Reviewed by: Innovation & Business Architectures
As flat panel displays become mainstream products, Rokus HD1000 display manager seems like a logical accessory. It fills a new need you didnҒt know you had what to put on your fabulous new flat panel display screen when the TV is off.
You can put your own photographs on the screen, or buy ֓artpacks from Roku that display paintings or nature scenes. After paying many thousands of dollars for a high definition television, Roku is betting that you will pay another $300 or so to keep interesting images on the set, even when youԒre not watching movies or broadcast television.
Significant demand for this product hasnt materialized. In March 2004, Roku slashed its prices for the HD1000, from $499 to $299. In October, 2004, Roku launched another new product, the Soundbridge, which represents a new product line for the company.
Judging from the comments on epinions, the problem with RokuҒs HD 1000 was in product management. Heres what one epinions reviewer had to say about it:
“Read the forums on Roku’s website (http://www.rokulabs.com), and you’ll see many frustrated users who long for this unit to be finished so that it lives up to its advertised features.
“Regrettably, Roku has delayed necessary bug-fixes and any further updates until next year, fully a year since the last revision. And it is doubtful that many key features to finish the product will be included in this next update, version 1.6.”
The HD 1000 is a product thatҒs a bit before its time. There will be a successful consumer product like the HD 1000 within the next five years, but this doesnt appear to be it. With the launch of the Soundbridge, tiny Roku has turned its attention elsewhere.
http://www.rokulabs.com/products/photobridge/PBModels.php
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