Dave Zatz
Win Walter White's Undies
As Breaking Bad draws to a close, the Emmy award winning series that attributes its longevity to Netflix, is auctioning off over 200 props shown onscreen. Amongst the Sony Pictures memorabilia are Walt’s iconic tighty-whiteys, haz-mat suit, and Pontiac Aztek – that’s sold as is, and will require a flat bed to get home. I imagine the relatively … Read more
TiVo Roamio, One Month Later
After launching about a month ago to overwhelmingly positive reviews and to what we’re hearing are impressive sales, given limited (and bizarre) advertising to this point, TiVo Roamio out-of-home streaming is on track for an October launch — which is when TiVo intends to light up significant marketing, ideally timed for the critically important holiday shopping season, as … Read more
Samsung Smart Cable Box Launching 11/5 @ $200?
Thanks to a recently uncovered Amazon listing, we now have a bit more detail on Samsung’s upcoming hybrid set-top box that mates digital cable, via CableCARD, with over-the-top Internet apps like Netflix. Sorta like a TiVo. Without a hard drive or DVR capabilities… The curious Samsung solution, first uncovered via FCC filings and later filmed in … Read more
Roku Refreshes Low End Of Streamer Lineup
Three new streamers will be joining the Roku 3 for the 2013 holiday season… as Roku continues to confuse consumers by reusing product names (despite differing features and channel support). The new Roku LT, Roku 1, and Roku 2 sport the updated look introduced with the R3 and we’ll continue to recommend the $50 model … Read more
Apple TV Updated. For Real This Time.
For a few short hours last week, Apple TV software update 6.0 was available. However, due to a variety of glitches, had been pulled. The patched software has made its triumphant return today, featuring iTunes Radio along with a few playback and synchronization enhancements. While iTunes Radio is frequently compared to Pandora, it feels more like a platform to merely sell tracks – given prices displayed all over the place. And if I wanted to listen to music through my TV, I’d head over to the way more visually stimulating VEVO — MTV for the digital age. Of course, Airplay remains unrivaled… although Google’s $35 DIAL-powered Chromecast dongle looks real promising. But I’m still holding out hope for a more powerful aTV, sporting a full fledged app store and the ability to take advantage of iOS’ new gaming controller API – I think you know where I’m going here. Folders for ‘My Apps’ versus the current Roku-esque clutter would also be an appreciated enhancement.
From the release notes:
PlayOn Preps Amazon & ESPN Chromecast Streaming
Our pal Brad Linder got the scoop on PlayOn’s next move from a NYC press event earlier this week… and Chromecast support is in the pipeline. While we’d originally portrayed PlayOn as something of a sketchy hack, our thinking has evolved… Given the rights holders sluggish metamorphosis and often onerous playback restrictions, we now recognize PlayOn … Read more