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Samsung Details 2018 "The Frame" 4K HDR Lifestyle TV[teaser]The newest version of the company's Frame display has been revealed.[/teaser] Samsung has announced the release of its 2018 "The Frame" display lineup. 55-inch ($1,999) and 65-inch ($2,799) models are set to hit retailers this month. "We designed The Frame for consumers who love the function of a big, beautiful 4K UHD TV but struggle to design their room around an empty black screen when the TV is turned off," said Dave Das, Senior Vice President of Consumer Electronics for Samsung Electronics America. "You can travel the world and still be hard-pressed to discover all of the art that is now available on The Frame. It gives consumers the freedom to design the room of their dreams, and the flexibility to change that design whenever they like." Emphasizing premium design, The Frame is a display built to look like a picture frame hanging on a user's wall when not in use as a TV, complete with the ability to display custom-designed digital art pieces instead of fading to black like a traditional television. In addition, motion and brightness sensors can tell the TV when to enter Art Mode and can adjust the screen brightness based on the ambient light in the room. Customers can choose from more than 800 art pieces through the "Samsung Art Store." And with a new improved UI, users can now browse different art pieces based on the color scheme of the room, or by medium (like drawings or photography). Customers can then create a personalized collection that shuffles through their selections. And when it comes to TV performance, The Frame features a 4K UHD panel with HDR10+ and several advanced smart capabilities with Samsung’s proprietary Smart Hub and Bixby voice control. Finally, The Frame offers four customizable magnetic bezel options – black, white, walnut and beige wood – and uses Samsung's One Invisible Connection and No Gap Wall-mount, allowing versatile mounting options without unsightly cables or wires. Source: SamsungPosted Fri Jul 6, 2018 at 11:30 AM PDT by: -
McIntosh Reveals MC462 Quad Balanced Power Amplifier[teaser]The company's newest premium stereo amp has been detailed.[/teaser] McIntosh has unveiled its latest audio component. The new MC462 Quad Balanced Power Amplifier is now the company's most powerful stereo amplifier, surpassing the previously released MC452. The MC462 features an output of 450 Watts per channel. Likewise, the device includes a dedicated McIntosh Autoformer connected to each audio channel, allowing the unit to push the full 450 Watts to any speaker regardless if it has 2, 4, or 8 Ohm impedance. In addition, the amp's filter capacity has been increased by almost 50% compared to the previous gen model, offering improved bass performance and a 66% increase in dynamic headroom for virtually distortion free playback. McIntosh's Power Guard, Sentry Monitor, Quad Balanced design, Power Control, and patented Solid Cinch speaker binding posts are implemented as well, and the device includes balanced and unbalanced outputs. Meanwhile, the company has also added its eco-friendly power management system along with upgraded internal wiring and select circuit components. The MC462 also features new enclosures topped by a single machined cover with glass inserts to house the unit's two audio Autoformers and single power transformer, and four Monogrammed Heatsinks positioned on the back. And when it comes to external design, the amp uses a polished stainless steel chassis with the classic McIntosh black glass front panel, illuminated logo, control knobs, aluminum handles, and a pair of fast responding blue Watt meters. The MC462 Quad Balanced Power Amplifier is now available for purchase for a suggested retail price of $9,000. Orders are expected to start shipping this month. Source: McIntoshPosted Fri Jul 6, 2018 at 09:30 AM PDT by: -
