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Netflix Debuts Trailer for Tina Fey's 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' Starring Ellie Kemper[teaser]The new comedy series premieres exclusively on Netflix streaming devices in March. [/teaser] Netflix has released the first trailer for 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.' The original series will start streaming to subscribers on March 6. The show is produced by Tina Fey and stars Ellie Kemper. From creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, this half-hour single-camera comedy series stars Ellie Kemper as Kimmy, who escapes a doomsday cult and decides to reclaim her life and start over in New York City. Armed with just a backpack, light-up sneakers, and a couple of way-past-due library books, Kimmys ready to take on a world she didnt even think existed anymore. Wide-eyed but resilient, nothing is going to stand in her way. The 13-episode series, produced by Universal Television, also stars Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess, Carol Kane and more. Fey and Carlock serve as executive producers, along with David Miner and Jeff Richmond. A monthly Netflix subscription currently starts at $7.99 for SD streaming, $8.99 for HD streaming, and $11.99 for Ultra HD streaming. The service is available on a variety of smart TVs and media players, including the Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Roku 3, Apple TV and Chromecast. Source: NetflixPosted Fri Jan 23, 2015 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
DTS-HD Audio Comes to Starz TV Everywhere Streaming Services on Xbox One[teaser]Xbox users can now enjoy Starz content with premium, multi-channel surround sound. [/teaser] DTS and Starz have announced the addition of DTS-HD support for the network's Starz Play, Encore Play, and Movieplex Play streaming platforms through the Xbox One. This makes Starz the first authenticated online TV Everywhere provider to use DTS-HD audio technology. "STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY subscribers seeking an optimal home entertainment experience can now enjoy their favorite original programming and movies in DTS advanced, high-quality sound," said Ray Milius, Executive Vice President of Programming and IT Operations, of Starz. "With advanced audio technology, such as DTS-HD, the subscriber is more immersed and engaged with the content and enjoys a more premium experience." Starz Play, Encore Play, and Movieplex Play offer streaming access to more than 2,000 Starz, Encore, and Movieplex movies and TV series. Playback requires subscription authentication from a supported pay-TV cable or satellite provider. Content includes several first-run films from Disney and Sony. DTS-HD is an industry standard audio codec with adaptive bit-rate support optimized for streaming and downloadable media. For now, DTS-HD audio on the Starz Play suite of services is only available through Xbox One consoles. The audio format is also used for CinemaNow and UltraFlix streaming, and movies that use the UltraViolet Common File Format. Sources: DTS, TWICEPosted Fri Jan 23, 2015 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Amazon Will Stream Golden Globe Winning Series 'Transparent' for Free & Offer Prime Membership for $72 on January 24[teaser]All ten episodes of the Amazon original show will be available to watch for free on Saturday.[/teaser] In celebration of the series' recent Golden Globe wins, Amazon has announced plans to stream 'Transparent' to all Amazon users for free. The special one-day only event will begin at 12:01 a.m. ET on Saturday, January 24 and will conclude at 11:59 p.m. PT. Likewise, in honor of the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards, the retailer is also offering a special discount for Amazon Prime on that same day, letting new users sign up for just $72. "We're incredibly proud of everyone involved in the making of Transparent—the team took a risk and it paid off," said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com. "Big kudos and congrats to Jill, Jeffrey, and all the cast and crew." 'Transparent' follows an LA family with serious boundary issues as their past and future unravel when a dramatic admission causes everyone's secrets to spill out. The show stars Jeffrey Tambor, Judith Light, Amy Landecker, Jay Duplass, and Gaby Hoffmann. The series recently won the Golden Globe award for best Musical or Comedy Series, and star Jeffrey Tambor also took home the award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy Series. All users can watch the entire first season for free on January 24 on Amazon.com/Transparent or through the Amazon Instant Video app on numerous smart TVs, game consoles, mobile devices, and streaming players, including the Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Fire HDX 8.9, Fire Phone and the Roku 3. Users can also sign up for Amazon Prime for just $72 through this link on Saturday. Source: AmazonPosted Thu Jan 22, 2015 at 01:30 PM PST by: -
