Hasta La Gadget!

Comcast’s advanced cable-box footprint keeps getting bigger. While currently you can only get the X1 set-top box in 18 of its service areas, that’s growing, as it’s come to several new markets recently. A company spokesperson recently told us that the cable giant is still on track to have the new unit as an option for all of its customers by year’s end. As of now, new and current Triple Play subscribers in Nashville and Knoxville, TN; Jacksonville, Sarasota and Naples, FL; Baltimore and Frederick, MD and Brunswick, GA can snag the hardware as a free upgrade with select programming packages. Or, if you’re patient, you could wait for the X2.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Comcast X1

I’ve seen many different kinds of clunky TV boxes, and many are forgettable. There are quite a few that are basically eyesores in your living room, and it’s not always easy to find a way to make them appealing, except if you completely hide them away.

Fan TV was developed by Yves Behar’s Fuseproject studio. The design was created for the company Fanhattan. The remote and set-top box are quite unique.  They are supposed to mimic nested stones. The pebble-shaped remote is supposed to respond to the slightest touch, and you can tap as well as swipe it to navigate through your movies and shows.

The system itself is designed to integrate live TV, DVR and streaming media in a single interface. Though it’s not clear what other devices will be required in order to use the live TV and DVR features. There will also be companion apps for iOS devices so you can watch and control your content on the go.

Here’s a brief demo of the Fan TV in action:

There’s no word yet on pricing or a release date for the system.

[via designboom]

After launching a brand new Android app, Plex is now giving its Google TV app more room to roam inside your HDTV. An update allows you to dynamically switch your layout to a “TV style” to better take advantage of your flat panel’s extra breadth, even if you’re running it from an Android smartphone instead (which you totally can). PlexPass subscribers can sideload the app to Google TV or any other Android device via an APK now, and a new Google TV app will arrive on Play within a week. So, if you’ve already got the pixels but need more screen acreage, check the source.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Mobile

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Source: Plex

While Machinima lets you produce epics out of your gaming exploits (occasionally resulting in comedy gold), so far it’s kept non-fanboy productions confined to YouTube. According to Reuters, that might change soon, as the company — which just received $35 million in Google-backed funding — is looking for another $80 million to start a subscription-based online video service. It has reportedly sought investment from the likes of Warner Brothers and Paramount Pictures, who already produce content for Machinima’s infamous YouTube channel and Xbox 360 app. Calling its typical user “crazy, engaged and ravenous,” CEO Allen DeBevoise said it wants to “be a company in the spirit of HBO and AMC, but in an over-the-top (online) world.” He added that it wants to license full-length, 44-minute fare (sans ads), to which it would retain foreign marketing rights. With 20.4 million viewers who stayed an average of 76 minutes last month, Machinima is already YouTube’s 7th largest channel — so, it’s no surprise that it’d like to become the Netflix of gaming.

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, Internet, HD

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Source: Reuters

When sitting down to watch a lovely film on your Wii, you can now take advantage of Lovefilm’s updated streaming app for the console. Users will notice improved search functionality, a more Wii-friendly user interface and, for the first time, watch lists. You’ll also be able to pick up where you left off on other devices thanks to the new homepage which shows previously watched titles. Yup, this is what you’re getting instead of game rentals.

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, Software, HD, Amazon, Nintendo

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