This Week in Gear: DTS Releases Play-Fi Headphones Mobile App, DirecTV Now Announces Price Increase, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including the new DTS Play-Fi Headphones app, price increases for DirecTV Now and PlayStation Vue, and more.[/teaser] From product announcements and streaming app updates to general industry news and recent gear trends, keeping up with the latest tech news can be a daunting task. With that in mind, we're here to offer you a roundup of some of the latest gear and consumer electronics news that you may have missed. For this edition, we're covering the launch of the DTS Play-Fi Headphones mobile app, price increases for the DirecTV Now and PlayStation Vue live TV streaming services, and new restrictions on Comcast Xfinity mobile video playback. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: DTS Launches Play-Fi Headphones App DTS has announced the release of its new Play-Fi Headphones app for iOS devices. Likewise, an Android version of the app is also set to arrive early this month. "We are excited to announce the new DTS Play-Fi Headphones app, bringing a private listening experience to the whole-home audio ecosystem," said Dannie Lau, general manager, DTS Play-Fi, at Xperi. "Whether it's enjoying shared content at a higher volume, or multiple users enjoying the same content through individual headphones so they won't disturb others, the DTS Play-Fi Headphones app delivers high quality audio and performance over Wi-Fi." With the DTS Play-Fi Headphones app, users can stream audio over Wi-Fi that is playing on any DTS Play-Fi-supported device to any pair of headphones connected to a phone or tablet. Up to four listeners can join an audio streaming session and individual users can adjust their own volume levels when using the app in tandem with Play-Fi’s whole-home TV audio streaming feature. Here's a rundown of DTS Play-Fi products currently compatible with the Headphones app per DTS: - Definitive Technology W Studio Micro sound bar- Klipsch Gate receiver, PowerGate amplifier, RSB-8 sound bar, RSB-14 sound bar, RW-1 speaker, "The Capitol Three" speaker, and "The Three" speaker- McIntosh MB50 streaming audio player- Onkyo Smart Speaker G3- Paradigm PW LINK pre-amplifier- Phorus PS10 speaker- Pioneer Elite Smart Speaker F4- Polk Omni S6 speaker and SB1+ sound bar DTS Play-Fi tech enables customers to wirelessly play high quality lossless music from smartphones and tablets over an existing Wi-Fi network throughout the home. The tech can synchronize playback of a single source to multiple speakers; can stream different sources to different speakers simultaneously from the same mobile device; and can support individual music streams to separate speakers from different devices at the same time. Likewise, Play-Fi is not brand exclusive. This means that Play-Fi audio products from different manufacturers can actually work together seamlessly. Source: DTS DirecTV Now and PlayStation Vue Increase Subscription Prices According to a report from The Washington Post, AT&T is planning to enact a $5 price increase for each of its DirecTV Now monthly plans. The change is expected to impact both new and existing subscribers and is set to go into effect on July 26 for new users. DirecTV Now is a stand-alone streaming platform that provides access to a variety of live channels and on-demand content through several programming packages starting at $40 per month. Here's a rundown of current plans and the expected increased pricing set to take effect later this month: - Live a Little – $40 / month (60+ channels)- Just Right – $55 / month (80+ channels)- Go Big – $65 / month (100+ channels)- Gotta Have it – $75 / month (120+ channels)- Todo y Mas – $50 / month (90+ channels) Meanwhile, Sony has also announced a similar $5 price hike for its own streaming TV service, PlayStation Vue. The increase will commence on July 24 for all of the service' multi-channel plans, including Access, Core, Elite. and Ultra. Current subscribers will see the change reflected on their billing cycle after July 31. Costs for the platform's add-ons and standalone channels will not be affected at this time. The PlayStation Vue service provides live and on demand content from a growing collection of channels. The platform enables viewers to easily search through available programming with an intuitive interface and convenient personal recommendations. In addition, if customers tag a favorite series they will be given cloud access to episodes of that show for 28 days with no storage restrictions. Likewise, PlayStation Vue offers up to five simultaneous streams across different devices, including up to three mobile devices outside of the home. Here's a rundown of current plans and the expected increased pricing set to take effect later this month: - Access: 45+ channels, including live cable TV, movies, and sports channels for $45 per month - Core: 60+ channels, including all the channels from Access with the addition of live national and regional sports networks for $50 - Elite: 90 channels, featuring all the channels from Core with the addition of top movie and entertainment channels for $60 - Ultra: HBO and