Dave Zatz The previously unannounced Arris Slingbox that I had stumbled upon at the Cable Show is now ready for its closeup: Arris Group and Sling Media are introducing a new media streaming device that empowers service providers to offer live and recorded content for a comprehensive multiscreen experience for their subscribers…welcome to TV anywhere. The ARRIS MS4000 (Media Streamer … Read more
Long time readers may have noticed ZNF contributor and TiVo fan Davis Freeberg has gone silent. Well, I’m stoked to share that he’s been putting his free time to better use in launching a Bay Area startup… and unlike so many others, we’re not talking Web 2.0 and Ruby — Davis is taking on the real world with what I … Read more
Simple.TV and Silicon Dust are joining forces for the second iteration of Simple.TV, due later this year, by leveraging their respective software/services and hardware skills. In speaking with Simple CEO Mark Ely last week, the companies appear to be addressing most of my gen 1 concerns. First, the updated hardware will feature a new Zenverge transcoder with … Read more
Beyond easy drive replacement, it’s come to light that the TiVo Roamio and updated Minis are capable of displaying arbitrary web pages and streaming H.264 video. I suppose it’s really no surprise given the Roamio’s Chomecast-esque DIAL capabilities and upcoming HTML5 Opera app platform. Fortunately, this new method of TiVo interface is unprotected and the infinitely useful kmttg has … Read more
By way of TechCrunch, we learn that Target is posed to launch an UltraViolet-compatible online video store. Presumably “Target Ticket” is a collaboration with someone skilled in the space or even a branded white label product and, beyond the web screenshots, the Android and iOS apps are sure to follow. As to why, well let’s … Read more
A periodic roundup of relevant news… via our other outlets: Comcast Debuts Family Messaging App Comcast Corp. has quietly launched a new family text messaging and calendaring app for iOS and Android mobile phones. Dubbed Family Point, the app offers private text and voice messaging in a timeline format, similar to a Twitter or Facebook … Read more
While TiVo is crushing it with cable partnerships and licensing deals, the retail DVR picture isn’t so rosy. And, for the first time since 2004, they’ve dropped below 1 million subscribers. Having received nearly universal praise, I imagine the company believes they’re posed to turn the tide with the newly released Roamio. Yet, TiVo indicated … Read more