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Audio News for October 11, 2016

by | Oct 11, 2016 | Audio News

Basics of the New Roku Express – It is cheap ($30), easy to use and loaded with streaming apps for your music, but it is slower, especially with Netflix, than alternatives like Comcast. But it may be worth spending a bit extra on a faster streamer for your music. Facebook is Gonna Make VR Social – Facebook is leading the charge of taking over VR by social networks. Onstage at the Oculus Connect 3 Conference, Mark Zuckerberg showed off live VR chat using emotion options which make avatars show facial expressions, to let you look surprised, happy or confused in VR. You can change the backgrounds to live locations such as your home. Zuckerberg said “Virtual reality is the perfect platform to put people first because of presence.” Facebook acquired Oculus in 2014 for one billion dollars. Two Competing Smart Plugs – You do need a smart phone to download the app that runs the smart plug. You can schedule them, track energy useage, control them and speak to them. c|net has a whole page comparing the two. Such a plug can make any pluggable device “smart”:  “If you prefer Apple HomeKit as a platform, then the iDevices Switch might […]

Audio News for September 30, 2016

by | Sep 30, 2016 | Audio News

New Roku Express Competition to Google’s Chromecast – It is only $30 and does everything the current Roku Stick does, including best-in-class app selection, cross-platform search and simple interface. Plus it’s plenty speedy and comes with a remote control. For an additional $10 you get a cable to output analog audio and video. This Express+ is designed for those who want to add streaming to older TVs without HDMI connectors. The $130 Roku 4 is its UHD-capable streamer and there is a recent $80 Premiere model which is minus a few extras but still accesses more UHD apps than other streamers. The Premiere+ model is $100 and accesses high dynamic- range video from streaming apps. Its remote uses Wi-Fi technology so you don’t need to point it as with the other cheaper models. There is also an Ethernet port for wired internet connections. Roku’s best streamer is the Roku Ultra ($130), which offers everything found on the Premiere+ and is beefed up with a few more ports and a full-featured clicker, plus gaming support and a cool remote finder function. The UHD models support Dolby Atmos. All models are fanless and you can use headphones to listen privately with any […]

Audio News for September 5, 2014

by | Sep 5, 2014 | Audio News

New Curated Music & Video Streaming Service; Pono Music Store to Launch in October; Roku Smart TVs from RCA TV; Sony Introduces Hi-Res Portables; MacWorld Says Start with NAS for the Ultimate Home Theater

Audio News for July 22, 2011

by | Jul 22, 2011 | Audio News

Internet-to-TV Adapter Kits for Reliable Wired Home Networking; CEDIA Installer Revenues & Margins Up in 2010; Roku 2 Set-Top Players Introduced; Circuit City’s Old DIVX Patents Sold for $750,000; Universal Electronics Sues Logitech Over Remote Control Patents; Spotify = Streamined Music Service