Best Buy reveals Insignia Flex Tablet, 9.7-inches of Android 4.0

Best Buy reveals Insignia Flext Tablet, 97inches of Android 40

It's been a little while since we visited anything from Best Buy's Insignia brand, but this new tablet from the retailer just caught our (or rather a tipster's) eye. Called the Insignia Flex, it's a 9.7-inch, dual-core 1GHz, Android 4.0 slate that promises up to ten hours of battery life. As you can see, the design is unique enough to stand out from the crowd, with a squared off look, and an almost Xperia T-esque curve to the bezel. That's about all we know about it at the minute, other than it being penciled in for release a month from now. We're hoping that this could land with a smile-friendly price tag, but if you want to know for sure, hit up the source link to follow along on Facebook.

[Thanks, Matt]

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Best Buy reveals Insignia Flex Tablet, 9.7-inches of Android 4.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 06:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roku Streaming Stick launches in October for $99, Vudu comes to the Roku platform today

Roku Streaming Stick launches in October for $99, Vudu comes to the Roku platform today

We've been waiting for Roku to release its miniaturized dongle since CES, and now we finally know the flash drive-sized Streaming Stick will be available next month for $99. Priced the same as as the Roku 2 XS set-top box, it brings the same feature set but in a smaller package designed to work directly with your HDTV, thanks to power, remote control and data signals fed through an MHL-compatible HDMI port. While it will work with other MHL-ready host devices, manufacturers with Roku Ready stamped and certified HDTVs on shelves this fall will include Apex, Insignia and Hitachi -- Onkyo plans to ship receivers early next year. If you pick up an otherwise dumb flat-panel with the stick bundled along with it the price is set by that manufacturer, but the standalone plan means buyers savings are focused on the two cables they won't be needing, and simplified remote capability since their TV remote can talk to the Stick directly. Like the Roku 2 XS, the Streaming Stick also includes the motion control capable game remote.

A separate move will benefit many existing Roku owners, as it is also announcing that Walmart-owned Vudu is launching on the platform today. You will need a Roku HD (2500), LT or Roku 2 box (or the Streaming Stick, once it launches) to take advantage of the Vudu app and its streams that bring quality of up to 1080p and 7.1 surround sound. That also means access to Vudu-compatible UltraViolet movie titles on yet another set-top box, if that's a consideration, and users score a $5.99 credit with Vudu just for linking the account to their boxes. All the details are in the press release after the break, and on the Roku blog.

Continue reading Roku Streaming Stick launches in October for $99, Vudu comes to the Roku platform today

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Roku Streaming Stick launches in October for $99, Vudu comes to the Roku platform today originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 03:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roku Streaming Stick ready devices will come from Insignia, Mitsubishi, Onkyo, Oppo and others

Roku unveiled its miniaturized Streaming Stick at CES, and while we still don't have an exact release date or price tag, the company has produced a list of manufacturers that will deliver "Roku Ready" hardware. That list is comprised of Element Electronics; GlobalVue International, LLC; Haier; Hitachi America, Ltd.; Insignia / Best Buy (which already tried out this strategy once with the whatever-happened-to-the TiVo-powered cTV); Mitsubishi Electric (TVs); Onkyo and Integra; OPPO and TMAX Digital, Inc.(Apex Digital(R) TVs). In case you've forgotten, the Roku Streaming Stick plugs into MHL-compatible HDMI ports to not only feed video to the HDTV, receiver or other device, but also accept remote control inputs and power, and brings its own WiFi hookup for internet access. That way, users can add this single accessory to make a "dumb" flat panel into a connected TV all without any extra cords or switching remotes, and, if necessary, easily upgrade in the future.

As CEO Anthony Wood mentioned just days ago Roku's current focus is finding companies willing to work together to provide a well integrated experience for the add-on. To make that clear for potential buyers, Roku Ready devices like HDTVs, receivers and Blu-ray players will not only be stamped with a logo to show they're compatible, some will arrive with the dongle packed in. Its due date is set for "the coming weeks" so it shouldn't be long until we nail down the other details about the Roku Streaming Stick -- all currently available information can be found in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Roku Streaming Stick ready devices will come from Insignia, Mitsubishi, Onkyo, Oppo and others

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Roku Streaming Stick ready devices will come from Insignia, Mitsubishi, Onkyo, Oppo and others originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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