GTVHacker shows off custom recovery for Google TVs video

There's plenty of official news about Google TV this week at CES, but if you're more interested in cracking the platform wide open unofficially this video may be of interest. The GTVHacker team reveals that it has been developing an exploit that will let it run custom kernels on "most" second generation Google TV devices, along with a custom recovery designed specifically for Google TV. It's not ready for prime time just yet but in the video you can get a peek at it being loaded on a Sony NSZ-GS7 box, opening up wider access to the kinds of adjustments we're already used to seeing on mobile Android devices. There's no word on when this will see wide release, but you can hit the source link for more details plus a history of what the team has been up to since coming together over two years ago

Read More | 0 Comments

Harman brings trio of JBL speakers and pair of AV receivers to CES

Harman has joined several other companies in jumping the CES gun, announcing five new products it's bringing to the show. First up is the JBL Charge, a hardy Bluetooth speaker which promises an impressive 12 hours of tunes on a single charge. If you are willing to sacrifice some of that play time, you can siphon power from the internal battery to other kit via the speaker's USB port. Expected to start shipping in Q1 2013, you should be able to pick one up for around $149. Joining JBL's OnBeat range are the Mini and Rumble speaker docks, which are both compatible with Apple's Lightning connector. The Mini is a fairly standard dock which will play and charge for up five hours on battery power, and should be available this coming March for around $149. The Rumble, however, is a little more equipped, with both Lightning and Bluetooth streaming options, as well as a 4.5-inch, "down-firing subwoofer" for bass junkies. That extra muscle is reflected in the price, though, which is likely to be $399 when it hits stores next spring.

A couple of new Kardon-branded A/V receivers from Harman are also coming along to CES -- the AVR 2700 and 3700. Both have multi-zone functionality, are stacked with wireless features including internet radio, AirPlay and DLNA connectivity, and can be controlled using iOS and Android apps. The AVR 2700 has eight HDMI ports and 4K video scaling for when you get round to buying that UHDTV, as well as 7.1-channel audio (at 100 watts per channel). The AVR 3700 adds WiFi connectivity, and has 7.2 channels (at 125 watts per channel) for adding a second woofer to your setup. When they become available to purchase in Q1 2013, expect wallet damage to the tune of $799 for the 2700, or $999 for the 3700. You can get a closer look at all the Harman products in the press shots below (complete with unnecessary reflection), and if you're into PRs, there are a whole bunch awaiting you after the break.

Read More | 0 Comments

Hulu CEO Jason Kilar announces resignation

Some big news out of Hulu late this afternoon: CEO Jason Kilar has just announced that he will be leaving the company sometime in the first quarter of this year. The news was first reported by Bloomberg News and followed quickly by a blog post from Kilar himself containing the email he sent to his staff. In it, Kilar says that he is now working with the company's board to manage the transition, and also confirms that Senior Vice President and CTO Richard Tom will be leaving along with him. He didn't exactly delve into the reasons for his resignation, though, saying only that the decision has been "one of the toughest I've ever made," and adding that he'll keep the team updated as "dates and other items get solidified."

0 Comments

RCA Mobile TV Tablet combines DTV with Dyle for your viewing pleasure, arrives this spring for $299

The RCA DMT580D may not be memorably named, but the television-centric tablet stands out for other reasons: most notably, its combination of DTV and Dyle-powered mobile TV. RCA's toting its "Mobile TV Tablet" as, "the electronics industry's first dual-tuner mobile TV" -- making your on-the-go viewings of The View all the easier. Oh, and the other 130 mobile TV stations Dyle also offers certainly don't hurt; you'll be able to scoop up regular ol' digital TV signals using the tablet's telescoping antenna. It's essentially an upgrade to RCA's previous efforts in the TV-centric tablet market.

If the TV angle isn't enough for you, RCA promises a fully featured Android tablet otherwise: an 8-inch HD IPS screen, 802.11b/g/n WiFi capability, a Cortex A5 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of flash storage memory (expandable via MicroSD). Should you wish to capture the facial reactions you'll assuredly make during those daily View broadcasts, front-facing and rear cameras are also part of the equation, and the whole shebang weighs in at roughly 1.4 lbs. Around four hours of battery life are expected if you're going whole hog on the TV bit, which balloons to 10 if you're just surfing the web / playing Angry Birds / etc. At $299, you'd better be really into those television features -- the RCA Mobile TV Tablet arrives at retail "this coming spring."

Read More | 0 Comments

Samsung 2012 Smart TV

Companies embroiled in display price fixing scandals aren't out of the woods just yet. China's National Development and Reform Commission has just fined six manufacturers ¥353 million ($56.7 million) for allegedly colluding on LCD prices, including Korean heavyweights LG Display and Samsung as well as Taiwan-based AU Optronics, Chungwa Picture Tubes, HannStar and Innolux. The accusations behind the latest penalty aren't quite the same as in other countries, but they share a familiar story: China believes the firms agreed to keep costs artificially high between 2001 and 2006, making ¥208 million yuan ($33.4 million) in undeserved profit. While the immediate fiscal damage will be light when it's spread across several companies, it adds to punishment that has already ranged into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

0 Comments

Amazon, A&E deal brings Pawn Stars, Storage Wars and Dance Moms to Prime Instant Video

Those in need of another reason to stare at their computer screen for long stretches of time will be pleased to learn that Amazon has struck a deal with A&E Networks that'll be bringing shows from its titular network, along with History, Bio and Lifetime to the online retailer's Prime Instant Video service. Amongst the arty entertainment offerings are Pawn Stars, Storage Wars and Dance Moms, which users will be able to consume en masse on a number of devices including the iPad, iPhone, Roku, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii U.

Read More | 0 Comments

GameStick topples Kickstarter goal in just over one day, adds XBMC and DLNA support postlaunch

Now that PlayJam's Kickstarter project, "GameStick," is funded -- reaching and crossing its $100K goal in around 30 hours with over 1,000 backers -- the team's turning to other news, like adding XBMC and DLNA support. That support will arrive via an "optional firmware update in September," says PlayJam CMO Anthony Johnson. That other Android-based, Kickstarter-funded game console, the Ouya, also added XBMC functionality to the console's feature list late last summer, though it's unclear if GameStick's support includes the Android app XBMC is porting to Ouya.

But just because the GameStick is funded doesn't mean you can't still pledge dough for one yourself. The $70 tier is sold out, but backing the project for $79 or more will still get you one of the first GameSticks on the market. The project is slated to launch this April.

Read More | 0 Comments

0

Distro Issue 72 The CES 2013 preview

After a week off to take advantage of the holidays, the Distro crew is back in action. In the latest issue of our tablet mag, we run down all of the major categories with a preview of what our editors expect to see -- or not see -- when CES cranks up in a few days. On top of that, Eyes-On has a look at a Lomography panoramic camera, Hands-On offers impressions on some of the latest gadgetry and tech writer Taylor Hatmaker drops by for the Q&A. Once the annual Las Vegas tech madness gets started next week, we'll be publishing daily issues of this e-publication beginning Tuesday, January 8th to keep you up to speed with all of the happenings in the desert. Arriving just in time for the events, our Windows 8 Distro app is now available and can be procured like its Android and iOS counterparts, via the download links below.

Distro Issue 72 PDF
Distro in the iTunes App Store
Distro in the Google Play Store

Distro in the Windows Store

Distro APK (for sideloading)
Like Distro on Facebook
Follow Distro on Twitter

0 Comments

Disney announces WreckIt Ralph will arrive for download before DVD, Bluray

Following the lead of other studios like Fox with its Digital HD push, Disney has announced its first movie that customers will be able to buy on download and streaming services weeks before the disc is released. Wreck-It Ralph is a worldwide hit, bringing in $277 million and counting at the box office, but the first time you'll be able to snag it (legally) for home viewing in the US is February 12th in HD and 3D on supported services. The four disc Blu-ray 3D combo set is priced at $39.99 and will ship nearly a month later on March 5th, along with the 2-disc Blu-ray ($31.99), DVD and standard def video on-demand versions. Disney hasn't tipped its hat about any digital efforts itself to replace the Online streaming site it shut down in November, but clearly it's preparing for a multi-format future -- we'll see if we hear any more interesting details during CES in the coming week.

Read More | 0 Comments

CBS Connect endows NCIS, CSI and Hawaii FiveO with second screen interactivity for iPad

For times when soaking in a bevy of crime-related shows simply isn't enough stimuli, CBS is now ready to amp up your viewing experience with its second screen app for the iPad. Known as CBS Connect, it allows fans to engage one another via social networking and view exclusive content from their favorite shows. The app also features the ability to identify what viewers are watching -- be it live, on demand or from your DVR -- and then tailor the second screen experience to sync with the program. For the moment, CBS Connect is built to engage fans of NCIS: Los Angeles, CSI and Hawaii Five-O, but if crime dramas aren't your thing, the network promises that other shows will soon find their way into the mix. In the meantime, you'll find the full PR after the break.

Read More | 0 Comments

Epix heading to PlayStation 3 and PS Vita

iOS, Android, Google TV, XBox -- heck, Epix even has an app for the BlackBerry PlayPook. So, what's surprising is not that the premium movie channel is coming to the PS3 and Vita, but that it took so long for it to happen. Soon Sony's gaming faithful will be able to download the app from the PlayStation Store and start streaming the network's sizable catalog of movies and original content. Of course, you'll have to have actually subscribe to it through your cable provider first, but you knew that already, didn't you. For more check out the PR after the break.

Read More | 0 Comments

Google updated its YouTube app for Android back in November to allow for pairing with TVs equipped with Google TV, and it looks we'll soon be seeing quite a few more sets ready to work with your smartphone or tablet. The company confirmed today that new TVs from Bang & Olufsen, LG, Panasonic and Sony will be making their debut at CES, with additional sets and set-top boxes coming from Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Toshiba, Vizio, Western Digital and others over the course of 2013. In related news, Google's announced that its new UI for YouTube on TV -- previously seen on the Wii U and PlayStation 3 -- will also be featured on those new devices, offering full 1080p videos and a fairly minimalist interface. You can check out a quick video of how the pairing works after the break.

Read More | 0 Comments

BBC's first companion app arrives tied to Antiques Roadshow, brings quizzes to iOS and Android

Over in the UK TV interaction has a wider history thanks to Red Button services, and the BBC is finally coming through on its promise to join that experience with the internet as it launches its first companion app on iOS and Android. Previously tested in beta with Frozen Planet and Secret Fortune airings, these apps let Antiques Roadshow viewers compete against others -- whether in the same room or across the country -- as they try to guess the value of items displayed on the show. Will that be exciting enough to pull viewers away from whatever the UK equivalent of Sons of Anarchy or The Walking Dead is? Maybe not, but a Red Button version launched last fall netted 1.5 million users right off the bat, and the Beeb expects to build on that more by moving to mobile devices.

The internet-to-TV hookup even goes both ways, as we experienced in our demonstration of Connected Red Button services on TiVo last month and viewers experienced during the Olympics, so we'd expect to see even more interaction launching soon. The apps will be available later today for use with the new episode airing on the 6th. Can't wait that long for your antiquing fix? Thanks to embedded audio watermarks syncing everything up, they will also work with last week's episode (and future ones going forward) viewed on iPlayer or home recordings.

0 Comments

0

DNP We're live from CES 2013!

The Las Vegas Convention Center's expansive exhibition space may not be open for another five days, but we're already on site, gearing up for the CES madness to come and setting up shop in our temporary headquarters -- that beautiful trailer just above. Sure, we have a pretty good idea of which new mobile gadgets we might see -- and what products not to expect -- and it's pretty much a given that Windows 8 will be just about everywhere, but as always the show is bound to bring some surprises. For now, though, we'll all have to sit tight as thousands of exhibitors put the final lavish touches on their enormous booths. In the meantime, get a taste of the pre-show scene at the LVCC in the gallery just below.

Zach Honig contributed to this report.

0 Comments

0

Engadget HD Podcast 330 - 1.3.2013

Welcome to 2013, and with CES nearly upon us, we have returned with a new podcast episode to wrap up all the pre-show releases and get ready for what's to come. All the new LG 4K, OLED and laser projector stuff? It's in here, and Samsung's display teases too. We'll even discuss Ben's DirecTV Genie DVR review and the odds of whether the rumored pay-for-only-the-channels-you-want Intel "virtual cable" service launches soon (probably not). The next time you hear from us we'll be coming live from Las Vegas, right now you can press play for our official preview episode.

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)

Producer: James Trew (@itstrew)

Hear the podcast

Read More | 0 Comments