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Bang & Olufsen to Launch New Brand for Less Expensive Products[teaser]Of course, less expensive than a normal B&O product doesn't mean a whole lot.[/teaser] The folks at Bang & Olufsen aren't known for high-end products - they're known for luxury TVs. They're the kind of sets that you only shell out for if you have a ridiculous amount of expendable income and a desire for a TV that could be confused with modern art. Obviously, there's a pretty limited market for this kind of gear and B&O knows this. That's why they're launching a sub-brand aimed at those with a high income, but not a crazy high income. We'll see the new brand pop up in November with a new product launch every two months. You won't be seeing TVs right away, but the sub-brand will be launching wireless speakers, headphones, iPod speaker systems and products along that line. Home integration won't be a feature, but B&O says you'll still get a great look and build quality. Source: TWICEPosted Mon Sep 19, 2011 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Honeycomb Coming to Google TV This Month - New Apps in Marketplace[teaser]Google TV may finally be getting some love thanks to an update to its operating system. [/teaser] The new Honeycomb release should make Google TV a much more attractive option to would be customers, especially after an incredibly significant price drop. The folks over at Droid Life have gotten a new leak of the operating system in progress and they're very happy with what they're seeing. It's faster and prettier and definitely something that you can look forward to if you're a Google TV owner. NewTeeVee meanwhile takes a look at some of the new apps available. There's a nice assortment including one from All Recipies, one from Motor Trend and a few smaller ones that allow you to stream networked content and more. Source: EngadgetPosted Mon Sep 19, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Xbox TV is Coming for Christmas[teaser]Full details are still missing, but we'll certainly hear more before holiday shopping season starts! [/teaser] In a conference last Wednesday, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer finally took the rumor of Xbox TV streaming and turned it into fact. We've been hearing a lot about this and more details are very hotly anticipated. So what new details did we find out from the conference? Very little. We know that it's actually coming and we know that there will be "dozens or hundreds of additional video content suppliers," which could mean anything at launch. This new service from Microsoft will likely replace traditional cable TV in many single TV homes, apartments and dorms, especially if it's priced well. One thing that hasn't been revealed yet is whether or not you'll be able to use the 360 as a DVR, which would make the whole thing that much more attractive. Source: Light ReadingPosted Mon Sep 19, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony Launches a Set Top Box Capable of 3D Streaming[teaser]It's not a Google TV device, but a player using Sony's own interface. [/teaser] The new SMP-N200 media player from Sony is, well, a media streamer and player. It does pretty much what every other set-top does, like stream movies, play back files from a USB drive and browse the web. One thing that it does that sets it apart from most other streamers though is the ability to stream 3D content. There aren't many, if any places to get that content, but we assume that's something that Sony is working on with the Sony Entertainment Network. Also of note is that Sony doesn't mention any streaming audio or video sources specifically aside from their own. Usually we see Netflix, Pandora and other services turn up in these press releases, but Sony doesn't mention them. They'll almost certainly be there, or the SMP-N200 will be looking a lot less compelling. The SMP-N200 is currently listed on Amazon as a Tuner/Receiver, but the price is right. The device will cost $99 when released this October. Source: eCousticsPosted Fri Sep 16, 2011 at 10:20 AM PDT by: -
Aperion Launches the HAL Wireless Audio Adapter[teaser]The small device can take audio from any source with a USB port, headphone jack or stereo outs. [/teaser] Whole home audio is a very cool setup, but it's not something that most people can spring for right out of the gate (especially these days!). The problem is that many wireless audio systems require that you buy into the product line, replacing your existing gear. The Home Audio Link wireless adapter allows you to take your audio signal from anywhere in the house and send it anywhere else in the house wirelessly. You'll get 16-bit/48kHz uncompressed audio to the speaker, and you can even hook up multiple sound systems and switch between which one gets the audio. You have a variety of ways to connect the adapter so you can hook up virtually every device you have. With USB you can attach a computer and a headphone plug will allow you to hook up MP3 players or anything else with a jack. Finally, stereo RCA cables are perfect for attaching a wireless subwoofer. The new Aperion Zona HAL will run $149 for the full system and $70 for additional receivers. Source: eCousticsPosted Fri Sep 16, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Says They'll be Losing Customers With New Pricing Change[teaser]Despite the loss of 1 million customers, the company still contends this was the right choice. [/teaser] When the folks at Netflix announced there would be a pricing change for their services, they were still convinced of the popularity of their offerings. They said not to expect a large drop in customers, but it's looking like they were wrong. Netflix had originally expected to keep 25 million subscribers, with 22 million of those streaming and 15 million getting DVDs. The company just released a revision that changes that pretty significantly though. They now expect a full million customers less. Most of that decline comes from, as you might expect, those that take the DVD only route. In both projections Netflix expects 12 million customers to keep both streaming and DVD plans, but the prediction for DVD only drops from 15 million to 14.2 million. Streaming customers are expected to drop, but only by 200,000. Source: EngadgetPosted Fri Sep 16, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Netgear is Releasing a New Low-Priced Media Streamer[teaser]At $79.99, the NeoTV Streaming Player is aiming to compete directly with offerings from Roku. [/teaser] Netgear has a lot to say about their new NeoTV player, but "the best combination of content and features among streaming players priced under $100" is a clear shot at Roku's lineup - the go to for inexpensive streaming. So what does the NeoTV offer that makes Netgear so confident in their new product? For starters, you're able to use an Apple or Android smartphone to control the device and easily scroll up anything you want to watch. It offers Vudu, Netflix, and the usual assortment of other streaming sources. Netgear offers two different ways to connect. You can hook up using tried and true Ethernet or with a wireless connection that the company says can transfer speeds up to 300Mbps. You can preorder the NeoTV NT200 on Amazon now.Posted Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Paradigm Shift Reveals A2 Bookshelf Speakers[teaser]The Active Atom speakers are designed to suit multiple purposes and work in tandem or solo. [/teaser] Paradigm Shift is a bit of a presumptuous name, but their new Active Atom speakers are fairly impressive for what they are. The A2, as Paradigm Shift calls it, is a bi-amped speaker that offers 100 watts of power per speaker. It has a pretty decent frequency response for a smaller speaker - 55Hz on up to 20kHz. You'll find a 5-1/2 inch aluminum cone woofer and a 1 inch aluminum dome tweeter. In addition to doing the thing that a speaker is supposed to do - reproduce audio - the A2 packs Apple AirPlay for wireless streaming from your computer or Apple mobile device. You'll need an AirPort Express to make it happen though. The Active Atom speakers from Paradigm Shift will be available in the winter of 2011 for a price of $279 each. Source: eCousticsPosted Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Sherbourn Announces a New Preamp/Processor and Amplifier[teaser]Both are made for the high-end custom installer and are decked out with impressive features. [/teaser] Sherbourn's newest amplifier, the PA-7350, delivers a whopping 350 watts of power across seven channels. It offers a variety of inputs and outputs, including XLR, and Sherbourn assures that it delivers clean, uncolored power and will do so for years to come thanks to the "Soft Switch" Class H power supply. The new preamp/processor is just as impressive, offering Control4 and Ethernet control options and an impressive array of hardware. It boasts twin Cirrus 32-bit dual core DSPs that handle audio and provide 192kHz performance. It also boasts a Genesis/Torino 10-bit scaling engine for video. Both the PA-7350 amplifier and PT-7020C4 preamplifier/processor have a release date and price that are yet to be announced. PT-7020C4 PA-7350Posted Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Samsung TV App Developers Challenge is Back[teaser]This time around, Samsung is focused on apps that utilize secondary devices. [/teaser] One of the hottest trends in home theater right now is that of allowing customers a way to control their components through their smartphone or tablet. That's what Samsung is hoping to spur further with its latest iteration of the App Developers Challenge. The new challenge gives developers a set of criteria for their submissions. Each of these guidelines make it abundantly clear that Samsung is all about interacting with other devices. They're looking for apps that can either let another device control the TV, provide additional information or allow another device to operate as a secondary display. The winning developer will take home a cool $100,000 and some Samsung gear to boot. Second and third earn money and gear as well. The winners will be revealed at CES 2012. Source: Samsung Free the TV ChallengePosted Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 11:00 AM PDT by:
