2010-11-15

SlashGear Morning Wrap-up: November 15 2010
Posted by MobiG @ 7:29 pm

Good morning everybody in technology land, welcome back to SlashGear’s Morning Wrap-up. Today there are several rumors including a possible Motorola Motopad being a 7inch Android 3.0 debut, a possible 20+ custom Adam applications for the Notion Ink, Froyo for Dell Streak by the end of November, and maybe even a couple of opening bats for Honeycomb? Then we’ve got a review of a US version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab (T-Mobile version), a weeklong adventure with HTC HD7′s hardware, and a few words on why Don Reisinger can’t wait to get rid of his DVR. PLUS: Dual Core dreams in Galaxy 2. Now all we’ve got to do is plug our fingernails into our kneecaps as we wait and see if Android 2.3 Gingerbread is released today at this years Web 2.0 Summit. Hooray!

R3 Media Network

SlashPhone
LG Vortex Heading To Verizon
Walmart Give Away $100 Giftcard For Purchasing a Smartphone

Android Community
Motorola MOTOPAD to be 7-inch Android 3.0 debut?
20+ custom Adam apps claim Notion Ink
Black Flyday helps you find shopping deals for holiday season
PC World yank Toshiba’s Folio 100 over poor buyer feedback?
Another Dual-Core Samsung Phone Confirmation (Plus More Anzu)
Gingerbread Comes Out Tomorrow(?) at Web 2.0 Summit
Dell Streak to get Froyo at end of November

SlashGear
Apple iTunes announcement “you’ll never forget” promised for Tuesday Nov 16 [FEATURED]
Android 3.0 MOTOPAD is Motorola & Google’s Honeycomb opener?
Nokia production line death sparks Indian investigation
Nokia E7 clears FCC, pentaband WCDMA intact
AMD join MeeGo project with Intel & Nokia: will use it with APUs
Rumor pegs Sony Ericsson Xperia X7 and X7 Mini inbound in Q1
Palm Pre 2 lands in UK
Stun Fone was a viral marketing campaign
HTC EVO Shift 4G trademark filing tips upcoming Android tablet?
Free MeeGo IdeaPad S10-3t for developers as Intel get open-source serious
T-Mobile Samsung Tab Review [REVIEW]
A Week with the HTC HD7: Hardware [FEATURED]
Verizon Ad Leaks Look at Pantech and LG LTE Modems
Jolicloud Jolibook Official Press Photos Now Available (2 Sizes?)
Why I can’t wait to get rid of my DVR [COLUMN]

To see more wrap-up posts, follow the following tags: [The Daily Slash] or [SlashGear Morning Wrap-up]


 

2010-11-14

Why I can’t wait to get rid of my DVR
Posted by MobiG @ 12:00 am

Recently, my day was over and I wanted to relax, so I took to the couch, picked up the remote, and turned on the television. Based on what time it was, I thought I’d catch the end of one of the shows I watch each week and then get to another program after that. I thought it would be a slow, relaxing night.

And then the fun began.

[Image credit: Steve Garfield]

As I turned on my DVR, it took about 15 seconds to start. When I tried changing the channels, it took about 10 seconds to perform the action. And in the moments when I hit a few buttons, like the channel up and channel down keys to test response time, it locked up for about a minute or so. When it came back, it performed all those actions in about a second.

At that point, I had enough. I knew the drill from talking to my cable company’s customer service agents in the past that the best idea in that situation is to unplug the DVR, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. So I did.

And then, as I stared at the black display on my television for, oh, about 5 minutes, I realized something. DVRs today are arguably the worst set-top boxes in any person’s entertainment center. And yet, many of us have them, so we can watch our favorite programming and record shows we want to see.

That is precisely why I can’t wait to get rid of my DVR. I long for the day when a single set-top box (or even a few) will be able to deliver me all the content I care about, so I can finally call the cable company and tell them that their DVR services are no longer required.

The best part is, I think I’m getting close to that point. I have Netflix streaming for old programming, the prospect of using Hulu Plus on my Roku set-top box at some point in the near future for the new stuff, and the possibility of seeing all kinds of content with Google TV once the search giant can find a way to coax studios into seeing its potential as the next big thing in home entertainment.

But alas, I’m not there yet. I watch too many cable shows for me to just ditch Time Warner Cable. And the content I’m currently accessing on other set-top boxes, like that on the Apple TV, can in no way match what I’m getting from my cable provider. At this point, I need to take the abuse my DVR doles out so I can be entertained.

But my patience is wearing thin. I have had countless DVRs over the years, and none of them have worked up to a standard that I even find adequate. There is no attention to detail put into the design of the boxes. They are simply poorly designed pieces of equipment that have no place in the home.

Now, I’m sure some might say I should get a TiVo. I should note that I have one in the bedroom. I replaced it in my living room with my DVR due to the issues I was having with my cable provider’s switched digital video adapter that accompanied the TiVo in order to access several channels. It was a major issue for me.

So, as I sit here contemplating what I will do tonight, I’m afraid I’ll have to go back to the DVR. It’s not that I want to — that’s certainly not the case — but at this point, I simply have no other choice.

What sort of DVR replacements do you think would solve this problem?


 

2010-10-29

Vulkano gets Android and Blackberry apps for video streaming
Posted by MobiG @ 3:14 pm

Back in July Monsoon Multimedia unveiled the cool Vulkano Pro set top box that can record TV shows and allow place and time shifting for your favorite programs. The company has announced a cool new mobile smartphone app that is available for Android and Blackberry smartphones.

When the app is used with the Vulkano Pro or Deluxe DVRs the content on the DVR can be streamed directly to the smartphone over 3G or WiFi. The user can also watch life TV and can pause/rewind and record programs directly from the phone.

The app has the ability to record programs using the electronic program guide and it allows the viewing or photos and streaming music from the home to the device as well. Video is streamed in H.264 and MPEG-4 formats. The app is free and available to download right now.

Via Android Community


 

2010-10-20

Panasonic DIGA DMR-BF200 squeezes Blu-ray/HDD DVR into tiny chassis
Posted by MobiG @ 6:16 pm

Panasonic Japan has outed what the company is calling the smallest ever DVR that integrates both Blu-ray burning and a hard-drive.  The Panasonic DIGA DMR-BF200 measures a slight 210 x 194 x 65 mm and weighs in at 2.2kg; it can burn BD-R or BD-RE discs and or record media to its 320GB hard-drive.

There’s also streaming content support, with an ethernet port on the back which allows users to access YouTube videos.  The hook-up to your TV is via HDMI, plus there’s an SD card slot and you can access content directly from memory cards.

Recorded video is encoded in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format, and the hard-drive can hold around 290 hours in Full HD.  The DMR-BF200 will drop in Japan on November 15 priced at the equivalent of $860; no word on a release elsewhere as yet.

[via CrunchGear]


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Select Time Warner Cable customers gain remote DVR services not-so-fashionably late
Posted by MobiG @ 2:43 am

If ever there was a moment Time Warner Cable deserved to be honored with an inspirational slow clap, let it be now. That’s because it finally announced remote DVR service support — a feature both Verizon FiOS and Dish Network subscribers have enjoyed for over a year. Intuitively dubbed Remote DVR Manager, it only works now via the web — TWC iOS app teasers be damned — and provides expected services like recording one-offs or scheduling entire series. Canceling previously scheduled recordings is also available, though deleting old content to clear more space for Glee isn’t. There are plenty of other dubious caveats, like some services not being available to CableCARD users or on all TWC equipment, and remote DVR services not working on all mobile phones through its mobile optimized site. Furthermore, the service has only officially launched in five markets including: the Carolinas region, northeast region, New York city region, San Antonio, Texas, and San Diego / Desert Cities. Come October 29th, the service will expand to include five more regions, with national coverage dragging until who knows when. For full Time Warner pat ourselves-on-the-back details and a PDF user guide, hit the source link below.

Select Time Warner Cable customers gain remote DVR services not-so-fashionably late originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Select Time Warner Cable customers gain remote DVR services not-so-fashionably late
Posted by MobiG @ 2:43 am

If ever there was a moment Time Warner Cable deserved to be honored with an inspirational slow clap, let it be now. That’s because it finally announced remote DVR service support — a feature both Verizon FiOS and Dish Network subscribers have enjoyed for over a year. Intuitively dubbed Remote DVR Manager, it only works now via the web — TWC iOS app teasers be damned — and provides expected services like recording one-offs or scheduling entire series. Canceling previously scheduled recordings is also available, though deleting old content to clear more space for Glee isn’t. There are plenty of other dubious caveats, like some services not being available to CableCARD users or on all TWC equipment, and remote DVR services not working on all mobile phones through its mobile optimized site. Furthermore, the service has only officially launched in five markets including: the Carolinas region, northeast region, New York city region, San Antonio, Texas, and San Diego / Desert Cities. Come October 29th, the service will expand to include five more regions, with national coverage dragging until who knows when. For full Time Warner pat ourselves-on-the-back details and a PDF user guide, hit the source link below.

Select Time Warner Cable customers gain remote DVR services not-so-fashionably late originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010-10-13

TiVo Online Season Pass Manager: handling multiple DVRs gets easier
Posted by MobiG @ 5:10 pm

TiVo has launched an Online Season Pass Manager, which will allow subscribers to transfer season pass subscriptions between their various TiVo boxes, as well as adding new passes and deleting old ones.  Billed as a direct request from TiVo’s customers – and we can’t really blame them – the new manager builds on the old system (which would allow Season Passes to be set up online) with more flexibility for multi-TiVo households and for those upgrading from an old TiVo box.

box premiere 695 580x137

The only stipulation is, unsurprisingly, that the TiVo units themselves must be broadband connected for the new online manager to work.  All of the company’s broadband-compatible DVRs will support the service, and you still get online scheduling as well.

The new TiVo Online Season Pass Manager will be available later on today at tivo.com/spm.

Press Release:

TiVo Launches Online Season Pass Manager Giving Customers Superior Control Over Their Recordings

Enhances TiVo’s Already Robust Online Offerings So Users Never Miss an Episode of Their Favorite Programs

ALVISO, CA — (Marketwire) — 10/13/2010 — TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), a leader in advanced television services, including digital video recorders (DVRs), today announced the launch of a Season Pass® manager on tivo.com. This tool, requested from customers directly, enhances TiVo’s already robust Web features, allowing TiVo customers to easily manage and transfer their Season Pass recordings online. This new feature joins TiVo’s online scheduling functionality on tivo.com for browsers and m.tivo.com for mobile devices, both of which allow customers to schedule recordings from anywhere they have access to the Internet.

For years, TiVo has allowed customers to remotely schedule recordings and set up Season Passes from tivo.com. With this updated tool TiVo subscribers can now also reprioritize or delete Season Passes on tivo.com, so that they have more control over their TV than ever. Customers can also transfer a Season Pass recording from one broadband-connected TiVo box to another box on their TiVo account making the addition of new TiVo DVRs or the transition from one TiVo DVR to another even easier.

“This is just another example of TiVo leading the way for in-home entertainment innovation and listening to customer feedback. The Season Pass manager is something that our subscribers have asked for and we are pleased to make it available to them today, saving customers time and giving the unique ability to ensure they do not miss a single episode of their favorite shows when they upgrade to a new box. No other company makes this level of control so easily,” said Jim Denney vice president and general manager of product marketing for TiVo. “TiVo has always been the easiest DVR to use and the Season Pass manager gives consumers even more control over how they choose to manage their recordings and settings.”

To manage Season Pass recordings online the TiVo box must be broadband connected and connected to the TiVo service. The Season Pass manager is available to all broadband-connected boxes including TiVo Premiere, Series3™, HD and Series2™ DVRs. To learn more about the Season Pass manager visit www.tivo.com/spm.

 

2010-09-10

Cablevision rolls out Optimum app to iPhone and Android
Posted by MobiG @ 1:35 am

For cable and satellite television providers, mobile DVR programming capability is arguably the new HD. Well, no, 3D is actually the new HD… but regardless, being able to set up recording from afar is a must-have feature that’s being rolled out far and wide. Cablevision is the latest to get into the game this week now that its Optimum app is available both in the App Store for iOS devices and in the Android Market, giving access to channel lineups and listings along with the ability to set up new recordings (either for single episodes or series) and delete stuff you don’t want anymore. It might not be quite as trick as Dish Network’s Sling integration… but then again, Cablevision doesn’t own Sling. So it goes! Follow the break for the full press release.

Continue reading Cablevision rolls out Optimum app to iPhone and Android

Cablevision rolls out Optimum app to iPhone and Android originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010-08-06

Dish Network debuts DVR scheduler optimized for iPad
Posted by MobiG @ 2:31 pm

Being able to control your DVR at home from anywhere you might be is a big deal. Say you are out and are going to be home later than you expected and the big game is on. With remote scheduling apps for devices like the iPhone and iPad, you can just schedule the recordings without actually being home.

dishipad sg 374x500

There have been apps for the iPhone and other smartphones for a while now with DirecTV and Dish Network for this sort of thing. Dish Network has announced that it has created the first DVR scheduler app that is optimized for the iPad specifically. The app is a full featured DVR scheduler that allows the user to control multiple receivers.

The app allows the user to schedule recordings, manage conflicts, delete programs, and shows up to nine days of programming at a time. The app is compatible with most of the Dish Network SD and HD DVRs. The app also turns the iPad into a remote for controlling the boxes. You can download the iPad app free on the App Store now.


