Dave Zatz

Best Buy Confirms Amazon Streamer Spring Launch

Via a most trusted Best Buy source (now on Twitter), comes a planogram of Best Buy’s May shelf reset… featuring the inevitable Amazon streamer and a possibly new Apple TV (reporting over 100 apps, without listing an existing SKU). Amazon details are amazingly light, with only the brand name and a tick in the WiFi … Read more

Roku Misses Exit, Plots IPO?

According to Bloomberg, Roku is contemplating a 2014 IPO but… “a decision to move ahead hasn’t been made, and the company hasn’t selected a lead banker.” Personally, I still believe their best exit strategy remains an acquisition and that they passed on the most prominent of suitors in Amazon – to both companies detriment. Roku’s largest … Read more

The Best Network Camera

network-cameras

The Wirecutter is out with a new piece on The Best Wireless IP Camera, having anointed the $200 Dropcam Pro as their top pick amongst the three cameras they put thru the paces. However, in this category, one size doesn’t fit all and the situation remains unsatisfying. We should start by saying that I’ve been fascinated with network video both as a tool and an entertainment medium since the days of the 3Com JenniCam… and I currently possess a number of devices, some photographed above (plus a dashcam), in addition to providing a variety of blog coverage (Logitech, VueZone, Archerfish). What you ultimately buy really depends on your objectives and selection is probably best determined via some sort of flow chart.

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Blackloud PoChannel: Another Day, Another Streamer

By way of the FCC (and Brad Linder), we learn of a new player in the streaming space, the Blackloud PoChannel. With YouTube branding and DLNA promises, the Gemtek-produced device looks similar in size and playlist function to the upcoming Qplay TV Adapter… minus the TiVo founder’s social linkages. But unlike Qplay, while PoChannel will ship with both Android and iPhone … Read more

DISH Wireless Joey Passes Thru FCC

The DISH Network Wireless Joey, unveiled at CES, is one step closer to release having just passed thru the FCC. The Echostar-produced Hopper extender hums with 802.11/a/n/ac to handle those high def streams of live and recorded content, without requiring a coaxial connection. Those with 802.11g networks need not apply. Via the filing, we also … Read more

It's (All Gonna Be) Comcastic!

Charter had been looking to tie up the country’s second largest cable operator, but #1 Comcast has swooped in with a $45 billion agreement to acquire Time Warner Cable. The deal will be closely scrutinized by federal regulators, but at least one pundit expects minimal push back given their largely distinct areas of operation. However, … Read more

Virgin Media Moves 2 Million TiVos

While TiVo’s US retail operation hasn’t fared so well in recent years, Virgin Media has seen great success from the TiVo platform in the UK… having just crossed the 2 million customer mark after about three years of availability. Virgin’s experience is largely TiVo as we know it, yet the 3-tuner hardware is foreign to … Read more

Hulu Lands Fraggles Spinoff, Minus The Puppets

By way of Gigaom, we learn that Hulu is launching The Doozers this spring. The computer-animated series, consisting of 52 11-minute episodes, is aimed at preschoolers… and is sadly puppet-free. Of course, Fraggle Rock was a Jim Henson creation and one of HBO’s very first original titles debuting way back in 1983 — and a show … Read more