Pioneer Details $239 HRM-7 Professional Studio Headphones for High-Resolution Audio[teaser]The new headphones are designed for home and private studio listening. [/teaser] Pioneer has revealed their latest studio headphones. The HRM-7 offers high quality audio reproduction and a comfortable design. "We wanted to design studio headphones that feel as good as they sound," said David Arevalo, director, Professional Sound and Visual Division for Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. "The HRM-7 delivers rich and powerful sound ideal for a professional type of listening, whether at home or in a studio. These headphones have a natural response ideal for all types of music listening including high resolution audio." The HRM-7 features a large 40 millimeter HD driver capable of high-resolution audio and a wide frequency response from 5 Hz to 40 kHz. In addition, the headphones include a dual chamber bass reflex enclosure for deep low frequencies while maintaining audio accuracy. Finally, a 3D ergonomic design with hybrid memory foam ear pads and soft velour covers adds an extra level of comfort. Pioneer's HRM-7 studio headphones will be available in March for a suggested retail price of $239. Source: PioneerPosted Thu Jan 22, 2015 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Microsoft Announces Surface Hub 84-inch 4K Touch-Screen Windows 10 Display[teaser]The upcoming smart display is geared toward business use and group productivity. [/teaser] Microsoft has revealed the latest device in its Surface family of products. The Surface Hub is a large-screen touch panel powered by Windows 10. Designed for work applications, the Surface Hub allows users to share and create content in a group setting, making it ideal for business meetings and workplace productivity. The device features a 4K display, multi-touch capabilities that recognize up to 100 touch points, digital inking, integrated cameras, sensors and microphones. In addition, the panel offers OneNote whiteboarding, letting workers create a digital canvas for meetings and brainstorming. Office 365 is included as well, and apps like Skype make the display perfect for video conferencing. Finally, users can also share and edit content on the big screen from their laptops, tablets or smartphones. Models will be available in 55-inch and 84-inch sizes. Full specs, pricing, and a release date have not been detailed yet, but the Microsoft Surface Hub is expected to start making its way to businesses later this year -- and with gadgets as cool as this in the conference room, workers might actually start looking forward to their next meeting. Sources: Microsoft, Surface HubPosted Thu Jan 22, 2015 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Overstock Readies Streaming Service to Compete with Amazon Instant Video[teaser]The online retailer is prepping its own VOD and streaming platform. [/teaser] According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Overstock.com has announced plans to launch a digital video-on-demand and streaming service. The company hopes to compete with similar offerings from rival business Amazon. Overstock's current plan is to debut a video-on-demand option with around 30,000 titles to buy or rent in mid-2015. From there, the company hopes to launch a full streaming service with both acquired and original content by the end of 2015. While exact titles have not been announced yet, the website will analyze users' searches to determine what digital films and shows to offer to its customers. The VOD service will be tied to the site's loyalty program, which currently costs $20 per year. Pricing has yet to be determined for the full streaming option. Overstock.com is said to be second only to Amazon in online retail sales. The site receives 25 to 40 million unique visitors a month, and the company hopes to capitalize on that traffic with its new services. Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Digital TrendsPosted Wed Jan 21, 2015 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
'The Interview' Heads to Netflix on January 24[teaser]The controversial film will be available to stream on Netflix this Saturday. [/teaser] Netflix has announced plans to bring Sony's 'The Interview' to its streaming service on January 24, just 30 days after its limited theatrical release and digital pay-per-view premiere. In addition, Netflix has also revealed an August 26 premiere date for its first original feature film, 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II: The Green Destiny.' The movie is also expected to screen in select IMAX theaters that same day. In the action-comedy 'The Interview,' Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen) run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show "Skylark Tonight." When they discover that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang, their plans change when the CIA recruits them, perhaps the two least-qualified men imaginable, to assassinate Kim Jong-un. A monthly Netflix subscription currently starts at $7.99 for SD streaming, $8.99 for HD streaming, and $11.99 for Ultra HD streaming. The service is available on a variety of smart TVs and media players, including the Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Roku 3, Apple TV and Chromecast. Sources: Engadget, NetflixPosted Wed Jan 21, 2015 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
BLU Products Launches Vivo Air, the Thinnest & Lightest Smartphone Available in the Americas for $199[teaser]The unlocked super slim smartphone is now available. [/teaser] BLU Products has announced the release of their latest mobile device. The new Vivo Air is said to be the slimmest and lightest handset on sale in the US. The Vivo Air features a 4.8-inch 720p AMOLED display with 306ppi and an aluminum magnesium alloy body that is just 5.1mm thin and weighs only 97g. In addition, the smartphone uses Gorilla Glass 3 on both the front and back to protect the handset from damage. Under the hood, the device is powered by a 1.7 GHz Octa Core Processor with ARM MALI-450 GPU, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and a Li-Ion 2100mAh battery all running Android 4.4. An 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera are integrated as well. BLU Products' Vivo Air is now available in Black and White-Gold for $199. The unlocked smartphone supports 4G 850/1900/2100 and HSPA+21 Mbps technology, and service from AT&T, Cricket Wireless, Tracfone, Straight Talk, Net10, H20 Wireless, 420 Wireless, Black Wireless, Consumer Cellular, Pure, Red Pocket, Telcel America, T-Mobile, Lyca, Speed talk, Go Smart, Simple Mobile, Solavei, Ultra Mobile, and Walmart Family Mobile. Sources: BLU Products, TWICEPosted Wed Jan 21, 2015 at 07:30 AM PST by: -
NBC to Offer Free Super Bowl XLIX Live-Stream with 11 Hours of Coverage[teaser]The network will be promoting its "TV Everywhere" online service with free streaming access to the Super Bowl. [/teaser] NBC has announced plans to provide all US customers with a free live-stream of Super Bowl XLIX content. Dubbed "Super Stream Sunday," The 11 hour coverage block will begin on February 1 at 12 PM EST and will include pre-game shows, the game itself, the halftime show, post-game material, and a new episode of 'The Blacklist.' While current access to NBC's online streaming content usually requires authentication through a supported pay-TV provider, this special Super Bowl coverage will be available to all users in the US for free. In addition, this will mark the first year that NBC has secured rights to stream the halftime show, which will include performances from Katy Perry and Lenny Kravitz. The streaming content will be supported by its own selection of ads which will likely include some of the regular broadcast commercials as well. NBC's "Super Stream Sunday" content will be available to US customers through NBC.com, the NBC Sports Live Extra app, and links through NFL.com and SuperBowl.com. Users can watch the streams on their computers and tablets. With that said, smartphone Super Bowl streaming rights remain exclusive to Verizon Wireless customers using the NFL Mobile app. The Super Bowl will be held at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona and will feature the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 PM EST on February 1. Source: Variety, Reuters, EngadgetPosted Tue Jan 20, 2015 at 04:30 PM PST by: -
Elite x2 & Pro Slate 8 Lead HP's New Array of Tough, Secure & Premium Tablets[teaser]Who knew a dock could be so slick?[/teaser] Today, Hewlett-Packard announced eight new tablets (including one hybrid tablet) as part of a push to provide business users with secure, rugged, and powerful mobile options. Instead of taking a consumer tablet and then trying to encase it for business use and roll the dice with securing the data, these eight devices have been designed with the same professional focus as HP's business notebooks. While HP is pushing new models (along with the value based HP Pro Tablet 408) as the way to secure and toughen devices used for work, (especially in the Enterprise setting), the company also introduced services meant to secure BYOD solutions. These services can be deployed irrespective of phone, pc, tablet form factors or Windows, iOS, or Android architectures. These new tablets, however, take it step further. In Enterprise environments where users and companies rely on legacy apps and need to be sure that productivity is carried out with the right amount of security, these new HP tablets are ready for action. That means not only passing the military MIL-SPEC testing, but going beyond. The HP ElitePad Rugged Tablet can handle a seven foot drop without batting an eye. Its sibling, the HP ElitePad Healthcare Tablet has a Microbio finish, which makes it appropriate for use in a healthcare environment. This idea of commercial standards has been extended to the HP Pro Tablet 10 EE & HP Pro Slate 10 EE, which offer tough, but again, standardized Windows and Android options for the use in schools. But HP had more than just rugged and tough on hand, and the new HP Elite x2 is a flagship product. The 11.6 inch screen (available with 1080p) is paired with an Intel Core M, making it prime for work and play use in a coach seat and tray. It also carries with it a Wacom digitizer. With the double battery built into the keyboard, the Elite x2 offers 10.5 hours of battery life. That keyboard piece is impressive, it's been built with a hinge that keeps it upright (even when using touch) without the typical added weight in the keyboard. Equally impressive, there is a travel keyboard. The travel keyboard option includes a mouse and is a thin rigid keyboard (unlike the Microsoft's Surface offering) that also adds a combination jacket and stand. Sexiest of all for the Elite x2 may be the wireless dock. The black cube was developed with Intel and uses WiGig tech. On the professional side, the dock even has its own Mac address. The Elite x2 is nice, but when it comes to pure tablets, the HP Pro Slate 8 & HP Pro Slate 12 may be the most the most premium Android tablets on the market today. Both models sport rapid charging technology. Beyond the nice finish and specs. There is still the serious side. The screens nits have been optimized for battery life, and both carry a 4:3 orientation which emphasizes the likelihood of use in portrait (document) mode. Both models offer the HP Duet Pen, but unlike other pen technology, this is not just the case of use a stylus on a touchscreen. The Pro Slate 8 & Pro Slate 12 use ultrasonic x-y tech with the HP Duet Pen. This is a hardware based solution, not just an extension of the touchscreen. As such the pen can be used with accuracy even with a hand resting and touching the screen at the same time. Interestingly enough, the Duet Stylus can quickly switch over to using ink. Developed with Qualcomm, what makes this feature interesting is that the user can write in ink on paper, and the Pro Slate 12's ultrasonic tech (ultrasonic mics) can pick up that movement and thereby simultaneously record those pen strokes on the device. The HP Elite x2 checks in at $899 later this month. Likewise, the Pro Slate 8 and Pro Slate 12 are due this month at $449 and $569 respectively. Source: HPPosted Tue Jan 20, 2015 at 09:30 AM PST by:
