Streaming

I’ve been using a Roku streaming device for many years to binge watch TV shows and movies on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon video and other online content channels through my TV. Now that I have a 4K display (VIZIO M50-D1), I have been considering updating my older Roku device for a newer model with 4K capability… Read More

Amazon has announced the next generation of their popular Fire TV Stick. This new version is up to 30 percent faster than their original streaming device, has an updated Quad-core processor, faster WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1 and now comes with a remote that can use Alexa to search for your favorite movies and TV episodes with… Read More

Remember iPods? Stand alone music players were all the rage just a few years ago, but now that technology seems ancient compared to music streaming services like Spotify. The only advantage that iPods and other MP3 players have over streaming devices is that you don’t need to carry a phone in order to enjoy music… Read More

Spotify is offering new Premium subscribers a free Chromecast if they pay for the first 3 months in advance. That’s $30 up front and then $10 monthly from the fourth month onward. The Chromecast itself retails for $35, so if you’ve been waiting to try either product, now’s the time. This promotion runs until the… Read More

Over the years, I’ve accumulated mountains of DVDs, especially since the arrival of the grandchildren.  It gets old having to load up the DVD player with a copy of Cars or the like, every time they come over when it rains.  I tried teaching them how to load the DVD player and it almost worked, except that… Read More

Not to be outdone by Apple, Google announced it was launching a free, ad-supported, streaming music service. The service will be similar to several other free music streaming services; you can create radio stations based on your favorite artist, song, album, or genre. Additionally, Google is incorporating Songza’s unique radio station selection menu. For those… Read More

Attention Spotify users:  Engadget recently reported that Spotify has begun to serve up advertisements on their Web site, targeted based on the music you are listening to.  “Playlist targeting” is what Spotify is calling this feature.  With this technology, Spotify can review your listening habits, and what you are currently listening to, in order to… Read More

When reviewing headphones, earphones and speakers, there is always one constant throughout: A music source. Whether it’s vinyl, CD, iTunes, music burned in Apple Lossless, FLAC, Spotify/Pandora or even FM radio, the music has to come from somewhere. Then there’s the music player: iPhone/Android smartphone, various iPods, digital audio players, computer, home stereo. As you… Read More

Many people would agree with me if I said that the Sonos wireless speaker system is the gold standard if you want to play music wirelessly in your home or business.  The feature set and options for Sonos are pretty extensive and performance is great. But it comes at a ‘gold standard’ price in my… Read More

We all probably have our favorite pair of headphones/earphones that we like to use with our smart devices. The problem I find is that I am often in situations that make it hard to use my headphones/earphones with my smart device. Situations like working out or traveling when I don’t want my cord to dangle… Read More

E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) kicked off this week and with it will come the “big” announcements from each of the three (Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo) major video game players.  From the Sony press conference was the announcement of the Sony Playstation TV, which had been released in Japan last year, coming to North America this fall… Read More

Boasting clearer vocals and deeper bass compared to the industry standard, the Encore Wi-Fi Music System from Grace Digital features a 2.1-channel audio system with dual 3” tweeter/midrange speakers and a bottom facing 4” woofer powered by a digital class D amp. This system is designed to connect to your Wi-Fi network for access to thousands of… Read More

If you’re going to market another Bluetooth receiver in an already overcrowded market, it would make sense to differentiate yourself with a unique feature.  At Coolstream they have made their Duo receiver different in the way it connects to the playback device by plugging in directly to the 30 pin connector on an iPhone docking station… Read More

Is there really a market for another media player?  Pivos seems to think so and offers their XIOS DS Media Play, an Android-powered box that connects to your TV.  I have some experience with these players, and up until now, it hasn’t been good.  I’ve spent over a month putting the Pivos device through its… Read More