Neither auto or manual configuration could synch it with my TCL TV. Will This Activist Investor Try to Break Up Comcast? Business news and analysis sent straight to your inbox every Tuesday morning. © 2020 Clark Howard Inc. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. At the time of this writing, there is no way to access those streaming services via the Xfinity Flex. Ace Hardware Black Friday ad leak: Here are the best deals!

One day after the company announced its new Peacock streaming service, Comcast said it is making its Xfinity Flex streaming TV device free to its internet-only customers.

And if that sounds a lot like a crappier version of Roku, that’s because it is a crappier version of Roku. You can even use voice controls like “Play Game of Thrones.” The service costs $5 a month. Obviously, as a media streaming device, the current 2020 Roku Streaming Stick has better picture quality than the Xfinity Flex. Xfinity subscribers who pay for home security through Xfinity Home can use the Flex to control and monitor settings through their televisions. 1 perk is its price—both the device and service are free. Comcast announced the free streaming box offer a day after it unveiled the name for its streaming service, called Peacock, which will launch in April 2020 and will carry NBC programming. After a few years of using a smaller, more minimalist remote with Roku and Amazon Fire devices, it was kind of hard to turn back the clock to use the remote Xfinity gave me for the Flex.

The company didn’t really answer our questions, but a spokesperson did say it will “continue to add free and subscription streaming programming choices to the service.”. The device, called Xfinity Flex, will allow customers to access their subscriptions for services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, as well as 10,000 free movies and shows, including live TV from ESPN3 and other networks. So for example, you’re not going to be able to watch YouTubeTV or Sling TV on the Xfinity Flex. If you have a 4K TV you might want to check out the Roku Stick+. Thanks for the detailed response my friend! The Xfinity Flex setup process was painless.

You can actually buy a Roku Premiere, which also streams 4K HDR content (some of which is free), for a one-time payment of $40. But is the Xfinity Flex device good enough to consider giving up your Roku Express or Amazon Fire TV Stick? For most streaming consumers, this is not going to do the job if you’re looking to replace a Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple streaming product. Comcast is giving me a Flex for free because I am re-upping my contract, which I appreciate and will use, so I can get access to NBC's peacock at no charge.

(Note: Your experience may be different if you don’t rent the Xfinity router/modem combo.

After reviewing several streaming devices for Team Clark, including the new TiVo Stream 4K, I decided it was time to put the Flex to the test. If you’re like me, you may be wondering: What’s the catch? You’ll also need to use an Xfinity xFi Gateway, the modem Comcast will also rent to you for a monthly fee, which will probably be about $10 a month. More posts from the cordcutters community. Comcast said Wednesday that it will offer a free streaming box to internet-only customers, targeting consumers who have ditched traditional pay-TV for online video streaming. All included with Xfinity Flex, a $4.99/mo value, no strings attached. The company just announced Xfinity Flex, a little box that lets you stream 4K HDR content (including some free content) from your favorite channels through a selection of apps. Cumulative Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Stock Advisor, Are Roku Investors Overreacting to Comcast's Free Streaming TV Box? Privacy Policy | Ad Disclosure, How to Switch Phone Carriers (Without Making a Mistake), How to Freeze Your Credit with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, Best Credit Card Sign Up Bonuses Right Now, Best Credit Cards for Saving and Investing Rewards, The 4 Credit Cards in Clark Howard’s Wallet, How to Choose a Credit Card for College Students, Best and Worst Homeowners Insurance Companies, Travel Medical Insurance: What You Need to Know, Long Term Care Insurance: What You Need to Know, 6 Things to Know Before You Start a 401(k), Things to Know Before You Cancel Your Streaming TV Subscription, How to Find the Best Deal on Cheap Internet Service, Free Advice: Clark’s Consumer Action Center, Ask Clark: Submit a Question for the Show, Insert details about how the information is going to be processed, Best Free Streaming Services: Movies and TV for Cord Cutters, Best Video Streaming Services for Your Money.

I’ll also compare the Flex to some of the most popular streaming devices. Comcast sells its stake in Hulu for at least $5.8 billion.

You may find that you like it.

It is really hard to use the remote to do much of anything that involves moving around the menus and selecting options.

Daniel Sparks is a senior technology specialist at The Motley Fool.

We offer advice on live streaming and on demand services, antennas, and OTA DVRs. There are just four items included with the device: Setup takes just five steps: 1) Connect the power adapter to the back of the Flex receiver; 2) Connect the HDMI cord into the back of the Flex receiver; 3) Connect the power adapter to a nearby power outlet; 4) Connect the HDMI cord to your television; 5) Turn on the Flex receiver with your remote control. Am I correct, or is a 2020 Xfinity Flex actually somehow a better piece of hardware than a 2016 Streaming Stick? Absolutely, and that’s what’s so exciting about the state of connected technology right now. It’s also a great way to promote NBCUniversal-related content, such as the new Peacock streaming network. Comcast's Xfinity Flex. The remote is a real piece of junk.

Could they do things like watch Game of Thrones or control a home camera without paying a monthly fee? Back in March, Comcast announced that they are launching a $5 a month streaming device. How Long Will $920,400 Last in Retirement? Groundhog Day? The picture quality is fine, but the user interface and the remote are both pain points. Discuss Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. This is far from the case at Comcast. Plus, join our Tech Support Facebook Group for cord cutting support from our community. The Flex also lets Xfinity customers use their TVs to control other Xfinity services, such as parental controls for the internet and in-home security (if they use Xfinity Home). But, for most people, it’s not an adequate replacement for most popular streaming devices. If you rent Xfinity’s XFi to serve as your router and WiFi device, you’ll be able to personalize your WiFi network with your Flex remote control. Some apps, like HBO, require a subscription, but you can still do a heck of a lot with the device for nothing more than the price of the box. Are you tired of paying too much for cable television? The user interface is just "clunky". Presumably, Xfinity offers the Flex as a way to keep a competing streaming device — like a Roku or Amazon Fire product — out of your hands. Roku investors should look for Xfinity Flex -- free or not -- to gain a sizable customer base before they start thinking of the device as competition. For this reason, Comcast's Xfinity Flex likely won't receive priority from publishers when they are considering which platforms to invest their time, energy, and money. Competing against Roku won't be easy. Comcast also wants to use Flex to push its new Peacock streaming service that is launching in April of 2020. Comcast is offering a free Flex to all their broadband subscribers and it costs you nothing to check it out.

Also, do you know if what the poster below said is true - did your free peacock subscription eventually expire? I’m presuming the obvious answer is you get all those useless channels that come with Basic cable. If you’re looking for free streaming TV options, the Flex does have services Pluto TV, Xumo and Tubi preloaded on the device. Both of those allow you to add apps for many of the most popular streaming services. If your TV has a spare HDMI port you can have both your Roku and the Flex box hooked up at the same time.

TiVo Stream 4K Review: Is It Better Than a Roku Streaming Device? The box does output 4K, so if you have a 4K TV it would give you more than your old Roku stick. Shares of streaming TV platform specialist Roku (NASDAQ:ROKU) tumbled on the news.

Stuff we like XR15 voice remote Low, low price (free) Huge on-demand catalog Voice Under the new offer, broadband customers can receive one box for free and lease another for $5 a month. Xfinity customers will find that you can do more than just stream TV with the Flex.

It streams on-demand television shows and movies as well as some live streaming content. And with the voice-command remote, you’re able to call up these functions with relative ease.

But this device is useless to non-Comcast customers, and it’s severely hindered by its restrictions for live streaming TV apps. What you get with Xfinity Flex Flex’s No. You can read more about the Peacock streaming service in Team Clark’s review of the platform, which is one of our many video streaming service reviews.