playdirect
Latest
Libratone's $500 Loop speaker wraps AirPlay, PlayDirect and DLNA in wool
Don't quite have the funds -- or room -- for the circular B&O Play A9 speaker ($2,700)? Libratone's new AirPlay and DLNA-equipped Loop might catch your eye. The $500 satellite dish-like rig packs two ribbon tweeters and a bass radiator, which together pump out enough volume for moderately sized rooms. While the Loop is tiny enough to sit on a nightstand, it also comes with a detachable wall mount. You can even connect devices to it via ad-hoc WiFi if you're away from an actual network, thanks to PlayDirect -- just like the Zipp. As with all Libratone speakers, the unit's sound characteristics are adjustable via a free app (Android and iOS) and the swappable wool speaker grille comes in a variety of colors ($50 each). The Loop is up for pre-order now in "Pepper Black, "Salty Grey" and "Raspberry Red" if you're interested enough to bring it full circle. It'll hit doorsteps and retailers by the end of the month.
PlayOn opens up PlayDirect API, says make your own channel
As more native apps for things like Hulu Plus on Xbox 360 and Netflix on Android appear you might think that would cause a problem for PlayOn, which has made its business in converting streams for the unsupported. Luckily, it's continued to add supported content and the latest move is opening up its PlayDirect API and letting others create channels for the app. Anyone should be able to create a channel now simply by plopping in the URL of the video they want to watch, and it plans to open up a Roku-style channel store soon for subscribers to review and add others channels. All the info you need to make one is on the developer guide, hit the source link to add that one site you've always been missing if you're a PlayOn subscriber.
