Roku and Apple are two very different companies. That's clear. Yes, they both make small puck-like boxes that are currently the preferred ways to add a Netflix streaming brain to your dumb TV. But that's where the similarities stop. Apple's TV system is closed, so you can't do Amazon Prime streaming, or HBO Go, or any service that it didn't ship with. Roku takes a different tact: their boxes handle a whole lot. Prime streaming? Yep! Plex? You got it. Angry Birds on your TV? The Roku XS can do it.
There's one other difference between Roku and Apple worth mentioning. Apple keeps things simple. There's one Apple TV and it's always the same price. Roku is currently offering four different boxes at four different prices. But the Roku you really want is the top of the line model, the Roku 2 XS. Today from Amazon, it's $75.87 with free one-day shipping. That's a 25% discount and you'll still get it before Christmas. [Amazon]
Get the deal of the day before the Dealzmodo post. Follow @dealzmodo
Top Deals
• Roku 2 XS ($76) | Amazon | Originally $100
Must-have iOS messaging app WhatsApp is free!
• What'sApp ($0) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $1
Accessories
• Griffin PowerBlock Plus 2.1 Wall Charger ($8) | Groupon via Techbargains | Originally $15
• Pink Thermo Incase iPhone 4s Case ($18) | Hypebeast via Reddit | Originally $35
• 2TB Western Digital My Passport Portable HD ($140) | B&H via Logicbuy | Originally $170
Miscellaneous
• Star Wars Force Hand ($4.75) | Amazon via Dealcatcher | Originally $20 | I know it's just a magnet in a glove but I want one
• Cole and Mason Fancy Pepper Grinder ($9.09) | Amazon via Reddit | Originally $20
Apple
• Macbook Pro 15 Non-retina ($2180) | Ecost via Dealzon | Originally $2250 | Matte screen, though
• Retina Macbook Pro 13 with 780GB SSD ($3000) | Ecost via Dealzon | Originally $3200
• Refurb 8GB iPhone 4 for Sprint ($200) | Newegg via Techbargains | Originally $300
Audio
• Audio-Technica ATR2500-USB Side-Address USB Microphone ($50) | Musician's Friend via Dealcatcher | Originally $100 | Add to cart to see the price drop
• 50% off Skullcandy | Skullcandy via Reddit | Use coupon code SKDYUPS50
Gaming
• Blacklight Tango Down ($1.24) | Amazon via Dealzon | Originally $5
• Alpha Centauri ($3) | GOG via Reddit | Originally $5
• Fallout 3: GOTY Edition ($5) | Gamers Gate via Reddit | Originally $20
• THQ Medley Pack ($7.49) | Amazon via Dealzon | Originally $100 | Now they're out of business, we'll see lots of cheap THQ
• Witcher 2 PC Download ($7.49) | GOG via Dealzon | Originally $30
• F1 Race Stars ($22.4) | Green Man Gaming via Dealzon | Originally $45 | Use coupon code GMG30-DPLIM-DN831
Physical Media
• Princess Bride on Blu-ray ($8) | Amazon via Reddit | Originally $20
• Any Season of the Wire ($15) | Amazon via Brand Name Coupons | Originally $30 | on DVD
Clothing
• Rag and Bone Men's Cardigan ($35) | Target via Reddit | Originally $70
• 40% Off Penguin | Penguin via Brand Name Coupons | Use coupon code OPGHH40
• 40% Off Levi's Jean Jackets | Levi's Outlet Stores via Reddit | In-store only
• 40% Off Gap Outlet | Gap Outlet via Reddit | Starts December 22nd, In-store only
Dumb TV → Smart TV
• Roku HD ($50) | Amazon via Logicbuy | Originally $60
Laptops
• 13" Asus Zenbook Prime with 1080p Display ($1150) | J&R via Laptopaholic | Originally $1300
Desktops
• Alienware X51 Ivy Bridge Core i5 mini Gaming PC w/ GeForce GT 640, 8GB RAM & $100 Gift Card ($799) | Dell via Logicbuy | Originally $899
Tablets
• Asus Vivotab with Keyboard Dock ($550) | Microsoft Store via Laptopaholic | Originally $700
Screens
Didn't see anything interesting today.
Portables
• Refurb 8GB iPhone 4 for Sprint ($200) | Newegg via Techbargains | Originally $300
Camera
Not today.
SSDs
Nope.
Apps
iOS
• What's App ($0) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $1
• Bastion ($1) | iTunes via Reddit | Originally $5
• Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars ($1) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $10
• Grand Theft Auto 3 ($1) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $5
• Dungeon Raid ($1) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $3
• Sega All-Stars Racing ($1) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $2
• IM+ Pro ($1) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $5
• Marvel vs. Capcom 2 ($1) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $5
• Sonic CD ($1) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $2
• Space Invaders Infinity ($2) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $5
• Jet Set Radio ($2) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $5
• Crazy Taxi ($2) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $5
• CHAOS RINGS Ω ($4) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $12
iPad Only
• Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars HD ($1) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $10
• Final Fantasy Tactics War of the Lions ($9) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $18
• Chaos Rings II ($11) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $20
Android
• Dead Space ($1) | Google Play via Reddit | Originally $6
• Sonic CD ($1) | Google Play via Apps-aholic | Originally $5
• Call of Duty Black Ops Zombies ($3) | Google Play via Apps-aholic | Originally $7
• Chaos Rings ($4) | Google Play via Reddit | Originally $13
• Chaos Rings Omega ($4) | Google Play via Reddit | Originally $13
• Final Fantasy I ($5) | Google Play via Reddit | Originally $7
• Chrono Trigger ($7) | Google Play via Reddit | Originally $10
Mac
Yeah, no.
Hobomodo
• Redbox Streaming Beta Code ($0) | Redbox and Verizon via Reddit | Originally $10 | One month for free, 4 DVDs
Do you make or sell cool gadgets and you have a hot deal you want to share with Gizmodo readers? Email me!