Sony brings HD movies to PSN: TechVi Now
Sony has managed a deal to get HD movies from all the major studios for their Sony PlayStation Network. Also, Twitter launches a new service to protect its users. Find out more on TechVi Now.
Apple beefs up HD movie offerings
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Apple has added hundreds of HD movies to the iTunes store. New and classic movies can be purchased in HD including Star Trek and Wall-E.
Roku updates line of video players
Roku, most noted for its original "Netflix player," has announced a new lineup of boxes for connecting TVs to Netflix, Amazon Unbox and MLB.com video. Among them, the high end $129 Roku HD-XR, which features HDMI connectivity, along with optical audio out, 802.11n WiFi, Ethernet, and an unused USB port which the company coyly mentions will be used in the future. The mid-range $99 Roku HD player is the company's previously named "Netflix Player," which has all the same connections as the XR, but comes sans USB port and only has 802.11b/g WiFi.
Lastly, the Roku SD player is a $79 player which rocks composite video out, B/G WiFi and Ethernet.
The company says its planning to unveil an application store which will allow more content to be added to the device in the coming weeks, which makes the units more appealing , though we don't know all the partners Roku has signed nor how easy it'll be to add channels to the unit.
We were lucky enough to have Roku send us an HD-XR unit which we've been testing for about a week. Read on for our experiences.
Microsoft backtracks CEO’s comment on Blu-ray for 360
In a recent interview with Gizmodo, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said "you'll be able to get Blu-ray drives as accessories" while discussing the Xbox 360. Blu-ray on 360 looked like a slam dunk, but now Microsoft's PR people are trying to retract the statement, insisting that Ballmer was referring instead to Blu-ray accessories for the PC. Microsoft emphasized their focus for 1080p HD movies on the 360 continues to be instant-on streaming service.
Samsung shows off new mobile chips
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Samsung has unveiled a new set of chips for the mobile market with some impressive stats. The first is a 1ghz ARM processor which pairs with a 1Gb ram solution built for running 3d graphics with minimal power usage. The second is a 5mega-pixel system on a chip camera which can shot HD video. We should start seeing some of these technologies by Q1 next year.
Pentax announces new DSLR, the K-x
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Pentax has introduced the K-x, a new camera they intend for the entry-level DSLR market. Highlights include 12.4-megapixel resolution that can be shot at 4.7 frames per second, as well as 720p HD video recording at 24 frames per second. It hits shelves in October starting at $650, and will be available in four different colors.
Netgear releases Internet-connected set-top box
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Netgear, known for its computer networking products, has thrown its hat in the set-top box ring. Its offering, the Digital Entertainer Live, streams video directly from a number of web sites such as YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix via PlayOn. The unit will also play HD video and music, and display photos, from a PC, network attached storage, or USB drive, and is available now for $149.
Mitsubishi and VUDU team up for in-TV video streaming
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Mitsubishi is now shipping Diamond Unisen HDTVs with VUDU built in. Traditionally sold as a standalone set-top box, VUDU offers streaming movies over the Internet in standard definition and HD. Including the technology directly inside the TV promises to make the experience simpler for the consumer. The partnership follows a similar arrangement with LG.
Microsoft nixes Zunes except HD, does anyone care?
So it turns out with the impending ZuneHD upgrade, Microsoft won't be manufacturing older Zunes, which isn't that surprising given their lukewarm success in the past. That being said, their fanbase was rabid, but will anyone miss them now that they're disappearing? We ask Jonathan Fingas from Electronista.
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Microsoft nixes previous players with Zune HD release
According to the SuperSite for Windows, all current Zune models have been discontinued in preparation for the September 15th release of Microsoft's Zune HD. The 15GB and 32GB models are available for preorder but waiting until the release date will give you more color choices and customizable options.