It occurred to me that the Apple iPad has no native, cross-platform media streaming capabilities (a big missed opportunity if you ask me). Being the case, I did a quick search on Google for an iPhone app, since most are compatible with the new iPad, and discovered PlugPlayer (iTunes – $4.99). What’s interesting is that not only does PlugPlayer allow you stream and playback music (including FLAC and OGG Vorbis), photos, and video from any network connected DLNA/UPnP storage server or PC it also allows you to remotely control a music player docked iPod Touch (similar to the Tango remote app we covered earlier) with your iPhone — and I’m guessing via the iPad as well. Below is a quick user-created video demo of the software in action. MORE »

If you’re in the market for a digital media adapter or any kind of DLNA/UPnP powered device, you may want to spend a few minutes reading TwonkyMedia’s Connected Home/DLNA Best Practices. The guide has been designed to help the general consumer make sense of the networked device landscape, as well as, what to look for before making a purchase. People usually assume because a device carries a DLNA badge that they all work the same and support playback of the same file types, but the truth is each product has device specific limitations. MORE »

I don’t know if the Apple reps from Cupertino were smoking dope at today’s event in San Francisco or what — with all their magical and revolutionary references? In any case, there was a mix bag of reactions from folks in the Twitterverse. I might be going out on limb here… but I got the sense from most of the Technorati following the event, via live blogs, that they were underwhelmed by the new Apple iPad and its capabilities (many saying it’s just a larger version of the iPod with scalable apps). A few heckled its name. Pricing isn’t too bad, though. Steve Jobs said Apple wanted to “aggressively price” the device and made the starting price $499 (16GB) — add $130 more for 3G connectivity. My guess all the tablets showcased at CES had something to do with that. Spec-wise… the iPad is decent. It has a 1Ghz Apple A4 processor, one month standby / 10 hours continuous use battery, a 1024×768 9.7-inch IPS touchscreen, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR, 16/32/64GB flash drive options, weighs 1.5lbs, is 1/2-inch thick. The Wi-Fi version will be available 60 days from today, while the 3G version will be available in 90. Also, Apple plans on introducing iPad accessories like a charging dock (doubles as a photo frame stand), keyboard dock, and camera connection kit (USB/SD card reader). MORE »

Bloomberg has an interesting piece on Roku and its plans for the future. The big take aways from the article is that Roku expects to have reached 1 million Roku Players sold this year (and hey’re considering even giving them away at some point), they plan to have 100 channels in its Channel Store, and the private company may go public and issue an IPO the not too distant future. The rest of the article goes on to talk about Roku’s private funding sources and its revenue strategy that revolves around movie/TV programming purchases as well as subscription offerings through Channel Store partners (but we knew that already). Good luck to them… they’re going to need it in this competitive market.

The following video gives potential buyers a closer look at the upcoming HP Slate and the thinking behind it. HP’s CTO, Phil McKinney, states that 2010 is providing the “perfect storm of innovation” for such a product to be introduced to market. In particular, McKinney is referring to the current costs associated with producing such a product as well as the availability of a touch-capable OS like Windows 7. However, while McKinney was explaining this in the video all I could think of was: Why not introduce this product with the same touch UI currently loaded on its HP TouchSmart PCs? In fact, HP, with their TouchSmart UI, could have released this product last year — if they were really on top of things — and blown everyone away. Personally, not having a custom tablet friendly UI is what I think is the problem with most of the Internet Tablets showcased recently at CES — including Android based ones and possibly even the upcoming Apple Tablet, which so far is sounding like it’s just going to be a larger version of the iPod/iPhone with scalable apps. As a side note… it seems like McKinney must have read this press release when he refers to the tablet size consumers are interested in (or not?). MORE »

ABI Research’s “Home Networking Market Data” is forecasting that networked home media device makers will see revenues jump from approximately $100 billion in 2009 to over $243 billion by 2012. The jump is being attributed to the recent introduction of networked HDTVs and Blu-ray players, which they believe will be strong categories going forward, as well as the maturing of network-ready CE devices like set-top boxes, games consoles, digital media adapters, digital cameras, and photo frames. ABI Research does point out, however, that these trends mainly reflect the situation in North American, Asian-Pacific, and Western European markets where adoption rates are similar. MORE »

If you have the desire to go wireless with your HDMI connection and you have $999 to spare, have a look at Gefen’s new 60Ghz solution which promises to deliver uncompressed 1080p video from up to 30 feet away. The GefenTV Wireless for HDMI 60Ghz supports the HDMI v1.3 specification (including multi-channel audio) and can be upgraded via internet firmware updates. According to the Gefen guys, gamers will also appreciate it’s low latency transmissions not possible with non-60Ghz implementations. Now we just need a wireless power technology to hit the market for a true wireless HDTV install. MORE »

I don’t know how analysts arrive at these numbers, but 3DTV was a big hit at CES 2010. So on top of HDTVs being network connected for streaming media locally from devices on your home network and the interent, consumers will soon have 3D options to look forward to — including dedicated 3D programming channels. Thankfully, most TV manufactures (Samsung, Toshiba, Panasonic, Sony, JVC) have picked one 3D technology to go with, RealD (of Avatar fame), to power their next-gen HDTVs. As DisplaySearch points out, we’ll soon see “a thriving accessory market [...] develop” around the technology once consumers are assured 3D glasses will be compatible with other brands. Gunner Optiks at CES 2010 already announced they’re developing a pair of RealD compatible eyeglasses that look much hipper — and with better optics — than the standard issue provided at the theater. Personally, like Tom’s Guide, I’m waiting for eyeglass-free 3D — but I fear that’s still a few years out until the technology is good enough. MORE »

For the person who owns both an iPod Touch and an iPhone, Tango (FB page) may be an app you’ll be interested in. Tango enables one to control an iPhone/iPod Touch’s music collection with another iPhone/iPod Touch over Wi-Fi. Tango, from just about any room in the house, can show you what’s playing, adjust the volume, play/pause, skip tracks (forward and backward with a shake of the control device in hand), select playlists, shuffle songs, and even create new playlists without iTunes. Not bad for 99-cents (introductory price). Plus, you’ve got to like the fact that Tango is putting your extra iPhone/iPod Touch to work in a useful way. MORE »

Analyst firm, Deloitte, predicts 2010 will be the break through year for Internet Tablets (aka WebPads, SmartPads, NetTabs, Slate). Reason being, device manufactures working on such devices have shifted the product’s focus from “work-oriented data-entry” to web browsing and media consumption. Deloitte also believes that manufactures are finally nailing down the form factor to an appropriate size that’s easier to handle and more appealing to the general consumer — something larger than a smartphone, but smaller than a notebook. On the negative side, Deloitte sees such Wi-Fi/cellular connected devices being more expensive than smartphones. I don’t agree, however, with the popular opinion that owners will want to pay up for a mobile broadband plan for their device, which can run from $40-60 a month. Wi-Fi should be sufficient for most users who plan on using their Internet Tablet around the home, in a coffee shop, library, or workplace. As for the “tens of millions” prediction, that seems a bit optimistic (most likely based on this lead) considering most people haven’t seen, used, or have been able to purchase this new media-centric generation of Internet Tablets. MORE »