Hasta La Gadget!

Your Slingbox isn’t just for streaming realtime television content anymore. SlingSync, which we first heard about during CES, is now available as part of this week’s firmware update, letting you upload photos and videos captured with an Android or iOS device directly to a USB drive connected to a Slingbox 500. Using SlingPlayer Mobile on your handset or tablet, you can opt for either automatic or manual transfers, enabling you to offload captured content for safekeeping. And, assuming the Slingbox 500 is connected to your television, you can then view photos and videos on your TV. Your device will need firmware number 1.3.462 in order to take advantage of SlingSync, while mobile gadgets should be using SlingPlayer Mobile version 2.4.2 for Android or 3.4.1 on iOS. Though the above feature only applies to the 500, the update also marks the return of Audio-Only mode on the Solo, Pro-HD and 500 — the Slingbox 350 will receive that last feature in a future update.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Slingbox Support (1), (2)

Boxee’s second box is getting a fresh round of updates, as GigaOm points out software version 2.1.0.7781 has been detailed and is rolling out. It includes features that appeal to classic Boxee fans like support for DLNA rendering that lets it browse and play files from PCs or other devices on the same network and DMR that lets users push media to it from apps like Skifta. For more traditional viewers, the update also brings a standard TV guide users can pull up by selecting “TV” on the home screen, the ability to schedule and manage DVR recordings from antenna on the box itself (previously only possible via webpage for the still-in-beta feature), notifications for upcoming recordings and even 3D support in the Vudu app. Boxee co-founder Idan Cohen joined us at Expand and mentioned some of the other updates the team is working on, we’ll see if oft-requested features like the ability to pause live TV are added any time soon. Hit the source link for the full list of changes, current owners should see the new software arrive over the next few days.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Via: GigaOm

Source: Boxee Support

U-verse subscribers often have some bandwidth to spare; it’s only fair that they make the most of it with some streaming sports. Appropriately, AT&T and ESPN have just flicked the switch on WatchESPN support for those who subscribe to U-verse TV service. As always, viewers can tune into live and on-demand content from a computer, an Xbox 360 (with an Xbox Live Gold subscription) or their Android and iOS devices while on the road. The sports partnership is also just the start: AT&T notes that all flavors of Watch Disney should be coming “soon,” giving the little ones something to stream in between football matches.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, AT&T

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Source: WatchESPN

It’s easy to snag a Miracast-capable device if you’re willing to shop for a brand new TV or a set-top box. but it’s much tougher if Miracast is the only thing you’re looking for. Minimalists will be happy, then, that Panasonic just released a dedicated adapter for the job. Plug the very utilitarian-looking brick into an HDMI jack and you can wirelessly stream HD-grade video from any supporting device on the same WiFi network; Panasonic would naturally prefer that it’s the company’s new Eluga X smartphone. The adapter is so far only available in Japan for an estimated and rather steep ¥8,980 ($95), although we’re hoping that it eventually crosses the Pacific at a price that befits the narrow focus.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Peripherals, HD

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Via: Akihabara News

Source: Panasonic (translated)

Hopefully you tuned into our Engadget HD panel from Expand this weekend, as we kick off this week’s podcast discussing some of the topics covered by our guests from TiVo, Sling and Boxee. We also cover Verizon’s proposal to pay stations based on how much its subscribers actually watch them, as well as what the future holds for Panasonic’s plasma production and Sharp as a whole. Also notable are Fox’s plans for a new 24-hour sports channel and news that Netflix may bring 4K streaming sooner than you think, press play to find out more about that and a couple of The Killing spoilers as a bonus.

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)

Producer: James Trew (@itstrew)

Hear the podcast

Filed under: Podcasts, HD

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