A mere two months after its release, Amazon's Cloud Player online music player has finally added what you might call grudging compatibility with iOS devices. However, that support doesn't come in the form of a native app, as many users had hoped, but rather as a silent update to the service's Web interface.
Founding online video startups of his own and working as a principal analyst for Frost and Sullivan, Dan Rayburn is familiar with the inner working of tech companies. And he's put this knowledge to good use on his blog StreamingMedia.com. Today, Dan argues that the Amazon Kindle Fire will jumpstart a digital video revolution...
Apple may be the undisputed digital music player champ with its iPod family of players, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have its wannabe competitors nipping at its' heels. When it comes to portable media players, such as the iPod Touch -- that allows you to listen, watch, and buy apps and content from a single device -- Apple is getting some fresh Android competition.
Android's open-source approach to mobile operating systems had enabled Google to spread its platform far and wide, at a relatively rapid pace. But the now-established OS faces another challenge in maintaining security for apps and user access. After dozens of Market apps were riddled with malware, and Amazon's new Appstore promotion as a safer marketplace for app downloads, Google's got to do something about its tarnished reputation.
Yesterday we reported that Apple had made a key hire for the future of its casing materials. Kevin Kenney, a carbon fiber expert and inventor of a Reinforced Device Housing patented by Apple, became a full time employee at Cupertino.
While electronics companies have seemingly avoided major issues with component shortages in the wake of the Japan earthquake, Apple may have to deal with a threat from an unexpected source: Kureha Corp., a niche producer of polymers for lithium-ion batteries.
Apple has instituted a replacement program for first-generation iPod nanos, which may contain flawed batteries that could overheat and cause damage. It’s the result of an investigation which began three years ago in Japan, after an iPod nano began sparking during the charging process.
We told you earlier this week about the rumors of an Apple iOS 4.3.1 update coming within two weeks, and it looks like the rumors were true. What a surprise when just four days after the rumors broke out, Apple released iOS 4.3.1 today for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Don't get too excited, it's just a minor security and maintenance update that, among other issues, addresses problems related to connecting to some cellular networks.
At the Apple education event on Thursday, Apple executives Eddy Cue and Jeff Robbin unveiled the iTunes U app, a new way for students and teachers to manage course material for classes on an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.
Apple‘s iPad 3 is due to go into production in January ready for a March or April launch. Or at least so say rumours from the various contracting companies along the production chain.
Back in November, Apple recalled its first gen iPod nanos because of battery issues. Early responders had theirs replaced with the same model -- but now Apple is sending out the current Nano instead.
If you're an Arcam aficionado, there must have been times when you thought the arrival of a Blu-ray Disc player would never come. The brand's original strategy, to support both HD DVD and BD with a universal player, was shunted off the road when the HD format war came to an abrupt end.
Archos is calling the 32 an Android tablet, but I have trouble convincing myself that anything with a 3.2in screen is really a tablet so it makes far more sense to review it as a touchscreen media player.
The ARCHOS 604 is the perfect companion for people on the move: its 30 GB hard drive capacity allows you to store up to 130 hours of video encoded with a PC, the equivalent of 85 movies.
In what is sure to excite home theatre PC's enthusiasts, Ceton is now offering an external USB version of their PCI Express-based InfiniTV CableCARD TV tuner. The all new InfiniTV 4 USB still allows you to watch and record up to 4 premium cable HDTV channels on any Windows rigs but now you need not tie your fancy device down to one system! If you want to temporally turn your laptop into a HTPC, simply plug in the InfiniTV 4 USB to a free USB port and watch / record HDTV via Windows 7. When you are finished, simply unplug it and your laptop is a mobile PC again. It really is that easy and that simple, as while the form factor may be different than its brethren, the internals are for all intents and purposes the same.
As the official unveiling of the new iPhone looms, Apple's iPod, once the flagship device in the company's product line, is being cited by some folks as a potential candidate for the chopping block.
The Z2 is essentially the same as D3 with a few notable differences. The Z2 has replaced D3's underpowered CPU with a 1Ghz Telechips Cortex A8 CPU, a 800Mhz VPU and a 320Mhz Mali OpenGL accelerator GPU. It also upped the RAM to 512MB from D3's 170MB to boost multi-tasking performance.
