Google TV Remote app for Android gets its first update, with voice search and design tweaks

Posted on 04/04/2013 by Richard Lawler

The official Google TV Remote app for Android has been around since late 2010, but it only just received its first update since launch. So what's changed? Support for voice commands has been extended for compatibility with Voice Search on Google TV 3.0, the old swiping directional circle has been replaced with an easier to use tappable d-pad, the look has changed slightly (check after the break for a screen of the old UI) there's accessibility support, and now the icon is sporting a small microphone. They're all minor tweaks, but after a couple of years, it's nice to see any attention being paid. We'll see if bigger changes for the platform are in store at Google I/O in May.

Update: Now that the official app has been updated, third party apps may add similar features, including the popular Able Remote which also added Voice Search.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Mobile, Google

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Source: Google Play

Google TV’s PrimeTime app update welcomes Amazon Prime content

Posted on 28/03/2013 by Jamie Rigg

An update to the PrimeTime Android app for Google TV has been released, bringing with it some bug fixes, as well as a "subscription selector" which means Netflix, HBO Go and Amazon Prime content now shows up as free if you're paying for any of those services. Wait, Amazon Prime content, you say? Well yes, we did, as the Amazon Prime Instant Video catalogue has been worked into the new version of the guide and recommendation app. Yet more ways to make sure we're up to date with The Good Wife? Sounds fine to us.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, HD, Amazon

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Source: Google Play store

Sony NSZ-GS7 update brings Google TV’s newer voice search and YouTube perks

Posted on 23/02/2013 by Jon Fingas

Someone must have declared it Google TV Update Week without telling us: just days after a Vizio Co-Star upgrade, Sony's NSZ-GS7 Internet Player is getting its own tune-up. The Sony update parallels its Vizio counterpart in focusing mostly on the features from the fall 2012 Google TV revamp, including PrimeTime and the updated YouTube app. Viewers pining for Amazon VOD access can also grab its app through Google Play. Sony mostly claims an edge over Vizio through its support for the equally new voice search feature: owners just have to chat with Sony's remote to get things done, instead of leaning on phone or tablet control. However GS7 owners plan to steer their TVs, they'll just need to check for a software update in the days ahead to rejuvenate their set-top boxes.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Sony

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Source: Sony

Vizio Co-Star update brings new Google TV UI, native Amazon and Vudu

Posted on 15/02/2013 by Jon Fingas

Vizio's Co-Star hub is still one of the cheapest points of entry into the Google TV world, so it's comforting to see the set-top box getting an update -- albeit somewhat behind Google's own pace. The previously promised release mostly focuses on giving it the third-generation Google TV interface, including the mini-guide, YouTube pairing and (through a future Android app update) voice-guided search. Viewers on the prowl for more content get a few additional perks through new apps for M-Go and Vudu video streaming, as well as a truly native Amazon Instant Video app. Should Vizio's tiny media center inhabit your living room, you can expect the upgrade to arrive over the air within the next few weeks.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google, Amazon

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Source: Vizio

TCL shows off MoVo Google TV box, ‘China Star’ 110-inch 4K TV

Posted on 11/01/2013 by Richard Lawler

Chinese manufacturer TCL has a rather significant showing at CES 2013, with a number of TVs and TV-related products. We're not sure if we'll be seeing any of these debut in the US, but among them were a 110-inch "China Star" 3D 4K TV that's got a brand tie-in with Iron Man 3, and its MoVo Google TV product. Its Google TV set-top box is powered by the same Marvell Armada 1500 SoC as many others, but features a custom skin and uses facial recognition to provide personalized experiences for every family member. It seemed to run equally to other Google TVs, although we wonder if that custom skin may slow down the pace of future updates. Also on display in the booth are TCL's iCE Screen that debuted last year, and its super thin V101 Blade TV. There's more details on the products in the press release after the break, as well as some in person pics (including the 36+ sq ft China Star and accompanying costumed Iron Man) in the gallery.

Gallery: TCL CES 2013 booth

Continue reading TCL shows off MoVo Google TV box, 'China Star' 110-inch 4K TV

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD

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More Redbox Instant details revealed at CES; Vizio, LG and Google TV clients coming

Posted on 09/01/2013 by Richard Lawler

The Redbox Instant video streaming service recently let eager users kick down the doors of its beta test, and now the team behind it has stepped out to talk about its unique feature set. While a public launch is still planned for Q1 (just as Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam said last month) we've had a little time to spend with the beta on our own, and saw it running on several devices including iOS / Android and Samsung Blu-ray player in the company's hotel suite. New hardware partners announced during CES are Vizio, Google TV and LG, which should all see apps arrive soon to their assorted platforms.

