Dave Zatz

It’s Mark Zuckerberg’s World. We just work here.

No, I didn’t take a job at Facebook. Neither did my wife – it’s her phone. Which means the recently updated Facebook iPhone app has at least one bug. Apparently, we’re not the only ones who frequently encounter “This build is only enabled for employees” alert. And, unfortunately, it doesn’t appear the traditional app deletion … Read more

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of relevant news… from our other blogs: New Tablet Hardware: Specs and Speculation And the mobile market rolls on. Two tablets launched last week are worth a look – for consumers and content publishers alike. RIM’s Blackberry Playbook and LG’s Android G-Slate. Imavex Does Live Streaming to Roku and iOS If you’ve … Read more

PopBox Not Dead Yet; Adds 3D & MLB.TV

We haven’t heard much lately out of Syabas, the company behind the $130 PopBox media appliance (and Popcorn Hour). When announced, back at CES 2010, I was pretty fired up given their lineage and the demo I received. However, the streamer launched later than planned… with a variety of performance issues and lacking previously advertised premium content, … Read more

Google Takes Issue With Roku’s YouTube Channel

roku-youtube

While Roku doesn’t offer an officially sanctioned YouTube channel, many of us have been enjoying that content through a “private” offering created by The Nowhereman. In fact, he’s such an exceptional developer, Roku brought him on as an employee (where he’s known as Chris). Yet that puts them in an even more awkward position now that Google has taken issue with the unlicensed YouTube channel.

A blog comment tipped me off to the situation, that I confirmed on the forum… The YouTube channel remains functional for the folks who’ve previously activated it, yet no new subscribers are permitted. I reached out to Roku who also corroborated the situation, saying “we received a takedown notice from YouTube’s legal team and are in the midst of negotiations with them.” They’re hopeful of having more information to share with the community next week.

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Verizon FiOS TV IMG 1.9 Update Rolling Out

Unveiled last August and expected to ship by the end of 2010, Verizon’s FiOS TV IMG 1.9 experience is finally complete; the show stopping bugs have been squashed and the rollout has begun. Some highlights from the release notes:

IMG 1.9 is our most significant upgrade to FiOS TV’s guide since we introduced the Interactive Media Guide in 2007. There were few portions of the guide software that weren’t enhanced in this release.

  • New look and feel with higher resolution graphics and smooth animations
  • Re-design of search and better integration throughout the guide
  • Expansion of guide data to include complete cast information and air date
  • New Channel Guide view providing another option for navigating live TV content
  • Recommendations for live TV content
  • Ability to select the Widgets that are displayed in the carousel
  • More parental control tools and a configuration wizard
  • Overhaul of Message Center
  • Improved 3DTV support
  • Support for Descriptive Video Service, native pass through, 1080p, and MP3 and MPEG-4 decoding on select devices.
  • A long list of DVR and multi-room DVR enhancements
  • Even more ways to customize the guide to your personal preferences

Beyond those bullets, Verizon has also enabled eSATA hard drive expansion. However, unlike TiVo, there are no artificial brand/model restrictions based on marketing relationships.

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New Slingbox 120 Launches (In India)

It’s been a loooong time since we’ve seen a new retail Slingbox. In fact, the Slingbox PRO-HD was introduced way back in January 2008. Well, it turns out a new dedicated placeshifter will be hitting store shelves shortly. In India. The low-end Slingbox 120 runs 7,999 Rupees (~$180), but only accepts and streams standard definition … Read more

TiVo Prepping 4 Tuner HD DVR?

The new TiVo Advisors survey is far more interesting than most, spelling out a number of “potential products and features.” On the hardware front, two very specific devices are described: A companion device for your DVR. It allows a second TV (in another room) to watch live TV (in HD) and also watch the recordings … Read more

Roku iPad Remote App Now Ready For Download

The unofficial Roku DVPRemote iOS app has been updated to version 2.2. While it’s always allowed us to control our Roku media streamers via iPhone and iPod Touch, this refresh launches as an universal binary with brand spanking new iPad interface. In addition to the replicating the physical Roku remote(s), what’s so useful about DVPRemote is … Read more