Roku Slingbox App Vanishes from Channel Store (It's Back!)

roku-slingbox

Having returned from vacation, I was geared up to revisit a few sidelined projects — including the new Roku Slingbox channel. Unfortunately, it’s vanished from my Roku without a trace. According to Sling support:

With the Roku and the iPhone we are having an issue with the units connecting. We are working on this issue and should have it solved in a timely manner. If you look at your Roku you will see that Roku has removed the App so that it can be corrected and work perfectly with Android and Apple phones. If you keep looking at the forums we will keep everyone updated when the fix come out.

Now I’d heard of some connectivity issues,

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T-Mobile: Taking the Uncarrier Overseas

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Those of you who follow me on Twitter are most likely aware of my recent move from Verizon Wireless to T-Mobile. While I’d been very satisfied with Verizon’s coverage the last couple years, their egregious recurring $2.99 fee for visual voicemail (on Android) stuck in my craw every month… and basically pushed me into the arms of T-Mobile with, what I like to call, more “humane” pricing. Having said that, I wasn’t motivated to actually pull the trigger (and incur a substantial early termination fee) until T-Mobile introduced possibly insane International perks: Unlimited and free texts and EDGE data while overseas, paired with 20 cents/minute calls.

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Chromecast for Christmas

Chromecast stocking

There may be no better excuse to buy gadgets en masse than the holiday shopping season, and this year Google has nailed the stocking-stuffer price point at $35 for its Chromecast streaming video stick. It’s not just Christmas either, of course. I’m a sucker for alliteration, but in reality, Chromecast is going to be the gift of choice for many a holiday celebration this winter.

Chromecast has a lot more going for it than just price. Google added HBO support last week and is reportedly getting ready to release an SDK to developers in the near future. The more apps that integrate with the hardware, the more valuable Chromecast becomes. As someone with a Roku box, I was initially uninterested in using Chromecast for to watch Netflix. However, I installed the Chromecast plug-in on my first-gen iPad, and when the tablet prompted me to choose between my mobile device and my Chromecast-connected TV to continue watching a show on Netflix, I decided to test Chromecast viewing.

The result?

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Geeky Elgato & Pogoplug Stocking Stuffers

Elgato Smartkey

Both Elgato and Pogoplug have released new products this month… and the two gadgets are somewhat out of character, as the companies expand their product lines and seek new customers this holiday season.

Elgato, best known for video-related solutions is trying something completely with their Smart Key ($40). The doohickey uses low power Bluetooth to report its location to an iPhone or iPad, similar to others in this space such as StickNFind. While its primary use case may be attached to a keyring, Elgato also proposes throwing the Smart Key into a handbag or suitcase to keep an eye on one’s belongings. Beyond an iOS app,

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Next Gen: Xbox One vs PS4

The next generation gaming consoles have arrived. And, while the enclosures are more subtle this time around, it certainly appears that Sony engineers have schooled Microsoft on hardware design with the PS4 featuring a substantially more compact and elegant form… that doesn’t, yet again, require a massive power brick as the Xbox One does. However, … Read more

TiVo Opera TV App Store Revealed

As we gear up for 2014, TiVo’s plans have begun to crystalize. First, based on pre-show outreach from Olson, it appears Android streaming is a lock for a January CES announcement – although supported devices and a specific release date remain foggy. Further, and as you can see from these exclusive pics, TiVo remains on … Read more

WatchESPN & Real Disney Content Coming To Roku

Later this month, Roku boxes will receive new Disney channels. And, unlike their first attempt, this is way more compelling than marketing fluff – featuring full length programming and “live TV”. However, access is limited to cable and satellite providers (with agreements in place), so the new offerings won’t expand Roku’s cord cutting appeal. WatchESPN … Read more