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iGUGU InterneTV media streamer now shipping
If you're into iGUGU's vision of the future of internet video on TVs, you'll be pleased to know that the simply-named InterneTV device is now shipping. With a $99 pricetag on the basic model ($129 for midrange, $249 for wireless) we found at CES it does what it claims to do, no matter how awkwardly, streaming video via a connected PC. Of course, other than that funky remote control, we're not sure how it's a better option than Orb, while PlayOn does a similar job with the hardware you probably already own, important things to consider before clicking that buy button.
iGUGU InterneTV works as promised in its strange little niche (hands-on)
The first time we laid eyes on iGUGU's InterneTV marketing materials, we sensed something was strange in the neighborhood. After seeing the unique product in action though, we've decided to give it a bit more credit. Unlike most internet TV solutions that rely on set-top boxes to stream content, iGUGU's product attempts to make connecting an existing computer to a TV easier using software, a wireless or wired TV connector, and a special QWERTY keyboard remote. The software then provides a not-so-pretty TV interface for browsing through any type of content a computer could normally access online. True to its word, we watched the system play videos on ABC.com and other blocked sites devices like a Roku box or AppleTV can't access. The application also allows users to play local content stored on the computer and aggregates content in pre-populated "channels" like local news, movies, and TV shows. That's all gravy, but we're not sure its worth $99 considering it still requires a computer to work. For more shots of the UI and included components browse through the gallery below. %Gallery-113946%
iGUGU InterneTV streams your YouTubes and your Hulus to the TV set
iGUGU, the company behind Gamecore (and the company with a name that even a neonate can say) will be demonstrating its InterneTV product at CES this week. The PC-based solution allows users to watch and share any content on their HDTV, projector or monitor, via wireless USB. It also comes packed with an RF remote and seems simple enough that even the stock photo "hippie" above can figure it out! We'll let you know what we think when we get our hands on the device itself, but until that happens you'll have to make do with the PR. Luckily, it's after the break.
Hands-on: iGUGU Gamecore, 'the most powerful TV videogame console'
iCLICKCLICK to enlarge The non-existent Ergos Magazine says it has "1000s of free online games." The not-a-real-site Arknet Gaming writes, curiously in the past tense, that it "... Unleashed the real power of your PC videogames." The not-in-Google Hardzone Online Reviews confusingly calls it "... the broken link between PC and TV." Lastly, the generic (and unknown to this writer) Gamers Magazine says truthfully, that it has "Better graphics than Xbox and PlayStation 3." Of course, all of these prestigious (and not real) outlets are talking about the same groundbreaking product: the iGUGU Gamecore or, as you may better know it, "the most powerful TV videogame console." After being blown away by the announcement video (mostly from the hot air) we simply had to stop by iGUGU's booth at CES and experience this revolutionary technology for ourselves. You can imagine our delight hearing the same hyperbole mumbled by the booth's announcer (who, conspicuously, had his back to the crowd the entire time) and seeing it in the form of the above quotes on the product's box. %Gallery-82526%
iGUGU Gamecore hands-on
Alright, we got a chance to check out iGUGU's Gamecore setup, and we're simultaneously impressed and disappointed. The fact that for $80 you can get all the hardware necessary to beam your PC video to your TV wirelessly and control games with a full QWERTY wireless controller is just plain great. We also love the form factor of the controller, since it's basically a clone of the Xbox 360 controller -- a little shameless, but our hands and fingers don't seem to mind. Unfortunately, the drawbacks are many. First and foremost, iGUGU's software is pretty abysmal, and for all its seeming attempts at simplifying access to games and media in a "TV friendly" manner, it only serves to complicate such actions. The second problem is that we're just not sure a trackball could really serve to satiate the desire of most PC games for a mouse control. We tried out a FPS and would've much preferred a joystick nub for aiming the camera, and while there's an accelerometer built into the controller, it felt overly sensitive in the racing game we tested -- and has rarely been proven to be much beyond a gimmick in the console world outside of very specifically targeted software. That said, the Xbox-style triggers and shoulder buttons are great, and the QWERTY keyboard is uncomfortably cheap but very usable. Perhaps for lower-impact games that don't involve the precision of a shooter or a racer we could see this working, but we're unconvinced we'd really enjoy the majority of the "27,000 available PC games" at this thing's disposal. Check out a video of it in action after the break. %Gallery-81763%
iGUGU Gamecore takes PC gaming to the TV with complicated, accelerometer-packing wireless controller
We've seen plenty of methods for emulating PC input schemes from a couch, but nothing's really beaten the tried and true "put a board across your lap" method. We're not sure the new iGUGU Gamecore has a leg up on the competition, but you can't fault it for trying. The system is actually a three-fold approach to the problem: there's a 50 foot VGA cable or wireless USB method for beaming your PC video to the TV and some TV-friendly software for managing your games library, but the obvious centerpiece is the monstrous wireless controller (pictured). Bearing a slight resemblance to an Xbox 360 controller and retailing for $80, the beast packs in a trackball, d-pad, joystick, full QWERTY keyboard and six accelerometers for making a mess of just about any PC game imaginable. Seems interesting, and we'll try to give it a look here at CES, but the completely ridiculous promo video (embedded after the break) makes us think twice about taking these folks seriously.
iGUGU Gamecore puts PC games on your TV!
We're old, angry men now, so it's hard for us not to mock new stuff with only the slightest provocation, but we're going to try to give the iGUGU Gamecore a fair shake. So, for $79.99 you'll get a controller with a trackball and keyboard on it that's been specially designed to play your PC games from the couch. The second part of the system is that it allows you to put your PC games on your TV, but the exact methodology for doing that (and the associated cost) is unclear, since the "Accessories" part of the company's website is broken. The Gamecore will be shown off during CES this week, so hopefully we'll have a little more information soon. Okay, that's the objective take. Now, follow us after the break and check out the most astonishingly terrible, misleading promotional video in recorded history.
