Hasta La Gadget!

Vizio’s Co-Star hub is still one of the cheapest points of entry into the Google TV world, so it’s comforting to see the set-top box getting an update — albeit somewhat behind Google’s own pace. The previously promised release mostly focuses on giving it the third-generation Google TV interface, including the mini-guide, YouTube pairing and (through a future Android app update) voice-guided search. Viewers on the prowl for more content get a few additional perks through new apps for M-Go and Vudu video streaming, as well as a truly native Amazon Instant Video app. Should Vizio’s tiny media center inhabit your living room, you can expect the upgrade to arrive over the air within the next few weeks.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google, Amazon

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Source: Vizio

The Redbox Instant video streaming service recently let eager users kick down the doors of its beta test, and now the team behind it has stepped out to talk about its unique feature set. While a public launch is still planned for Q1 (just as Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam said last month) we’ve had a little time to spend with the beta on our own, and saw it running on several devices including iOS / Android and Samsung Blu-ray player in the company’s hotel suite. New hardware partners announced during CES are Vizio, Google TV and LG, which should all see apps arrive soon to their assorted platforms.

Currently the mobile apps appear to be the most polished, however all ran smoothly and featured a look apart from the other subscription streaming services. Of course, some of that is a result of Redbox offering movies via kiosk rental, VOD rental / purchase or unlimited subscription. While each UI is a bit unique (predictably, the iOS app foregoes any purchase options due to Apple’s insistence on a 30 percent cut) one way to keep track of how a particular movie is accessible are via several small icons in the corner of its box art, showing a kiosk for discs, play button for subscriptions, ticket for purchase, and so on. So far Redbox isn’t playing in the picture quality wars, at the moment it’s video maxes out at 720p and audio is stereo only, although it is looking to upgrade.

Continue reading More Redbox Instant details revealed at CES; Vizio, LG and Google TV clients coming

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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LG made tentative inroads into the Google TV space last year with only two available sets, but here at CES 2013, the company’s announced plans to expand the line to seven additional models. The sets, which range in size from 42 to 60 inches, feature LG’s Cinema Screen display at full 1080p resolution with 240Hz refresh rate and are also 3D capable. For input options, consumers will have ports for HDMI (4x) and USB 2.0 (2x) along with wired ethernet (WiFi is also supported). The company’s custom Magic Remote has also seen some improvements as the buttons for navigation have all been moved further up, allowing users a more comfortable one-thumb experience. And from the time we spent holding it, it seems that slight change does help enhance overall in-hand comfort. As for new additions to the remote’s layout, LG’s added in dedicated buttons for voice control and its Prime Time Quick Smart Guide which brings up an overlay of currently airing programs and remaining air time. There’s no pricing available at this time, but we do know these sets will hit the market in Q1 of this year.

Continue reading LG’s 55-inch 3D Google TV eyes-on

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, Google, LG

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One of ASUS‘ most significant announcements at CES this year is the Google TV-powered Qube. Just as the name suggests, the device comes in the shape of a cube, with an IR receiver on the front side, a USB port on the right, and a bunch more on the back: HDMI-in, HDMI-out, another USB port, RJ-45 and IR-out. Internally the Qube packs a Marvell Armada 1500 chipset with 1GB of RAM and 4GB of flash storage. Like the chassis, the Qube’s interface also features a rotating cube, but that’s pretty much the only thing special about it so far.

The Qube naturally comes with its very own remote control, and with the exception of the lack of a numpad it comes with all the standard buttons, and on the other side it has a QWERTY keyboard. It’s worth pointing out that there’s also a voice command button as well as motion-sensing, thus making the most out of Google TV ver.3. Not a fan of the remote control? Then you can simply download an app onto your Nexus 7 or any Android device to get the same functions.

In terms of availability, ASUS plans to launch the Qube in the US in around March for around $150. For the mean time, grab yourself a beverage and check out the demo video after the break.

Continue reading ASUS Qube hands-on (video)

Filed under: Displays, ASUS

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Via: Engadget Chinese

While the FCC may have already punctured ASUS’ surprise, at least the company’s now made it official. ASUS‘ first Google TV device is coming and will arrive with 50GB of WebStorage cloud space and access to over 100,000 movies and TV shows through Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. It’ll arrive with its own “Qube interface,” unsurprisingly featuring a three-dimensional tetrahedron that rotates for access to your content. There’s also motion-sensing remote control support for gaming and other apps, while anyone with an Android phone will be able to download ASUS’ Mobile Remote app and steer from there. No word yet on pricing or a launch date — ASUS won’t be hosting a press event this week, but we’ll be pounding the CES floors for more details.

Continue reading ASUS Qube announced at CES: Google TV arrives with on-screen cube interface

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, ASUS

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