Topic: HD - Engadget

By Richard Lawler posted Sep 13th 2013 6:53PM 0

Sony BRAVIA Smart Stick revealed, it's Google TV in a Chromecast-looking dongle HD

The Sony NSZ-GU1 Google TV device we've seen pop up in FCC filings has been at least partially revealed today, and it's called the Sony BRAVIA Smart Stick. The blog post doesn't specifically mention any Chromecast-style features, but it is an MHL dongle that runs both Google TV and Sony's own BRAVIA apps. The features are just like Google TV boxes Sony has released before, with a remote (that the FCC filings showed is at least similar to the previous ones) that has QWERTY and voice search support. Additionally, its "picture-and-picture" feature lets users see a browser in one window and TV in another. Since it's a true Google TV device it can install and run Android apps from the Play Store, but any other details will have to wait until it's officially announced on Sunday (the truly dedicated can dig into the source code, linked after the break). Of course this does leave one other question: Now that app support is available as a simple plug-in dongle, does that mean Sony is going to ship plain-jane HDTVs and leave the "smart" features for add-on accessories like this one?

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By Matt Brian posted Sep 13th 2013 10:59AM 0

ESPN Sync brings dedicated real-time sports coverage to the second screen HD

After its slow but steady implementation of companion features in its mobile and web services, ESPN is ready to go live with its first dedicated second screen sports app. With its ESPN Sync, the broadcaster will focus first on its Spanish-language channel, ESPN Desportes, delivering real-time news, sports scores and interactive live videos for major sporting events. The company has trialled all manner of real-time features in the past -- from tickers, to fly-bys and other additional goodies -- but ESPN Sync is the first to tie them all together. It's chosen a great time to launch too: the app will debut just in time to distract you during the Mayweather vs. Canelo fight on September 14th. ESPN's new web platform will also play host to more than 60 events over the next year, streaming games from the MLB World Series, NFL Playoffs, NBA Finals and ~~football~~ soccer matches from the world's biggest leagues. ESPN Sync is available on iOS, Android and desktop devices, but be warned -- you'll only get the most out of it if you know your fuera de juego from your contraataque.

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By Timothy J. Seppala posted Sep 13th 2013 10:17AM 0

U-Verse brings passive aggressive texts to your big screen with 'TV Notes' HD

Look out, your U-verse service is about to get naggy. With the newly launched TV Notes feature, you can send messages to any connected display in the house, either by set-top box or mobile phone if you're out, and they'll pop up in a hard-to-ignore spot on your screen. There's also a scheduling option for setting messages to arrive at a specific time on a given channel or on a repeat basis. Oh, and blocking out the entire screen with one of these reminders is possible, too -- perfect for telling the kids to dust the 65-inch plasma instead of just watching it.

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By Billy Steele posted Sep 13th 2013 9:30AM 0

Distro Issue 107: How Edward Thorp gambled his way into wearable-tech history HD

Edward Thorp was banned from casinos in Vegas for counting cards. He even published a book on his system for winning at the blackjack table using the mathematical theory of probability. While working at MIT, he built what many consider the first wearable device for -- you guessed it -- beating roulette. In a fresh issue of our weekly, Donald Melanson profiles Thorp's gaming of the system and how he ended up the unlikely father of wearable computing. Eyes-On has a look at Sennheiser's cans, Hands-on grabs up both of the new iPhones and IRL takes a gaming focus. Jump down to your digital library of choice to snag your copy and settle in for a gadget-centric history lesson.

Distro Issue 107 PDF
Distro in the iTunes App Store
Distro in the Google Play Store
Distro in the Windows Store
Distro APK (for sideloading)
Like Distro on Facebook
Follow Distro on Twitter

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By Mariella Moon posted Sep 13th 2013 8:05AM 0

Tetrapod quantum dot LEDs could lead to cheaper, better HDTVs soon HD

Until Sony started shipping its Triluminos HDTVs, the future of quantum dot (QD) technology in real-world products was mostly theoretical. Now, a company called Quantum Materials has started shipping its "Tetrapod Quantum Dots" material to an unnamed Asian electronics manufacturer, hinting at the possibility of other QD-enhanced products on the market. The company didn't mention any particular devices, but this tech has the potential to create displays that are brighter, more energy-efficient and have greater contrast than the competition.

This technology allows companies to create LED-backlit LCDs using a single material as opposed to several on traditional ones -- this supposedly keeps costs low, although the aforementioned Sony HDTVs were anything but cheap. Quantum Materials CEO Stephen Squires specifically claims his company's tetrapod technology works with fewer dots overall and better manufacturing tech to hit the lowest cost possible. Samsung and LG have shown off quantum dot tech in years past -- we'll eventually find out if either one is the anonymous manufacturer in line to mass produce it.

