Saturday, October 29, 2011

drag2share: Would Anybody Else Prefer a Cadre of Streaming Net Boxes to Cable? [Just Me?]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5854435/would-anybody-else-prefer-a-cadre-of-streaming-net-boxes-to-cable

Would Anybody Else Prefer a Cadre of Streaming Net Boxes to Cable?I was looking at my cable bill today and becoming deeply angry at the fact that I have to subscribe to a suite of Cantonese channels in order to get The Cartoon Network. The hell? I don't even speak Cantonese.

So I got to digging and it turns out that if I connect enough streaming net boxes (Rokus, WDTVs, etc), subscribe to the proper services (Netflix, Hulu+, NHL Season Pass, HBO Go), I can keep getting a good majority of my normal programming for a small fraction of my monthly cable bill. Problem is—I'd have a shit-ton of boxes on top of my TV, an equal number of remotes, and a magnitude more of headaches trying to get everything to play nice on my network.

So, if it were technically feasible—ie you have access to solid broadband speeds—would you ditch your cable box in favor of a cadre of net boxes and the increased operational complexity if it means paying 70 percent less each month? Or does the convenience of a single-box counter the thirty channels you have to scroll through but can't understand? And if you actually have gone the net box route, let us know how you did it in the comments.

Top image courtesy of IKO / Shutterstock


You can keep up with Andrew Tarantola, the author of this post, on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+.

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drag2share: Samsung claims top spot in global smartphone shipments for Q3 2011, Apple slips to number two

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/samsung-claims-top-spot-in-global-smartphone-shipments-for-q3-20/

On this edition of As The Smartphone World Turns..., we've got Samsung violently snatching victory from the jaws of Apple, claiming its spot at the top of global smartphone vendors once more. Dramatics aside, the latest shipment figures tallied up by Strategy Analytics are showing that worldwide smartphone shipments are up 44 percent year-over-year, reaching a staggering 117 million units in Q3 2011. Digging into that a bit, we're told that Samsung has overtaken Apple from a units-shipped standpoint, with Sammy moving 28 million smartphones and claiming 24 percent of the market share. If you'll recall, Apple briefly grabbed hold of numero uno last quarter, but has now fallen a rung with 15 percent of the global pie. Of course, things could be dramatically different when we see Q4 2011 figures roll out -- remember, Q3 2011 was the last quarter in a long string with the aging iPhone 4 as Apple's "newest" device. Stranger still, Nokia is slotted third with just 14 percent of the global share, representing a precipitous drop from 33 percent a year ago. Similarly, Nokia's fortunes are apt to change with both the N9 finally out and its spate of Windows Phone devices heading out in short order. Hop on past the break for the full breakdown.

Continue reading Samsung claims top spot in global smartphone shipments for Q3 2011, Apple slips to number two

Samsung claims top spot in global smartphone shipments for Q3 2011, Apple slips to number two originally appeared on E! ngadget< /a> on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: ARMv8 detailed: 64-bit architecture, AppliedMicro first in line

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/armv8-detailed-64-bit-architecture-appliedmicro-first-in-line/

Thought Windows on ARM was snazzy? Have a gander at this. The outfit's forthcoming ARMv8 architecture, the first ARM architecture to include a 64-bit instruction set, has just been detailed, with a goal to expand the reach of ARM processor-based solutions "into consumer and enterprise applications where extended virtual addressing and 64-bit data processing are required." The ARMv8 architecture consists of two main execution states -- AArch64 and AArch32 -- and we're apt to see the real benefits hit high-end servers first. The ARMv8 architecture specifications are available now to partners under license, with the company planning to disclose processors based on ARMv8 during 2012, with consumer and enterprise prototype systems expected in 2014. Head on past the break for ARM's take, or meander to the source links for AppliedMicro's gloating.

Continue reading ARMv8 detailed: 64-bit architecture, AppliedMicro first in line

ARMv8 detailed: 64-bit architecture, AppliedMicro first in line originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  AppliedMicro (1), (2), (3)  | Email this | Comments

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drag2share: Google gets ready to play traditional TV, preps original YouTube channels

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/google-gets-ready-to-play-traditional-tv-preps-original-youtube/

From rumors to reality: YouTube is taking a crack at original programing. Sources close to the Wall Street Journal say that the streaming outfit is partnering with a broad mix of media firms, production companies, and savvy content creators to launch 100 channels, generating over 25 hours of original content each day. Most of these channels aren't slated to launch until next year, but when they do they are said to be backed by names like Ashton Kutcher, Tony Hawk, Jay-Z, and Madonna. YouTube is reportedly paying content partners over $100 million to jump-start this project, and hopes to create quality that can be sold to Advertisers. YouTube's blog confirmed that the first of these premium channels is set to launch next month, with subsequent channels coming in waves over the next year. Hit the source link below so see YouTube's official announcement and an early list of channels and content providers. We know you'll join us in giddy anticipation of Shaquille O'Neal's Comedy Shaq Network .

Google gets ready to play traditional TV, preps original YouTube channels originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceYouTube, Wall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments

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Friday, October 28, 2011

drag2share: Warpia's StreamHD Value Edition does wireless USB to HDMI on the (kinda) cheap

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/warpias-streamhd-value-edition-does-wireless-usb-to-hdmi-on-the/

Warpia StreamHD Value Edition
Were you intrigued by Warpia's StreamHD, but turned off by its $170 price? Well maybe the new Value Edition (or VE to the cool kids) will make you crack open that piggy bank. At $130 we still wouldn't call the StreamHD VE an impulse purchase, but it's certainly not a budget buster. In the package is the same USB adapter, a wireless receiver and an A/V base with an HDMI out -- and the company still throws in an HDMI cable to boot. What do you lose to land that $40 discount? Well 5.1 surround sound for one. There's no S/PDIF out and only stereo audio is supported over HDMI. The A/V dock also cuts out the 3.5mm audio out jack, but chances are you weren't using it anyway. Check out the complete PR and one more pic after the break.

Continue reading Warpia's StreamHD Value Edition does wireless USB to HDMI on the (kinda) cheap

Warpia's StreamHD Value Edition does wireless USB to HDMI on the (kinda) cheap originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 03:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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