Boxee
Latest
Netflix and VUDU not hitting Boxee Box till January... as if you couldn't have guessed
According to a post that's just gone live on Boxee's blog, users of the Boxee Box won't see VUDU or Netflix content on their TVs until January. We know, the wait will be painful. According to the Boxee team, VUDU offerings should hit the platform as soon as next week, but Netflix won't be made available until the end of the month. The company claims that both services are up and running in its offices, but more time was needed to "test each application to make sure they are ready for launch." It's nice to know where we stand, though it would have been even nicer to get more frequent updates on the status of these apps, instead of a last-minute blog post on New Year's Eve. Still, the post has equal touches of hopefulness for the bright future Boxee sees for home entertainment, and acknowledgment of the massive challenges the startup faces in the coming year. In their words: "As we get ready for the New Year tomorrow and CES next week, it's clear that in 2011 we will be competing with companies that spend more feeding their employees that we have to pay ours. We're confident though that our small team will continue to push the envelop of what people expect from their TVs." Here at Engadget, we're eager to see how it all plays out, but we're definitely rooting for underdogs like Boxee who have pioneered so much of what the world is just waking up to. 2011 is going to be a crazy year!
KinEmote: Kinect gesture control for Boxee and XBMC media centers now available (video)
We've seen plenty of Kinect hacks over the last few weeks -- trouble is, beyond the initial wow factor they're just not very useful on a daily basis. That situation just changed, however, with the release of KinEmote, a free public beta that lets Windows users navigate XBMC and Boxee menus using nothing but hand gestures. Better yet, the software is built around OpenNI and NITE middleware from PrimeSense, the company behind the Project Natal reference gear. It certainly looks impressive in the video after the break. Good enough that we suspect many of you will hit up the source link below instead of finishing up your last minute holiday shopping -- hey, Santa can wait, this is progress!
Boxee Box owners can be thankful for their first firmware update
Just a couple of weeks after its debut, the Boxee Box is getting its first software update today. While it might not address all the concerns raised in our review, this edition does include fixes for notable issues like 1080i playback problems, WiFi connectivity and issues handling certain audio and video files. The Boxee Blog has the full (long) list of tweaks and additions, while CEO Avner Ronen promises the company plans to release screenshots and a list of usability/UI issues still to be addressed next week. Other upgrades before 2010 runs out of time should include the Netflix and VUDU apps, so when the question of "what are you thankful for?" comes up, just say "build #1.0.1.16319," which your Box should find automatically within 24 hours, though the impatient can prompt for an update manually.
Boxee Box review
It's a little strange that the Boxee Box by D-Link feels like a late entrant in this year's crowded smart TV market -- the core Boxee software has been around forever, and the Box itself was announced way back in January at CES. But a platform switch from NVIDIA's Tegra 2 chip to Intel's Atom-based CE4100 platform cost Boxee and D-Link valuable time, while the Boxee software went through a dramatic UI transformation from the beta to 1.0. What's more, Boxee's gone from being an upstart rock'n'roll rebel to a legit market player, with a Netflix deal on the books and -- wonder of wonders -- an agreement to bring Hulu Plus to the Boxee Box sometime next year. That's a lot of changes, and, quite frankly, a lot of hype -- Boxee's dedicated fans are expecting the small company and its asymmetrical Box to show up no less than Apple and Google. So have Boxee CEO Avner Ronen and company pulled it off? Is the Boxee Box the ultimate connected TV device? Or has a punk rock media revolution turned into just another polite New Wave streamer? Read on for the full Engadget review to find out!%Gallery-107418%
Boxee Box gets the requisite teardown; would you look at that heat sink!
Lest you forget, the Boxee Box is a capital C computer, just like Google TV. In fact, both products share nearly identical processors, with the Intel CE4110 in Boxee and the CE4150 in Google TV, each clocked at 1.2GHz. Turns out, much of the mass of the Boxee Box is used for the heat sink and fan that are cooling that sucker, as revealed in iFixit's timely teardown of the media powerhouse. Other things they found inside include 1GB of RAM, 1GB of flash memory, and a digital-to-analog audio converter to allow for 1080p video out of HDMI while still using legacy audio hardware. Sounds like some good stuff -- so, after years of hacking the Apple TV for Boxee use, who will be the first to repay Boxee the favor and get something else running on here?
Hulu's block on Boxee streaming affecting more than just Boxee Boxes
We know Boxee wanted its Box launch to have an impact, but we doubt this was the way the company intended. A great many of our readers are reporting this morning that their browser-based streaming attempts from Hulu have been greeted with an error message telling them that they're trying to access the service "from Boxee." Needless to say, these Windows 7 and Mac OS X users are not amused and we suspect Hulu will have only a short time to sort out its blocking algorithms before a full-on frenzy of discontented geeks engulfs its forums. Reported browsers to have fallen afoul of this unplanned ban include Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari, leaving us to wonder whether anyone is able to stream content from Hulu right now. Have you had any luck? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Update: One of our tipsters has now seen his streaming uncorked again, so maybe Hulu has sorted out its booboo. Thanks, Chris!
