Hasta La Gadget!

Streaming music from a computer to all manner of home audio devices is an area Sonos, Logitech, and Apple have been competing in for years. The recently-released MP-1 music player from Orb, though, is a surprise contender that can perform a host of streaming duties for less than $70. Like the competition, it works by connecting to a powered audio device via an in-line jack, and can play music stored locally, on a network, or from services like Pandora when streamed over 802.11b/g/n WiFi through its companion Orb Caster media server software. To sweeten the package, the company is also throwing in their Orb Controller app for iOS devices — which normally costs $10 — for a low price of free, and apparently has plans to release an Android version of the remote sometime in the near future. Sure, it’s a little strange for us to see a company known for their free media streaming software jump in the hardware game so abruptly, but the MP-1’s mixture of functionality for the price is a pretty enticing first step. Plus, if the move ignites a price war to the bottom with the aforementioned competition, who are we to complain?

[Thanks, Tom]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Wireless, Networking

Orb MP-1 music player pulls Sonos-like tricks for way less than a Benjamin originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 20:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not satisfied with the current rat pack of set top media players flooding the market like the Popbox, Boxee Box, AppleTV, or WD Elements Play? Then perhaps the CiragoTV platinum CMC3000 might tickle your fancy. Yes it lacks brand name recognition, but it’s no slouch in the specs department and supports all manner of codecs, 1080p playback, UPnP networking, timeshift recording, and even includes a built-in NAS with a BitTorrent client. Connectivity wise, the box features an HDMi output, two USB ports for tacking on additional storage, and a media card reader that also takes MemorySticks for you die-hard Sony fans. Though it’s sold in 500GB for $229, considering the 1TB sizes is only $249, we’re not sure who’d balk at coughing up an additional $20 for double the storage. Remember that’s twice the space for Voltron folks. For more details watch the PR video after the break.

Continue reading CiragoTV platinum CMC3000 network multimedia center announced to join set top box masses

CiragoTV platinum CMC3000 network multimedia center announced to join set top box masses originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s been no secret that Google TV is scheduled to arrive sometime this fall and we’ve already seen the Logitech Revue box hardware pass the FCC, but a tipster has just shared an internal Best Buy document with us disclosing that the original planned launched date was October 3rd, and it’s now been mysteriously pushed back by two weeks. That would pin the official launch as October 17th, which is certainly later then what Intel’s chief recently hinted at. While it’s certainly not definitive proof, considering the fact that Best Buy is an official partner of Google TV and the dates timing relative to the upcoming holiday season, we don’t think this leak is all that far fetched. Let’s not forget that schedule would also place its release a little more than two weeks after the suggested ship date of Cupertino’s new hobby. Sure, Google’s mantra may be “do no evil”, but that doesn’t mean they can’t try to rain on Job’s parade every now and again right? Oh and for all the eloquent waxing you could want on Google’s assault on the living room, make sure you check our editorial on the platform if you happened to miss it.

Google TV officially launching October 17th? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Entelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he’ll explore where our industry is and where it’s going — on both micro and macro levels — with the unique wit and insight only he can provide.

This week at what’s become Apple’s fall music event the company unveiled a revised Apple TV. The small $99 device delivers a new rental model and support for Netflix, but there are no apps, contrary to much of the speculation leading up the event. That’s in stark contrast to the Google TV project announced at I/O last spring. Unlike Apple, Google is looking to provide DVR functionality, search, and an app marketplace. Some say Apple isn’t being bold enough, but I think Apple might be right.

Google wants input one on your TV. Apple wants input two. The difference? Input one is where your cable box goes. Input two was where your VCR or DVD player used to live. It’s a port that’s up for grabs.

Continue reading Entelligence: A tale of two TVs

Entelligence: A tale of two TVs originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Although it’s only just been revealed and won’t actually go on sale for four long weeks, Apple’s new hockey puck is far from the only media streamer on the market — and with Sony’s Netbox and the Boxee Box on the way, the sub-$200 set-top box market is exploding with options. So let’s line up the revised Apple TV against the (post-price cut) Roku HD-XR, Popbox, and even an LG Blu-ray player in the same price range and see what you’re actually getting — and more importantly, getting access to — on each device. Oh, and there’s some choice words from Roku after the break.

Update: You asked for them, so we added the PS3, Xbox 360 & WDTV Live as well, after the break.

Device:	AppleTV	Roku XR	Pop Box	LG BD550
Price:	$99	$99	$129	$130 – $150
Form Factor/Size:	3.9 x 0.9 x 3.9	5 x 5 x 1.75	8 x 1.4 x 6 inches	16.9 x 1.8 x 7.9
Available Content:	HD TV shows from ABC & Fox ($0.99), HD Movie rentals ($4.99/$3.99), Netflix, iTunes, YouTube	Netflix, Amazon VOD (now with $0.99 HD TV show purchases from Fox & ABC), MLB.tv, UFC, NBA GameTime, YouTube, Pandora	YouTube, Revision3, Blip.tv, h.264 / XviD / MPEG-4, MKV / AVI / WMV	Blu-ray discs, VUDU, Netflix, CinemaNow, YouTube, Pandora, Napster
Apps / SDK:	N/A	Roku Channel / SDK available	Popapps Store / SDK available	NetCast widgets
Connectivity:	WiFi N, Ethernet	WiFi N, Ethernet	Ethernet, optional WiFi adapter	Ethernet, Disc
Video Quality:	720p, 5.1 audio	720p (1080p upgrade coming soon), 5.1 audio	1080p, 5.1 audio	1080p, 7.1 audio, DTS-HD MA / Dolby TrueHD audio

Continue reading Apple TV vs. the competition — how does it stack up?

Apple TV vs. the competition — how does it stack up? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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