Now that's what I'm taliking about!!!

PlayOn for Android is Now Available

by Quentyn Kennemer on February 17th, 2011 at 1:02 pm

We’ve just learned that PlayOn is now available for Android. PlayOn is an established service that allows users to stream TV shows to supported devices. I’ve used it to stream episodes of Spongebob to my Xbox 360, but now I can do the same on any Android device.

Watch your favorite shows and movies on-demand on your Android phone. Here is a list of supported channels you get with PlayOn: Hulu, Netflix Instant Queue*, Comedy Central, MLB.tv*, CNN, CBS, ESPN, ESPN3, TV.com, SpikeTV, The Ultimate Fighter, Amazon VOD, TBS, BET, Adult Swim, Oprah Winfrey Network, Nick, PBS, PBS Kids, MTV, Vevo, and many more. New channels are being added continuously!

You’ll need to install a PlayOn server application on your PC, and Android 2.2 is required to get your shows on the go. The service does cost, but you’ll get a two week trial to check it out. Jump over to the Android market now and hit their website up for the media server if you want to give it a shot. [Thanks, PePe!]
[Update]: And now with a press release. Read on for more details.

Seattle – February 17, 2011
After months of Beta testing, MediaMall Technologies, Inc. today announced that it has officially launched support for Android devices. The free software update and free PlayOn™ Mobile app for Android 2.2 and higher are now available to PlayOn Premium customers, enabling users to stream online video and personal media with Adobe Flash technology from a networked PC to Android mobile devices over 3G or Wi-Fi. PlayOn’s media library contains video content from providers including Hulu (ABC, NBC, Fox, etc.), Amazon VOD, Netflix IQ, TBS, CBS, PBS, the Oprah Winfrey Network, CNN, Comedy Central, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Nickelodeon, ESPN3, NFL Rewind, MLB, MTV, VH1, Syfy, Spike, TV.com, The Ultimate Fighter and others.
"We’re pleased to add Android to our ever-growing list of compatible devices for streaming online video content," states Jeff Lawrence, CEO of MediaMall Technologies. "Our goal is to make it easy for everyone to affordably access online video content using the screen of their choice. With support for Xbox 360, PlayStation3, Wii, Google TV, Roku, iOS, and now Android, among a multitude of other DLNA-compliant devices, PlayOn offers the most affordable one-stop solution for accessing online video content on your living room TV and mobile device."
Existing PlayOn Premium customers may download the PlayOn Mobile app for free from the Android Marketplace. Those new to PlayOn can try it out free for 14 days, after which PlayOn and its full library of content, including updates for new channels and supported devices, can be purchased for $39.99 for the first year and $19.99 for each year thereafter.
PlayOn Premium customers with Android 2.2+ need just to download the PlayOn Mobile app from the Android Marketplace and initially pair the device over the local Wi-Fi network with the PlayOn media server. The device may then be used to stream online video and personal media content over 3G or Wi-Fi anywhere in the world where you can get a signal. In addition to Android, PlayOn also currently features mobile support for iOS devices including the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.
For a full list of content providers and supported hardware platforms, and to try PlayOn for free, please visit: http://www.PlayOn.tv.
About MediaMall Technologies
MediaMall Technologies was founded in 2003 to make it simple, affordable and fun to enjoy your favorite movies, TV shows and videos from the Internet on your TV. Its PlayOn software runs on Windows PCs and wirelessly streams Internet content to networked Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 gaming consoles, a wide range of DLNA-compliant devices connected to your TV, iOS devices including the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, and Android v2.2 or higher. MediaMall operates with offices in New York, Seattle and Copenhagen and can be found online at www.PlayOn.tv.
PlayOn is a trademark of MediaMall Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners

Still Going!

Sony ships 150 millionth PlayStation 2

by Don Reisinger

PlayStation 2

(Credit: Sony)

Sony's PlayStation 2--yes, 2--has reached a milestone.
The company announced today that it had shipped 150 million units of the console as of January 31. That's since its launch in Japan in March 2000.
The PlayStation 2's longevity has been nothing short of astounding. Nearly 11 years after launch, the PlayStation 2 is still available for purchase for $99.99. The console trails far behind the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, and Sony's PlayStation 3 in total sales each month these days, but it still has a strong presence in the Middle East, South America, and other areas around the world.
Part of the success of the PlayStation 2 has been due to the immense support third-party developers brought to the console. According to Sony, there are currently more than 10,800 titles developed for the PlayStation 2. Through the end of 2010, over 1.52 billion PlayStation 2 software units had been sold.
Keeping the PlayStation 2 relevant for more than a decade has always been Sony's plan with the console.
"We at PlayStation have never subscribed to the concept that a console should last only five years," Patrick Seybold, senior director of corporate communications for Sony Computer Entertainment, said in an interview with CNET last year. "Both the original PlayStation and PlayStation 2 had life cycles of more than 10 years, and PlayStation 3 will as well.
"The 10-year life cycle is a commitment we've made with every PlayStaiton consumer to date, and it's part of our philosophy that we provide hardware that will stand the test of time providing that fun experience you get from day one for the next decade," he continued.
Whether the PlayStation 3 will be able to stand the test of time the way remains to be seen. Whereas the PlayStation 2 dominated console sales, the PlayStation 3 has not. The PS3 has consistently trailed behind the Xbox 360 and Wii in the U.S.
However, the PlayStation 3 isn't exactly running out of steam. For its fiscal year that ends March 31, Sony expects to have sold 15 million PlayStation 3 units. It sold 13 million units during its previous fiscal year.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20031759-17.html#ixzz1E3WJLJTB

Some thoughts on media for backups, you know, that thing we never remember to do...until it's too late!

Best Media For Backups

By Lincoln Spector, PCWorld    Feb 10, 2011 7:19 AM

Kenb asked the Desktops forum onto what type of media he should backup his files.
For day-to-day regular backup, I recommend an external hard drive. It's simple, quick, inexpensive, and can contain everything on your internal hard drive.
Another option worth considering for regular daily backup is the cloud, using a service like Mozy or Carbonite. Cloud backup has the advantage of distance--since your backup is far away, it won't be lost in the same fire, flood, or burglary that takes your computer. On the other hand, it's painfully slow (the first, initial backup can take weeks) and in the long run costs more.
DVD+R or DVD-R discs work best for long-term archiving of files that aren't likely to change--photos, videos, and so forth. The fact that you can't erase them--a disadvantage for daily backups--is an advantage here. Use good discs (you can buy special archival discs that probably up the chance of their lasting a long time--although there's no way to know for sure). Make multiple copies and keep them in different locations.
If you want to make an image backup of an entire drive or partition, either an external hard drive or DVDs will do. DVDs are cheaper for this very occasional chore, but the hard drive is much more convenient.
Flash is too expensive, on a per-gigabyte basis, for a large-size backup. But it can be handy for copying important files, especially when you're on the road.

Wasn't that a party?

One of my co-workers had a spare ticket to the "Big Party" at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, so I went and I had a great time.  Not being a drinker, I did not benefit form all the free booze, but I drank my share of sour mix and Pepsi. (No, not together)  people there There were at least 2100 people there.   Here are some scenes from the party.

I think we have a winner in the set top box race. Nobody does it better.

Another firmware update grants Roku owners USB channel, MKV containers come along

By Tim Stevens posted Feb 1st 2011 7:55AM

If you have a Roku player with a USB port, like the XDS above, you've been able to play media directly from USB storage for some time now using third-party channels. For whatever reason it's taken Roku this long to get an official USB playback channel on there, allowed in the latest firmware (2.9 build 1529) and finally available for download in the Channel Store. We're told that MKV playback has also been added, which might make watching those downloaded Top Gear episodes a little easier.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Roku Forums

43

Leave A Comment