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Monday, July 09, 2012

Apple TV? Nexus Q? Boxee? Here's The Ultimate Guide To Picking A Smart TV Box

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/best-tv-boxes-2012-7

google nexus Q

You now have a ton of choices to watch streaming content from the web on your big screen TV.

There are almost a dozen set top boxes like the apple TV out there, and several more so-called "Smart TVs" with streaming services built in.

Before you make a decision try to decide which features you care about the most, how much you are willing to spend and if you want to completely cut out cable, or complement your current cable subscription.

Here are the biggest contenders:

Best Box If You Don't Have An HD TV: Roku LT

The Roku LT box works with virtually any TV. This is particularly important for users who don't have a HDTV.

Enjoy features such as 500+ entertainment channels (Netflix, HBO Go, Hulu, Amazon Prime, NBA, MLB, and more) including hundreds of free movies, and wireless connectivity.

Best Box To Watch Your Own Content: PS3

It's ridiculously simple to plug an external hard drive into the PS3 and watch your own content. PS3 sports an easy to use file management system that lets you see all your content and play it with the click of a button.

If you're a downloader and want to take your videos to the next level then the PS3 is for you.

Runner up: Boxee Box also lets you watch your own stuff from an external hard drive or SD card. You can do the same with the Xbox 360 does.

The Box With The Most Apps: Google TV

You can think of Google TV more like an operating system instead of an actual device. Google TV is built into actual TVs like this LG TV set.

Google TV is also baked into the new Vizio Co-Star. The Co-Star not only gives you access to apps through Google's Play store you can browse the web in full screen.

The benefit of Google's Play store is the ability to access thousands of apps, games, music streaming services, and more.

Being able to access a full-fledged app store clearly gives the Co-Star a win in this category.

Sony also makes a Google TV powered box that lets you access apps and search everything, even live TV.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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Microsoft Will Begin Selling Massive 82-Inch Tablets Running Windows 8 (MSFT)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/perceptive-pixel-windows-8-tablet-2012-7

windows 8 perceptive pixel large tablet

As part of its purchase of Perceptive Pixel today, Microsoft will start selling giant tablets running Windows 8.

This is the same 82-inch tablet Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was said to have hanging in his office. Now Microsoft will start selling those tablets, powered by Windows 8 of course, to business and education customers to use for presentations.

During a demo at Microsoft's keynote at its Worldwide Partners Conference in Toronto this morning, we saw a demo of the massive tablet from PPI's CEO. The 82-inch tablet is capable of thousands of multitouch inputs. You can also use multiple styluses on the tablet at the same time.

No word on cost or release date, however. Before the acquisition, PPI sold its 82-inch tablets for about $80,000. Steve Ballmer said Microsoft is working on making the Windows 8-powered devices more affordable for businesses.

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HP's Ivy Bridge-Equipped Envy 23 Offers Premium Style With at a Smaller Price [PCs]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5924337/hps-ivy-bridge+equipped-envy-23-offers-premium-style-with-at-a-smaller-price

Following the release of HP's Omni 27 all-in-one PC last year, a solid, if not exactly jaw-dropping offering, the company is back with the Envy 23, which carries the same design DNA and much of the same functionality, only with Ivy Bridge processors and a smaller screen.

The entertainment-geared PC comes with a 23-inch, 1920x1080 display with edge-to-edge glass, Ivy Bridge CPUs, up to 2 terabytes of storage, Beats audio enhancement, and the option of a HDMI-in, TV tuner and Blu-ray drive. Meant to compete with the likes of the Apple iMac and Dell XPS One 27, th consumer-targeted Envy 23 offers up further proof that all-in-ones are becoming the de facto standard for desktop PCs (as far as average users go). And the Envy 23 definitely has a quality look and feel to it that doesn't scream "CHEAP PIECE OF SHIT" when you look at it. If that isn't enough, then the $950 starting price tag might turn a few heads when it hits stores on August 5. [HP]

Sunday, July 08, 2012

PSA: Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ up for sale again at Google Play store (update: now shipping in '1-2 weeks')

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/07/psa-galaxy-nexus-hspa-up-for-sale-again-at-google-play-store/

And just like that it's back. Following a yesterday's temporary stay of the ban on Google's HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus by Judge Koh, the soon-to-be Jelly Bean-loaded device is again up for sale at the Play store -- and a bit earlier than expected. If you'll recall, Google notes that Android 4.1 apparently mitigates the issues brought up within the dispute by Apple, which has until July 12th to issue a response on the matter. Orders are slated to ship in ~~"two to three weeks,"~~ (see update below) so we'd suggest you grab one quick while it's fresh and tasty to ensure your taste buds get the latest Android sugar fix.

Update: Well that was quick. Just a few hours after going up for sale, the shipping estimate has been reduced from ''two to three weeks'' to ''one to two weeks.'' It's so close you can almost taste it.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

PSA: Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ up for sale again at Google Play store (update: now shipping in '1-2 weeks') originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 15:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feed! s.

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Foxconn fanless nano PCs get priced, dated and tweaked

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/07/foxconn-nano-pcs-get-priced-dated-and-tweaked/

Remember those Foxconn built nano PCs that surfaced back in May? The giant manufacturer recently made them official, detailing a few unexpected tweaks in a Russian language press release. Now decked out in a sleek black finish, the nettops will sport the same I/O, but one image courtesy of FanlessTech hints that DVI might be thrown into the mix despite lacking a mention in the official press release. The AT-5250 model won't be walking the Cedar Trail with an Atom D2700 as originally planned -- instead, its sights are set on a 1.86 GHz D2550. On the other hand, the AT-5600 will pack a Radeon HD 6320 alongside the anticipated AMD E450 APU. Surpassing their presumed sub-$200 price tag, they're set to ring up at $260 and $280, respectively, when they launch this September. Journey past the break for the translated press release.

Continue reading Foxconn fanless nano PCs get priced, dated and tweaked

Foxconn fanless nano PCs get priced, dated and tweaked originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 18:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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