Dave Zatz, Author at Zatz Not Funny!

The Roku iPhone Remote(s)

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Based on recent traffic, it’s clear many of you received Roku streaming hardware for Christmas or Hanukkah (with interest in a YouTube Channel… and content somewhat more racy). So we thought we’d take this opportunity to point out Roku’s brand-spanking new iOS remote app.

First off, Roku’s official app is free and therefore immediately worth a look for iPhone and iPod Touch owners. But, beyond the cost, we’ve found the remote highly polished for a v1 release – featuring a more efficient and powerful Roku Store experience than our Roku boxes actually offer via their television interface. Further, the virtual remote provides the priceless ‘instant replay’ button that’s not actually found on most Roku physical remotes – such as the one included with the $50 Roku LT. Yet there are a few areas that could use some improvement.

As a long time user of the very nice DVPRemote ($1.99), a third party Roku app, the official app is in desperate need of a virtual keyboard to enter credentials and search for content on various channels. Additionally, while some may appreciate swiping over tapping… many do not. And I’d personally like to see navigation “buttons” offered in a future upgrade. Again, Roku could follow the lead of DVPRemote by offering just such an option. But, in the interim, we’ll continue to recommend DVPRemote. Especially to those looking to control their Roku from an iPad.

Choosing A (New) E-Reader

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Let me start by saying that I didn’t anticipate picking up a new e-reader. While my second generation Amazon Kindle has served me relatively well over the last year and a half, it’s yet another device to charge and carry. Plus, e-ink isn’t exactly backlit. My master plan had been to upgrade to a smartphone with a larger screen for more comfortable digital reading… via app. But the iPhone 5 4S arrived with the same display dimensions as my current phone. The 4.7″ HTC Titan also seemed to be an option, but Windows Phone 7 resolution tops out at 480×800. Basically, I haven’t yet been compelled to upgrade. Meanwhile, my current Kindle has forced the issue as it no longer reliably holds a charge or wirelessly syncs.

I called into Amazon to see what sort of repair or replacement options might be available. The one year warranty on my Kindle 2 has expired, but they graciously to offered me (what may have been a refurb) Kindle 3 with WiFi and 3G for $60. As part of that dealio, I’d also have to ship my K2 back to them. Of course, the big advance in e-readers this year has been the implementation of touchscreen technology – which provides a much more natural form of interaction. Sony’s touch-based Reader has dropped in price to $100… and more importantly they’re offering a $50 credit for trading in any brand of ereader. However, I prefer Barnes & Nobles Nook Simple Touch ($99) ergonomics and aesthetics over both Sony and Amazon’s new Kindle Touch ($99). Yet their holiday trade in promotion, for a $50 credit, was limited to Nook 1 hardware and they’ve excised the e-reader’s web browser with a recent software update. But, at the end of the day, the touch technology is still less than perfect and adds bulk to the device. Further, I often grab or hold my Kindle by the screen. So, as you can see from the pics, I went with none of the above.

New Slingbox App Fees Ahead?

When the recently released Boxee and Google TV Slingbox client “apps” launched (1, 2), I was pretty psyched. Not only did this represent the first time we could stream our content television-to-television (without dedicated SlingCatcher hardware), unlike Echo Star’s mobile apps, these new services arrived at no cost. However, the fee-free element may merely be … Read more

Verizon Preps FiOS TV Media Server

As we collectively move towards the more efficient whole-home DVR model, Verizon has announced plans to launch a FiOS TV “media server” in late 2012. With such a long gestation time, they’re not quite ready to reveal their hand. Yet, I’d expect at least three tuners and 1TB of storage (compared to the DirecTV HR34‘s 5 … Read more

The 2011 Boxes Of The Year

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It’s that time of the year again where we run down our selection of best digital media boxes. And, surprisingly, the top 2012 recommendations aren’t dramatically different from our 2011 picks.

In the ‘all around’ category, we’re still partial to the current generation of Sony and Microsoft gaming consoles… which offer far more than HD gaming. The Xbox 360 ($200) delivered more innovation in 2011 than the PS3, with (another) massive UI overhaul and new video services including Verizon FiOS TV and YouTube. Yet, despite Sony’s well documented security lapses, we’re nevertheless giving the PS3 ($250) the edge this year for two reasons. First, despite the proliferation of Internet video, there continues to be a void of compelling content that can’t be sourced (legally) online via services like Hulu or Vudu – making the PS3’s integrated Blu-ray player just as compelling as ever. Next, many desirable Xbox features, like Netflix streaming, require a $60 annual subscription. For gamers who play collaboratively online, it’s a sunk cost. But for everyone else, the Xbox 360 carries a recurring premium that’s hard to justify when a fee-free media streamer like the the Roku LT runs a mere $50.

Roku LT

Speaking of that 720p Roku LT,

SlingPlayer Comes To Google TV

After nearly a year in development, EchoStar has released the SlingPlayer for Google TV. And, as the recent Boxee and Facebook Slingbox players, what we’re really dealing with is a Flash-based webpage. As Engadget points out, this means you won’t necessarily have the same level of polished remote keymapping… yet the platform is infinitely more portable/reusable … Read more

Sirius XM 2.0 Comes To iOS

The promised SiriusXM 2.0 experience looks to have arrived. At least on iOS platforms, such as my iPhone. While the satellite radio provider has always provided access to a broad range of programming, they’re now delivering the sort of end-user control typically provided by online streaming services like Pandora or Slacker. SiriusXM’s first cut is … Read more

The 2009 DirecTV TiVo Finally Arrives

directv-tivo

When TiVo and DirecTV rekindled their relationship in 2008, we were pretty psyched. Because, back in the day, the companies represented a dream team of cutting edge television services — the best DVR mated with the best TV (Sunday Ticket). Unfortunately, at some point their relationship soured and existing (non-MPEG4) DirecTV TiVo units were merely allowed to remain active (although stagnant) via a reciprocal do-not-sue patent arrangement worked out in 2006 (with DirecTV picking up ReplayTV’s patent portfolio as leverage in 2007).

Yet, after a few years of delay, we’re finally here… And the new DirecTV TiVo DVR, originally scheduled for 2009, goes on sale tomorrow. It’s everything we expected, but nothing we hoped for. The unit features TiVo’s original standard definition user interface, now branded as their “Classic” UI, running on outdated DirecTV hardware. So it’s neither the best TiVo experience, nor is it the best DirecTV DVR.

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Our readership generally expects cutting edge products, but we recognize there’s a broader market out there and suspect a subset of current DirecTV subscribers (and defectors) might find comfort in that classic TiVo experience (including the iconic peanut remote). While it may be functionally limited, the product could be highly usable and sufficient for many. In fact, TiVo CEO Tom Rogers is banking on it: