A “CRITICAL”; warning has been given to millions of Brits over a list of doomed Fire Stick alternatives that can leave you with a broken TV.
Streaming sticks provide access to the biggest around, as well as some hidden gems packed with free TV and channels to watch instantly.
Many legacy devices have reached the end of their lifecycle and users need to face a critical decision about upgrading.
Because and its channel partners, including , have ceased providing software updates and support for these models.
This means that a growing number of are either malfunctioning or completely incompatible.
This leaves users with outdated devices unable to access the full streaming experience they once enjoyed.
With streaming evolving rapidly, these older players lack the processing power and software capabilities to keep up with modern app requirements.
Roku has therefore recommended upgrading to newer models for a seamless experience reports Cord Cutters News.
The decision to end support for older devices stems from the increasing complexity of streaming .
Which requires more robust hardware to deliver high-definition video, enhanced user interfaces, and new features like 4K resolution and HDR.
Without updates, the devices are stuck on old versions of the OS, causing apps like , , and to buffer endlessly, display errors, or fail to load entirely.
For instance, , ESPN+ and more will fail to load, citing compatibility issues with its updated app.
Other services have followed suit, and the list of unsupported apps continues to grow, leaving these devices increasingly obsolete.
The following Roku models are no longer supported, meaning they will not receive new Roku OS updates, firmware patches, etc:
The Roku HD (pre-2011), Roku HD-XR (pre-2011), Roku SD (pre-2011), Roku XD (pre-2011) and the Roku XDS (pre-2011).
The Roku LT (Model: 2700X), Roku 1, Roku 2, and the Roku 2 HD/XD/XS (2011) and the Roku Streaming Stick (Model: 3500X).
Roku has encouraged affected users to upgrade and now is a great time with many Roku players are on sale.
, such as the new Roku Stick 4K or Roku Ultra, ensures access to the latest Roku OS, support for 4K and HDR, and compatibility with modern apps.
For those who want the best picture quality, brings you 4K and vivid HDR colour and costs £39.99.
The streaming gadget giant also claims that its sticks are among the most compact around, coming in at 35 per cent smaller than rivals “without compromising performance or speed”;.
These devices also offer features like universal search and enhanced remotes, which are absent on legacy models.
While older devices may still function for some apps, the risk of further service disruptions makes upgrading a necessity for those that want to enjoy their streaming.