More Redbox Instant details revealed at CES Vizio, LG and Google TV clients coming

Currently the mobile apps appear to be the most polished, however all ran smoothly and featured a look apart from the other subscription streaming services. Of course, some of that is a result of Redbox offering movies via kiosk rental, VOD rental / purchase or unlimited subscription. While each UI is a bit unique (predictably, the iOS app foregoes any purchase options due to Apple's insistence on a 30 percent cut) one way to keep track of how a particular movie is accessible are via several small icons in the corner of its box art, showing a kiosk for discs, play button for subscriptions, ticket for purchase, and so on. So far Redbox isn't playing in the picture quality wars, at the moment it's video maxes out at 720p and audio is stereo only, although it is looking to upgrade.

Continue reading More Redbox Instant details revealed at CES; Vizio, LG and Google TV clients coming

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Agawi and Marvell team up to bring cloud-based gaming to Android set-top boxes

Posted on 09/01/2013 by Zachary Lutz

It's like a match made in heaven. Agawi and Marvell have partnered up to combine a cloud-based gaming platform with the equipment that powers many popular Google TV devices. Together, both companies will offer a white-label Android gaming solution to OEMs, internet and cable providers, game publishers and retailers. As a result, we may see a number of smart TV devices begin cropping up that support Agawi's CloudPlay gaming service. Whether this solution poses a legitimate threat to the console business remains to be seen, but we're going to scour the floor at CES to bring you a demo of the system in action. In the meantime, full PR follows the break.

Continue reading Agawi and Marvell team up to bring cloud-based gaming to Android set-top boxes

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD

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LG’s 55-inch 3D Google TV eyes-on

Posted on 08/01/2013 by Joseph Volpe

LG made tentative inroads into the Google TV space last year with only two available sets, but here at CES 2013, the company's announced plans to expand the line to seven additional models. The sets, which range in size from 42 to 60 inches, feature LG's Cinema Screen display at full 1080p resolution with 240Hz refresh rate and are also 3D capable. For input options, consumers will have ports for HDMI (4x) and USB 2.0 (2x) along with wired ethernet (WiFi is also supported). The company's custom Magic Remote has also seen some improvements as the buttons for navigation have all been moved further up, allowing users a more comfortable one-thumb experience. And from the time we spent holding it, it seems that slight change does help enhance overall in-hand comfort. As for new additions to the remote's layout, LG's added in dedicated buttons for voice control and its Prime Time Quick Smart Guide which brings up an overlay of currently airing programs and remaining air time. There's no pricing available at this time, but we do know these sets will hit the market in Q1 of this year.

Gallery: LG 55-inch Google TV (2013)

Continue reading LG's 55-inch 3D Google TV eyes-on

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, Google, LG

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Hisense previews 2013 TV lineup that includes a 110-inch 4K set, Google TV and glasses-free 3D

Posted on 08/01/2013 by Jon Fingas

Hisense gave us a tease of its TV future late last year with reasonably-sized 4K sets. We now know that it's bringing a lot more to CES -- and we do mean a lot. Its 2013 lineup will include the XT900 line, which brings 3D-capable 4K displays to 65-inch, 85-inch and slightly staggering 110-inch sizes. If extreme resolution isn't top on the list, there's still the 55- and 65-inch XT780, which port Hisense's Google TV interface from a set-top box to the set itself. Glasses-free 3D rounds out the previews: while just a concept, the 60-inch GF60XT980 is promising through its combination of face tracking and a 2160p display to avoid the usual 3D eyewear while preserving detail. Unspecified models across the entire mix carry MHL-capable HDMI ports to handle devices like the Roku Streaming Stick. Prices and ship dates will have to wait until closer to release, Hisense says, but many more details (including a snapshot of the XT780) await after the break.

Continue reading Hisense previews 2013 TV lineup that includes a 110-inch 4K set, Google TV and glasses-free 3D

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Hisense

ASUS Qube hands-on (video)

Posted on 07/01/2013 by Richard Lai

One of ASUS' most significant announcements at CES this year is the Google TV-powered Qube. Just as the name suggests, the device comes in the shape of a cube, with an IR receiver on the front side, a USB port on the right, and a bunch more on the back: HDMI-in, HDMI-out, another USB port, RJ-45 and IR-out. Internally the Qube packs a Marvell Armada 1500 chipset with 1GB of RAM and 4GB of flash storage. Like the chassis, the Qube's interface also features a rotating cube, but that's pretty much the only thing special about it so far.

The Qube naturally comes with its very own remote control, and with the exception of the lack of a numpad it comes with all the standard buttons, and on the other side it has a QWERTY keyboard. It's worth pointing out that there's also a voice command button as well as motion-sensing, thus making the most out of Google TV ver.3. Not a fan of the remote control? Then you can simply download an app onto your Nexus 7 or any Android device to get the same functions.

In terms of availability, ASUS plans to launch the Qube in the US in around March for around $150. For the mean time, grab yourself a beverage and check out the demo video after the break.

Gallery: ASUS Qube hands-on