Before 2011 ended, we’d been hearing how Smart/connected TVs will flourish this year.  There are already a lot of brands offering these connected TVs, where they combine the basic use of TVs and amped them up to be able to connect to the internet where you can check your mail, access social networks, stream programs from the internet, etc.

Here’s the thing; these Smart TVs are pricey and most people just don’t see the point of replacing their old TV when it’s not broken (or replacing their laptop or tablet device with a TV).  Instead of replacing the TV all together, Roku’s come up with a new gadget that will transform your old TV into a Smart TV.

Roku, a leader in streaming content, launched the Roku Streaming Stick, a wireless device about the size of a standard USB flash drive that plugs into a TV to instantly transform it into a Smart TV.  The Roku Streaming Stick features built-in WiFi, processor, memory and software to deliver Roku’s growing collection of streaming entertainment.

“The Roku platform has been extremely successful as a stand-alone streaming device,” said Roku Founder and CEO Anthony Wood.  “Extending the Roku streaming experience through the Roku Streaming Stick to Smart TVs is a natural next step for the market.”

The Roku Streaming Stick doesn’t require any cables or a separate power source, and can be controlled by the TV remote.  Like other Roku players, it will deliver the more than 400 channels found on the Roku platform today, and will benefit from regular, free software updates and channel enhancements.

The Roku Streaming Stick will be available in the second half of 2012. It can be bundled with a TV in retail stores or sold separately for consumers to use with their own TVs.  The Roku Streaming Stick will plug into MHL-enabled HDMI ports on TVs. MHL is a new standard that uses the HDMI connector on TVs to deliver power and other critical elements for the streaming experience. MHL is currently adopted by nearly 100 hardware and manufacturing vendors including Nokia, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba, who are the joint founders of the MHL Consortium.

As for other news, Roku and Brightcove, a leading global provider of cloud content services, recently announced a partnership with Showtime interactive to launch an app for Roku devices featuring HD promotional content from Showtime hit series Shameless and new comedy series House of Lies.