A periodic roundup of relevant news…
- Live television headed to Amazon Fire TV.
- Microsoft prepping a Roku-fighting Xbox streamer?
- Xiaomi to launch 4K Android TV in US as Google discontinues Nexus Player and Nvidia Shield sees nice updates.
- Both Apple and Google are developing Amazon Echo voice control home companion competitors.
- DISH HopperGO sidecar now available to offload Hopper DVR recordings onto portable hard drive that can stream to other devices.
- I’m checking out GlassWire as a Little Snitch equivalent on Windows to identify and block unwelcome outgoing connections.
Glasswire used to be extraordinarily expensive, charging a yearly subscription fee. So I completely discarded it from consideration. I see now that as of this march they dropped that insanity and charge a one-time fee.
It’s a very attractive program that generally works fine, but has two drawbacks. First it uses a local host proxy rather than implementing its own NDIS filter, which can be exploited by malware. Second is that it doesn’t block other programs on your system from changing firewall rules without your consent.
On the other hand, it does bandwidth monitoring, watches if your webcam/microphone are used by perverts, and can alert if someone is siphoning off your wifi connection. Those are neat features, particularly the webcam/mic one.
I personally use binisoft’s Windows Firewall Control. Like Glasswire it’s a UI offering features to the built-in windows firewall. It blocks other programs from changing firewall rules too, and it only costs ten bucks. It is unfortunately FUGLY compared to glasswire’s gorgeousness, but it works great and is very well-regarded on the wilderssecurity forum.
http://www.binisoft.org/wfc.php
Thanks for the technical differentiation, Rodalpho. I had seen binisoft but was indeed turned off by the UI. I wasn’t really expecting bullet proof security, just enough to tune my firewall with the primary focus being on limiting bandwidth usage as I’m frequently tethered. As it turns out, Microsoft is is quite promiscuous in its Windows 10 communications. Also, since Evernote has discontinued Skitch development on Windows, I blocked its periodic check-ins (that I hadn’t been aware of) as another example.
Regarding Amazon’s live television, I wonder if this is a Sling TV competitor or better presentation of live feeds associated with HBO NOW, Showtime, etc that can be subscribed to via Amazon. Hm. Cool either way and I suspect Amazon will edge out Roku as my preferred streamer for a variety of reasons by the end of the year.
Xiamoi 4k Android TV Box ? Between Nvidia Shield and Amazon Fire TV this box will be DOA.
Either program will serve that basic requirement, but Binisoft is very well-regarded while Glasswire hasn’t seen that same level of examination due to their previous pricing structure. I do see that they have a bug bounty up, which makes me feel much better about the software, though.
Amazon is creating original live programming, the fireTV will support it.
I switched from roku 3s to fireTVs myself for two reasons. First, they run Kodi really well, and if you prefer Plex the androidTV Plex client is much better than the Roku version. Second, they can be rooted and ad blocking installed so I can stream YouTube videos without watching the ads.
Quick question, how much of the segment of the population that uses a Fire TV (or any dedicated streaming box/stick) really watches live TV?
All of these services like Sling TV or the PS Vue one need to have a real legitimate DVR option in order to succeed. I know that somehow half of the TV viewing population don’t have or use a DVR but those guys aren’t the ones using a Fire TV to get their TV service. That segment of the population wants a DVR so that they don’t need to watch their TV live.
Live TV is free. If Amazon expects to charge a cent for it (and they will, if it’s truly streamed over the Internet) they’ll need to do it better than Tablo and Tivo Roamio, two great products with no real monthly fee.
Not all live TV is free… And, as Chucky will tell you, some of the best NBA action is only available on pay television.
PS I found another clue which I passed on to Elias at AFTVNews. We’ll see if he can turn it into something useful.
Almost all of the best NBA action is only available on pay television.
(Godammit! Have y’all been watching Russell and KD thrash punk rock on the hardcourt? Like they said about The Clash, they’re The Only Band That Matters. The beatdown of the Warriors is the Best. Series. Ever. At least since the Mavs’ title run.)