As people who do a lot of traveling on a routine basis, if there is one thing we have learned it is that hotel & motel television coverage leaves a lot to be desired. In fact the only good thing about it is the fact that it is down right reasonable when compared to Pay-Per-View movie rates hotels want to charge you for! All we can say is thank goodness for portable media players which can connect to basically any TV! Those nifty little inventions have saved us an untold fortune in fees!
The latest portable music player with Apple on the mind is Creative's new Zen Style M300. Clearly inspired by Apple's iPod Nano, the Zen M300 is as compact as the device that preceded it - with a few more features.
The Eminent 7195 is a monster of a media player. It towers above diddy streaming clients like the Apple TV and WDTV models, and would doubtless win a brawl with its HDD media player Netherlands neighbour A.C.Ryan.
Grab some popcorn, your iPad, and Epson's new MegaPlex portable projectors and you're ready for a night at the movies. The MegaPlex units have an iPad-, iPhone-, and iPod-compatible dock on the front and can project large, high-resolution videos or still images from the content stored on your iOS unit or from online sources such as YouTube. The MegaPlex units also work with a variety of other devices.
A couple of weeks ago, TiVo announced the Premiere Q, a quad-tuner DVR available only through cable service providers. According to a recent FCC filing by TiVo, though, it might be headed to retail soon, too.
With every passing week, our gadgets become ever more power hungry... and it becomes increasingly difficult to keep them charged. There are many possible solutions to that problem out there. Some companies are concentrating on improving battery capacity, while others work on energy efficiency, and even other works on faster ways to charge our gadgets, or to juice the up from alternate fuel sources.
GarageBand, Apple's music creation app, which has previously been available only to iPad and Mac users, is now available to a whole host of iOS devices.
One of my favorite products of the year is Epson's MegaPlex MG-850HD projector. Plunk your iPhone, iPod, or iPad into its pop-out iDevice dock and presto: you've got a complete home theater anywhere there's a chunk of wall space.
As time goes by, you acquire more and more music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, apps, and books. It's probably becoming increasingly difficult—or, more likely, impossible—to fit your entire iTunes library on your iPod, iPhone, or iPad. To deal with the data-storage disparity, you'll need some alternate strategies. Here are some ways to choose what to sync, and how to save space going so.
It appears a clever hacker named AppleGordon managed to install Siri on his iPod Touch by restoring it from an iPhone 4S backup. Which sounds maybe a little too good to be true?
The iLuv Audio Cube looks nice and can handle any iPod, iPad, or iPhone device, but its underwhelming power and lack of a remote prevent it from being a compelling dock.
Ceton has released a cool gadget that will turn your Windows 7 desktop or laptop into a streaming cable box. Called the InfiniTV 4 USB, it allows users to watch and record up to four live channels of HDTV at once, using their hard drive as a DVR. It will also stream live HD channels or recordings to multiple HDTVs throughout the home via a Media Center Extender like the Xbox 360 console. All it needs is a cable connection and a single CableCARD like this one.
Despite the absence of any news relating to the next iPhone at Monday's WWDC keynote, rumours have been forthcoming for a while about the upcoming minor refresh in the form of the iPhone 4S. As was done with previous early code releases of new iOS versions, the latest code dump of an unreleased iOS 5 firmware reveals new model numbers for the iPhone and iPad. However, there's nothing for the "iPhone on training wheels" device, the iPod touch.
An attempted upgrade to iOS 5 bricked my iPod Touch, forcing me to spend hours restoring the device. What steps should you take if this happens and how do you protect yourself before you update your iOS device?
The mini music player can double as a watch thanks to special bands designed by iWatchZ, Lunatik, and other vendors. iWatchZ offers a variety of iPod Nano watch bands ranging in price from $25 to $90, while Lunatik's bands run from $40 to $100.
If you've been chomping at the bit to get your grubby mitts all over the new white version of the iPod Touch, they're now available for purchase, or just poking, at Apple Retail Stores.
Yesterday we got a preview of a new web-based jailbreak that worked with devices running iOS 4.3.3. But that version of JailbreakMe was unofficial and actually a leaked beta. Still, some users didn't want to wait the extra few days for the official launch, so one developer named Ryan Vanniekerk got it working on his own server.
While Apple seems to be having some success with its latest iteration of its Apple TV product, things aren't as rosy with Google TV. The latest sign that's something amiss: Logitech is planning to cut the price of its Revue set-top box featuring Google's entertainment platform to $249 starting next month.
