Hasta La Gadget!

Verizon’s subscription streaming TV service, Redbox Instant, now supports Apple’s AirPlay thanks to a new version 1.4 iOS app update — with some caveats. For starters, though you’ll be able to play streaming content on your iOS 6 device, the app doesn’t support downloaded material as yet. Also, your viewing may be broken off if you receive texts and certain notifications, if you lock the device or if you quit Redbox to use another app. Meanwhile, AirPlay Mirroring, which lets you play from your device with your TV as a second screen, will still work just fine. Other tweaks include the usual bug fixes and improvements to the recommendations engine. So, if you’ve got Apple TV and want to give it a whirl, hit the source — just make sure to tell your pals not to contact you mid-film.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Internet, HD, Apple, Verizon

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Redbox Instant (iTunes)

Showtime Anytime has been able to be accessed with a number of service providers, but one of the major players, Time Warner Cable, was absent from that list since the beginning. Starting today, however, TWC customers can begin accessing Showtime’s streaming offering, including via the iOS/Android applications and on the web. Naturally, you’ll need to have a Showtime subscription as part of your cable package to view the content — if that’s all taken care of, you’ll be ready to stream Dexter and Homeland in no time and anytime you want. And hey, Bright House Networks subscribers, this applies to you as well.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD

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Source: Time Warner Cable

Vizio already has soundbars designed for smaller TVs (and medium-sized ones too), and now it’s back with a flagship model built for bigger screens. This new 54-inch model, available today, brings 103-decibel sound, complete with three channels and a 4-inch deep bass module. Like the smaller models, it also features Bluetooth streaming, and uses DTS audio processing to level out the volume so that you’re not jolted off the couch when shows cut to a loud commercial break. It’s available today for $300 on Vizio’s website, though if you wait a few weeks, you should see it popping up in retail stores, likely with some lower prices in tow.

Additionally, the company is teasing a 55-inch entry-level E-series TV with full-array LED backlighting and local dimming technology, which should allow for both deeper blacks as well as easier viewing in darkened rooms. As it happens, this technology isn’t new and in fact, Vizio already sells some entry-level models with full-array backlighting and local dimming. In this case, though, Vizio is touting more dimming zones, as well as newer, more effective version of the dimming technology. Unfortunately, though, the company isn’t doing demos right now, so we can’t really speak to the difference in quality. What’s more, Vizio also hasn’t mentioned pricing or availability. So, we’ll have to leave this as a tease for now, but we’ll follow up when we eventually learn more.%Gallery-slideshow123186%

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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PSN users around the world have been booting up their various consoles only to be confronted with a message saying their passwords are incorrect. They’ve then had to go through the rigmarole of creating new login details, usually while still in the dark as to what happened to their accounts in the first place — and whether they might have been hacked. Sony has since put out an explanation via various official channels in the US, EU and Japan, saying that only “some” users have been affected and that the password resets are “purely a precautionary measure” for “routine protection.” We’ve contacted the company for clarification on its policy about contacting users individually in this sort of situation, and also to see if we can find out a little more about this “non-specific” threat to certain accounts.

Filed under: Gaming, Internet, HD, Sony

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Eurogamer

Source: PlayStation Forum, AskPlayStation (Twitter)

While Microsoft has sold a ton of Xbox Ones, not all of them are functioning as their owners hoped they would. It turns out that some of the consoles are having problems with their optical drives — some eat discs, while others reject them while a series of ominous sounds emanate from within. The good news is, should you be among those unfortunate souls, Microsoft is aware of the problem and is doing its best to make amends, including giving some affected parties a free game. Polygon reports that Xbox customer care has offered a game as recompense for some faulty consoles, and will let folks choose to download Dead Rising 3, Forza Motorsport 5, Ryse: Son of Rome or Zoo Tycoon for free. We reached out to Microsoft about its generosity, and here’s what the company has to say on the matter:

While a replacement console is on its way, we want to ensure our advance exchange customers can stay in the game. We will provide each of them with a free digital download of one of the launch titles published by Microsoft Studios.

Filed under: Gaming, HD

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Via: Polygon