Comcast Live Streaming & VOD Coming to Tablets

We learned last fall that Comcast had some new tricks planned for the Xfinity TV app, and an announcement this morning provides a bit more detail. (Business Insider SAI posted the news first.) Comcast will launch a new “play now” feature later this year for the iPad that gives access to “nearly 3,000 hours” of on-demand … Read more

iPhone SlingPlayer Updated for HQ, New Guide

Late last night, an updated SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone was released to the App Store. And the refreshed placeshifting software inherits two notable features from its iPad big brother… the new program guide and, much more significantly, higher resolution streaming — I’m thinking in the neighborhood of 640×480 and utilizing H.264 encoding. Which is why … Read more

Monsoon Introduces Barebones Vulkano Placeshifter

Monsoon Multimedia’s Vulkano “God Box” (that maybe wasn’t so godly after all) just saw an unexpected lineup expansion and partial rebranding. The Vulkano (16GB) and Vulkano Pro (1TB) are now the Vulkano Deluxe ($280) and Vulkano Deluxe Pro ($380). Making way for the brand new Vulkano Platinum ($130), that strips out web apps, DLNA/uPnP, and … Read more

AT&T U-verse IPTV Comes to the Xbox

Microsoft has promised IPTV on the Xbox for nearly four years now, and while the mothballs have collected on that pledge over time, Microsoft has dusted off the concept to roll out the Xbox-as-set-top here in the US starting on October 15th. As Dave described it back in January, the Xbox in this scenario acts as a … Read more

NY Times Rips Vulkano A New Caldera

The New York Times took a look at the multifunction Vulkano digital media device … and the results are not pretty. Some of the review lowlights: “it’s a train wreck” “head-banging limitations” “so many problems” “recruited as a paying beta tester” Basically, “the Vulkano box is nowhere near ready for prime time” Devastating!

Of course, I’m not entirely surprised having had a unit in my possession a few weeks. I’ve held off formally evaluating the loaner Vulkano while awaiting some significant software improvements. One update was pushed out last week and I’m told “radically” improved firmware should be available soon. As it currently stands, when I last looked, folks merely looking to placeshift their home TV programming to various desktop and mobile platforms probably won’t be disappointed. But those interested in the Vulkano’s additional features (recording, apps, etc) will want to wait on making a purchase until Monsoon improves the situation.

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Where’s the Vulkano Review?

Several of you have checked in with me, wondering if or when I’ll be taking a look at the multi-function Vulkano — a device that is something more than a Slingbox-esque placeshifter, by also incorporating recording capabilities along with local media and Internet video streaming to a television. And I can tell you my review … Read more

The Multitalented Vulkano Video Gadget Is Shipping

The Vulkano “God box” has started arriving at homes of those who pre-ordered. As a refresher, Vulkano aims to replace your DVR, Roku, and Slingbox as THE all-in-one video gadget. My review loaner appears to be lagging Monsoon’s real customers, so I’ll be reserving judgement. But, in the interim, check out my pal Dan’s unboxing. … Read more

Preview of the Vulkano “God Box” iPhone Client

Ahead of Monsoon Multimedia actually shipping the Vulkano “God Box” later this month, their iPhone/iPad client has landed in Apple’s app storefront. Vulkano is the successor to Monsoon’s Slingbox-esque HAVA, and I suspect the new Vulkano Mobile app (v1.2.101) is an enhanced version of HAVA Mobile (v1.1.28) to now support the iPad and iOS4. While I … Read more