TechnologyXiaomiRoku and Amazon's Fire TV Sticks have some new competition to fend off and it's powered by Google.16:01, 20 Jul 2026Amazon's Fire TV Sticks and Roku's popular streaming devices continue to dominate the market, helping millions of households stream films, live sports, and TV box sets. These gadgets are tough to beat, but now there's a fresh competitor in the UK, and it gets a useful boost. Chinese tech brand Xiaomi has launched its new TV Stick HD (2nd Gen), offering another affordable way to upgrade any television.‌At first glance, the device looks very familiar. There's a compact design that closely resembles Amazon's Fire TV and Roku Sticks. It comes with a built-in HDMI connector that plugs directly into a TV without the need for extra cables or fussy installation.‌Just like its biggest rivals, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) also includes a dedicated remote control with shortcut buttons for popular streaming services, including Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube. That makes it super easy to jump straight into your favourite content without scrolling through endless menus.‌It costs £39.99 which is around the same price as its competitors. However, the biggest difference is what's powering it.Instead of Amazon's Fire OS or Roku's software, Xiaomi's latest streamer runs on Google TV. That gives users access to Google's smart interface, built-in Google Assistant and thousands of apps through the Google Play Store.‌With a dedicated voice button on the remote, viewers can search for films, shows and apps using voice commands. There are more than 10,000 apps available to download, including games, while hundreds of free channels provide plenty of entertainment without the need for multiple paid subscriptions.Android users also benefit from built-in Google Cast, allowing them to wirelessly stream videos, photos and other content directly from their smartphones or tablets to the TV.Under the hood, Xiaomi has equipped the streaming stick with a fast processor, dual-band Wi-Fi for smoother playback and support for HDR10+, Dolby Audio and DTS to deliver improved picture and sound quality.Article continues belowIts main limitation is resolution. Unlike many rival streaming devices, the TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) only supports HD playback, meaning it cannot stream content in 4K Ultra HD.For those looking for an affordable Google TV-powered streaming device, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is available now in the UK for £39.99.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌XiaomiGoogleAndroidAppsSmartphones