SHOWTIME, plus all 90 channels from Elite for $80 per month. Sources: Sony, The Washington Post Comcast Set to Limit Streaming Resolution for Xfinity Mobile Videos As reported by Engadget and FierceWireless, Comcast is planning to enact new restrictions on the resolution of streaming videos for Xfinity Mobile customers. In the coming weeks, the company will limit videos streamed using cellular data to 480p. With that said, the resolution for Wi-Fi video streaming will remain HD when available. The move is being made to help maintain Xfinity's price point and puts the service more in line with competing carriers who have also enacted similar restrictions on mobile video resolution. Users who wish to continue streaming 720p videos over cellular data will be have the option to do so for an extra fee later this year. Until then, the new default is 480p. Likewise, Comcast has also announced a 600 Kbps speed cap for personal hotspots with an Unlimited Data plan. Sources: Engadget, FierceWirelessPosted Thu Jul 5, 2018 at 05:00 PM PDT by: -
MoviePass Now Charges Extra Fee for Some Popular Films & Showtimes[teaser]Popular movies and showtimes could now cost users extra money.[/teaser] As reported by Variety, MoviePass is now enacting a Peak Pricing fee for select films and showtimes when the demand for a title is higher than usual. Peak Pricing is indicated by a red lightning bolt icon next to affected showtimes in the MoviePass app. Current Peak Pricing fees are between $2 and $6 and are based on the popularity of a specific film and showtime. The practice is now active for all monthly subscribers and new annual subscribers. Meanwhile, users who signed up for an annual or quarterly plan before peak pricing launched will not be subject to the feature until their membership is up for renewal. In an FAQ on their website, MoviePass states, "The new peak pricing feature is aimed at providing additional flexibility for us and our users around popular movies and times for which there is limited inventory. We are building peak pricing to be flexible and will be able to tweak it as needed based on the community’s response." MoviePass allows subscribers to see one 2D movie per day for $9.95 per month. After signing up for the MoviePass Unlimited plan, users are sent a special MoviePass debit card. Customers can then select a theater and movie showtime from the MoviePass app. Once a user's smartphone GPS registers within 100 yards of the selected theater, subscribers can then check-in for the film they want to see. Credit is then transferred to the MoviePass debit card which can then be used to buy the ticket. Over 91% of theaters in the US currently work with MoviePass, but some chains have been attempting to limit their support, including AMC. On that note, AMC recently launched its own rival movie ticket subscription service dubbed AMC Stubs A-List. The platform allows users to see three movies in any format at any AMC theater per week for $20 a month. Sources: Variety, MoviePassPosted Thu Jul 5, 2018 at 04:15 PM PDT by: -
Netflix Begins Testing New "Ultra" Subscription Plan Option[teaser]The potential new membership plan could lead to higher prices for HDR content.[/teaser] According to a report by TuttoAndroid, Netflix has begun testing a new "Ultra" subscription plan in Europe. The new tier is currently being offered to some users in Italy and Germany for 16.99 or 19.99 euros, which translates to about $19.88 or $23.38. The proposed Ultra plan would join the existing Premium, Standard, and Basic plans as the most expensive tier of the bunch. And though specific differences between the plans vary during the trial depending on what device customers sign up with, the main distinction between the current Premium plan and the new Ultra plan appears to be HDR support -- something that was actually already included in the original Premium tier but now seems to be removed. Likewise, some users who have access to the new plan have also seen a reduction in the number of simultaneous screens they can stream to on the Standard plan from 2 to 1 and the Premium plan from 4 to 2. This means that the Ultra plan is basically just a price increase for HDR and 4 screen streaming without offering any new features of its own. Here's a breakdown of the new test plan and how it affects the other options per CordCutting.com: Speaking to CNET, a Netflix representative confirmed the test run and said in a statement that "In this case, we are testing slightly different price points and features to better understand how consumers value Netflix." Still, the spokesperson went on to clarify that "Not all Netflix subscribers will see the test and the company may not ever offer the specific price points or features being tested." For now, Netflix continues to offer three plans in the US: Basic for $7.99, Standard for $10.99, and Premium for $13.99. Sources: TuttoAndroid, CNET, Engadget, CordCuttingPosted Thu Jul 5, 2018 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
