Save Some Money On Roku

In the market for a Roku streaming box? If so, you’ve got a few deals to choose from today… At the high end, the “flagship” Roku 2 XS is 20% off as Amazon’s Deal of the Day. Instead of $99.99, you’ll only be paying $79.99. Beyond providing access to a variety of “channels” including Netflix, … Read more

Jawbone Preps Jambox Smartphone Apps?

The latest Jawbone Insiders survey appears to foreshadow a Jambox smartphone app: Imagine if there was an app for your smartphone that added features and controls for your Jambox… Jawbone is floating all sorts of features from the proposed app including audible sports scores, firmware update notifications, reading of text messages, and email & Facebook … Read more

TiVo Premiere Sees Hard Drive Boost, Fee Reduction

tivo-premiere

Looks like the original 320GB/45hr TiVo Premiere is about to be replaced by a 500GB/75hr model. First spotted on Amazon, I now have more intel by way of TiVo that confirms the original  TiVo Premiere will be replaced by this higher capacity model. Yet the even beefier TiVo Premiere XL and Premiere Elite will remain available, with nice price reductions. Speaking of pricing, monthly service fees also see a reduction as TiVo continues to tweak their sales model. Unfortunately, the cost of entry will rise from $99.99 to $149.99 for the larger TiVo Premiere when new pricing goes into effect Sunday, the 25th. Via TiVo’s outreach:

  • TiVo Premiere $149.99: Records two shows at once and up to 75 hours of HD content
  • TiVo Premiere XL $249.99 (reduced $50): Records two shows at once and up to 150 hours of HD content
  • TiVo Premiere Elite $399.99 (reduced $100): Records four shows at once and up to 300 hours of HD content
  • The TiVo monthly service fee is now $14.99 per month, with a one-year commitment, making it lower on a monthly basis than most cable offerings
  • Multi-service discount pricing is now $12.99 per month

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Getting A Great Deal On An iPad

Looking for a bargain on possibly the second best 10″ tablet? When Apple introduced the third generation iPad, they cunningly kept the prior generation base iPad 2 in play… by dropping its price $100. And, at $399, the iPad 2 is a decent deal. Yet, for many, the new iPad screen is worth the $100 … Read more

TiVo's iOS Companion App Updated

TiVo’s fine iOS “companion” app sees a rather significant update today. And, while it doesn’t yet feature iPad “retina” graphics (coming soon), the oft forgotten TiVo HD and Series 3 owners should be quite pleased with their newfound ability to manage Season Passes. Speaking of Season Passes, we’re now free to continue using the app … Read more

Why Did TiVo Co-Founder Jim Barton Step Down?

Photo via University of Colorado at Boulder When news of TiVo co-foudner and Chief Technology Officer Jim Barton’s resignation hit, I didn’t think it required more than a tweet given our primary focus here. Or, perhaps, I was just preoccupied with my new iPad. Regardless, we’ve decided to chime in after receiving a few tips and … Read more

Why I Bought Apple's New iPad

I’m not the biggest fan of the 10″ tablet form factor, finding these devices can’t replace my  Kindle, smartphone, or laptop. In fact, I kept trying to turn our original iPad into a netbook… via Bluetooth keyboard. However, I do find that tablets make a great travel accessory and there is something alluring in having … Read more

The Week In Roku

Firmware 4.3 Update

Widespread deployment of system software 4.3 is now underway for Roku 2 boxes (XS, XD, HD, LT). The firmware rollout actually began with a subset of users a few weeks back… and given the slight bump in release versioning (.1057 versus .1051), it looks like that pilot test was useful in identifying one or two elements that still needed some work. Roku’s blog posting on the milestone itemizes a variety of improvements to a core streaming service (HLS) and Netflix, such as speed and a/v sync. However, the biggest change is international support. Whereas Roku 2 XS boxes acquired via Amazon’s UK or Ireland outposts have been running 4.3 since launch, boxes acquired in the US (but used overseas) have been unable to access regionally restricted channels such as the BBC’s iPlayer without asking Roku for a manual firmware update. So the broad 4.3 rollout should put that particular issue to rest. However, I hear 4.6 is already in testing… and furthers international support.

Another Roku Hits The FCC

Another Roku 2 HD has hit the FCC. Although it was first discovered this week, the docs were published last month and originally submitted back in January. Given the existing Roku 2 HD ($60) is out of  stock, a minor refresh isn’t entirely out of the question. Although, the new HD (model 2500) seems more akin to the LT (model 2400) than the HD (model 3000). The most obvious visible changes are a return to three distinct composite inputs – something folks are more familiar than the single 3.5mm adapter they’ve been using lately. Further, the base of the new Roku 2 HD is purple. One potential cost saving measure includes doing away with the micrSD slot, which is used to store additional channels and game data, and I wouldn’t be surprised to learn they’ve similarly dropped Bluetooth, utilized by their gaming remote.

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