The Traveling Internet

Looking for free or cheap Wi-Fi while traveling? Thankfully there are a number of ways to get it now. And while cheap wireless Internet isn’t available everywhere, it is easier than ever to plan ahead for your connectivity needs. Let’s start with airports. Several airports offer free Wi-Fi some or all of the time. (Just … Read more

Original Vudu Owners Not Forgotten, Get Updated

Well, this is unexpected. When Vudu dramatically shifted course to de-emphasize their own hardware in favor of a licenseable software platform, I figured their original set-top would wither and die. As it turns out, the companies did right by their customers and have ported the newer appilicious Vudu experience in its entirety to the early … Read more

PS3 Drops The Netflix Disc, Gains 1080P & 5.1 Audio

Starting tomorrow, PS3 owners slightly inconvenienced by running Netflix instant streaming off disc will be treated to a native app on Sony’s more-than-gaming platform. And it’s not just any ole’ Netflix app, as this will be the first to feature (up to) 1080p video content and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. Score! Even if you don’t … Read more

A Brief Glimpse Into A Non-Neutral Network Future

Thanks to Hulu, an obvious studio pawn acting on Fox’s direction, we got a brief glimpse into what a non-neutral network future might look like. As you’ve probably read (or possibly experienced) Cablevision and Fox-parent News Corp are renegotiating retransmission terms. And, as Mari suggested last week, these battles have gotten nasty. With the current dust … Read more

Major TomTom iPhone App Update Released

TomTom has released a fairly major update to their iPhone GPS app, with the headliners being higher resolution imagery for iPhone 4 owners and updated maps for all. And, in the novelty category, TomTom has introduced a navigate-to-photo feature. Not sure we’ll ever need or use that, but we are glad to see smoother, more … Read more

Android VPlayer Supports Xvid, FLV, MKV, WMV

There was a time… just a few short months ago, when it was incredibly difficult to find a media player for Google Android which could handle video formats such as DivX, Xvid, MKV, WMV, FLV and RMVB. Basically the default Android video player could handle H.264 and MP4 files, as well as any other formats … Read more

FCC Orders CableCARD Reform

As expected, the FCC met yesterday and ordered some short-term CableCARD adjustments in the name of reform. But, while I’m glad to see these issues in the forefront, I’m doubtful this moves the needle in any significant way. We’re still left with flakey SDV tuning adapters, a generation of hobbled S-Card HDTVs, and non-“cable” television providers, … Read more

Further Delays for the Boxee Box? (No.)

It’s been a long road to dedicated hardware for Boxee fans. Announced in 2009, the (first) Boxee Box was expected to hit earlier this year… but was later delayed until November. Things appeared on track when Amazon began accepting pre-orders ($200) in September. However, those folks are receiving email notices stating: We’re still trying to … Read more