Microsoft have now discontinued the selling of its Zune HD original devices which were sold directly from the company. On its website, Microsoft recommends using Best Buy or Walmart to buy a Zune HD device, by saying "we are no longer taking new orders for Zune Originals. To purchase a Zune HD device, please visit one of our retailers." Following on with that, on its website, Microsoft are recommending users to purchase a Windows Phone instead which also offers similar features to the Zune.
A Microsoft Windows update today fixes a weakness in the protocols used to secure e-commerce sites, which was first exposed by researchers using a tool they dubbed "BEAST."
Zune Music, Microsoft's flagship competitor to iTunes has been available for some time now, depending if you're in the right country. The "right" countries right now are the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain and Germany, with the rest of the world either missing out entirely on the marketplace or only receiving small parts of it.
Microsoft will make no more Zune music players, building its future music strategy on applications incorporated in its Windows Phone and Xbox platforms, the company has confirmed.
Recent questions about the future of the Microsoft Zune music/video service have remained largely unanswered. But my contacts have shared a new, relevant piece of the puzzle. And that piece is codenamed "Ventura."
XBMC is one of the most popular media center platforms available: it's robust, supports tons of video formats, will run on almost any OS and multiple devices, and best of all, it's free. Even so, not everyone wants to use a keyboard and mouse to control their television. That's where the Nyxboard Hybrid remote control comes in: it's the first remote control built from the ground up for XBMC.
How close could a stranger come to you before you start feeling uncomfortable? Usually, people start feeling uneasy when unfamiliar people come within an arm's reach. But take the subway (underground rail) during rush hour and you have no choice but to get up close and personal with complete strangers.
Yes, my Logitech Revue is a liar. I've been waiting patiently for the mythical Honeycomb update for my Revue for at least a month, I even got a friendly e-mail from Logitech telling me I would be getting an update soon.
It's about time gyms started playing catch-up with our gadgets. No more should patrons have to argue over which episode of "Glee" to watch or which Beyonce album to blast. (Shoot, if it were up to me I'd run my heart out to the Sex Pistols while watching "Doctor Who," the combination of which would surely empty most gyms.)
Barnes & Noble has announced that they will roll out a software update for the NOOK Color that includes Netflix support. The update will be software version 1.4.1 and will include:
Netflix support, as mentioned above
Comic and graphic novels
New PagePerfect NOOK books
The ability to read books in portrait or landscape mode
Panasonic has a reputation for building digital TV recorders that have impressive features, but are about as user friendly as an angry dominatrix. Maintaining at least one tradition here, the DMR-BWT700 certainly doesn't skimp on the feature front. It has a 350GB hard drive on board, packs a Blu-ray recorder and can burn discs of both HD and SD broadcasts from its integrated Freeview HD tuner.
Panasonic returns to the UK DVR market after an abortive early foray, with a 3D-enabled, media-streaming TV recorder. Rather more convincing than the brand's first generation model, the DMR-HW100 offers access to the online VieraCast portal, has jukebox functionality and is only slightly bonkers.
There is now further proof the photo of a green iPod nano with an embedded rear camera that surfaced earlier this week is not just some Photoshop joke. It could very well be the rumored new nano.
Ten years ago, investing in a PC TV tuner seemed a neat way of watching while you work — integrating the gogglebox with laptop or desktop duties. Today, the idea is more questionable given access to on-line video streaming and download services from the likes of YouTube and the BBC iPlayer respectively.
Sidestepping the cheap black plastic approach of even some mid market Blu-ray Disc players, the BDP7600 from Philips has a robust metallic build. Its smooth and quiet disc tray emerges from a mirrored front panel, which is otherwise interrupted only by a USB port to the right. Beneath the fascia is a curved control strip with illuminated touch sensitive controls.
Plex, Inc has announced the release of version 0.9.5 of its freeware cross-platform media browsing suite. Now split into two distinct programs, Plex Media Server and Plex Media Center, as well as a mobile app for Android and iOS, Plex 0.9.5 introduces a number of new features as well as major changes behind the scenes.
Call to place your order on receivers, 4DTV receivers, DVD players plus other audio and electronics accessories, including surge protectors, cordless phones and more.
Personal radios, wireless telephones, batteries, gadgets, adapters, wires and plugs sit alongside computer equipment and stereo components on their shelves. Convenient online ordering also available.
As the iPod's 10-year anniversary looms next month, some are preparing to say goodbye to the popular media player credited for boosting Apple's fortunes over the past decade. But don't shed a tear for the iPod. Even though the line has not received any groundbreaking updates lately, the iPod lives on in Apple's touchscreen devices.
