In an evident attempt to offer substantial competition to the Apple TV, Roku has plugged headphones and a number of other notable features into the Roku 3 set-top box - the company's latest edition of its set-top box for streaming Internet video to TVs.

Scheduled to hit the stores on Wednesday, the Roku 3 set-top box boasts the inclusion of a powerful search engine that will speed up the users' search for movies, music, and TV shows, as well as new menu for checking out the over 750 online services unfolded by the device.

The new Roku 3 set-top box features a sleek black design with rounded, somewhat tapered corners and the well-liked Roku signature remote.

One of the most noteworthy changes which have come aboard the Roku 3 set-top box is the new interface; with the overhauled design offering a much speedier access to content and features, along with the display of more content and options on the screen.

Another new feature of the forthcoming set-top box from Roku is a headphone audio port on the device itself; thereby making it more convenient for the users to plug in their headset and have a private listening session.

To begin with, the $100-priced Roku 3 set-top box will be available only at the Roku website and Amazon. com. However, from April onwards, the availability of the device will be extended to other retail outlets, including Best Buy stores and Costco.