Streaming Devices plateau?

[hmj8469]

Keep seeing these articles "Best streaming devices for <enter current year>"
msn.com has a 2024 article and you see all the usual suspects - Fire TV, Roku, chromecast, Apple TV, Nvidia Shield TV Pro, etc.

There doesn't seem to be anything worth getting excited about, and the best on the list (Nvidia) is very long in the tooth. I have the Fire TV Stick 4k max (1st gen) and am considering getting the 2nd gen to get additional storage for apps, but to me the cost isn't worth it, considering the 2nd gen isn't much better than the 1st. The most recent Nvidia TV Shield Pro was released in 2019 so we're looking at 5 years. Seems odd that the most premium streaming device is 5 years old, which is what's keeping me from getting it. $200 for a 5 year old streaming/gaming device?
Anyone have a crystal ball, or know of anything coming out within the next 4-6 months?

 

[Eximo]

The basic hardware to achieve streaming doesn't really need to change. Until bandwidth, codec, or encryption standards change then they can keep pumping the same chips out, only doing revisions for cost cutting.

Most TVs sold are Smart TVs with these features built in and cable provider boxes also have these capabilities, so the market for streaming boxes is also lessened.

I think you are right to see a stagnant market.

 

[punkncat]

Any time I purchase any "Amazon" type device, I wait for those Prime Day Deals that they run. Most often you can pick up a Fire Stick for nearly nothing. As stated above it is nearly impossible to purchase a TV that isn't smart any more so there is much more competition in the space and less need for a pluggable device to do so.

Lol, I actually carry a Fire Stick in my laptop bag such that I can stream to (pretty much) any TV such as for meetings or business trips.

 

[Order 66]

As stated above it is nearly impossible to purchase a TV that isn't smart

Sure, but my grandparents have a 60" old Samsung 720p smart TV that is barely usable. I mean sure, newer options would be better, but I feel like smart TVs are generally less responsive than dedicated streaming devices.