As Apple gets ready to make its big iPhone 5 reveal on Tuesday, some people are wondering if the company will also make some iPod hardware announcements as the same press event. There hasn't been much in the way of news about Apple's long running line of media players. Now the Unofficial Apple Weblog is reporting via unnamed sources that Apple might discontinue the iPod Classic, the product that started it all, along with the iPod Shuffle.
With good speeds, solid performance, integrated Wi-Fi, a wide array of Web services and apps, and a less-than-$200 price, the Samsung BD-D5700 stands out as the best budget Blu-ray player we've tested.
Samsung's BD-D6900 3D Blu-ray player is a curious hybrid. Not only does it play Blu-rays, DVDs and CDs but it also has a Freeview HD DVB-T2 tuner and connects to the company's new Smart TV apps portal. It will even double up as a PVR if you tether it to an external hard drive. It's not so much a disc spinner as an entertainment centre for mid-morning (rather than early) adopters.
On the face of it, Samsung's BD-D8900 seems to be the ideal convergence product that will allow you to get rid of the stack of boxes that hide under your TV. Not only does this deck act as a 3D-compatible Blu-ray player, but it also has an integrated twin tuner Freeview HD DVR, along with support for Samsung's Smart Hub internet platform. As well as all this, you can use it to play back a range of media formats, either locally from its USB port or across a network with a PC or Nas drive.
Nobody could honestly be surprised that Siri is one of the most-wanted features of the iPhone 4S, even among those who already possess an iPhone 4. For many people, changing phone is not an option at the moment; after the work of an iPhone hacker it might not even be necessary for Siri, as TechCrunch reports.
A graphical peer-2-Peer mp3-only sharing network designed from the ground up by music addicts for music addicts. Earn Karma Points good toward prizes just for sharing.
Sony's BDP-S380 Blu-ray bantamweight packs quite a punch. A mere 36mm tall, it barely looks big enough to swallow discs, but this plasticky pugilist can hold its own against full-size separates and is well stocked with features.
At $60, you'd be lucky to find a good pair of earphones, but the Sony W Series Walkman NWZ-W262 adds an MP3 player and a gym-friendly design to the strong audio performance.
First the good news, the Sony Walkman Z1000 Series media player looks great and has some nice sound enhancing features. The bad news is that everything else about this new Android powered media player doesn't stand out from the crowds. There seems to be more missing from this great looking player than has been added. The feature-set that is included seems to be moving towards the iPod mode.
A Walkman's not just for music anymore. The forthcoming Sony Android Walkman will give people access to apps—finally!—but true to the Walkman's legacy Sony's built the new version around it's music features.
Sony's Walkman line has come a long way since it first debuted way back in 1979 in Japan, and the latest iteration isn't just taking aim at other MP3 players, it's setting its sights on the iPod Touch.
The high-end Premiere Elite DVR has a lot to offer for TiVo fans, but the competition has surpassed TiVo on several key features, particularly support for devices like smartphones and tablets.
Dubbed the Premiere Q, TiVo's latest DVR is the first from the company that can record up to four programs at the same time. In addition, the device comes with support for streaming content when connected to the Web via Ethernet or home-entertainment networking standard MoCA (Multimedia over Coax Alliance). Up to three HD streams can be accommodated over those connections.
Back in October 2010, Reg Hardware looked at TVonics' first Freeview HD recorder, the curiously styled DTR-HD500. The DTR-Z500HD is a more conventional 'shoe box' shape, though much smaller than many of the others I've looked at, but it once again packs in a good spec.
GoogleTV is alive and kicking at CES 2012 in many ways and one company leading the way is Vizio, having announced a whole line of products making use of GoogleTV. One product they're showing off is the Vizio VAP430 media streamer.
Now that HP has thoroughly failed to capitalize on its acquisition of Palm, everyone is left wondering who will come to the rescue. Amazon has been floated as a possible buyer for the HP webOS division, and there are several reasons this makes sense. It's not just about the software, or how the platform exists now. A webOS acquisition could go the the core of what Amazon is trying to do in the consumer space.
The common wisdom is that the arrival of iCloud and iOS 5 will let us store our stuff on the cloud and buy an iPhone and iPad with less memory. However, a recent developer blog post warns that more memory is the better choice.
Sure, you can browse through every kind of television imaginable, but check out the new cool products like Z-Trak, DVD and HDTV. Job and company information also available.