TCL & Mohu Launch Cut the Cord Day GiveawayUPDATE: Along with the giveaway discussed below, TCL has just announced a 10% off sale at all major retailers for tomorrow, July 7, 2018. This is a one-day-only sale, but might be the perfect time to pick up the awesome 6-Series Roku 4K TV with Dolby Vision. ~~~ [teaser]The companies are giving away 4K TVs and digital antennas.[/teaser] July 7 is National Cut the Cord Day and to help celebrate the event, TCL and Mohu have announced a special Cord Cutting Bundle Giveaway. As part of the promotion, customers can now enter for a chance to win a TCL 4K Roku TV and a Mohu Blade HDTV Antenna. "Every year the number of cord-cutters continues to rise and since we believe that trend will only keep growing, TCL's mission is to provide consumers with a premium home entertainment experience that offers all their favorite shows through free over the air programming and the most streaming content available on any Smart TV," said Chris Larson, Senior Vice President, TCL. "With National Cut the Cord Day upon us, TCL is furthering its commitment to deliver the cost savings and viewing flexibility that cord cutters desire and that consumers have come to expect from our brand. Our award-winning TCL Roku TVs include a tuner as a vital supplement to streaming and are a great way to access popular network TV and live sports in high definition over the air at no additional cost." According to the press release, on average the American household spends about $103 on cable every month. With that in mind, the giveaway will offer consumers a chance to win 1 of 103 cord cutting bundles with a 55-inch 4K TCL 4-Series Roku TV and a Mohu Blade HDTV antenna -- allowing users to cut the traditional pay-TV cord. Interested parties can now enter at https://www.tclusa.com/cut-the-cord-giveaway. Winners will be announced on Monday, July 9. "Mohu's priority is to make cord cutting easier with innovative products like our new Blade HDTV Antenna. And with TCL's exceptional line of smart TVs, we are excited to offer consumers the ultimate cord cutting solution," said John Crabill, Chief Marketing Officer, Mohu. "National Cut the Cord Day is the perfect time for us to collaborate as we both share the common goal to offer critical yet affordable home entertainment devices that consumers need in order to cut the cord." Source: TCLPosted Tue Jul 3, 2018 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
Amazon Prime Day 2018 Set to Kick Off on July 16[teaser]The annual sales event will return on July 16 - July 17 and Countdown Deals start today![/teaser] Amazon has announced a start date for its yearly Prime Day shopping promotion. The 36-hour sale will begin on July 16 at 12pm PT/3pm ET and will run through July 17, offering more than one million exclusive deals for Prime members "Prime members will enjoy a day (and a half) of our best deals, with 36 hours to shop more than one million deals worldwide," said Jeff Wilke, Amazon CEO Worldwide Consumer. "New this year, members can shop exclusive Prime Day Launches from hundreds of brands worldwide, enjoy exclusive savings at Whole Foods Market and experience surprise entertainment events unboxed from giant Smile boxes in major cities. More than 100 million paid Prime members around the world will find our best Prime Day celebration yet." Prime Day 2018 will offer 50 percent more Spotlight Deals compared to last year's event on a variety of products across numerous categories, including TVs, smart home, kitchen, grocery, toys, fashion, furniture, appliances, and back-to-school supplies. Deals will be active for Prime Members in the US, UK, Spain, Mexico, Japan, India, Italy, Germany, France, China, Canada, Belgium, Austria, Australia, Singapore, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. This year's event will also include the company's biggest sale yet on Alexa-enabled devices. Likewise, various brands will provide special Prime Day Launches as well with exclusive new items, content and special-edition products. In addition, Prime Day will also extend its savings to Whole Foods with an additional 