CNET’s Sony SMP-N200 Streamer Review

There’s been a decent amount of interest in Sony’s new SMP-N200 digital media streamer – at least amongst those in the know as we’ve yet to see much marketing. Like many other players in this space, such as the recently revised WDTV Live and Apple TV, Sony’s latest iteration clocks in at the $100 price … Read more

Quad Tuning TiVo Premiere Elite Now Available

Click to enlarge. While TiVo, Inc hasn’t yet had much to say regarding availability of their new quad tuning TiVo Premiere Elite DVR, reseller WeaKnees just put a stake in the ground for October 10. While shipping dates on their web page have fluctuated these last few weeks, given the email blast above that indicates units are … Read more

Western Digital Refreshes WDTV Live Hardware

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Western Digital has refreshed their WDTV Live line today and the new 1080p streamer ($100) features two notable upgrades over its WDTV Live Plus predecessor. First, WD has integrated 802.11n wireless capabilities – finally putting that competitive disadvantage to bed. Second, it inherits the richer UI as found on its big brother – the 1TB WDTV Live Hub (~$200). This iteration of the WDTV Live is bundled with the Hub’s somewhat larger remote that includes a numeric keypad. It’s not the most attractive thing, but it gets the job done on anything other than text entry and is certainly more practical than the minimalistic AppleTV remote. Also, on the hardware front, the new unit follows the industry trend of dropping component output. Regardless, the WDTV Live comes better equipped in the connectivity department than aTV or the Roku 2. The WDTV Live shares the same footprint as the prior generation model but it’s shorter and sleeker with enough heft that your HDMI cable won’t pull it off the TV stand (as it might a diminutive Roku 2).

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Playing with the Funnest Apple Products

If you’re a tech blogger, you write about Apple. And if you’re a tech blogger today, you write about Steve Jobs. Unfortunately, I have nothing witty, insightful or inspired to say that hasn’t already been said. So instead, here’s a quick collection of posts over the years cataloging ZNF’s excitement over Apple products. Not that … Read more

Microsoft TV is About Cable Testing IP

Microsoft formally announced partners for its latest Xbox TV initiative today. In addition to Comcast and Verizon FiOS (two partners that were leaked last week), Xbox owners will be able to access content in varying degrees from Bravo, HBO Go and Syfy in the US, along with BBC in the UK, Telefonica in Spain, Rogers … Read more

4G and the Whispernet Model

We’re still in the early days of 4G deployments and adoption, and while I’m loving LTE access on my HTC Thunderbolt, the real impact of next-gen mobile broadband won’t be felt for another year or two. When it does hit, we’re likely to see a lot of changes in how mobile devices and applications are … Read more

Unloading Your Old iPhone For Cash

Click to enlarge. Thinking of unloading a prior generation iPhone, like me, ahead of the new iPhone 5? In the past I’ve turned to ebay and craigslist to recycle gadgets (for cash), but it’s become a hassle and I’ve been burned too many times (on ebay/PayPal). Leading me to an ebay consignment shop… until they … Read more

Smart TVs Hot this Holiday – Impact Overrated?

A different day, a different story. Experts are now predicting that connected TVs will be hot this holiday season. Jonathan Weitz, a partner at IBB Consulting says that consumers will buy up smart TVs this winter and beyond, and Parks Associates expects more than a tenth of broadband households to purchase a connected TV in … Read more