Life Support: December 2013

So, I've owned this device for a couple of months now, and so far it's had it's high and low points, but overall it's a good device.

PROS:

USB & Micro SD support: This allows you can watch stuff that you've downloaded from the internet on your TV
Game remote: (Roku 3 has this as well, but that is only HD compatible. If you can't find the 2XS in retail stores anymore, and you don't have an HDTV yet, get the 2XD and buy a game remote from the Roku Store).
BYU TV without a satellite subscription: This may not seem like a big deal, but up until now, BYU TV was only available through satellite dish subscribers or through one's desktop or laptop web browser, so this is a game changer.
Subscriptions to streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu+, Amazon Instant Video, etc.: Again, with so many other devices, being available to do this, including every current game console, this shouldn't be a big deal, but my new favorite TV streaming service is Crackle because it's free and has more obscure stuff like the Dilbert cartoon that ran during the mid-'90's.
Back to the game remote: This thing (the box) can download and play games! Now, granted, most of them are Facebook quality, javascript or flash-based games, but hey, 15 years ago, set-top boxes couldn't handle crap like that, plus the majority of homes had dial-up, so in today's instant-on, always connected world, this is a must/plus.
TWC TV: The Roku version of this doesn't have as much to it as it does on their website, but I figure it is one of those cases where the app will improve over time and will pick up more channels. My other thought on this issue is that it really does double as a second cable box, so because we have a lower subscription level, it doesn't pick up as many channels compared to someone who rented a DVR from Time Warner directly.
iHeartRadio: I feel that I should list this on it's own because even though it is a streaming service like Pandora, the difference between it and Pandora is that it can pick up any local radio station in any city or state regardless of where you are, thanks to the Roku's internet connection.
(New update, 5-14-13): Roku has added a new interface, which really streamlines the entire experience of the device. They've been advertising it for a couple of months now, but it is finally available to all devices. If you haven't already done so, power on your device and it should update automatically. If it hasn't, you'll have to do the update manually (I did that with mine before it got the chance to). I have also added pictures of said interface if you don't want to search out the article for yourself.

CONS:

I, like most of the tech review sites out there thought that the TWC TV app would grant a person a ton of free channels like it's iOS, Android, and website cousins, but so far this has not been the case. My only hope is that this improves with time.
Most of the free games are free for a reason: they give the vibe of public domain board games that you can find at your local Dollar Tree, with the exception of You Don't Know Jack, which is on par with its Facebook-based brother, style-wise, but offers more questions-per-episode.

BOTTOM LINE: If you can't afford a Smart TV and your local electronics retailer does not have Google TV boxes in stock (e.g. Logitech Revue), then this is a solid, second choice. Especially because their starting price is only $58.