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Huawei MateBook X Pro review: A polished yet quirky laptop
Laptops are exercises in compromise, with companies sacrificing what they deem to be unnecessary features on the twin altars of portability and longevity. The decisions on what to keep and what to ditch will ultimately be how the hardware is judged in the real world. Huawei's fourth traditional laptop, the MateBook X Pro, manages to avoid most of the pitfalls around cramming decent hardware in a slender, good-looking body. In fact, it might even be good enough to make laptop buyers think twice about simply running back to the usual cluster of brands.
Popcorn Hour launches A-400 streamer for €289 with 'studio-quality' 3D video processing
If you're a streamer who shuns plastic disks and their ilk, but still wants 3D, there's good news: Syabas has announced the Popcorn Hour A-400 network media player. Thanks to a dual-core video processor, the box can mulch through 3D Blu-ray content (ripped, presumably), while also supporting studio-level features like detail enhancement and debanding. Like its A-300 predecessor, the streamer can dock a hard disk for content storage, and connects to your network via ethernet or optional WiFi. Other connections include an SD card reader, HDMI 1.4, eSATA and USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 (pending confirmation). On top of giving you access to your own content, the Syabas Apps Market brings YouTube, BBC's iPlayer, and 90 or so other free or premium channels. It'll hit stores in October with a €289 price tag, so if that sounds like your bag of popcorn, see the PR for more info.
VidaBox Media Servers add metadata support for XBMC, Popcorn Hour and others
We wouldn't expect for upper-crust aimed media server setups like the ones offered by VidaBox to play nicely with the common rabble, but apparently that's just what is going on. With the click of a check box, its "Drop-n-Rip" Blu-ray and DVD archiving now includes cover art and other metadata compatible with third party streamers including Popcorn Hour, HDI Dune, TViX, XBMC, Sage TV and others. This probably won't drop the cost of a custom installed setup by much, but if you have one and want to bring your own extender hardware (similar to its recent iPad support) into the mix, it should be a simple upgrade.
Popcorn Hour bulks up for the C-300, can juggle an extra hard-disk or Blu-ray drive (video)
Some people may not be willing just yet to leave the world of physical media. Those circumspect media consumers may be intrigued by the latest Popcorn Hour box. Looking more substantial than the recent A-300, the C-300 model includes a 2.5-inch color TFT display at the front and packs space for both a quick-removable 3.5-inch HDD and an internal 2.5-inch SATA drive. A Blu-ray drive can also be mounted to the removable HD rack and you can expect support for the same plethora of file types we've come to expect from the Popcorn Hour family. Network options have been expanded, with a new built-in aerial supporting an optional Mini MII PCI WiFi N card. Syabas is already offering up a full UI walkthrough at the source below and you can take a peak at the C-300's built-in app market in action right after the break.
Ask Engadget: best network media player / streamer?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Mark, who needs the stream, If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I'm tearing my hair out trying to find networked media players that meet my needs for under $200. I want to be able to stream Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant Video and play music from Slacker -- I'm not interested in Pandora. I'm struggling to find anything that works with Slacker. In addition, I want to be able to stream MP3's from a Windows 7 Ultimate machine on my network -- preferably wirelessly, but wired is possible. The killer though is that I have a large number of video files in MKV, MP4, M4V, WMV, AVI and DVD ISO. Any ideas? I got nothing from Aardvark before Google shuttered it." Listen up, streamers -- take a five minute break from whatever Netflix marathon you're on now and help a brother out, won't you?
Popcorn Hour A-300 ready to sit quietly and enjoy the movies, starting October 18th (video)
Syabas has released a torrent of details about its next media streamer. The forthcoming Popcorn Hour A-300 houses the latest Sigma 800MHz CPU and Real Media decoder support, plus USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet connections to ensure dizzying transfer speeds. Like its predecessor, the aluminum-encased streamer is entirely fanless, broadcasting your favorite content in stoic silence. The A300 will be available starting October 18th, direct from Syabas. You can prepare yourself by checking out the source link below for a plethora of detailed videos and screengrabs of the A-300's interface in action.
BBC expands iPlayer support on TiVo, Popcorn Hour and Freeview HD devices
The BBC has a few updates to share about its iPlayer service -- no, nothing yet about the international rollout that's due later this year -- as it has recently become available on even more devices. That includes living room connected entertainment options that support HTML and Flash like the Virgin Media TiVo, Popcorn Hour players from Syabas, and new HDTVs from Panasonic and Sony. Other areas of increased availability include users with BT Vision set-top boxes and Freeview HD users; the latter thanks to a recent spec update that supports the MHEG-5 standard the app is built upon. Now it operates just like other Red Button interactive TV services, and the first device shipping with support is a Freeview+ HD DVR from Sony (as seen above.) It doesn't look like the Where to Get BBC iPlayer page has been updated with all the new devices yet, but it should be sooner rather than later, although we're still wondering when the Xbox 360 will join the crowd.
Popcorn Hour C-200, A-200 updates add Networked Media Jukebox interface, apps store
Owners of the Popcorn Hour A-200 and C-200 media players can finally enjoy the long promised new Flash-based interface and app store now that updates are available for both. Check after the break for a trailer and introduction to the new interface, if you're already running them on your box pop in the comments and let us know how they're working. [Thanks, TJ & Jon]
Syabas Popbox surprises everyone, including Syabas, by going on sale today
We thought we had another week or so to get ready, but no, the Popbox is on sale already, with some preorderers reporting they got shipment notifications as early as yesterday. In case you've forgotten since CES, the $129 box takes the Popcorn Hour into a more general consumer friendly form with an all new interface and SDK, YouTube access, support for 100Mbps bitrate 1080p video and more -- just not the Netflix access (at least for now) we were originally promised. According to the official Twitter account -- also accessible with a new "Popapp" -- a quicker than expected route through customs is to thank/blame for the launch, but whatever, we're one step closer to the 2010 media streamer battle we've been waiting for. It's your move, Boxee Box. [Thanks, Jason] %Gallery-81577% %Gallery-97450%
Popbox updates: July 4th launch window, final word on content partners (Netflix) promised soon
The Popbox isn't the only media streamer to have suffered delays since its CES 2010 debut (Boxee Box) but it is nearing availability, and the official blog has been busy reassuring potential buyers it will be everything it can be. As of the most recent update, we should expect hardware to roll out July 4, but there's no word yet whether Netflix will actually be present among the content partners when it ships. ZatzNotFunny noticed weeks ago the movie rental shop's logos had disappeared from Popbox materials and the manufacturer has so far offered no specific reaction, only that it can't discuss the details of its interaction with "top video partners." A complete list of content providers is promised prior to any Amazon preorders shipping, but your guess is as good as ours as to when that will happen, so Watch Instantly fans should definitely continue to keep an eye out.
YouTube access returning to (some) Popcorn Hour boxes
Looks like Google and Syabas have worked out the issues that led to YouTube being pulled from Popcorn Hour media streamers last year, resulting in the site coming back to the A-200 and C-200 boxes and will be available on the Popbox at launch. It's limited to the hardware that are capable of running Flash, which Google notes as the key differentiation in their new TOS and will unfortunately keep out A-100/A-110s that could only handle an HTML version of the site. The YouTube app should show up right next to Revision3 and the others, go ahead and update those media streamer comparison charts we know you've been keeping handy.
Popbox prepares for launch with preorders, SDK
Despite a delay from an originally intended launch in March the Popbox media streamer and its streamlined-for-mass appeal spin on the Popcorn Hour series is almost upon us. Now the focus is on courting content partners by promising easy porting of current Adobe Flash applications to its new all-Flash platform and display "virtually any multimedia file" on the TV. That strategy has already brought some internet content to the family of devices, and with a newly released SDK (more info after the break) promising compatibility across existing C-200 and A-200 hardware we'll see if it induces others to join in. [Thanks, Mike]
Ask Engadget HD: Boxee Box vs A-200 NMT vs. Popbox, which media streamer to choose?
Three mini media streamer boxes are arriving in the early days of 2010, and only one will likely end up bringing video to your HDTV. Of the A-200 NMT, Popbox and Boxee Box, only the A-200 has actually reached the most early adopters yet, but we'll assume you've perused spec sheets and considered the possibilities carefully. Our friend Dilip's question is very, very simple: "With the A-200 already on sale, I'm not sure if I should pick it up, or wait for the Boxee or Popbox to ship later." So, as a discriminating buyer, what are you planning to do? Sticking with an existing media streamer setup or do you think any of the new hardware coming down the pipe will coax you into a purchase? Let us know about your early impressions of these products in the comments, and check out a video sneak peek of the new UI coming to the C-200 and A-200 embedded after the break. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Popcorn Hour casually announces the A-200 NMT for its most dedicated media streamer fans
Not satisfied by the new retail-friendly Popbox that just debuted at CES? Popcorn Hour has announced it is introducing the A-200 Networked Media tank, internally as powerful as the bigger C-200 but with the A-110's profile and lacking a Blu-ray drive port. Priced at $179, or with optional WiFi dongle for $20 more, preorders are to begin January 18 at 10 a.m. PST, it still has a slot for an internally mounted SATA HDD, and reported support for "simple" Blu-ray menu browsing. As far as other features, they've listened by including NTFS write support and also confirmed a new Flash Lite menu announced for the C-200 will arrive on this box, but unfortunately Netflix support on the Popbox doesn't appear to have worked its way into the A-200. Check for even more specs and pics after the break, for those PCH fans once again choosing between flexibility and all-in-one ease. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Syabas Popbox hands-on
The Popcorn Hour lineup had (and still has) a huge following, but it remains one of the most under-appreciated media streamers on the market from a mainstream perspective. We get the feeling that all of that's gearing up to change, with Syabas demonstrating its highly marketable Popbox here at CES. We were able to swing by and take a look at the product tonight, and we've got to confess -- it'd be a pretty stellar add to any home entertainment setup. The box was small, light and stylish enough, and the actual user interface was drop-dead simple to navigate. It hooks up with any networked media (the demo was playing back content from a NAS drive), and it even pulls down metadata from IMDB for films. We briefly watched a couple of 720p clips, and playback started instantly and the video quality was nothing short of fantastic. We've got a video in the works, but for now, feel free to have a glance at the gallery below. Update: Video is now live after the break! %Gallery-81577%
