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Roku's new media player will cost you just $25 on Black Friday
Roku may have poured a lot of energy into its spiffy new 4K player, but it's not forgetting the budget crowd. The company has unveiled the Roku SE, a TV streaming box aimed at those who only want the basics. It's not that much different than the Roku 1 aside from shipping with OS 7 from the start, and it supports the same 1080p playback, video output (HDMI and analog) and media casting features. No Ethernet or sophisticated remote here, folks. However, you might not mind any omissions when you see the price. The SE will officially sell for the same $50 as the Roku 1, but it'll be available for just $25 on Black Friday, November 27th -- that's less than a Chromecast. If you're determined to put Netflix on that old TV in the basement, this may be the cheapest way to do it.
Comcast puts more internet video on your X1 cable box
You probably don't think of your cable box as a place to watch online video, but Comcast is determined to provide more reasons to stream from your set-top: it just brought over 30 new internet video sources to the X1. Virtually all of the content comes from big-name TV networks like ABC, BBC America, Discovery and (of course) NBC. Their offerings initially focus on news and sports, but they'll eventually include more extras and "complimentary" productions. This shouldn't be a mere rehash of what's already on your DVR, in other words. No, this won't persuade you to keep cable if you were already thinking of cutting the cord. However, it might serve as a nice complement to the TV you're already watching -- you can stream that behind-the-scenes bonus clip while remaining planted on the couch.
TiVo exec explains Bolt strategy, Fire TV app and new Pro next year
When the TiVo Bolt was unveiled earlier this week, most of the questions (that weren't about its odd shape) came from long-time enthusiasts wondering why it doesn't cater to them? Many aren't willing to downgrade from a Roamio Pro's 6 tuners and 3TB storage just to add 4K and commercial skipping. Dave Zatz points out that today TiVo Chief Marketing Officer Ira Bahr has faced the company's most dedicated fans in a thread on TiVo Community, and says not to worry. According to Bahr, "we already have a roadmap plan to bring you something you'll like way better in 2016 (more on this shortly)." As I figured during our Bolt preview, this device is an attempt to connect with new users, among the millions of people buying streaming boxes as they use internet video services to replace or add to traditional TV. As far as the look of the Bolt, Bahr said "my view is that we have to look different."
Apple pulls iFixit's app after it tears down the new Apple TV
The team at iFixit is learning a hard, hard lesson about the importance of honoring developer agreements. Apple has banned an iFixit developer account (and consequently, the iFixit app) after the repair-it-yourself outfit tore down a pre-release Apple TV sent out to developers, violating Apple's terms and conditions. The crew just couldn't resist deconstructing new gear, apparently. Before you ask, though, iFixit isn't trying to stir up internet drama. It knew the risks going in, and isn't about to fight a decision that most anyone could see coming a mile away. This will have ramifications if you relied on iFixit's (admittedly old) native app for tips: if you're on iOS, you'll have to use the company's mobile website for help from now on. The tradeoff won't be all that damaging, but it's safe to say that other devs will think twice about prying open gear that isn't strictly off-the-shelf.
Roku's next-gen player surfaces at the FCC
The evidence that Roku is near launching a 4K-capable player just got decidedly stronger. A fresh FCC filing (spotted by Zatz Not Funny) has revealed an upcoming Roku "4400X" that looks like it should be the company's next streaming hub. The entry doesn't confirm the presence of 4K video playback, alas, but it does point to a big wireless upgrade: the future set-top box will support faster 802.11ac WiFi (helpful for 4K) and Bluetooth peripherals that might include headphones or remotes. Roku is reportedly shipping its new device as soon as early October, so you'll likely get the full story in a matter of days.
The new Apple TV is surprisingly easy to tear open
It's practically a cliché to say that Apple's products are difficult to repair yourself, but that isn't universally true. The crew at iFixit has managed to tear down the new Apple TV before it even ships, and the biggest surprise is simply that it's easy to pry apart. This is a very modular set-top box, and it'd be relatively trivial to replace components like the motherboard or power supply. Even the remote, despite being sealed by adhesive, isn't that hard to dissect. iFixit's only major gripe is that the most crucial parts are integrated on the main board, which could lead to a costly fix if you're just trying to replace a damaged port.
Plex will bring its media streaming to Apple TV
Ask some media server users why they don't use an Apple TV, and they'll issue a common refrain: "because it doesn't officially run Plex." Well, that shouldn't be an issue with the new Apple TV. Plex tells ITWorld that it plans to bring its media streaming front end to Apple's latest set-top box through an app. The move should give you access to all of your home's compatible music, photos and videos, not just what you can see from internet streaming services or iTunes clients. That's a big deal when you previously had to jailbreak or otherwise rely on clever workarounds to make Plex work.
Set-top box chip comes with TV enhancer for colorblind viewers
Researchers from the University of East Anglia developed a technology called "Eyeteq" that can tweak what's shown on TV for colorblind viewers sometime ago. Now, they're making sure the tech is more accessible to hardware manufacturers, particularly those that make set-top boxes. Their spin-off company, Spectral Edge, has integrated Eyeteq into STMicroelectronics' Cannes set-top box chipset. As you can see in the demo video below the fold, users would be able to adjust their TVs based on the kind of colorblindness they have using a remote control. The chip enhances the colors in each frame, but the changes show up on screen instantly.
Add NFL stats to any show with Comcast's new app
If you can't get enough gridiron minutiae and analysis, Comcast has just unveiled Football Extras for its X1 sports app. It'll work in a similar way to Comcast's Baseball Extras, which was delivered to baseball stat fans earlier this summer. Armchair quarterbacks (and hardcore gamblers) will get info like injury reports, pre-game comparisons, fantasy league stats, win/loss probabilities and post-game analysis. Relevant stats will pop up during a telecast, or can be selected from a menu. You can even keep the app running while you watch other programs, in case you need to appease other family members. If you've got a Comcast X1 set-top box, you should see the app shortly.
New Apple TV reportedly starts at $149, packs universal search
No, the torrent of rumors surrounding the next Apple TV hasn't ended yet. Sources for both 9to5Mac and BuzzFeed News now believe that the media hub will start at $149 -- still much higher than Apple TV boxes from recent memory, but better than the $199 mentioned in the past. Whether or not that's your only option is up in the air, though. Apple has reportedly "considered" a two-tier lineup with both a base 8GB model and a 16GB option for those who want to run more apps. It may just as easily offer a lone 16GB version at that price, though, so don't count on anything just yet.
The next Apple TV is reportedly much more expensive
Do you recall the early days of the Apple TV, when you could expect to pay over $100 to put an Apple-powered media hub in your living room? They might come roaring back. Sources for 9to5Mac claim that the next Apple TV should cost between $149 to $199 (the final price is still up in the air) when it ships, which is reportedly sometime in October. That's still less than the original cost when it was new, but you could be in for sticker shock if you were expecting Apple to keep the price to $99 or less. It could make the Fire TV and Roku 3 look like relative bargains, depending on how attached you are to Apple's ecosystem.
DirecTV's first 4K set-top box works with any screen
DirecTV only kinda-sorta launched 4K programming last year. You had to own both a specific DVR and a compatible Samsung TV to watch those extra-crispy documentaries and movies, which left many 4K TV owners 'stuck' with 1080p. It's going to be a lot easier after today, though -- the newly AT&T-owned provider has trotted out its first 4K set-top box, the 4K Genie Mini. The tiny device (roughly the size of a paperback) will deliver 4K to any set that can handle the higher resolution, not just DirecTV 4K Ready models. It'll handle Dolby Digital Plus audio, too, if you happen to have an eligible surround sound setup. This is still a long, long way from watching regular TV in 4K, but it should give you more to watch on that super-sharp display than the occasional Amazon or Netflix show.
Sky's new £15 Now TV box arrives this week
Sky announced a successor to its cheap and cheerful Now TV streaming puck way back at the beginning of the year, and today we've learned it's definitely going to meet its August release window. In fact, the little set-top box will be available through the Now TV website from this Thursday, August 6th, before hitting Argos the following day and other retailers "in the coming weeks." At £15, it's a fiver more expensive than the original Now TV box, but that extra cash buys you a faster processor, which should make the user experience that bit slicker, and an Ethernet port for ensuring stable streams if your WiFi is on the flaky side.
Buying a Slingbox finally gets you free TV streaming apps
As handy as a Slingbox can be for watching TV away from home, it's not as good a deal as it sounds. You usually have to shell out another $15 or more just to get the Slingplayer streaming app for your phone or tablet. Sling is starting to see the light, however. It's shipping a $200 Slingbox M2 bundle that lets you download the Slingplayer Android and iOS apps for free, not just the desktop versions. While this kit costs $50 more than what you'd pay for the M1, it's potentially less expensive if you want apps for multiple mobile devices -- especially if you're not the only one that wants to watch. You'll have to endure "seamlessly integrated" ads for the privilege, but that could be a small price to pay for viewing your favorite shows on every possible screen.
New Apple TV hardware reportedly won't show up at WWDC, either
Apple's oft-rumored streaming TV service won't be the only thing going AWOL from the Worldwide Developer Conference next week, it seems. New York Times sources say that 1 Infinite Loop has scrapped plans to unveil revamped Apple TV hardware (along with a matching remote and app development kit) at the gathering. Reportedly, the new media hub just wasn't "ready for prime time" -- it's still coming, but you'll have to wait. There's no mention of when it'll show up. Assuming the leak is accurate in the first place, though, history suggests that Apple could wait until September (when it usually starts releasing its big products for the year) to debut its next-generation set-top box.
NVIDIA starts selling its Android TV-powered Shield media hub
Been jonesing for a very high-powered, Android TV-based media hub? You now have a chance to do something about that craving, as NVIDIA has started selling its Shield set-top box in North America. Pay $199 and you'll get the regular Shield, whose tiny 16GB of storage makes it clear that you'll be streaming a lot of 4K Netflix videos and playing games in the cloud through NVIDIA's GRID service. You'll need to pony up for the $299 Shield Pro to get loads of built-in storage (500GB) for local content, although you'll also get a copy of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel in the bargain. And don't worry about buying content to get started -- both Shields come with a $30 Google Play gift card and three months of Google Play Music, so you'll have something to do as soon as you've pulled off the shrink wrap.
The next Apple TV won't play 4K video
The long-rumored Apple TV update is expected to do many things, including run apps and stream a TV service, but there's one thing it isn't expected to do: play 4K video. A source for BuzzFeed News' John Paczkowski (who's historically accurate with such rumors) claims that Apple's upcoming media hub will stick to 1080p because 4K technology is "still in its infancy." While the A8 chip rumored to be in the device can handle the ultra-high resolution, the market just isn't there yet. Even Amazon and Netflix don't have a lot of 4K content, and there's also the question of finding enough people with both compatible TVs and sufficiently speedy internet access. That's disappointing if you were hoping to get a truly future-proof box, but it's hard to see Apple investing a lot of money into services that you probably won't use for a while.
Sky+ update makes it easier to manage your TV recordings
Ready for a new Sky+ update? The broadcaster's HD set-top boxes are getting a minor refresh in the coming months that add a few useful, if not particularly groundbreaking features. The TV guide "Planner" is being spruced up a bit, making room for a new "Scheduled" tab that keeps track of all your planned recordings. Meanwhile, a new "Delete All" option makes it easier to wipe complete series, freeing up vital space on your hard drive before Game of Thrones is back on the telly. We suspect parents will be most interested in the "Family" setting, however, which bundles together Sky's various parental controls. These include hiding adult channels, restricting Sky Store purchases and PIN-protecting playback of 12+ on-demand content before the watershed. None of these features are going to blow your socks off, but they're welcome additions all the same. Sky says the update is rolling out now and should hit all Sky+HD boxes before June.
Sony drops PlayStation TV price to £45 in the UK
Sony's PlayStation 4 is selling incredibly well, but an early price drop suggests its smaller cousin isn't doing so hot in the UK. The PlayStation TV has always been a peculiar proposition, offering an easy way to play some, but not all PlayStation Vita, PSP and classic PSone games. Arguably its best feature is Remote Play, but £84.99 is a tough sell if you just want to stream PS4 games around the house. The mini-console has been available in the UK for a little over three months, but already Sony is dropping the price to £44.99.
Google's Nexus Player officially hits the UK on March 26th for £80
Google successfully invaded living rooms everywhere with its simple and cheap Chromecast dongle, and late last year announced its next product bound to the big screen: the Nexus Player. Running the TV-friendly version of Android OS, it does everything the Chromecast can and more, being a dedicated set-top box that doesn't require other devices to control it. With a nifty voice search feature and second job as an Android mini-console when paired with the gamepad accessory, it's Google's attempt to take on the Rokus, Apple TVs and Fire TVs of this world (the latter also having console functionality). And after a few months of being available stateside, it appears to be officially launching in the UK on March 26th for the agreeable price of £80.