Boxee Box remote gets dedicated Netflix button
When technology company executives want to show their dedication to an idea, some get a tattoo. Boxee's Avner Ronen, apparently, puts a giant button on his media center's otherwise minimalist remote control. The image above may well be 'shopped, but the man's dead serious about the final result -- not only is Netflix coming to the Boxee Box, we've confirmed it will be front and center on future remote controls. Hit up our full Boxee liveblog to find out what else we learned!
Netflix and Hulu Plus coming to the Boxee Box
Some big news out of the Boxee Box launch event just now: Netflix and Hulu Plus are both coming to the asymmetric streamer. There's no timeline on Hulu Plus -- Boxee told us talks have just begun -- but Netflix should be live by the year, and that's a major requirement if Boxee is going to be competitive with the various other connected TV devices on the market. It's also nice to see the Boxee / Hulu relationship finally thaw out, but we'd guess there's no chance regular Hulu will work in the Boxee browser now, and we'd bet the rest of the networks block it just like Google TV as well. That's okay, though -- adding Netflix and Hulu Plus to the Box's insane codec list, Webkit browser with Flash support, and Vudu integration should still make it pretty easy to get anything you want on your TV. Now if only we could get our hands on a review unit.
Live from the Boxee Box launch event!
Sure, the Boxee Box has been teasing us since CES, but it's finally here, new Intel-based chipset and all. We're live at the huge launch party, and Boxee CEO Avner Ronen and crew always have a few surprises in store, so join us after the break for the full blow-by-blow!
NHL GameCenter streaming coming to Roku, PS3
In addition to an updated app for Boxee, the NHL just announced its GameCenter streaming app is coming to the PlayStation 3 and Roku players. Free to PlayStation Plus members ($9.99 for all others, free on Roku) gamers get access to the app with its highlights, stats and information, while subscribers to the $169 GameCenter Live service get the full package including streaming out-of-market games and some playoff matchups. It's pretty similar to the MLB app that's also available on PS3, but similarly the lack of locally blacked out games makes it more of an alternate way to catch more sports than a cord-cutters best friend. Additional details are in the press release after the break, or check for the app under the video section of the PlayStation Network store.
D-Link's Boxee Box gets VUDU streaming rentals
We're just weeks away from the Boxee Box bringing its pan-dimensional shape to your home entertainment center, but still the surprises keep rolling. VUDU has announced that it too will be making an appearance on the thing, offering streaming downloadable rentals of big hits with some, like Avatar, having special features to boot. Viewers will have 1080p on tap along with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround and the pleasure of knowing that their $2 per rental is going straight into Walmart's pocket. Who doesn't love Walmart? Update: To be clear, VUDU will be available to users of the PC and Mac Boxee clients as well.
Boxee Box shipping November 10th in US and Canada
And with that, the long (long!) wait is (just) about over. Boxee just announced this morning that its long awaited Boxee Box (you know, the one built by D-Link) will be shipping out on November 10th for customers who have pre-ordered from Amazon in the United States and Best Buy or Future Shop in Canada. Furthermore, pre-orders taken in Australia / New Zealand and other nations across Europe will start heading out "shortly thereafter." For those looking to pick one up after the initial rush, it's expected to start splashing down in retail on November 17th. So, you in?
Apple TV jailbreak news: USB restore mode discovered
The Apple Press and Engadget bring us word that the Apple TV, when connected to iTunes via its mini USB port, pops up this "restore this device" dialog that will look very familiar to iPhone, iPod, and iPad users. This is another step forward for would-be Apple TV jailbreakers because it will give end users an easy way to inject custom firmwares onto their own devices without having to do any hardware modification. So, to summarize: we know it has ample on-board storage for some apps, we know how to decrypt its firmware keys, we've seen the Lowtide interface loaded onto an iPod touch, and we could have a working jailbreak "within days." All this for a device that's been in people's hands for less than 24 hours. It now remains to be seen what a planet's worth of keen hackers and developers can put together for us to play with. Personally, I'm hoping for a port of Boxee and an iPlayer client. What would be your dream Apple TV app?
Boxee Box on display at FCC, inside and out
We've already seen its remote go through the FCC, and now we've got the whole D-Link-produced Boxee Box kit and caboodle receiving the same treatment. There's an assortment of pictures both of its shiny exterior and circuit-laden interior (surprise, surprise, no Tegra 2 in sight). Additionally, we've got the full manual at our disposal. That one's fairly straightforward, no surprises that we can see. All the same, check it out in the gallery below. %Gallery-103226% %Gallery-103227%
CiragoTV platinum CMC3000 network multimedia center announced to join set top box masses
Not satisfied with the current rat pack of set top media players flooding the market like the Popbox, Boxee Box, AppleTV, or WD Elements Play? Then perhaps the CiragoTV platinum CMC3000 might tickle your fancy. Yes it lacks brand name recognition, but it's no slouch in the specs department and supports all manner of codecs, 1080p playback, UPnP networking, timeshift recording, and even includes a built-in NAS with a BitTorrent client. Connectivity wise, the box features an HDMi output, two USB ports for tacking on additional storage, and a media card reader that also takes MemorySticks for you die-hard Sony fans. Though it's sold in 500GB for $229, considering the 1TB sizes is only $249, we're not sure who'd balk at coughing up an additional $20 for double the storage. Remember that's twice the space for Voltron folks. For more details watch the PR video after the break.
Boxee Box ditches NVIDIA's Tegra 2 for Intel CE4100, pre-orders start today at $199
The wait for the Boxee Box is nearly over -- pre-orders begin today -- but before you drop a stack of change on D-Link's half-sunk cube, know that there's no longer an NVIDIA Tegra 2 under that tiny hood. At the last minute, Boxee switched to the Intel Atom CE4100, the same up-to-1.2GHz Sodaville chip powering Google TV. That's not all, as manufacturer D-Link told us our good friend Avner Ronen may not be able to keep his promise -- though the company still expects the Box to hit the streets at under $200, we're now looking at a $229 suggested retail price. What could possibly have happened to make these drastic changes? We visited Boxee in person to get an explanation, and you'll find the surprisingly simple (yet NVIDIA-damning) answer right after the break. Update: We just learned that Amazon will be selling it for $199, though the MSRP will remain $229. %Gallery-101976%
Boxee's new browser is built on Webkit and HTML5 ready
Expect to see some changes to Boxee when its $199 D-Link-built Box ships in November, as Lead Apps Developer / Community evangelist Rob Spectre tells NewTeeVee that among them will be a new Webkit based browser. The current Mozilla based browser is clearly useful for some quick & unblocked Hulu viewing, but still doesn't render many sites properly. According to Spectre, HTML5 "absolutely should be the future for the browsers you use on your TV," with competition from Google TV we can see why he'd say that, and it should be ready to stream video from even more sites that don't build Boxee apps. The desktop versions of the software will get the new browser in version 1.0 after the Boxee Box is released, so make sure your comparison charts are appropriately updated.
First generation Apple TV owners: checkout aTV Flash
Like many first generation Apple TV owners, I was sad to see that we were being left behind with the advent of the new Apple TV. That said, I have no plans to get rid of my original Apple TV. In fact, Apple's decision spurred me to take action I have been thinking about for a long time: installing aTV Flash. aTV Flash is a set of programs that add features to your Apple TV. It adds SSH/FTP access, allows you to use an external hard drive for additional storage, adds Boxee support, and much more. One of the big additions is the ability to watch AVI, MP4, MOV, WMV, and DVD (VIDEO_TS) files. You can even install Firefox and use the AppleTV as a web browser. I've actually owned the aTV Flash software for over a year but had never gotten around to using it, because after each Apple TV update I'd have to wait for the software to be updated again. aTV Flash updates come out fairly regularly, but it was just the hassle of the process that made me averse to doing it. Now that Apple has declared the product to be essentially End Of Life, I figured there was no better time to start. Installing aTV Flash couldn't be any simpler. You simply download the installer (available for Mac or Windows), and it installs the aTV Flash software onto a USB flash drive. Unplug your Apple TV, plug in the aTV Flash formatted flash drive, reboot the Apple TV, and wait for it to finish. The whole process took only a few minutes. After being updated, the Apple TV interface looks mostly the same, except there are some new menu options to choose from. The aTV Flash software sells for $50 and includes a year of updates. They are planning to keep developing additional features for the first generation Apple TV units, including Last.fm support. When I first looked into this about a year ago, there were apparently ways to do much of what aTV Flash offers by yourself if you had the time and inclination to find the instructions on a variety of websites. Personally I found it well worth it to pay for an easy way, but if you are looking to save some money, you might take a look via Google to see what's available; it may have gotten easier since I last checked.
Boxee Box priced at $199, Avner Ronen says it'll give users 'freedom to watch what you want'
Well, what's this? Our homey Avner Ronen from Boxee just posted up a little response to Apple's $99 next-gen Apple TV announcement, and he's letting it slip that the much-anticipated Boxee Box will be $100 more than Apple's device, or $199. Avner says Boxee has a "different view of what people want in their living rooms," and that while his device might be more expensive, it'll let you watch anything you can watch on your computer on your TV in 1080p -- the ATV is still limited to 720p. We certainly know a lot of passionate Boxee fans who agree -- now all Avner's got to do is ship the damn thing and let this play out in the actual market. P.S.- Yes, we will cover almost anything that includes a YouTube embed of "Rudie Can't Fail." Well played, Mr. Ronen. Well played indeed.
Boxee Box QWERTY remote hits the FCC, its innards splayed asunder
It's been a long, long time since we first got our hands on the Boxee Box QWERTY remote. Since then the device went through something of an existential crisis before suffering a sad delay. Now we have some encouraging news for its planned November release date: the QWERTY remote has hit the FCC. Called simply the "Remote controller" (model numbers DSM-221, DSM-22), it looks to have passed with flying colors, the FCC celebrating by ripping it to bits and photographing every piece of exposed silicon. Want to see the cruel results? We have a taste after the break, but for the rest of the grisly photos you'll have to hit that source link.
