Hasta La Gadget!

While it seems like every network is rolling out its own personal second screen app for tablets and / or phones, over in the UK zeebox has been trying to corner the experience across channels and providers with its app. Available as an app for iOS and Android and also on the web, it brings a customized TV guide, live chat, social network sharing and remote control features to the TV experience, and now it’s come to the US. Other than the typical second screen experience, its main hook is an “OpenBox” API and tags that allow content providers to customize the experience for their viewers… and then sell them stuff like video on-demand or related merchandise.

On this side of the Atlantic zeebox has secured backing from Comcast / NBC Universal, giving it financial and promotional support as well as covering more than 30 networks right away. It also means it can eventually act as a remote control for Comcast users, which may be an advantage over competition like Miso, GetGlue and IntoNow, and can flex its muscles paired with hundreds of shows like The Voice, Notre Dame football and HBO content like True Blood. Out of the box, the app’s social ties and careful metering may be a programmer’s dream as it monitors who is watching what live, but we’ll have to see more of the second screen content come to life if it’s going to catch on socially. A customizable guide (yes, you can hide or reorder channels at will) is a nice touch and so is being able to see what your friends are viewing with Facebook Open Graph and Twitter hooks — but only if they’re actually using it. If you want to check it out, the free apps are linked below and the full press release follows after the break.

Continue reading Zeebox second screen TV companion app crosses over to the US, with a boost from Comcast and HBO

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, Software, HD

Zeebox second screen TV companion app crosses over to the US, with a boost from Comcast and HBO originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Following those British-based leaks yesterday, a second mole has now offered us a glimpse at Xbox Music pricing across the Atlantic. It looks like the Zune successor will offer a longer 30-day free trial, alongside $10 per-month and $100 annual subscriptions. Surprise — looks like Americans are getting a better deal.

Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio/Video

US pricing leaks for incoming Xbox Music service originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 08:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The optical nous of the Lumia 920 won’t just be visiting Australia soon. Nokia has revealed that its Windows Phone 8 flagship will arrive in Europe priced at 649 euros ($836), while the Lumia 820 will arrive several hundred euros cheaper at 499 euros ($643). Both will arrive in Italy and Germany some time in November, although the company weren’t pointing to any specific launch date just yet. Further east, Russian Nokia fans can already put in their preorder, with the devices there arriving at some point in Q4.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Nokia Lumia 920, 820 get official European prices, launching in November

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Nokia Lumia 920, 820 get official European prices, launching in November originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 06:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PhoneArena, The Verge  |  Nokia Russia, Plaffo, Nokia Germany  | Email this | Comments

While the Motorola RAZR i hasn’t yet hit stores, when it does, it’ll now be able to tap into the Chrome Mobile app, following its latest update. We’re putting the Intel-powered Android 4.0 phone through the review wringer right now, but have already noticed the lack of Chrome browser support.

Due to the way Intel x86-based devices run apps, the browser required some adjustments, which are now complete. At the moment, the only existing phone that officially runs Android 4.0 on a Medfield processor is the incoming RAZR i, but now any future Intel smartphones will also get the full Chrome experience — and Motorola gets to keep its promise of preinstalling the browser on its new devices.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile

Chrome for Android update brings Google browser to Intel-powered smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 04:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fall is officially here and we’re closing in on the final quarter of 2012, a time when products usually get real or fade into the vapor forever. One that we’ve been waiting to hear about just got a little more real as the Verizon Media Server (VMS), which Big Red teased last December and promised in 2012, got a little mention in the company’s latest comments to the FCC. While attempting to persuade the FCC to standardize an IP content interface and delay the December 2012 deadline, Verizon revealed that the rollout of its new product will begin in the coming months. The full feature set of this server is still unknown, but one interesting feature is its ability to stream multiple high-def stream simultaneously to 3rd party devices connected to your home network. Of course without a industry wide streaming standard — again, like Verizon is requesting the FCC to ratify — who knows exactly what devices could be in the mix.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Verizon FiOS TV Media Server due in the coming months, delivers content to 3rd party devices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 02:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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