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Plex brings its virtual reality movie app to Gear VR with Oculus (updated)
Earlier this year, Plex jumped into VR with a Google Daydream app that puts you and up to four of your buddies into a virtual movie screening room. Now the media server company is bringing Plex VR to another platforms: Gear VR with Oculus
Plex's plan to serve all media will soon include podcasts
After adding new features like live TV and DVR (with automated commercial removal), news and Android Auto support over the last year, Plex didn't seem to bring anything new during tonight's CES event. However, soon the streaming platform will add another new element as it tries to cover all media consumed across devices: podcasts. We spoke to co-founder Scott Olechowski, who explained that when it launches, users won't need a server, and as you'd expect with Plex, it will sync access across devices like desktop and mobile. "Where it makes sense" you can expect downloads for offline listening as well. What could come next, however, is the integration of podcasts with other media accessible on Plex, like TV shows and movies. For example, if you get deep into a new show, it could suggest the official podcast, a fan cast or even a related online video series. By working with content creators to add their shows directly to Plex, it could make its platform even more interesting. TechCrunch mentions that it's in the "early stages" of talks about licensing its software to companies that sell combo TV tuner/antennas, which could also extend its reach. Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.
Plex’s incubator launches a Winamp-inspired music player
Plex's comprehensive media server, complete with live TV and all-round entertainment playback, is a big draw for cord cutters. But, it seems the company is itching to unleash even more products. To that end, it just unveiled Plex Labs, a new incubator that promises to deliver internal passion projects and give shout-outs to work from its community (as long as it's not piracy related, of course). The incubator's first product is Plexamp: a desktop music player that crams tons of features into its tiny, Winamp-inspired, package. If you already use Plex for music, then you'll probably want to check out the free player, which works on macOS and Windows.
Plex says recent policy changes don't mean it's sharing your data
Last week, the makers of media player software Plex sent an email to users informing them of a privacy policy. In effect, the new terms would remove the ability to opt-out of the software's data collection. Predictably, there was some pushback over the weekend, with subscribers worried about two things: that Plex would sell their data and also be able to see into their media libraries. That's a big deal if you've got a ton of illegally-downloaded movies or music on your media drive. On Monday, however, the company's CEO promised that Plex would update its policies for better clarity and user privacy.
Plex turns any cloud folder into an instant media server
After a slightly rocky beta test, Plex's new cloud-based media server is now ready for public consumption. Rather than relying on a media server PC or a networked storage drive, Plex Cloud allows users to stream their own media libraries from Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive to any device with a decent internet connection and the Plex app.
Plex can pull media from Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive
Plex has added support for Google Drive, OneDrive and DropBox to its Plex Cloud service. The original idea with the service, which debuted in beta this September, was to void the need for a dedicated media server or network attached storage (NAS) drives. That way, assuming you have a decently fast internet connection, you can stream your movies or songs wherever you are via files that are parked securely in the cloud.
Plex Cloud lets you dump your home media server
Thanks to streaming, physical formats like CDs and Blu-rays aren't as popular than they once were. Some people choose to sign up for a monthly subscription like Netflix or Spotify, while others take the DIY approach. For many years, Plex has helped people build their own media collections and stream that content to (nearly) every connected device they own. However, it required either a computer or Network Attached Storage (NAS) to do so. Today, the company has opened a new avenue in its media streaming strategy with the launch of Plex Cloud. Gone is the need for the server in the cupboard, replaced with an Amazon Drive subscription and a Plex Pass.
Plex rewrites its media streaming app for Windows 10
Plex users on Windows have been stuck with an old Windows 8 app for awhile now, but that changes today. The media streaming server's desktop app has been completely rebuilt for Windows 10 as a Universal Windows app -- giving users the same Plex experience across tablet, desktop and mobile platforms. Well, almost the same experience: Plex says it's still working on the mobile release of the UWP app, but promises it will be along soon.
Plex on the web gets smarter with media searches
Plex's web interface just got much, much better at helping you find that favorite movie. The company has introduced a revamped dashboard for its media front end that's at once smarter and more organized. The search feature now finds everything across multiple categories as you type, and it's both considerably faster and more forgiving -- even if you don't know how to spell "Stellan Skarsgård," you'll probably spot both him and the movies he stars in. Navigation is easier, too, as you'll get the latest discovery features front and center, with better mouse and touch control as well as zoomable posters. Check it out now if you regularly venture beyond Plex's native apps when browsing your media collection.
Engadget giveaway: win a Nexus 6P courtesy of Younity!
Left a file on your desktop and you're already halfway across town? Want to share that movie, song or photo, but don't have a local copy or cloud backup? You can do all that easily -- and for free -- with Younity, a media server that connects all of your devices putting your digital stuff in reach. It creates private peer-to-peer streaming and file access, making it a great free alternative to services like Plex Premium. Younity can serve up media such as iTunes catalogs, Adobe Lightrooom libraries along with your regular files, so you'll always have your data available. Starting today, Android has joined Younity's roster of available platforms, which includes iOS, Mac and Windows. This week, the company has provided us with a Nexus 6P to celebrate the addition of Android and one lucky reader will get to stretch their legs in Younity's world of access on the handset. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning. Winner: Congratulations to Steve E. of West Lafayette, IN!
Plex streaming app now free on Xbox and PlayStation
Plex, the app that helps a large number of folks organize and stream their media collections, is now available for free on Xbox and Playstation consoles. Up until now, it was in the preview stages and required a $5 per month or $40 per year Plex Pass. Users without the pass will now get the basic version of the app on the Xbox One, Xbox 360, Playstation 4 and PS3. With a pass, you'll get extra features like premium music libraries, mobile sync and preview releases like the aforementioned console apps.
Engadget giveaway: Win a PS4 and two lifetime Plex Passes!
We're careening into the gifting season at full throttle and Plex is making things easier this year. You can now give the gift of Plex to friends and family with just a few clicks. Whether they've been clamoring for a Plex Pass or have yet to experience the clean interface for streaming media from their server (or a friend's), it's now easier than ever to share. Just head over to the company's gifting page and you can send wrapping-paper-free digital presents with Plex premium features — just in time for your holiday visit.
Plex's media-playing iOS app finally got an overhaul
Plex has overhauled its iOS app, which it's also calling the poster child "for new feature support", that includes Plex Home, music features like multi-disc support and mixes and music videos and secure connections. Because it's all new, you'll need iOS 8.1 or higher, but you've got that right? The app's free to download today, and will even double up as a remote for Plex on the big screen. You can also share content from your camera roll straight to any Plex player. To get full-fat functionality, you'll have to send some dollars through an in=app payment, but that's where most of the new stuff comes in.
Plex gives your media server a secure connection
You probably don't think of your personal media server as a target for hackers and spies, but Plex isn't taking any chances. The company has started handing out free SSL security certificates to everyone using a media server, giving you an encrypted connection while you're picking a movie to watch or simply signing in. The feature works across devices, too -- you'll get the same locked-down link whether you're on your phone or the web. Support is live now on Android, Plex Home Theater, Roku players, Windows and the web, and it should land shortly on game consoles, iOS and smart TVs.
Plex brings photos, music and video streaming to TiVo June 8th
After a number of leaks and hints, this week Plex and TiVo announced their products will start working together soon. Plex media server gives users a way to easily stream photos, music or video files to devices like Roku and Chromecast, and pulls content from local hard drive or the cloud all the same. Mixing up its abilities with TiVo gives people who like traditional TV and their own media libraries an easy way to enjoy both (on an unrelated note -- the HDHomeRun DVR Kickstarter added Plex support as its $250,000 stretch goal).
Kaleidescape revamps Cinema One movie player with easier setup in mind
Kaleidescape's Cinema One player has been many things to movie buffs, but "accessible" isn't one of them -- limited distribution and an emphasis on custom installs has kept it out of reach. The company is widening that scope with a redesigned Cinema One that's almost as easy to install as an off-the-shelf Blu-ray player. It's a tad more advanced than that, of course. The Cinema One integrates with most home automation systems, and it stores up to 100 Blu-ray quality movies (including Kaleidescape Store downloads). Viewers who need more storage can attach a second player or the older DV700 Disc Vault. The revamped Cinema One is still expensive at $3,995, but it's at least easier to buy than its predecessor -- Kaleidescape is selling the new media server as a walk-in purchase at Magnolia and other retail stores.
Plex app now available for Drobo's media-savvy 5N NAS
With its quad-core ARM processor, the Drobo 5N is capable of much more than just storing files, and you can now grab a Plex app to help it live up to that potential. Once installed, it'll turn the NAS into a full blown media server to distribute up to 16TB of protected media to any of your Plex- or DLNA-supported SmartTVs, handheld devices, Mac or PC computers, set top boxes and gaming consoles. Plex said that the Drobo, while not capable of performing real-time video transcoding, will be able to demux multiple video and audio streams and transcode multi-channel audio to stereo AAC in real-time. If you already shelled out $600 for one of the speedy boxes -- on top of the drives to populate it -- the free cost of the app is probably a relief. You can grab it from your Drobo Dashboard.
Drobo adds Copy cloud syncing and Plex media server apps for 5N owners
Drobo has long had an apps platform to extend the usefulness of its smart drive enclosures, but there's been limits to what it can do in the cloud and mobile spaces. The company is widening that support this week, and it's inaugurating the effort with a pair of apps for the Drobo 5N. For us, the real highlight is Plex support, which turns the 5N into a high-capacity, redundant media server that can boost its storage as the content library gets bigger. The more pragmatic among us will like Barracuda Networks' Copy, which offers unlimited file syncing and sharing that will seem familiar to Dropbox aficionados. Copy is already available for free, while Plex should also be gratis when it's ready in April -- the only real hurdle will be justifying $600-plus for a living room video hub. [Thanks, Jack]
Plex for iOS 3.1 brings a mobile media server, deep content filters
Plex just last month gave its Android app a big overhaul that turned it into a full-fledged media hub; it's now the iOS app's turn. A Plex for iOS 3.1 update adds the same Mobile Media Server that we saw earlier, letting an iDevice dish out both its photo albums and synced content to any other Plex client, whether it's a PC or a Roku box. It also introduces the extra-refined library filtering you see above, push notifications for social interactions and the rough version of a unified transcoder that can handle more recent codecs. There are many, many other tweaks and fixes under the hood -- suffice it to say that you'll want to swing by the App Store for an upgrade if Plex is a cornerstone of your home theater. Update: Having some issues with the new version? You're not alone, but Plex has already pushed out v3.1.1 on the App Store with few fixes.
Intel launches Media Server Reference Design to speed up set-top box creation
It's no secret that Intel wants more of a presence in the living room, even if it's sometimes less than welcome. The chip giant's new Media Server Reference Design might be key to getting that foot in at least a few doors. The kit combines both Atom CE5300-based hardware with software tools, the combination of which should fast-track media hubs and set-top boxes for those who don't want to start from scratch. It's more than just the expected media and TV engines; Intel also bundles in Hillcrest Labs' Freespace engine to simplify motion remote control. MSRD kits should be available in April, although it's likely to be months later before we learn whether or not home theater companies want to follow where Intel takes them.