10 percent off select sale items. Customers simply need to download the Whole Foods Market app and scan the Prime Code. Meanwhile, the company is also shipping giant Smile boxes to major cities around the world, including New York City, Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, and Milan. The boxes will then open in the days leading up to Prime Day to reveal various special events inspired by Prime membership benefits like music, video, gaming, and more. For more information be sure to check out amazon.com/unboxingprimeday. And to ensure users don't miss any of the upcoming deals, Amazon has put together some handy tips to help customers keep track of all the discounts and maximize their savings. Here's a rundown of tips per Amazon: - Watch A Deal: The Amazon App ensures you never miss a deal. This is the easiest way to preview, track and shop those limited time Lightning Deals while at home or on-the-go with deal alerts on the Amazon App. Learn more at amazon.com/watched. - Prime Day Sneak Peek on the Amazon App: Tap the Prime Day banner within the Amazon App from July 9 – 15 for a sneak peek of select products that will have Prime Day deals.Explore Deals By Popular Interests – Find deals organized by more than 40 of the most-shopped-for interests. From style and fashion to electronics, cooking, travel and more – discover deals that you’ll love faster. - Alexa Shopping: Alexa makes it easy to find the best Prime Day deals. Just ask, “Alexa, what are my Prime Day deals?” Track your Prime Day orders with Alexa. Just ask “Alexa, where’s my stuff?” or set up Alexa delivery notifications in the Alexa app. - Amazon Prime Credit Cards: Cardmembers can enjoy 5% back on all their Prime Day purchases when shopping with the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card or the Amazon Prime Store Card. And though the main event won't begin until July 16, Amazon will be offering Countdown Deals everyday leading up to the sale, starting today! Some current gear highlights include: Echo Show - Currently $130 ($100 off MSRP) TEWELL 37-inch Bluetooth Sound Bar - Currently $110 Likewise, Prime Member can also now take advantage of these special promotions on various services: - Amazon Music: Prime members who haven’t yet tried Amazon Music Unlimited can get four months of the premium, on-demand service with access to tens of millions of songs and hands-free listening, for just $0.99. - Twitch Prime: Members can enjoy hundreds of hours of free gameplay as Twitch Prime gives away a free PC game every day through July 18, including titles like Pillars of Eternity and Brutal Legend. Members will also receive exclusive in-game loot for Warframe and PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS. - Kindle Unlimited and eBooks: Prime members who haven't yet tried Kindle Unlimited will have access to three months of unlimited reading for just $0.99. Buy your first Kindle book and get a $10 Prime Day credit valid towards eBooks, print books and Audible. - Audible: Eligible Prime members can get their first three months at more than 65% off for $4.95 a month. An Amazon Prime membership currently costs $119 per year or $13 per month. Make sure to check back with High-Def Digest over the next couple of weeks for more Amazon Prime Day Countdown Deals! Source: AmazonPosted Tue Jul 3, 2018 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: 'Disenchantment,' 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before,' and More[teaser]A new YA novel adaptation and the latest animated series from Simpsons creator Matt Groening are among this week's collection of streaming trailers.[/teaser] Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu have released new previews and info for several of their upcoming programs and films. Here's a full rundown of titles scheduled to arrive on each service: The Comedy Lineup: Stand-up Special (Netflix, July 3) - Quick wit takes on a whole new meaning when a group of fiercely funny, emerging comics take the mic for a series of 15-minute stand-up sets, filmed live in front of an intimate crowd at Atlanta's historic Terminal West. The eclectic mix of comedians bring fresh takes on life's issues, big and small, in a series of solo sets. The Comedy Lineup: Part 1 includes Michelle Buteau, Phil Wang, Taylor Tomlinson, Ian Karmel, Jak Knight, Sam Jay, Sabrina Jalees, and Tim Dillon. The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter (Netflix, July 6) - Buck Ferguson (Josh Brolin), famous for hunting whitetail deer, plans a special episode of his hunting show around a bonding weekend with his estranged son, Jaden (Montana Jordan). With trusted - but hapless - cameraman and friend Don (Danny McBride) in tow, Buck sets out for what soon becomes an unexpectedly epic adventure of father-son reconnection in the great outdoors. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (Netflix, July 6) - Jerry Seinfeld's roving talk show combines coffee, laughs, and vintage cars into quirky, caffeine-filled adventures with the sharpest minds in comedy. Somebody Feed Phil: Season 2 (Netflix, July 6) - The original documentary series from the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, Phil Rosenthal takes viewers on a goodwill eating tour of the world. Along for the ride are Phil's friends, family and his trademark sense of humor. New Episodes of Somebody Feed Phil will follow Phil as he travels to Venice, Dublin, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Capetown and New York. Samantha! (Netflix, July 6) - In the '80s, Samantha! was the most beloved child in Brazil. 30 years later, people barely remember her. With the help from her manager Marcinho, her kids Cindy and Brandon, and even from her former husband and former soccer player Dodoi, she'll do anything to get back into the spotlight. Father of the Year (Netflix, July 20) - When a drunken debate between two recent college graduates about whose father would win in a fight is taken seriously by their idiot dads, jobs are lost, relationships ruined, futures destroyed, and best friends come of age as they come to grips with who their fathers really are. Starring David Spade, Nat Faxon, Joey Bragg, Matt Shively, and Bridgit Mendler. Last Chance U: Season 3 (Netflix, July 20) - This year, it's a whole new field -- as the series moves to Independence, Kansas! After years of losing seasons, Coach Jason Brown and the Independence Pirates vie for a spot amongst the best in the Junior College Football ranks. Like Father (Netflix, August 3) - When a workaholic young executive (Kristen Bell), is left at the altar, she ends up on her Caribbean honeymoon cruise with the last person she ever expected: her estranged and equally workaholic father (Kelsey Grammer). The two depart as strangers, but over the course of a few hilarious adventures, a couple of umbrella-clad cocktails and a whole lot of soul-searching, they return with a renewed appreciation for family and life. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Netflix, August 10) - Directed by Mike Newell and based on the best-selling and much loved novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY sees Lily James play free-spirited writer Juliet Ashton, who forms a life-changing bond with the delightful and eccentric Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, when she decides to write about the book club they formed during the occupation of Guernsey in WWII. Disenchantment (Netflix, August 17) - From the mind of Matt Groening, comes the 10-episode adult animated comedy fantasy series, Disenchantment. In Disenchantment, viewers will be whisked away to the crumbling medieval kingdom of Dreamland, where they will follow the misadventures of hard-drinking young princess Bean, her feisty elf companion Elfo, and her personal demon Luci. Along the way, the oddball trio will encounter ogres, sprites, harpies, imps, trolls, walruses, and lots of human fools. To All The Boys I've Loved Before (Netflix, August 17) - What if all the crushes you ever had, found out how you felt about them…all at once? Lara Jean Song Covey's love life goes from imaginary to out of control when the love letters for every boy she’s ever loved - five in all - are mysteriously mailed out. From New York Times Bestselling Author, Jenny Han, the film adaption of the popular YA novel stars actress Lana Condor (Alita: Battle Angel, X-Men: Apocalypse) and Noah Centineo (Sierra Burgess Is A Loser, The Fosters). Zoe (Amazon Prime Video, July 20) - Two colleagues at a revolutionary research lab design technology to improve and perfect romantic relationships. As their work progresses, their discoveries become more profound. Starring Ewan McGregor, Léa Seydoux, and Rashida Jones. Harlots: Season 2 (Hulu, July 11) - Margaret Wells struggles to reconcile her roles as brothel owner and mother to daughters Charlotte and Lucy. When her business comes under attack from Lydia Quigley, a rival madam with a ruthless streak, Margaret must fight back even if it means losing her family and possibly her life. - A current Netflix subscription starts at $11 per month for HD streaming and $14 per month for Ultra HD streaming. - A current Amazon Prime subscription costs $119 per year or $13 per month. Likewise, Prime Instant Video is available as a standalone service for $9 per month. - A current Hulu subscription starts at $8 per month with commercials. In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Amazon (YouTube), Hulu (YouTube)Posted Fri Jun 29, 2018 at 08:00 PM PDT by: -
