Hasta La Gadget!

When Rakuten launched the beta for its Wuaki.tv any-way-you-want-it video service in the UK, it left out the mobile apps that many crave. The company is rectifying that mistake today by officially bringing its Android and iOS clients to the country. There are few surprises for those who’ve used the apps in Spain, although the necessary Android update brings an option to rate shows. There’s also more platform support on the way — Wuaki.tv says that Brits will get access through game consoles and smart TVs later in the summer. As long as you’re content with watching videos over WiFi, you can grab both apps through the source links.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Tablets, Internet, HD

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Source: Google Play, App Store

Roku introduced the “Play on Roku” feature to broadcast still images and music from mobile devices to its set-top box late last year, and now it’s iOS app has added video support to the mix. Currently available only for user-recorded videos it’s no AirPlay-replacement, but in the crowded media streamer market any extra functionality is welcome. As is the case with many recently introduced features on the platform, you’ll need some of Roku’s second gen or newer hardware to take advantage, but if you’re properly equipped then just grab the update at the link below.

Filed under: HD, Mobile

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Via: Macworld

Source: iTunes

For a company’s that’s mired in legal red tape, Aereo’s nationwide expansion isn’t showing any signs of slowing. The streaming service, which uses an antenna / DVR system to deliver local broadcast stations, will soon launch in three additional major cities — Houston and Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX; Miami, FL — in a rollout scheduled to complete by the end of September. Interested parties can head to Aereo’s site now to get a leg up on pre-registration for the service, with rates starting at $8/mo for 20 hours of DVR storage. Take note, the first month’s gratis, but after that it’s the same old subscription ball-and-chain just like any other. And, hey, at least this is one way to guarantee Moonves’ content kingdom and his trusty Chenbot still have a home on your flatscreen or iPad or, you know, device.

Filed under: Internet, HD

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There are still a few months until its November launch, but the Xbox One is already ready for primetime, apparently. One of the first Xbox One retail units — among just 20 or so in existence — made an appearance this morning in an unboxing video hosted by Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb, director of programming for Microsoft’s Xbox division. In particular, the video features a limited edition “Day One” version of the console, which is more or less sold out at every major retailer (at least Amazon, GameStop, and Best Buy). It’s just below the break.

If you were one of the lucky few (thousand) to get in on Day One Edition pre-orders, you’ll be getting the same stuff as standard edition pre-order folks, albeit with some extra “Day One Edition” branding flair — the gamepad says “Day One Edition” on it and has a chrome d-pad, and there’s an achievement exclusive to DOE owners. Both the standard and Day One editions cost $500, and both now include a wired Xbox One headset — something that was previously excluded from the retail box.

Also of note, the video’s subsequent blog post reveals that Xbox One gamepads recharge using microUSB rather than the proprietary cable used for charging Xbox 360 gamepads. Moreover, when the One’s gamepad is plugged in, the internal wireless radio is turned off and it transmits data through the wire (which was not the case with the 360 gamepad). This has interesting implications for the One’s gamepad in PC applications, which we’ll assuredly explore more in the coming weeks as Gamescom returns to Cologne, Germany for another year of Euro-style game news.

Update: We’ve added some official press photos of the headset that comes in the box. Enjoy!

Filed under: Gaming, HD, Microsoft

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Source: Microsoft, Larry Hryb (Twitter)

As of late, Sony’s home theater soundbar offerings haven’t catered to the higher-end of the market, but that changes today. The company’s aluminum-clad HT-ST7 aims to take on speakers that cost much more, while offering NFC-enabled Bluetooth pairing and a plethora of wired connectivity options. The unit features nine drivers powered by seven independent amplifiers, with an included wireless subwoofer that houses dual bass drivers. Sony even opted to have Academy award-winner Paul Ottoson give audio-engineering input, no doubt figuring his golden ears could help the bar better reproduce movie dialogue. AptX and AAC are baked in for wireless music streaming, as is other audio tech including DTS and Dolby Digital for simulated surround sound.

Aside from all that, there’s a built-in IR repeater, dimmable LCD info-screen, a trio of both HDMI and Toslink inputs, as well as a single analog audio input and an audio return channel. The HT-ST7 will run space-concerned home theater enthusiasts $1,299 starting today, which includes a nifty collapsible remote. Check out the quartz-inspired design in the embedded galleries and find more details in the press release after the break.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video, HD, Sony

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