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2010-08-05

Swann Security OutBack Cam Features 2MP Camera and Built-In DVR
Posted by MobiG @ 11:24 pm

When it comes to security, having a mounted camera somewhere where you need watched at all times of the day, or particular times in the night, is one of the best methods. It means that you always have a pair of eyes there, so if something does happen, you have it on video. Unfortunately, not all cameras are meant to stay out in the weather for long periods of time, especially if moisture gets in the picture (no pun intended). That’s why Swann Security’s new OutBack camera, with its all-weather housing, is perfect for those in inclement weather locations.

Swann Security Camera 540x128

The OutBack cam’s stand-out feature is the all-weather, rugged casing. Meant to keep the camera, equipment, and DVR safe-and-sound within, it should be able to stand up to weather like rain, wind, and snow without much of a problem. We wouldn’t recommend throwing it into a hurricane or tornado, but that should go without saying, probably. The camera on the inside is of the 2MP variety, and it has the ability to record video, or snap up some photos. It can even do color or black and white, based on your preference. Video recording can be triggered by motion, or you can set it up to start at a particular time, which you can alter with the LCD display within the box. It has multi-faceted mounting options, which means you can hang it on normal things, like your house, or even on trees, if you’re out there chasing Bigfoot.

Video are recorded in the AVI format, and still images in JPEG. There’s night vision, too, thanks to the 15 infrared LEDs. The camera is perfectly capable of getting video and still images up to 32 feet away. Videos and images taken by the camera are stored on the 2GB microSD card that’s available in the box, but it can handle up to 32GB of storage. It runs on four AA batteries, and there’s a USB port that allows you to transfer the pictures and video easily. The OutBack cam will be made available soon, and it will retail for about $150.

Press Release

Rugged, weather-proof case houses a 2 megapixel camera & DVR ideal for a variety of remote monitoring applications

Santa Fe Springs, Calif. – (August 5, 2010) – Swann Security, the global leader in security monitoring solutions, proudly announces its most versatile camera and video recorder to date – OutbackCam™. With its 2 megapixel color camera, built-in DVR, night vision capabilities and multi-faceted mounting options, OutbackCam™ is the ultimate choice for a myriad of monitoring solutions.

Housed in a rugged, all-weather case, the OutbackCam™ is capable of capturing crystal clear still images or videos in color or black & white with its 2 megapixel camera. Recording is triggered either by motion detection or a pre-scheduled date/time that is activated on the internal menu and LCD display.

Users can choose whether they want to record AVI videos or JPEG still pictures. Night vision is made possible thanks to 15 infrared LEDs, capable of capturing images up to 32’ away. All surveillance footage is stored on the internal DVR, which comes with a 2GB removable SD card, but is capable of handling a 32GB SD card.

Backing up video is simplified through a USB port contained inside the weather-proof housing. Best of all, the OutbackCam™ runs on 4 AA batteries and can be mounted to trees, posts or flat surfaces with the included strap. The OutbackCam is so durable, it’s tougher than the Australian outback!

Additional OutbackCam™ Key Specifications

Day, time & moon phase stamping for precise tracking
2GB SD card included, capable of accommodating a 32GB SD card
Night vision range up to 32’
2 megapixel color camera with wide viewing angle of 55°
Internal LCD display & controls make for easy operation
Video resolution: 640 x 480
Video frame Rate: 30 fps
Still image resolution: 1600 x 1200 (High) / 1280 x 1024 (Low)
Multiple still image capture: Yes (3)
Swann’s OutbackCam™ has a MSRP of $149.99 U.S. / $149.99 CAD and will be available through Swann’s network of retailers.

For more information on Swann’s OutbackCam™, please contact PR Representative Brian Metcalf at (305) 576-1171 x11 or at brianmetcalf@maxborgesagency.com or go to www.swannsecurity.com.

About Swann

Swann is a global leader in security monitoring solutions and I.T. peripherals targeting consumers through retail channels. Swann’s sustained growth and success has been based on designing and developing surveillance technology that is innovative yet cost effective.

The company’s products are mainly do-it-yourself (DIY) with easy-to-follow ‘plug-and-play’ instructions, full after-sale technical support and retail-friendly product packaging aimed at home, office and small-to-medium retail users.

For customers needing more high-tech solutions, Swann is at the forefront of the latest international trends including wireless connectivity, professional quality CCTV cameras with infrared night vision, digital video recording with motion detection and networkability, web surveillance and remote notification.

Swann was founded in 1988 by David Swann in Melbourne, Australia and now has offices in the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, China and Hong Kong with distribution through partners across the globe.

Swann’s reseller network includes some of the world’s largest retailers and distributors including Fry’s Electronics, RadioShack, Menards, Brandsmart USA, Canadian Tire, Maplin Electronics, and Dick Smith.

Web: www.swannsecurity.com


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