Hasta La Gadget!

When the original iUSBport made its debut at CES last year it was called the CloudFTP. Since then, it changed its name and today it gained some new relatives — the iUSBport mini, 2 and HD. For those who aren’t familiar with the technology, it’s battery-powered file server that connects USB storage devices and streams their content over WiFi, and it can serve as an external battery for those devices, too.

The iUSBport2 looks much the same as the CloudFTP, but streams data at a 50 percent faster rate (30mbps) and can connect to up to 12 devices at a time or send out five simultaneous streams of 1080p video. It also packs two USB ports, a microSDXC slot, and a larger 3300mAH battery than its predecessor. Plus, it charges via micro-USB and has a small LCD display. Its cousin, the larger iUSBport HD, has the same capabilities and LCD status screen as the 2, but it’s larger chassis comes with a 2.5-inch HDD with up to 2TB of storage. It also has an SDXC card slot, one USB 3.0 port, and a 5,200mAH rechargeable cell. Lastly, there’s the iUSBport mini, which looks like an overgrown flash drive. It has single USB port — for connecting powered external HDDs — and microSD slot, and can connect up to eight devices or stream three 720p videos simultaneously. All three iUSBports will be available in Q1 of this year, with the HD starting at $160, the 2 costing $150 and the mini running $70.

Continue reading Hyper debuts iUSBport mini, 2 and HD cloud storage and streaming devices (hands-on)

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The Kickstarter success known as Simple.TV had let it be known that units would start showing up at backers’ doorsteps around October 10th-15th, and now those who happily invested on the project will be pleased to know the company’s doing just as it promised. Meanwhile, folks who were late to the Kickstarter shindig can still grab a simplified video streamer for themselves via the outfit’s site, where a Simple.TV Limited, Premier and Lifetime can be found for $149, $199 and $299, respectively. In case you need a quick refresh, the Simple.TV puck will let users watch and record live TV, which can then be easily streamed to a variety of devices — including, as you can see above, an iPad, Mac or PC as well as Roku boxes. You’ll find more info on what bundle is best suited for you at the source link below.

Filed under: Misc, Home Entertainment, HD

Simple.TV finally starts shipping to backers, latecomers can still order for $149 and up originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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According to Simple.TV, there have been articles circulating around the interwebs that may have caused confusion amongst parties interested about the shipping dates of its facile white puck. So, in order to induce some clarity, the folks behind the project have posted a Kickstarter update to let its backers know their Simple.TVs will be arriving soon enough — somewhere between October 10th and 15th, to be precise. On the other hand, Simple.TV is also set to start taking pre-orders on its website tomorrow from people who missed out on the crowd-funded party, with these particular units estimated to ship “within 20 days” after the order has been placed. The good news is we’re only a couple of weeks away from its long-overdue arrival; in the meantime, however, don’t forget we have our own hands-on for you to graciously pore over.

Filed under: Misc, Home Entertainment, HD

Simple.TV clarifies shipping dates, tells backers units will start arriving October 10th originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 19:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re a streamer who shuns plastic disks and their ilk, but still wants 3D, there’s good news: Syabas has announced the Popcorn Hour A-400 network media player. Thanks to a dual-core video processor, the box can mulch through 3D Blu-ray content (ripped, presumably), while also supporting studio-level features like detail enhancement and debanding. Like its A-300 predecessor, the streamer can dock a hard disk for content storage, and connects to your network via ethernet or optional WiFi. Other connections include an SD card reader, HDMI 1.4, eSATA and USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 (pending confirmation). On top of giving you access to your own content, the Syabas Apps Market brings YouTube, BBC’s iPlayer, and 90 or so other free or premium channels. It’ll hit stores in October with a €289 price tag, so if that sounds like your bag of popcorn, see the PR for more info.

Continue reading Popcorn Hour launches A-400 streamer for €289 with ‘studio-quality’ 3D video processing

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Popcorn Hour launches A-400 streamer for €289 with ‘studio-quality’ 3D video processing originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 08:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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“We’re missing a nut,” says a bemused Matt Hershenson, former Danger founder and now Google’s director of hardware for Android, pointing at a vacant spot on an exploded photo of the Nexus Q. Its parts are strewn out across a white background, perfectly arranged in a linear pattern that starkly contrasts with the spherical nature of the thing. “Wow, you’re right,” agrees Joe Britt, engineering director at Google and another former Danger founder. “It’s like the illuminators, you know, the monks who used to draw up the codexes.” Hershenson picks up the reference without missing a beat: “Everybody needs to make at least one mistake. Nothing can be perfect.”

That goes against everything else we’ve been learning from the pair, who spend 45 minutes walking us through every detail of what went into the development of the new Nexus Q. They worked hand-in-hand with engineers and designers and materials experts, ensuring everything from the bearings to the LEDs were, well, perfect. But there is one thing, something larger, that many have said is a crucial flaw in this illuminated device: pricing. Will people pay $299 for a high-concept, low-functionality social media streamer? Join us after the break for how the Q came to be, and why Britt and Hershenson think it will be a success.

Continue reading Cracking the Nexus Q, Google’s 25-watt amplified obsession

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Cracking the Nexus Q, Google’s 25-watt amplified obsession originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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