Roku has been bringing digital media to television sets since 2002. Its devices now stream 700-plus channels and vie with Apple TV in sales. But last year, Roku unveiled a potential game changer: a thumb-drive-like dongle that plugs into smart TVs, eliminating the need for a box. It's partnered with several manufacturers to bundle the streaming stick with TVs and plans to eventually build them inside--finally becoming one with the screen. A history from founder and CEO Anthony Wood:
From image above (top to bottom):
1_Roku Streaming Stick 2012
"This is the first of our evolution into being the platform for smart TVs."
2_Roku 2 2011
"It's based on a chip set that was designed for mobile phones, and we added a gaming remote."
3_Soundbridge 2004
"It was for streaming your music library. Most people who wanted music would buy an iPod dock."
4_Roku Player 2008
"We focused on making it small. Most people don't want boxes. Netflix streaming was our big advance."
5_Photobridge 2003
"I was thinking about getting an HDTV and just thought, Well, it'd be cool to put art on my TV."
Illustration by Owen Gildersleeve, photo by Victoria Ling