Popbox v1.0 hardware specs and content partners revealed
We'll have to wait until tomorrow to get our hands on the Popbox, son of Popcorn Hour C-200, but in the meantime we'll chew on this healthy list of specs and content providers to imagine what the future of media streamers has to offer. Netflix and 1080p have already been mentioned, but the lists reveal that even as a slimmed down and more affordable option than the box it replaces, it still has the file and codec compatibility fans have come to expect. We'll soon see if this combo of wide appeal online services like Twitter and MLB.tv, existing media streamer framework, a greatly improved UI (able to pull down IMDB info for appropriately tagged content) and Popapp Center -- openly courting developers to take advantage of the SDK since this box was codenamed DAVID -- is a winner. %Gallery-81416%
Popbox is Popcorn Hour evolved, with 1080p streaming and Netflix support
Love your Popcorn Hour? Ask creator Syabas Technology, and it's just a prelude to the real deal, which it's just announced as the Popbox. The evolution includes a revamped UI, "infoapps" showing weather and Twitter feeds whenever the viewer pauses, and expanded Popapps support to allow for Java, Flash, and Qt (why hello there, Netflix). Video processing now supports 100Mbps bitrate 1080p video. The box mockup is barebones and includes only the necessary inputs, and storage is relegated to SD cards and external USB drives. Price and release date? Electronista is saying it "should" be out in March to the tune of $129.
YouTube pulls a Hulu -- yanking API access from Popcorn Hour (Update: Google responds)
Hope you weren't enjoying watching YouTube on the television screen via Popcorn Hour and other set-top boxes, as they have been given notice by the newly 1080p and network TV-friendly website that they are no longer welcome to access its content. The new Hulu-ish Terms of Service (section II, item 10) restricts API clients from the ability to "use the YouTube API in connection with any API Client created for use on television set top boxes, television game consoles, or video screens packaged and marketed as television sets;" according to Popcorn Hour COO Alex Limberis this applies to all with the exception of "a few strategic partner's Google has singled out" -- PlayStation 3, Wii, TiVo, Panasonic, Samsung and other licensed hardware is safe. Update: After speaking with Alex we've got a better view of the situation -- as is clear from the TOS, manufacturers streaming directly via the API as Popcorn Hour did are no longer welcome without cutting a seven figure check to license access. Google did offer to allow continued access via its YouTube XL interface, but for devices like theirs not built around Flash, that possible solution proved to be technologically unfeasible. Obviously these changes apply to all, but as of yet we're not aware of anyone other than Popcorn Hour that has been contacted directly about it. Update v2: After the break is Google's response, stating Popcorn Hour and the like have been in violation of the above TOS for over a year, from its perspective, this is a simple matter of defending its rights from "video scraping technology." As we mentioned above that means most are in no danger of losing access, but fans of these media streamers will have to live without it, until either YouTube can control the experience or the manufacturer pays up.
Popcorn Hour C-200 hit with more shipping delays
While the first Popcorn Hour C-200 shipments have hit homes all over (including ours) subsequent deliveries have been slower to arrive, with the second batch finally due to ship right about now, with a delay until October 26th estimated for the next group due to a variety of reasons detailed on the official forums. Of course, we feel terrible for media streamer fans who don't have one yet (even though we have one) keeping a spot open for yet-to-arrive devices, refreshing email looking for a shipment confirmation and trawling forums for updates can be devastating. Unfortunately we can't relate (since we have one) but we'll be sure to get a full fledged review out in the intervening period to let you know just how wonderful things could be. [Thanks, G.R. Medina]
Popcorn Hour C-200 hands-on
Popcorn Hour's latest all-accessing all-playing media device has finally made its way into our hands, and while we haven't had nearly enough time to put the C-200 completely through its paces, we did spare a moment to take some pictures and play a movie or two. Other than using RF (no line of sight needed here) the remote is mostly unchanged from the earlier A-110, though we have had some issues with the box not responding to inputs, tightening the antenna seems to have made things better for now. Slipping a SATA hard drive in requires only the lightest tug on the drive bay door, it really couldn't be easier -- we'll have to see how a Blu-ray drive fits soon. With the exception of slight noise from the HDD we put in, the C-200 is nearly silent in operation, and home theater nuts will be glad to know that bright blue display up front can be dimmed all the way to off. An extra USB port front and back hasn't hurt usability either, though it would have been nice if it recognized a keyboard when we were setting up new RSS feeds. Thanks to DLNA support, Windows 7 Play To functionality worked sufficiently playing media, but we couldn't get the titles to display properly on the C-200 whether initiated from the PC or on the box itself. So far it's played everything we've thrown at it, from legitimately downloaded trailers to less MPAA-authorized material. Anything you want to see tested as part of our full review? Leave ideas in the comments while you check out the pictures. %Gallery-73937%
