFC, Animal New York, @Gamer, Inside the Magic, Comic Book Resources, Zap2It, TabTimes, GameZone, Cheat Code Central, Gameshark, Gameranx, The Industry, Debonair Mag, Kombo, and others.
Micheal also spent time as the Games Editor for Playboy.com, and was the managing editor at GameSpot before becoming an Animal Care Manager for Wags and Walks.