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By Edgar Alvarez posted Sep 13th 2013 7:02AM 0

Deezer music service expands as it launches on Philips and Panasonic Smart TVs HD

Deezer's currently competing with the likes of Spotify and Rdio to win over the streaming souls of the world, so it knows how important it is to be available in as many countries and on as many platforms as possible. Taking that into account, the music service announced it has inked a deal with Panasonic and Philips which will bring its web-based tunes to Smart TVs made by those companies, similarly to what it did with other manufacturers earlier this year. What's more, Deezer also (quietly) updated its app on LG and Samsung television sets with improvements to search, an easier way to manage the music library and an option to access your friends' playlists. Of course, this all only applies to places where Deezer is present -- in other words, folks here in the US of A need not to power on their Smart TV and look for the app. One day, perhaps.

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By Richard Lawler posted Sep 12th 2013 10:26PM 0

GetGlue's Android app adds redesigned TV guide with streaming video listings HD

GetGlue reworked its iPhone app recently to feature not only a new design, but also add more content sources, and now those features are also available on Android devices. The service is moving beyond check-ins of what users are watching and now provides personalized advice on what to watch. Those recommendations blend currently airing broadcast TV with commonly used online services like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu, among others. There are also curated lists of suggestions and the newly refreshed show pages along with the ability for users to post their own memes, videos and news. The only feature that didn't make the jump from the iPhone is the ability to link up with DirecTV satellite receivers for remote control, but otherwise it's all here.

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By Jon Fingas posted Sep 12th 2013 7:16PM 0

Singulus tests 100GB, 4K-ready Blu-ray discs HD

The Blu-ray Disc Association has teased that a 4K-friendly disc format is coming, but Singulus isn't willing to wait to make some announcements of its own. The German company just finished production tests of a Blu-ray disc that squeezes 100GB into three layers, making it "ideal" for 4K movies. Sounds good, doesn't it? Unfortunately, the company hasn't said much more about the technology -- we don't know if the discs have the BDA's support, whether they're compatible with existing players, or when they enter mass production. We've reached out for more details; in the meantime, we'd advise saving up for the exotic TV you'll need to watch 4K movies in any format.

[Image credit: Diego Correa, Flickr]

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By Darren Murph posted Sep 12th 2013 6:26PM 0

Audio pioneer Ray Dolby passes away HD

We've sad news to report today in the world of audio: Ray Dolby has passed on. His death comes relatively soon after losing both Dr. Fritz Sennheiser and Dr. Amar Bose, and as with those two gentlemen, Dolby's legacy will continue to impact viewers and listeners around the globe for many years to come. Dolby founded Dolby Laboratories in 1965, seeking to provide a place for like-minded engineers to "push the limits of sight and sound," as is stated on the outfit's homepage.

He is perhaps best known for the Dolby noise-reduction system, and in more modern times, for his company's iconic stamp on just about every major motion picture and piece of AV equipment known to man. Dolby's surround sound magic continues to lead the industry, with Dolby 3D and Dolby Atmos as its latest contributions. Ray Dolby was 80 years old, and is survived by his wife Dagmar as well as sons Tom and David. A tribute video compiled by Dolby Labs can be found after the break.

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By Jon Fingas posted Sep 12th 2013 1:13PM 0

Rogers hires Vodafone UK chief Guy Laurence as CEO HD

Rogers' patience in finding a replacement CEO has paid off in spades. The Canadian telecom giant has just confirmed that Guy Laurence, Vodafone UK's current chief executive, will be its new leader as of December 2nd. The hire gives Rogers a CEO who's not only well-versed in mobile and media services, but has a reputation as a reformer -- he shook up Vodafone UK's corporate culture shortly after taking the reins in 2008. While it's not certain that he'll repeat history at Rogers, we wouldn't expect him to maintain the status quo for very long.

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By Ben Gilbert posted Sep 12th 2013 9:00AM 0

GameStick launch pushed once more, now arrives on October 29th HD

The second Kickstarter-funded, Android-powered gaming console to arrive this year -- PlayJam's GameStick -- is being delayed once again, this time to October 29th. Folks who backed the game console on Kickstarter will get it earlier in the month, with shipments arriving "three to four weeks before retail." The rest of us can pick it up at GameStop, Amazon or GAME (for you UKers), and it'll cost the expected $79.99 / £79.99.

You may've noticed we didn't list that price in Euros, and that's because the console is launching in the US and UK first, with the rest of the EU, Canada and Middle Eastern territories getting GameStick "prior to the end of year holiday season." PlayJam CEO Jasper Smith chocks this (third!) delay up to "stringent QA" standards at the company, and PlayJam responding to the criticisms it heard from early beta testers. "Production delays are certainly frustrating, but in certain instances they're essential," Smith told Engadget. "There were some issues there that we thought needed to be solved, there were some issues that came out of watching what others had done, that meant that we should solve some other issues. So the unfortunate result is that pushed things back."

Smith cited various usability issues, from "the way games were being submitted" to "the way that the games actually played," as fixed problems. "On TV you've gotta make it so it's easy for people to get in and out of a game, start again and all that stuff. And I hope that we've done a reasonably good job on that." We hope so too, and we'll find out soon -- keep an eye out for a review of GameStick in the coming weeks on Engadget.

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By Joe Pollicino posted Sep 11th 2013 7:37PM 0

Engadget HD Podcast 366 - 09.11.13 HD

Are you as bummed out as Ben and Richard that no Apple TV news came out of Monday's iPhone event? No worries, because ready to fill that void are all the UHD an OLED TVs from IFA, the PS Vita TV set top box and a recap of our fantasy football league's first week in play. This week's edition of the Engadget HD podcast is ready for your ears below.

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler

Producer: Joe Pollicino

Hear the podcast

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By Jon Fingas posted Sep 11th 2013 2:43PM 0

TiVo Network PVR puts Roamio recording technology in the cloud HD

However good TiVo's new Roamio DVRs may be, not everyone can justify purchasing them -- especially not TV providers that would have to buy in bulk. TiVo could make that experience more accessible with its just-unveiled Network PVR. The service (not yet pictured) puts the Roamio interface in the cloud, letting operators offer similar recording and streaming features though cheaper set-top boxes and mobile devices. Network PVR should also let providers offer perks that aren't possible with locally-stored shows, such as sharing a recording with friends who missed the big season finale. There's no estimated launch time frame for Network PVR, although that's more likely to be dictated by the providers; don't be surprised if it takes a while for the technology to reach viewers.

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By Michael Gorman posted Sep 11th 2013 1:24PM 0

GoPro CEO Nicholas Woodman on building a Google Glass-style wearable: don't count on it HD

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past couple years, odds are you've seen one of Nicholas Woodman's little cube cameras strapped to someone's chest or stuck to a car. Today at TechCrunch Disrupt 2013, the GoPro CEO was asked if he'd be interested in moving beyond the cube and mount form factor and into something more svelte, Glass-like, even. While he found value in Google Glass' ability to shoot first-person video, Woodman isn't so keen on such a device due to its limited use case (it can really only be worn on your face). "The Google Glass form factor doesn't provide the versatility that has been so key to GoPro's success," he said, before going on to extol the virtues of having a camera that can be mounted on your chest, your car or pretty much anywhere. Essentially, he sees the fact that GoPro can provide any point of view for video as a key selling point for his cameras.

Instead, Woodman sees Glass (or other such wearables) as an excellent way for folks to interact with GoPro cameras. He pointed out the camera line's functionality with current smartphones -- using a handset as a remote control, or previewing and sharing footage, noting that wearables could provide similar features, only in hands-free fashion. So, we won't see any new GoPro models meant solely for wearing, but you can bet we'll be seeing a GoPro Glass app at some point.

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By Ben Gilbert posted Sep 11th 2013 12:59PM 0

Indie game devs push back on OUYA's 'Free the Games' fund, some pulling games HD

OUYA's "Free the Games" fund, which matches funds for any indie game on Kickstarter with at least $50,000 in funding (up to $1 million), is embroiled in backlash from the indie game developers it sought to court. After two Kickstarter projects tied to the initiative were found to be taking advantage of the promotion -- investing their own money or those of friends to receive the matching funds -- OUYA head Julie Uhrman attempted to assuage concerns with a blog post last evening. In it, Uhrman says, "Recently, the intention behind our Free the Games Fund - to provide additional funding to crowd-funded games bound for OUYA, and enable developers to make more of them - seems to have been lost."

The post, however, seems to have caused more harm than good. Indie developers took to the comments section to berate Uhrman's response. "This reads like a press release from a console company locked into a foolish policy and using aspirational language to shift the blame, weirdly, onto its critics," Thomas Was Alone developer Mike Bithell wrote in the comments. "You can do better." One dev says she's removing her game from the OUYA marketplace altogether as a result of Uhrman's deflection. "After reading Julie Uhrman's blog post last night it became very apparent to me that the company does not support indie developers who need the support most, and that they are incapable of ever correcting their mistakes," Rose and Time developer Sophie Houlden posted to her blog. "I'm simply no longer comfortable supporting the company."

Aside from a single statement on Twitter, Uhrman (nor OUYA) hasn't responded to critics just yet. "No we are not changing the Free The Games Fund. We are sticking with it," she wrote last night with a link to the blog post in question. We'll update this piece should OUYA decide to alter its course.

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