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Redbox Comes to Chicago Train Stations[teaser]The move is designed to improve the experience for commuters while getting the city some cash in the process. [/teaser] When reading through the results of a survey given out recently, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel noticed one word popping up over and over again - Redbox. Folks that want a little more convenience on their trip home from work, and providing Redbox kiosks would certainly make things easier. One less stop on the way home is well worth it. Emanuel acted on that request and is having a total of 11 kiosks installed at train stations across the city. It's not just for the rail riders though. "This is an opportunity for CTA to gain non fare-box revenue as well as offer an amenity we know our customers want," says Chicago Transport Authority president Forrest Claypool. This is an interesting move for the city and will certainly be watched by other city governments looking for a way to offer more services while making more money. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Onkyo Brings Picture-in-Picture Source Previews to 2012 Receivers[teaser]They're also adding MHL compatibility for cell phones and tablets. [/teaser] Picture-in-picture isn't a new feature in and of itself. It's something that's been offered for a while and it makes TV viewing a much improved experience for some folks. Onkyo's new receivers will be offering something similar but much more interesting. With their 2012 line of receivers you'll be able to use a feature called InstaPrevue to bring up a picture-in-picture view of any of your HDMI or MHL inputs. It's a nice addition that will certainly have a few really worthwhile uses. The other new addition to Onkyo's receivers is MHL compatibility. MHL is the high def output used most often with phones and tablets and usually requires a converter to get to your TV. Source: OnkyoPosted Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Samsung Teases "The Future of Smart TV" at CES 2012[teaser]They're saving the details for January, but they want you excited now. Get excited![/teaser] Samsung has something big planned for CES 2012 in January and they want folks to get excited. They've released a video to get people pumped and to hint at some of the things coming in the near future. Samsung says that we can look forward to "the future of Smart TVs" which brings up so many possibilities. It could be a Samsung Google TV - one was rumored for CES 2011 after all. It could, of course, be some sort of proprietary hardware and software suite that has nothing to do with what's out there today. Samsung says that there are a few hints in the video, but that nothing will be officially revealed. With just one or two viewings under our belts, all we saw of note was the final clip which showed tablet use to interact with the set - anything we missed? Source: SamsungPosted Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
The Super Bowl Will Be Streamed Online for the First Time[teaser]If you're signed up with Verizon you'll be able to get it on your phone too. [/teaser] If you're going to be watching the Super Bowl, chances are you're going to be somewhere with a big TV, a killer sound system and plenty of beer, food and friends. But real life happens, and you might not be able to get out of work or other obligations. Or you may have cut your cable and lack an antenna for your set. NBC is taking care of you this year. For the first time ever, the Super Bowl will be streamed live online. You'll be able to check it out on the NBC or NFL website - whichever you prefer. It should be interesting to see what happens with those incredibly expensive Super Bowl commercials, whether they're aired too or if net specific commercials are shown instead. Verizon customers get it a little better than the rest of us with this Super Bowl. You'll be able to watch the action live on your Smartphone with the NFL Mobile app. No matter what you're doing on Super Bowl Sunday, you'll be able to tune into the game. Source: EngadgetPosted Wed Dec 21, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Vudu is Now Available on Xbox 360 and WD TV Live[teaser]The much loved HD streaming service is becoming a standard on connected devices. [/teaser] Vudu was hailed from early on by people that aren't willing to settle for lower video and audio quality as a tradeoff for digital delivery. The service took a while to grow to the point that it's at now, but Vudu is becoming ubiquitous on streaming devices. The latest to add the service are WD TV Live set-top boxes and the Xbox 360. On both systems you'll find 1080p video quality, 7.1 channel audio and HDX streaming. To get you to try out the service, Vudu is giving a $4.99 credit to every new customer so they can try out the service. Additionally, Vudu is running a large amount of Christmas specials, including a few 99 cent rentals, discounts on holiday themed movies, and the early availability of 'Moneyball' and 'Abduction.' Source: CnetPosted Wed Dec 21, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Blockbuster is Giving Away Free Batteries on Christmas Day[teaser]You can pick up two packs of batteries and grab additional packs for 99 cents each. [/teaser] Let's set the scene. It's Christmas morning back when you were a kid and you wake up to a glut of presents from Santa. You excitedly tear open the box to reveal a Game Boy or a toy train that really lights up, but your happiness is dashed the moment you realize that there aren't any spare batteries in the house. This year, Blockbuster has your back. If you swing into a Blockbuster location on Christmas Day - they open at noon, by the way - you can get two packs of AA or AAA batteries. Need more? Each pack after the first two runs just 99 cents. Blockbuster has more deals of course, and is offering discounts on HDMI cables just in case those got forgotten too. Source: BlockbusterPosted Tue Dec 20, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
The New iTunes Edition of Avatar Brings Special Features to Digital Distribution[teaser]One of the big things missing from movies purchased online is coming to iTunes[/teaser] Buying movies online is convenient, quick and - sometimes anyway - cheaper. But you're giving up a few things when buying digital copies, not the least of which is special features. It may not matter for some flicks, but big budget fan favorites require them. The latest release of 'Avatar' brings some of those special features to iTunes. You'll be able to play around with 17 different scenes and see the motion capture and various stages of visual effects. You'll be able to split the screen up or watch picture-in-picture. The 'iTunes Extras Special edition' also includes James Cameron's scriptment - a mix between a script and a treatment - a massive image gallery and plenty more. You can pick up the standard definition version for $14.99 while the high definition 'Avatar' will run you $19.99. Source: EngadgetPosted Tue Dec 20, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Most Would Rather Have a TV Than a Couch in the Living Room[teaser]A new survey reveals some interesting statistics on the need for a TV, multitasking, and more. [/teaser] A TV is essential for a proper living room as any home theater enthusiast will tell you, and it turns out that most people would agree. According to a survey conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of Logitech, 53 percent of tech-savvy folks think that a living room without a TV is worse than a living room without a couch. Bean bag chairs aren't a bad setup, but they're not going to impress company. Then again, that 60" plasma just might. The survey also found that we are multitasking machines. Of all the folks between 18 and 44 interviewed, 95 percent reported doing an average of three other things while watching TV. Smartphones and social media almost certainly account for much of this. Logitech will be updating its blog with more results in the near future. Source: LogitechPosted Tue Dec 20, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Pioneer, Klipsch, Aperion and More Form Group to Promote Wireless Audio Standard[teaser]One standard would, of course, mean that all of your wireless audio devices would play nice together. [/teaser] Is there an obscure holiday that we don't know about? Wireless Day maybe? Or maybe a name that's more clever. Point is, Intel and LG announced their wireless video plans at the same time as the WiSA Group formed to get a wireless audio standard to become, well, the standard. The tech that WiSA is promoting is the Summit Wireless technology that's been utilized in prototypes by companies like Aperion Audio. Among the groups members are Pioneer, Aperion, Sharp, and DEI - the company that owns Polk and Definitive Technology. The WiSA says that the sound coming through wirelessly is "virtually indistinguishable" from the quality you get through traditional means. They also say that interference and latency won't be an issue at all. Expect to see plenty of promotion of this new tech at CES next month. Source: TWICEPosted Mon Dec 19, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
LG Will Build Wireless Video Into 2012 3D Smart TVs[teaser]In alliance with Intel, LG is the first to introduce WiDi into their TVs. [/teaser] Streaming video from a laptop to your TV is very cool, especially when there aren't any wires to muck things up. You have to pick up a dongle though, which makes things just slightly less convenient than they could be. The newest sets from LG will have wireless video functionality built right in. Using an Intel technology called WiDi, you'll be able to stream video from an Intel-based device right to your TV. There's no need for dongles or even a Wi-Fi network. It sounds like a pretty sweet setup for Intel and LG fans. "Intel is planning to expand Intel WiDi technology to various devices to provide consumers the seamless, smarter usage experience," says Hee-Sung Lee of Intel Korea. "Through this collaboration with LG Electronics, LG Cinema 3D Smart TV users could also benefit from Intel WiDi without the need to purchase an external adapter." Source: TWICEPosted Mon Dec 19, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by:
