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Netflix Launches the Just for Kids Section on the Wii[teaser]The new section is designed to help kids find the content they want while offering peace of mind to parents. [/teaser] Trying to navigate Netflix on the Wii can be challenging for adults, so when kids - especially very young kids - get the remote in their hands things can get difficult. The new "Just for Kids" section from Netflix gives kids a simple menu to navigate that uses icons and pictures instead of words. It's made for children 12 and under and the content reflects that. You'll see icons for 'Rocky and Bullwinkle,' 'Iron Man,' 'Phineas and Ferb' and more. It's a nice combination of features, allowing kids to watch the shows that they want to watch without needing adult supervision. It's also a bit of a relief for adults who don't need to monitor the content their kids are watching quite as closely. Netflix has not revealed if and when this feature will be coming to other Netflix enabled devices. Source: NetflixPosted Wed Nov 23, 2011 at 10:30 AM PST by: -
Boxee Adds a SlingPlayer App to the Box[teaser]The application is free, and allows you to play live and recorded content from your SlingBox. [/teaser] Boxee is updating fast and furiously - at least when it comes to the Boxee Box. They announced the Live TV dongle for over-the-air signals recently and today they've added a new feature - SlingPlayer. "For those who aren’t ready to cut the cord," writes Nick on the Boxee Blog. "we still want to help you shave your cable bill by never having to pay for the same content over and over." Thus, the introduction of the SlingPlayer app. SlingPlayer allows you to play any content from your SlingBox on your Boxee Box no matter where you are in the world as long as you have an internet connection. You can access your DVR, cable box or DVD player from anywhere in the world and you'll get content streaming in 1080i. Source: Boxee BlogPosted Wed Nov 23, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Onkyo Launches a New Hi-Fi Mini System with iPod/iPhone Dock[teaser]The CS-345 includes a pair of two-way bass-reflex loudspeakers designed for impressive performance. [/teaser] The latest from Onkyo is a home music system that plays nice with your iPhone or iPod, CDs, FM radio and anything you hook into the stereo input jack. The CS-345 comes with a pair of speakers that utilize a dome tweeter and 4 inch woofers inside of bass-reflex enclosures. Onkyo says that this design helps to deliver bass that's unexpected for the size of the speaker. The power amplifier of the CS-345 also boasts ActiveBass Control, which adjusts the bass output as you adjust the volume of the system. Onkyo's home music system sports an iPod/iPhone dock that does more than just play music. You can play video through the device thanks to an output jack on the back. You can also set the CS-345 to wake up along with the iPhone's alarm. Onkyo's CS-345 is available now at a price of $299. Source: OnkyoPosted Wed Nov 23, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
PlayStation Introduces Crackle Movie Sharing and Ustream to PS3[teaser]This may actually give you a reason to use PlayStation Home. [/teaser] PlayStation Home has been a pretty big flop since the onset. It's a virtual space that you can inhabit while not playing games, but there isn't a lot of reason to use it. Sony is adding content though, and hopes that their new offerings will attract people to the service. The latest addition is Crackle, a free movie service owned by Sony. The selection is limited, but the price is right. Crackle has been on the PS3 for a while now, but Home integration offers something different. If you and your friends navigate to the LOOT section of Home, you can all watch a movie at the same time and communicate with voice and text while doign so. It's a nice way to enjoy a flick with your friend or have a movie date with that special someone while traveling. In addition to Crackle, Ustream will be coming to PlayStation Home, as will RadioIO - both of which will have social experiences attached to them as well. Source: PlayStation Blog (via Engadget)Posted Tue Nov 22, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
DVDO Introduces the MHL to HDMI Mobile Travel Kit[teaser]The Mobile Travel Kit lets you charge your smartphone or tablet while sending high definition video to your TV. [/teaser] One of the really annoying things about smartphones and tablets capable of playing high def video is that most of them don't have an HDMI port. Instead they use Mobile High-Definition Link, or MHL - a standard that seems as if was made for accessory companies. If you want video from your phone on your TV, you have to pick up an adapter, like the newly launched DVDO Mobile. The DVDO Mobile can send video from your phone to your TV, but unlike some other adapters it can keep your phone charged too by plugging in the included USB cord into a computer or AC adapter. Additionally, you can use compatible TVs and projectors to control your device. You'll need a set that supports the appropriate CEC commands and software downloaded to your DVDO Mobile to make it work. The DVDO Mobile is out now at a price of $99. Source: eCousticsPosted Tue Nov 22, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
LCD Panel Prices Experience Largest Drop in a Year[teaser]After staying relatively stable through spring and summer, prices have dropped sharply. [/teaser] LCD panel prices dropped by nearly five percent in September of 2011 - the largest decline in a year. It may not sound like a big decline, but that five percent is on top of a 4.3 percent price decrease in August. Compare that to the months between February and July which had a maximum two percent price drop. The analysts at iHS, who compiled the data, say that the main reason for the decrease in price is the flagging demand in both the US and European countries. Also a contributing factor, China's National Day in October is a huge day for sales and there's no other big sale season for the country until next year. This price drop specifically applies to panels sold to manufacturers and TVs sold to stores, so sales don't line up the same. TVs being sold in October would have been ordered in July or August while September sales are for sets being sold during the US holiday season. Source: iHS (iSupply)Posted Tue Nov 22, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'Arrested Development' is Coming Back in 2013 - Exclusive to Netflix[teaser]This could mean big things for streaming video. [/teaser] Netflix has a niche when it comes to streaming content. They have a lot to offer at a very low price, but almost none of it is new. It's a business model that's been working out nicely for them, but the company strives for more. They're after original, exclusive content and they're starting to get it. Over the weekend, Netflix announced that the canceled Fox comedy 'Arrested Development' would be returning to production and coming straight to Netflix without stopping at TV on the way. 10 new episodes will be debuting exclusively on Netflix starting in 2013. Earlier this year, Netflix signed the original show 'House of Cards' for a 2012 release. They outbid HBO for the series in hopes of increasing their subscriber base. Netflix trumped quite a few broadcasters and cable channels on the return of 'Arrested Development' and expects a significant return on its investment. If 'House of Cards' and 'Arrested Development' are as successful as Netflix wants them to be, it could mean very big things for Netflix and for streaming video in general. Source: EngadgetPosted Tue Nov 22, 2011 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
Class Action Lawsuit Against Walmart and Netflix Could Get You a Gift Card[teaser]Netflix is fighting the charges, but Walmart is settling and offering gift cards to those they've (allegedly) wronged. [/teaser] Remember back six or seven years ago when Walmart was in the DVD-by -mail business? According to a class action suit filed against the company, they dropped DVD-by-mail in an agreement with Netflix. Netflix, the suit alleges, agreed for its part to stop selling new release DVDs. If true, this arrangement is what made Netflix the sole provider of DVDs through the mail. Netflix says that the case has no merit, and is going to be fighting it in court. Walmart, whether out of a desire to avoid a legal battle or fear that they'd lose, has agreed to a settlement. If you subscribed to the Netflix DVD rental service any time between May 19, 2005 and Sept 2, 2011 you're eligible to be included in the settlement. Go on over to the case website and fill out a claim form for either a Walmart gift card or print out and send one to get cash. Source: Netflix/Walmart Class Action SuitPosted Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Vudu-To-Go Lets You Download Movies to Watch Later[teaser]The company has announced a few deals as well, like $5 credit when you buy a DVD or Blu-ray at Walmart. [/teaser] The folks at Vudu tend to be held up as the one group that's doing digital distribution right - at least when it comes to video and audio quality. Today they've stepped over another significant hurdle in the online video world. If you bought a movie from Vudu, you can now download that movie to your computer for future watching. That means you don't have to be online to watch the movie you bought online - a really nice step forward. The downside of course, is that since it's a PC version you'll be stuck with standard definition. On the plus side, if the format is right this could be transferrable to smartphones, game systems and tablets. The company announced a few cool deals too. If you buy select films from Walmart you'll be getting a $5 Vudu credit or a free Vudu rental from a list of selected titles. To download, simply go to VUDU, head over to your purchased movies and hit "Download" Today VUDU launched VUDU-To-Go, a new feature that allows customers to download purchased movies and television shows to their computers and watch them later. Any purchased title within VUDU’s catalog of 40,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics, independent films, and TV shows can now be downloaded to your PC or Mac to watch at a later time. In addition to VUDU streaming, now customers can also enjoy their VUDU movie libraries on their computer whenever they want – and without an Internet connection. Perfect for plane trips, car rides and more, the new feature allows you to take your VUDU entertainment with you. To download your purchased VUDU content, simply visit www.vudu.com/movies, navigate to purchased movies and television shows and click the “Download” button. VUDU movie purchases start at $4.99 and TV show purchases start at $1.99 per episode and start at $7.99 –for a complete season. There is no additional download fee. Also new and in time for the holidays, VUDU has special offers on more than 25 DVDs and Blu-ray titles at Walmart stores. Specific offers include: $5 Credit: VUDU offers a $5 credit on select DVD or Blu-ray purchases at Walmart. Beginning on Dec. 2, families purchasing The Smurfs at Walmart stores will receive a $5 VUDU credit. Additional movies with a $5 VUDU credit include Megamind (through Nov. 30), No Strings Attached (through Nov. 30), Ghostbusters, Spiderman, Men in Black and more. Digital E-copy: Families who purchase a variety of Blu-ray Discs or DVDs including When Harry Met Sally (through Nov. 30), Scream 4, and Stake Land will also receive a digital copy of the movie. BOGO: VUDU has a “Buy One, Get One” offer for families who purchase Despicable Me, Crazy Heart or any of the X-Men movies (including X-Men I, X-Men II, X-Men III, X-Men Wolverine). After purchasing one of these DVDs or Blu-ray Discs at Walmart, customers can choose from a selection of free VUDU rentals. In addition, select HP PCs and laptops at Walmart stores will provide direct access to VUDU on the home screen. Customers simply click on the VUDU icon to be connected directly to VUDU.com where they can stream more than 40,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics, independent films and TV episodes.Posted Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
HP Launches a New 3D Envy Laptop[teaser]HP promises improved viewing angles and a much cooler laptop. [/teaser] The HP Envy line is well named. They're very slick laptops and the newest additions to the line are even slicker. They give you Intel Core i7 processing power and AMD Mobility Radeon graphics processing. You'll get a minimum of 6GB of RAM - upgradeable to 16GB - and at least a 750GB hard drive. The Envy 15, the Envy 17 and the Envy 17 3D all pack Blu-ray players and boast pristine HD pictures but only the latter takes it into the third dimension. You'll use included active shutter 3D glasses to enjoy your 3D viewing experience. As far as audio goes, you can use headphones or send sound through the six speakers and single subwoofer featuring Beats Audio technology. The Envy line will be available on December 7th, with the Envy 17 3D coming in at $1,599. Source: eCousticsPosted Mon Nov 21, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by:
