The Gadget 411 – Gadget Reviews & Tech News

Sony Electronics today announced the addition of two new home devices powered by the Google TV™ platform. Sony was one of the industry’s first to launch the ‘Google TV’ products in 2010, and is now taking another step into the future of the home entertainment convergence. The NSZ-GS7 Network Media Player and NSZ-GP9 Blu-ray Disc™ Player will both arrive on shelves in North America and Europe in early summer 2012, and distribution is planned to expand and include other countries and regions.

“The first generation of devices powered by Google TV combined the powerful Android platform with Sony’s legendary home audio/video hardware to deliver on the promise of converging entertainment,” said Charles Speidel, vice president of Sony Electronics’ Home Audio and Video Division. “These brilliant additions advance positive features of the previous models, bringing an intuitive remote control and cross-device connectivity with smartphones, tablets and Sony Internet Audio & Video products – enhancing the home entertainment experience.”

In 2010, Sony introduced the world’s first television and a Blu-ray Disc player powered by Google TV. In 2011, the platform was updated and added the Android™ Market, making the first-generation Sony Internet TV devices easier to navigate and giving viewers access to thousands of apps, including about 150 apps optimized for TV, for an enhanced customized entertainment experience.

The Google TV difference starts with the cross search functionality, which crawls all content sources available from broadcast providers* and the Internet to deliver customized video results on demand.  Both new boxes come complete with a redesigned remote control equipped with a backlit QWERTY keyboard, a touch pad for easy operation and a three-axis motion sensor to enjoy games. Additionally, the remote control can also be utilized as a universal remote to control connected devices such as TV, set top box and amplifiers – the NSZ-GP9 Blu-ray Disc Player even incorporates voice search capabilities. By using Sony apps Media Remote™ and TrackID® for Android and iOS mobile devices, users may achieve cross-device connectivity. TrackID is also pre-installed in NSZ-GS7 and NSZ-GP9, allowing customers to search on their connected TV.  The new remote control can manage basic operations on select compatible 2012 BRAVIA televisions and seamlessly display Android Market or apps on the menu screen.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Warpia, a premier technology brand dedicated to delivering intuitive connectivity solutions, announces WarpiaTV, a PC to TV connectivity solution featuring a Wireless Motion Controller and icon based video browsing software. Users can stream their favorite sports, news, entertainment and HDD content wirelessly from up to 30 ft. away while maintaining complete control of their content via the included Wireless Motion Controller. In addition, the icon based browser makes viewing content from the Hard Drive as well as popular Internet video sites quick and easy.

WarpiaTV Wireless Edition enables users to stream any content from their notebook or PC wirelessly to an HDTV in 1080p full high definition resolution with stereo audio. Hard drive content such as streaming video, pictures, movies and presentations as well as Internet content such YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Netflix can be shown on your HDTV without the hassle and clutter of wires while you continue to use your laptop screen to surf the web, check email, and more.

“We are thrilled to partner with Hillcrest Labs to bring our successful line of streaming solutions to a new level, offering a product that provides the ultimate entertainment solution for the home”, says Mike Walsh President of Warpia. “With this addition to our line of products, Warpia now offers more streaming solutions for the home or business than similar companies in the market. We are proud to be the one stop company that provides a solution for every consumer whether they are on a budget or looking to maximize their home entertainment experience.”

The new WarpiaTV Browser powered by Kylo simplifies PC and internet viewing on your television with a customized icon based browsing guide to the most watched internet sites like Pandora, Netflix, Amazon, YouTube and more.

The included Wireless Motion Controller provides the ability to control the PC Mouse and seven PC functions including, volume, mute and escape. With Hillcrest Labs Freespace® technology, the user doesn’t need to point the controller at the screen for basic control functions such as volume, mute and escape. Freespace® technology allows the user to hold the Wireless Motion Controller in the position that is the most comfortable for him/her. For web browsing and cursor placement, simply point the Controller at the TV and the curser moves on the screen, allowing the user to experience the latest technology in PC to TV navigation.

WarpiaTV Wireless Edition includes the Wireless Motion Controller, WarpiaTV Browser, HDMI cable, wireless USB receiver, wireless USB PC adapter, quick start guide and installation CD. WarpiaTV is also available in a wired version for a lower price. The wired WarpiaTV version includes the Wireless Motion Controller and WarpiaTV Browser, along with a 6ft HDMI cable to connect a laptop to the TV. The basic WarpiaTV is available for $79.99 and WarpiaTV Wireless Edition is available for $199.99 at www.warpia.com.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Warpia is excited to unveil the newest contribution to their line of wireless connectivity solutions, the StreamHD. StreamHD allows users to view any media from a laptop on a flat screen TV in true 1080P (1920 x 1280) resolution. Content such as streaming video, pictures, movies, presentations, Facebook, Hulu, Joost, Netflix and other applications can be shown on your HDTV without the hassle and clutter of wires.

Simply connect the receiver base to your display via HDMI, then plug the USB adapter in to your computer. The digital content on your PC or laptop will come to life on your HDTV, all within thirty feet line-of-site wireless range. If you have a home theater system with optical inputs, you can enjoy 5.1-channel surround sound and get a truly wireless home cinema experience.  Perfect for multi-taskers or homes that have discontinued cable service, StreamHD’s “extend mode” gives users the flexibility of working with two screens at once.

“Our improved technology gives customers the all-access viewing they’ve come to expect from Warpia, along with stunning HD quality,” says Marc Levaggi, VP of Marketing for Warpia.  “StreamHD makes wireless home entertainment seem effortless.”

StreamHD is available on Amazon.com and Warpia.com for $169.99, which includes a one-year warranty and Warpia’s superior toll-free or online chat tech support.  The box includes a Wireless USB PC Adapter, video base with wireless USB receiver, power supply unit, HDMI cable, SPDIF cable, Quick Start Guide, installation and documentation CD.  For more information and details on minimum system requirements, please visit www.warpia.com.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Press Release:

VUDU, Inc.’s industry-leading on-demand high definition (HD) movie service is now available on the BD390 Network Blu-ray Disc player from LG Electronics, giving consumers a whole new way to access the largest on-demand HD library of Hollywood movies in their living rooms, the company announced today.

VUDU continues to work with top consumer electronics manufacturers to become more accessible to customers who want to rent or buy major Hollywood movies in high definition.  The VUDU service, already available on flat-panel HDTVs, uniquely delivers the largest available HD movie library of instantly-viewable movies in 1080p with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound and provides customers with VUDU’s superior user experience for finding and watching movies in high definition.

“Our goal as a company is to offer the best possible HD movie service to the broadest possible audience,” said Alain Rossmann, CEO of VUDU.  “By adding the top-rated LG BD390 Blu-ray player to the lineup of VUDU-enabled products, we’ve made it easier than ever for customers to enjoy the VUDU experience.”

Some of VUDU’s key features include:

• Instant viewing experience:  unlike typical Internet and on-demand video streaming, VUDU movies start immediately, and viewers can fast forward, rewind and browse chapters without the delays or the frustration associated with buffering
• Highest quality video:  VUDU’s unique HDX format delivers true 1080p resolution and TruFilm encoding enhancements, now available for the first time on an instant-start basis
• Immersive sound:  VUDU is the only on-demand service to deliver Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound at all video quality levels
• No monthly fees: customers can instantly buy or rent from VUDU’s extensive library of standard and high definition movie and TV titles without any monthly service charges
• Largest HD library anywhere: over 2,200 titles are available in HD or HDX format
• New releases: Newly-released titles from all major studios are available the same day as DVD release, typically months before they are available on subscription-based service.

LG’s BD390 networked Blu-ray player transforms and personalizes the home theater experience by offering a stellar array of entertainment options.  In addition to its broadband capabilities, the BD390 offers exceptional “Full HD” 1080p video performance and exceptional image quality from standard DVDs with 1080p up-scaling via HDMI output. The BD390 is also equipped for easy connection to the home network and has one gigabyte (GB) of built-in memory for BD Live functionality.

Model BD390 with LG’s “NetCast Entertainment Access” feature is available now at nationwide retailers at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $399. VUDU connectivity will be available at the end of the month via a free upgrade.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Buffalo Technology announced the new, fully redesigned LinkStation Pro. This device allows iPhone owners to access their photos, videos, files, etc., via Buffalo’s unique Web Access 2.0 feature. Web Access also allows users to access data via a web browser from any computer. For addition feature check out www.buffalotech.com

Pricing and Availability
The new LinkStation Pro is backed by a limited one-year warranty that includes toll-free 24/7 technical support and will be available in January at estimated street prices of $209.99 for the 500GB (LS-XH500L) and $299.99 for the 1TB (LS-XH1.0TL).

Popularity: 1% [?]

 

SlingPlayer Mobile

Good news for iPhone owners who are looking for the “entire home TV experience”.   It appears that sometime in quarter one Sling Media is submitting the SlingPlayer Mobile for certification. So hopefully soon you will have the ability to view content streaming from your Sling Box.  The press release below explains this as well as a SlingPlayer for Mac HD.  As a person who enjoys this functionality from my Dell Axim, I have really been looking forward to this on the iPhone.  There is nothing like sitting on my patio at home and watching the Tigers blow a late inning lead.   Read the release and let me know what you think.  For more information about Sling Media, check them out at www.slingmedia.com.

 

 

Sling Media to Demonstrate SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone and Slingbox HD Streaming on the Mac at Macworld

 

 

San Francisco – Macworld – January 6, 2009 – Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), is demonstrating a version of SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone being developed for the iTunes store at this year’s Macworld. Sling Media will deliver a version of SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone to Apple for certification in Q1.

 

Sling Media is also unveiling a prototype of a new SlingPlayer for Mac HD which allows Slingbox PRO-HD users to stream HD to their Mac desktop or laptop computer. The new SlingPlayer for Mac HD is a web-based version of the SlingPlayer software that will be accessible from Sling.com, Sling Media’s recently launched video entertainment web site.

 

“SlingPlayer Mobile is ideally suited for the iPhone’s large touch screen display and I know iPhone users are eagerly anticipating the application’s availability,” said Blake Krikorian, co-founder and CEO of Sling Media. “Add to that HD streaming support for Slingbox PRO-HD customers and live TV support on our video entertainment site, Sling.com, and you can see Sling Media is committed to delivering great solutions for Mac users.”

 

SlingPlayer Mobile gives consumers their entire home TV experience, including local channels, local sports teams, video on demand, pay per view, etc. Any program that you can watch on your sofa back home, you can now watch via your iPhone using a standard network connection (3G Cellular, WiFi). In addition, SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone users can also control their home digital video recorder (DVR) to watch recorded shows, pause, rewind, and fast forward live TV, or even queue new recordings while on the road.

 

Pricing and Availability

SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone will be submitted to Apple for testing and approval in Q1. The price has not been determined at this time. SlingPlayer for Mac HD will be available for free via the web-based SlingPlayer within Sling.com later in Q1. Mac customers will be able to use either Safari or Firefox web browsers to get both HD streaming and Live TV within Sling.com.

 

About Sling Media

Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), is a leading digital lifestyle company offering consumer services and products that are a natural extension of today’s digital way of life. Sling Media’s product family includes the internationally acclaimed, Emmy award-winning Slingboxâ„¢ that allows consumers to watch and control their living room television shows at any time, from any location, using PCs, Macs, PDAs and smartphones and the revolutionary new SlingCatcherâ„¢, a universal media player that seamlessly delivers broadcast TV, Internet video and personal content to the TV. Sling Media is also the company behind the video entertainment web site, Sling.com, offering consumers a wide variety of popular TV shows, movies and other entertainment free for viewing online or on the TV using SlingCatcher. For more information on Sling Media, the Slingbox or the SlingCatcher, visit www.slingmedia.com. To watch your favorite TV shows and movies, check out www.sling.com.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Those of you who are lucky enough to have a TiVo® HD, TiVo® HD XL or TiVo® Series3â„¢ DVR just got some added functionality. You now have the ability to stream over 12,000 movies & TV episodes from Netflix via any broadband connection. This requires the Netflix unlimited plan but comes with no additional costs to TiVo® owners. There are a few steps to follow to get your activation code added to the Netflix website.  Once that process is complete you will have access to your instant Queue right on your TV screen. Like with other devices utilizing this service there is no way to add movies in real time. You can only adjust your Queue by accessing the Netflix website. Hopefully they make some enhancements in the future that include this ability.

Popularity: 1% [?]