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Netflix settles lawsuit, cancels contest

Well, the lawyers have won again. Netflix settled the privacy lawsuit brought about by their last contest out of court, and canceled the next contest. Good thing we have outraged class action lawsuits to protect us!

What would you even do with a 100 mbps Internet connection?

About a year ago I signed up for Cablevision’s Optimum Online Ultra, and aside from a little snafu that I’m trying to fix right now (don’t ask!), it’s been great. How could you go wrong with a reliable 100 mbps down/15 mbps up connection? Only $100/month, too. Other ISPs are getting close to offering similar speeds, thanks to Docsis 3.0, but some people are wondering: will people even need that sort of speed, and if so, then for what?

The TiVo Premier is finally official

Finally. We finally have new TiVo models. The TiVo HD XL launched a long year and half ago and the UI is even older. But that’s behind us now, the TiVo Premier is here and it’s (nearly) everything we need in a DVR. Everything is different: the hardware, the interface, even the remote. (QWERTY!)

With the [...]

TiVo Premiere and Premiere XL usher in a brand new interface, optional QWERTY remote

Over three years after the original Series3 launched, TiVo’s back with Series4 — say hello to the new TiVo Premiere and Premiere XL, which will arrive in early April. The new slimmer hardware is nice, but the big news is the totally revamped HD interface built on Flash — yes, Flash — with all kinds of new options for discovering content from recorded, on-air, and internet sources. The new UI is only for the Series4, and TiVo’s pitching the Premiere line as a single-box solution for getting content on your TV, so although there’s long been support for services like Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand, it’s now being pushed to the front — content will show up in searches and be exposed on the main screen. There are also new partnerships with Pandora and FrameChannel, both of which will also come to Series3 boxes. And yes: there’s finally a capacity meter. We could kiss the ground.

Both models will do up to 1080p output and have single multistream CableCARD slots and eSATA jacks for storage expansion; the $299 Premiere will do 45 hours of HD recording on the 320GB internal drive, while the $499 XL will do 150 on 1TB and adds in THX certification. The bad news? There’s still no support for tru2way, so you still won’t have access to your cable company’s video on demand service — although one of the screenshots has a Comcast logo on it, so we’re intrigued.

There’s also a new optional Bluetooth slider QWERTY remote, which will ship later this year for an undisclosed price — we played with a hush-hush prototype at CES and we can say that it’ll be a must-buy for Premiere owners. We’re actually a little miffed that it’s not packed in the box as the standard remote — all that searching almost demands it. Same with the new Wireless N Adapter, which will be $90 and go on sale with the Premiere; it should at least be included with the Premiere XL. We’re okay with the omission of the new optional phone line adapter, though, it’ll be $30 and only sold online. Press release after the break, a full set of pics in the galleries, and PDF spec sheets at the read links.

Continue reading TiVo Premiere and Premiere XL usher in a brand new interface, optional QWERTY remote

TiVo Premiere and Premiere XL usher in a brand new interface, optional QWERTY remote originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Sony Dash is available for pre-ordering if you have a spare $199

Good news. You can finally pre-order the Sony Dash. You know, the Chumby clone announced at CES 2010. That is, of course, if you actually want the $199 table-top thing.

Review: HP TouchSmart 600

Short version: HP’s TouchSmart 600 isn’t the perfect solution for a touchscreen based home computer, but it comes pretty damn close. The TouchSmart system works well as an internet home appliance, but the thing that makes it special is also where it starts to show some problems.

Features:

23-inch touchscreen
Blu-ray playback
Multiple inputs for video devices
Wireless keyboard, mouse, [...]

FIOS the first to get HBO Go

I read something the other day that argued that Netflix has not a chance in hell of becoming “this century’s HBO.” Netflix may be popular, but don’t expect it to achieve the type of penetration and success of the cable channel. Hollywood politics and whatnot. Another reason is that HBO has designs on the on-demand market with HBO Go, a service that lets its subscribers see “anything they want to see, anytime, anywhere, over their laptop, iPhone, tablet, PlayStation.” The first cable system to get HBO Go is Verizon FIOS. Supposedly HBO Go will eventually be available to all HBO subscribers, but deals need to be put in place between your ISP and the cable channel.

And now Redbox will have to wait 28 days for new Warner Bros. DVDs

Warner Bros. has agreed a new deal with Redbox that will give Redbox access to its DVDs, but only 28 days after the retail release. The move is designed to encourage people to actually buy the shiny, new DVDs when they come out. Why is that a problem?

Sony Dash Personal Internet Viewer With NetFlix

We have seen the Sony Dash (aka “Personal Internet Viewer”) at CES and it was not running many apps at that time, due to a lack of partnerships with content providers and developers. I found the demo not very interesting for this reason. Today, Sony announced that the Dash will feature a Netflix application to stream movies and TV shows directly from the device. Additionally , Dash users will be able to access the eHow community and its numerous instructional and professional videos. Sony closed a partnership with Livestrong.com and Golflink as well, bringing hundreds of videos related to health, lifestyle and golf t to the dash platform.

Sony’s dash personal Internet viewer will be available this April for about $199 at www.sonystyle.com, Sony Style retail stores and a variety of authorized dealers nationwide. More info in the press release.

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Sony Dash given ability to stream TVs and movies from Netflix, new lease on life

We were filled with excitement the moment Sony took the wraps off of its Dash personal internet viewer back at CES, but after learning that this was less of a tablet and more a sophisticated widget machine for in-home use, our joviality was understandably squashed. Today, Sony has given the doubters a reason to perk back up and pay attention, as the April-bound device will ship with the ability to stream Watch Instantly content from Netflix. As if that wasn’t enough, Demand Media will also be offering Dash-tailored portals to content from eHow, Golflink and Livestrong.com, and it’ll have no issues streaming “online music videos, television, or film content on-demand” to the 7-inch touchpanel. Still not convinced that this thing is worth $199? It’s just an external battery mod away from greatness, you know!

Sony Dash given ability to stream TVs and movies from Netflix, new lease on life originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CrunchDeals: Samsung Blu-ray player with Netflix for only $100

Isn’t it grand that Blu-ray players keep dropping in price. Like this Samsung BD-P1590. First off, it’s a refurb, but you still get a 3-month warrenty on a player that offers so much for the money. I would buy it.

New UI, tweaked hardware in store for TiVo’s March reveal?

We already know all of you have more than a few ideas about what TiVo should or will bring to the table March 2, but an anonymous tipster claiming knowledge of recent developments in the beta program let us know what may be coming. Although it began as simple bug fixes for the Series 3 now an all new user experience is on the way that the company expects to perfect the DVR. The UI is speedy again, rising to the level of the older Series 2 but with new high res, crisp widescreen elements designed to look great on your HDTV. Other fixes that should have the faithful drooling are a capacity meter for add-on drives and Tivo Desktop enhancements including “Sling-esque” features. Naturally, add-ons like Netflix, Amazon, Blockbuster and even Facebook lead the app charge with faster and easier program access. No real details on what’s new on the hardware side, but that QWERTY remote seems to be a sure bet, we’ll be counting down the next 19 days until we know for sure.

New UI, tweaked hardware in store for TiVo’s March reveal? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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