This Week in Gear: Oculus Launches Virtual TV App, Sony Preps New 4K HDR Smartphone, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including the new Oculus TV app, Sony's upcoming 4K smartphone, and more.[/teaser] From product announcements and streaming app updates to general industry news and recent gear trends, keeping up with the latest tech news can be a daunting task. With that in mind, we're here to offer you a roundup of some of the latest gear and consumer electronics news that you may have missed. For this edition, we're covering the launch of the Oculus TV app, details on Sony's new 4K HDR smartphone, and the addition of mobile streaming support for CBS NFL games. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: Oculus TV App Launches on Oculus Go Oculus has announced the launch of Oculus TV for Oculus Go VR Headsets. The new app is designed to serve as a hub for various streaming content, allowing users to watch shows and movies on a virtual big-screen TV. Oculus TV offers access to a variety of live and on-demand content from free and subscription based sources, including Hulu, SHOWTIME, MLB Live games via Facebook Watch, Red Bull TV, Pluto TV, Flicks of Fury, Horror 24/7, Neverthink, Newsy, and more -- all on a giant 180-inch virtual TV screen in a sleek, modern, and immersive virtual viewing area. Likewise, Oculus TV also lets users launch other dedicated VR apps like Netflix, Hulu, SHOWTIME, and SHOWTIME ANYTIME. The Oculus TV app is now available for The Oculus Go Standalone VR Headset ($199) via the Oculus Store. Meanwhile, Oculus has also announced an update to its minimum recommended PC specs for the Oculus Rift. While Windows 7 and 8.1 platforms will still be able to support current Rift features, new and upcoming features and apps may only be supported by the Windows 10 OS. Here's a full rundown of current minimum and recommended Rift specs per Oculus: Rec Spec - Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 480 or greater- Alternative Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD Radeon R9 290 or greater- CPU: Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater- Memory: 8GB+ RAM- Video Output: Compatible HDMI 1.3 video output- USB Ports: 3x USB 3.0 ports plus 1x USB 2.0 port- OS: Windows 10 operating system Min Spec - Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti / AMD Radeon RX 470 or greater- Alternative Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 960 / AMD Radeon R9 290 or greater- CPU: Intel i3-6100 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200, FX4350 or greater- Memory: 8GB+ RAM- Video Output: Compatible HDMI 1.3 video output- USB Ports: 1x USB 3.0 port, plus 2x USB 2.0 ports- OS: Windows 10 operating system Sources: Oculus Blog 1, Oculus Blog 2 Sony Sets July 30 Release Date for Xperia XZ2 Premium Smartphone Sony has announced a US launch date for its latest premium mobile device. The Xperia XZ2 Premium is set to go on sale via Amazon and Best Buy on July 30 for an MSRP of $1,000. The device features a 5.8-inch 4K HDR display with a resolution of 2160 x 3840, TRILUMINOS tech, and X-Reality for mobile HDR up-conversion. Under the hood, the device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform CPU, 6GB RAM, and a long lasting 3540mAh battery. A rear Motion Eye 19MP and Black & White 12MP dual camera is integrated as well, along with a 13MP front camera. In addition, the device offers support for 4K HDR video recording, 960 fps Super slow motion FHD video recording, Low-light ISO 51200 photo capture, and Low-light ISO 12800 video capture. Finally, High-Resolution Audio and LDAC support are included as well with S-Force Front Surround stereo speakers. Sony's Xperia XZ2 Premium will be available in Chrome Black and Silver color options. Pre-orders are set to go live on July 9. Sources: Engadget, Sony CBS All Access Expands NFL Streaming Support to Mobile Devices CBS has announced an extended deal with the NFL, allowing the network to stream all NFL on CBS games via the CBS All Access platform through the 2022 season. In addition, CBS All Access and CBS TV Everywhere will now expand NFL streaming support to mobile devices. "We're very pleased to extend and expand our partnership with the NFL and give our viewers and CBS All Access subscribers the ability to stream NFL ON CBS games on mobile phones in addition to all other platforms for years to come," said Marc DeBevoise, President & Chief Operating Officer, CBS Interactive. "This deal enables us to deliver even more value to NFL fans, our subscribers and our distribution partners." CBS All Access will stream all live NFL on CBS games, including Super Bowl LIII, on all supported platforms and mobile devices. Likewise, NFL on CBS authenticated streaming rights will also extend to mobile for cable, satellite, telco, and vMVPD partners. "We are excited to extend our partnership with CBS as it aligns perfectly with our goal of providing NFL fans with greater opportunities to watch NFL games across digital devices," said Hans Schroeder, Chief Operating Officer of NFL Media and Business. "The 2018 season will mark a new era for NFL fans with unprecedented access to NFL games across digital platforms." Beyond NFL games, CBS All Access offers next day streaming for new episodes of many popular shows and a library of over 10,000 on demand episodes, including content from current programs and classic series. In addition, the service is home to several exclusive streaming shows like Star Trek: Discovery and The Good Fight. Likewise, customers in more than 150 markets across the US -- including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia -- can watch live local CBS broadcasts through the app. The service is available in two subscription plans: reduced commercials for $5.99 per month or commercial-free for $9.99 per month. The commercial free option offers ad-free playback of on demand content and original shows. With that said, live streaming still includes the same commercials found on standard over-the-air broadcasts. Source: CBSPosted Fri Jun 29, 2018 at 05:45 PM PDT by: -
Everything Coming to iTunes & the Apple TV App in July 2018[teaser]Check out all the new digital titles coming to the iTunes library and Apple TV App in July.[/teaser] Apple has revealed the July lineup of movies and TV shows set to hit iTunes. The collection includes films like Ready Player One, You Were Never Really Here, Truth or Dare, Tully, and Overboard, along with series like Westworld: Season 2 and more. And beyond iTunes, Apple has also compiled a list of July streaming titles set to be available via the Apple TV App on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV devices. The Apple TV App allows users to browse through content from over 60 video services without switching from one app to the next, including titles from Amazon Prime Video, HBO Now, Showtime, CBS All Access, Hulu, and many other pay-TV subscriptions. Here's a full rundown of July iTunes titles per Apple: Movies 7/3 - Ready Player One 7/3 - I Feel Pretty 7/3 - Chappaquiddick 7/3 - Billionaire Boys Club 7/3 - Lean on Pete 7/3 - You Were Never Really Here 7/3 - Finding Your Feet 7/3 - Where is Kyra? 7/3 - The Cured 7/3 - Submission 7/3 - Blumhouse’s Truth or Dare 7/10 - Disobedience 7/10 - Sweet Country 7/10 - Traffik 7/13 - Shock and Awe (same day as theaters) 7/17 - Tully 7/17 - Life of the Party 7/17 - Overboard 7/24 - Hot Summer Nights (same day as theaters) 7/27 - Damascus Cover (same day as theaters) 7/31 - LEGO DC Super Heroes: Aquaman 7/31 - On Chesil Beach 7/31- Racer and The Jailbird TV 7/9 Sweetbitter Season 1 7/9 Vida Season 1 7/23 Westworld Season 2 And here's a rundown of July streaming titles set to arrive on various digital services through the Apple TV App: 7/1 Power Season 5 (Starz) 7/7 Bill Maher: Live from Oklahoma (HBO NOW) 7/8 Sharp Objects (HBO NOW) 7/8 Mary Kills People Season 2 (Hulu) 7/9 Very Cavallari (E!) 7/10 Floribama Shore Season 2 (MTV) 7/11 Harlots Season 2 (Hulu) 7/11 The Challenge: Final Reckoning (MTV) 7/12 TKO with Kevin Hart (CBS) 7/16 Hilary (PBS) 7/17 The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 13 (Bravo) 7/17 Southern Charm Savannah Season 2 (Bravo) 7/19 Suits Season 8 (USA) 7/20 Snowfall Season 2 (FX) 7/20 Trial & Error Season 2 (NBC) 7/21 Killjoys Season 4 (Syfy) 7/21 Wynonna Earp Season 3 (Syfy) 7/21 Adventure Time x Minecraft: Diamonds and Lemons (Cartoon Network) 7/22 Shark Week (Discovery) 7/25 Castle Rock (Hulu) - 3 episodes 7/25 Miz & Mrs (USA) 7/26 Alone Together Season 2 (Freeform) 7/26 The Split (Sundance Now) 7/31 Casual Season 4 (Hulu) Source: iTunesPosted Fri Jun 29, 2018 at 01:50 PM PDT by:
