To be honest with you, I have never really cared much for the Roku player or Netflix for that matter. I am able to get all my content through Hulu, Boxee, XBOX Live Market place and Verizon FIOS. I was not about to add a 5th gadget to my video consumption pleasure. I am not going to lie – it would be grand if I could pair down the gadgets too 1 or 2 devices and stop giving Verizon FIOS so much money every month. I have not had any real luck or faith in any one device – that is until Roku’s announcement of its’ new service. Today Roku, announced its’ Channel Store.

The store has thirteen channels and they fall into three categories:

Featured

• NetFlix
• Pandora
• MLB.com
• Amazon Video

Free

• MotionBox
• Mediafly
• Blip.tv
• Twit.TV
• Facebook Photos
• Revision3
• FrameChannel Flickr
• MobileTribe
• Pandora

Premium

• NetFlix
• Amazon Video
• MLB.com

The Channel Store will be similar to the ever popular mobile phone app stores. The Store will be rolled out over the next few weeks and more channels will be added between now and the Consumer Electronics Show in January. What would be fantastic is if one of those channels were to be a Hulu channel. In any event, Roku enters an already competitive space – it has to contend with the likes of XBOX, PS3, Boxee and Hulu. Now, Roku does have one major advantage – price. The cheapest Roku will run you $79.99.

I am fairly excited about the Channel Store – this may actually force me to pick up a Roku player.  In my opinion, due to price and number of channels, the Roku player warrants a space on your gift list.