Hasta La Gadget!

Verizon is continuing to extend access to its FiOS TV service (at least, within the homes of subscribers) by bringing an app to LG Smart TVs with access to 75 channels and Flex View video on-demand. That follows the iPad last week, as well as earlier apps for the Xbox 360 and Samsung’s connected TV platform. This app is of course customized for LG’s Magic Remote gesture control feature, and is available on all 2012 Smart TVs, plus the BP620 Blu-ray player via the Smart TV smart World app store. The good news is you can make use of it in a room with no cable box needed, however the lineup is still missing a few key channels (ESPN) that may be tough to do without. Verizon recently announced a deal with NBCUniversal to increase its TV Everywhere selection, if it can add a few more the set-top box-less future may be within reach.

Continue reading Verizon FiOS brings its live TV streaming app to LG Smart TVs

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Verizon, LG

Comments

Sky’s Now TV service is continuing its uphill battle against the armies of Netflix and Lovefilm today, setting up camp in Roku’s streaming boxes. Matching its Xbox 360 launch offer, you’ll be able to try the service for 30 days without charge, but it’s added another enticing deal for the Roku launch — pay a reduced price of £8.99 for the first three months before the regular £15 per month fee kicks in. As well as boasting its exclusive Harry Potter catalogue suitable for a holiday marathon, we’ve been told Sky Sports will finally be coming to Now TV “in a few months.” Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Arts and Sky Living will also eventually be added to the service, but there’s still not even a loose date for those. Now TV might not reach all the hardware it intended to before the end of the year, but at least with this latest launch, Roku can start showing Sky it was worth all that cash.

Continue reading Sky’s Now TV service comes to Roku streaming boxes in the UK

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Software, HD

Comments

Ceton will have something unexpected under the tree for early adopters of its $179 Echo Windows Media Center Extender — Android. Updates are on the way that will bring not only finalized Extender software, but also beta support for the Android platform and apps. Detailed in a message sent to testers this evening, there’s also an update rolling out in the next 24 hours that upgrades video output to 1080p and exposes settings for the Echo like optical audio out, bitstreaming over HDMI or optical and diagnostics. Even if you’re not in that beta test but just like running the latest software, Ceton has also pushed out beta InfiniTV drivers for Windows 8 users (note: tuner bridging is not supported if the card is installed in a Windows 8 PC.) There’s even a beta version of the Ceton Companion services that connect Media Center PCs to its mobile Companion apps — which coincidentally are on sale for $2.99 at the moment — for Windows 8 users to try out as well. Hit the source links for all of the details and expect more info on how the Echo puts Android on your HDTV soon.

Update: The Echo is also now available and shipping from Amazon, as well as the previously announced NewEgg.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Comments

Source: Ceton (1), (2)

The Wii U has only just arrived (with all of its streaming apps) and we’re already discussing rumors for the next generation of Xbox. Meanwhile Comcast is letting users view TV on their mobile devices offline, and Verizon has launched live TV streaming to its iPad app. In sports news YouTube has locked up NBA D-League streaming, while ESPN continues to chase the bigger fish of the BCS Playoff games and the lure of TV money is helping shape conference expansion. We’ve also got news on a few new things to watch, so press play to listen in. We were having some RSS issues after the redesign, but those should be straightened out now — if you still notice any problems let us know on Twitter or in the comments below.

Get the podcast
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
[RSS – AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes.
[RSS – MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

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

Producer: Trent Wolbe

00:11:30 – Rumor: Microsoft preparing set-top box version of next Xbox, to be revealed pre-holiday 2013
00:20:41 – Nintendo Wii U (finally) gets YouTube app, works on GamePad too
00:22:25 – Comcast Xfinity TV Player update adds downloads for offline viewing on iOS, Android
00:25:15 – Verizon FiOS Mobile app for iPad updated with streaming access to 75 channels
00:29:45 – YouTube’s biggest sports deal so far will bring live NBA D-League games
00:32:33 – ESPN3 finally comes to Cablevision, WatchESPN ‘coming soon’ to Optimum TV to GO
00:36:00 – WatchESPN lands on Xbox Live with split screen viewing and more
00:41:30 – ESPN signs dozen year deal for Division 1 college football playoff games
00:46:10 – Big Ten Network carriage agreements may be motivating conference expansion
00:53:50 – Disney to shut down its Online streaming site
00:58:48 – CinemaNow adds Ultraviolet support to some of its movies
01:03:45 – David Attenborough’s Galapagos 3D begins airing New Year’s Day in the UK on Sky 3D
01:06:39 – Game of Thrones Season Two Blu-ray set arrives February 19th
01:13:00 – Must See HDTV (November 26th – December 2nd)

Hear the podcast

LISTEN (MP3)
LISTEN (AAC)

Filed under: Podcasts, HD

Comments

Netflix just refreshed the front end of its Android app a few weeks ago, and is now tweaking the look and functions of the player itself again after previously making changes back in April. As seen above, version 2.1 brings a look that’s closer to the one we’ve seen on iOS since the spring, with large red buttons, a bigger volume slider, 10 second skip back and stills that change in the background as the user moves the scrub bar. The changelog also notes added support for Android 4.2 plus other unspecified playback and stability bug fixes, grab the newest edition at the source link to try it out for yourself.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Mobile

Comments

Source: Google Play