Roku 3 Product Review: Is It Worth It?

The Roku 3

    Do you want access to hundreds of channels, netflix, youtube, games, and more, right on your tv?
    It doesn't even have to be a smart tv, as not everyone in the world has one, or wants one.

    This is a streaming tv device. It allows you to connect to the internet, download proprietary channels, and watch them. Some of those channels are not free. The Roku 3's details page boasts 650+ channels. The majority of those channels are either not useful, or only available to customers in the US.
   
    The remote is a nifty little gadget in itself, as if you plug in your headphones to it, you can watch and browse without disturbing anyone else in the room, and you don't have to figure out how to get a set of headphones with a super long cable. The only problem with that is, the roku 3 remote stops working after you use it for about a month or so. When the roku remote stops working, you can download an app in the android store, or the apple itunes store, however, you can no longer play games, and you cannot use the headphones the way the remote is supposed to.

    I bought this product, because I wanted to use it on my regular intelligence tv. (lol). I do regret it. I won't be buying another roku unless they go down in price. I paid $109 CAD at Wal-Mart for this. I was disappointed that the remote gives out so fast. I can't return it,  because I threw the box out after 30 days. I can't really call Roku to complain, because I have my internet set up in such a way that it appears that I am in the US. Yes, that is on me, but it is a hassle to reset it, so I don't want to do it. Besides, I shouldn't have to do it! The remote shouldn't give out. I have tried repairing it, replacing the batteries, cleaning it, anything and everything.

    If you are willing to go through a hassle with the remote, and the Roku goes on sale for say $25, then it is almost worth it. Other than that, don't waste your money. Get an Apple tv. That device has not failed us at all, and it is on the same network. If you do buy this product, save the box, save the receipt, and make sure that you figure out how to set your network up to think you are in the US, because if you don't, you won't get anywhere near 650 channels. Maybe more like 10% of that, and the good ones are NOT free. Boasting about having 650 channels on the Roku 3 is a bit like me saying I have lots of cake to share with all of you. I can say whatever I want, but most of you will never get my cake. (LOL).

If the remote was still working, I think that this review may have had a much different tone, mostly because I liked playing Angry birds when the remote worked, as well as I loved the headphone feature, and of course I had my network settings just right to have access to the channels, even if most of them are less than good, and you have to pay for the good ones.

Sure, I can suck it up and call Roku, but should I have to? No. I paid more than $100 for this item, had more trouble setting it up properly than I should have, and now the remote has given out, and a replacement is at least $60 on ebay. (At the time I checked). Not only that, research has shown me that this issue with the remote is a KNOWN and very very common issue with the Roku. Why the hell boast a remote like this, when you can't make it work under normal usage for more than 60 days? That's like a car boasting great gas mileage, but it breaks down after the first fill up! I am extremely handy when it comes to technology, and I know what I am doing. I have reset everything to make that remote work, and it simply doesn't. I have bought new batteries, rechargeable batteries, reset the Roku box, reset the internet, preformed a factory reset, powered it down, restarted it, did a rain dance around it, and nothing.

So, in conclusion. I hate Roku. I will never ever buy another one as long as I live, even at a yard sale. The end.

Product Review: Ninja Professional Blender

I thoroughly researched this product before I bought it, because I noticed it was on sale at Canadian Tire. I really wanted a blender that could make better coconut milk, almond milk, etc, and the blender I had was fine, but that was it, it was only fine. Not great. I had to do a lot of prep work to get my coconut milk and almond milk to turn out well, and I don't always feel like doing that, and don't always have the time.

There were a few Ninja blenders on sale at Canadian Tire in my area, so I looked into them all. The most affordable for me at this time, was the $99 dollar version, which is usually $149.

It was the Ninja Professional Blender. It is 1000 watts of awesomeness. Most Blenders are from 250-700watts, 700 being really on the higher end, and not many are at that point. The next Ninja up is 1500 watts, so I imagine it would turn water into air LOL, if this blenders power at 1000 watts is any indication. It also has blades that go up the stem, through the middle of the larger jug, 6 in total, in 3 spots. I've yet to try a carrot in there, but that's going to happen soon enough. I did try almonds, coconut, frozen strawberries, and ice. All were an awesome success.

The only thing I don't like about this blender, is that the mason jar trick doesn't work with this one. Mason jars do not fit into it, like it does on older blenders, and even the bullet style blenders. Boo!! I was so hoping it would, because it means you have more single serve cups and less clean up right?

Anyway, I hope to be able to buy the better one in the future, but really, this actual one is great, I just would like a little more power for the things I want to do, such as making smoother coconut milk, and then drying the pulp to make flour. This one does the trick, but I imagine the other one would do it a little better. :)