Hasta La Gadget!

The team behind the Plex media playback package seems to rarely rest, and has most recently pushed an update to the server end of the software. Now up to version 0.9.8 and nearing the lofty 1.0 tag, Plex Media Server is finally offering proper multiuser support, giving each user their own view state. That means your kids can have their own account, for example, with access to only certain silos of content. Even better, the Web, iOS, Android and Roku clients are already prepared for this, and the others are getting updates soon, although it’s currently only enabled for PlexPass subscribers. Also new is a “now playing” status which carries more importance thanks to the previously mentioned multiuser feature, all viewable through Plex/Web or accessible via the API. The last major change is that it can create video index file that drops in thumbnails for each section of a video. That enables image previews while navigating on the Roku, and thumbnails of progress in that new now playing feature.

On the client end, the Plex blog highlighted an interesting project called PlexConnect which runs on the Apple TV. While that’s not new by itself, the twist here is that it works on Apple TV second and even third generation boxes without the need for a jailbreak. This bit of magic is apparently achieved by spoofing Apple’s Trailer app, which means it requires firmware 5.0 or higher to work. It doesn’t have all the features of other clients (yet) and it will require a bit of Terminal know-how to get running, but there’s plenty of information in the wiki to get you started.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Plex Media Server, PlexConnect

Plex’s Android app revamp has been brewing for awhile, but it’s at last ready: the 3.0 app is out of beta and available for everyone. The remake provides a much more polished interface, PlexSync support and speedier access to large libraries. It’s facing a rocky start, however. The initial 3.0 release required a myPlex account and didn’t include a remote control widget, and those have only just been fixed with a quick follow-up patch. We wouldn’t lean on earlier versions of Android, regardless of what features you like — the interface rewrite cuts off support for OS releases before Android 3.2.

iOS users aren’t left out of the upgrades. Version 3.2 isn’t as dramatic a makeover, but it does offer tangible improvements over 3.1 that include the Android version’s faster media access and fixes for conspicuous PlexSync bugs. Quick updaters even get a reward for their trouble: the 3.2 client lets the iOS app serve as a remote playback target for other Plex-equipped devices. Whichever platform you prefer, the app update (or a fresh $5 copy) is waiting at one of the source links.

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

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Via: Plex (1), (2), (3)

Source: Google Play, App Store

RasPlex is not the only HTPC software project aimed at the Raspberry Pi (also see Raspbmc, OpenELEC or PyPlex), but it is trying to leverage the Plex Media Server to become the best option. As detailed on the “Why Rasplex?” section of its new website, Plex’s client/server model lends itself to handling video streams that might otherwise not be supported by the Pi’s lightweight ARM CPU, as well as (once it’s out of beta) access a number of additional apps and features. Its creator celebrated Pi day yesterday by launching a new site for the project, and even has plans for custom cases to make mounting your $35 media PC in the living room easier to do. Hit the source links to download the latest update, version 0.1.27 or just get more information.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: RasPlex.com

Users of the Plex media server and its suite of client apps can expect an all-new app for Android soon, rebuilt two years after its debut for a vastly improved UI and feature set. While musing about the progress of Android as a platform for users and developers alike — a good read if you’d like a peek behind the curtain to find out more about multiplatform coding life — a Plex blog post details everything that’s added in the new version, and one major thing taken away: compatibility with any Android OS before 3.2 (retained to keep working with Google TV.) According to the devs, almost 90 percent of users are on at least Ice Cream Sandwich, and focusing on newer platforms means support for newer features like Cloud Messaging, lock screen music player controls and global search integration.

As revealed in a preview video (embedded after the break) the new “Kepler” build also lets it act as a media server, so any media stored on your Android device can be played back on other Plex clients. The company says it set out to make the “most beautiful Android app, period” — PlexPass subscribers can get a taste of the beta when it launches in Google Play later this week, all others will need to wait until after the test period.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Software, HD, Mobile

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Source: Plex

Plex is developing an online content locker system that would enable users to watch videos on the road without the need to have a server left on at home. Plex cloudSync will work by hooking up to a storage service like Dropbox, letting you stream video anywhere you go without having to pull it from your domestic setup. Naturally, the digital locker would retain all of the Plex features you know and love, including using PlexSync to flag content that you want automatically formatted and saved on your mobile device. The company isn’t in a position to launch the service just yet, but we got to see an early build in action here at CES.

Continue reading Plex shows off cloudSync, its new online digital movie locker, we go hands-on

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