Tag Archives: streaming

PlayStation Portal is finally catching up to the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck

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What is the point of being portable if you can’t exactly carry it everywhere? Granted, you can indeed bring the PlayStation Portal anywhere inside the house as long as it’s within range of a Wi-Fi network that’s connected to your PlayStation 5. That’s definitely fine if that’s all you ever want to do, but not in the age of gaming handhelds.

Launching after the Nintendo Switch, the Steam Deck, and a whole host of other gaming PC handhelds, the PS Portal definitely felt limiting and disappointing. Fortunately, it seems that Sony is finally giving what PS fans have been clamoring for, allowing remote cloud access to PlayStation games anywhere they are.

Designer: Sony

To be fair, the official branding of the PlayStation Portal calls it a “Remote Player for PS5 Console.” Its large size, practically an 8-inch tablet flanked by split DualShock controllers, isn’t something you can easily stash inside a bag anyway. Given the popularity of handheld consoles these days, not to mention the absence of an Xbox handheld as well, the limited “local network” functionality of the PS Portal still felt like a step backward.

A new system update for the remote player device is finally taking steps in the right direction. It is enabling cloud streaming support for PlayStation Plus Premium members, which practically means they’ll be able to play a select number of games from anywhere. Even better, they don’t even need to own a PS5 console since they will be streaming from Sony’s servers.

The feature is still in beta, so there are a few caveats like maxing out quality at 1080p/60fps and no access to PS4 or PS3 games in the catalog. A few PS Plus features are also not available, including party voice chat and in-game commerce, but these restrictions are to be expected during the early testing stages anyway.

Game streaming has its fair share of downsides, particularly when it comes to the required Internet bandwidth. Even streaming at just 720p requires a steady 7Mbps connection, while 1080p needs a good 13 Mbps speed. It still doesn’t have the true portability of other handheld consoles that let you play games installed locally, but it’s an acceptable compromise for the PlayStation ecosystem.

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Google Chromecast Rebrands to ‘Google TV Streamer’ and comes with a new flat tabletop design

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It was a long time due and now news has it, the new Chromecast version is on the horizon. Though it’s not called the Chromecast anymore and neither does it look the same: as it hides behind the TV HDMI dongle. It is more articulately designed (as seen in pictures) and delivered in a more recognizable set-top-like form factor.

The successor to the Chromecast is likely to be called the “Google TV Streamer.” Pitted as a natural rival to the Apple TV, this new 4K streaming device from Google has a slanted top, resting on a firm block base, and a nice white color theme to it. Of course, it’s starkly different from the compact dongle Chromecast, but it retains the “Google TV” branding, 9to5Google reports.

Designer: Google

The new design of the Google TV Streamer is accompanied by a remote control, which is slightly longer than the previous remote of the Chromecast, and also has some upgrades in design and feel. The steaming box itself seems to be connected to two cables at the back, as apparent in images, which could be for “power and HDMI.”

The remote is led by the D-Pad on the top followed by the back and a gray-colored home button. The volume buttons are removed from the side to appear on the front below the home button, while the voice input on its left is a simple microphone. The Google Assistant branding is gone. What is this indicative of, it’s only for the time to tell, but without the Google labeling the remote looks pretty straightforward.

That said, it does have shortcut buttons for YouTube and Netflix, while at the bottom of the remote face is the power button and the customizable star shortcut. We, as mentioned above, do not have a definite release date or the supposed pricing of the new Chromecast variant yet. The Google TV Streamer could, however, make its debut alongside the new range of Google Pixel phones, smartwatches, and other goodies at “Made by Google,” the tech giant’s next hardware event scheduled on August 13.

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Live streaming accessories give creators the tools to elevate their content

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Streaming is big business these days to the point that some kids even declare it to be their dream job. And like any other dream job, the reality is that video streaming isn’t as easy or as magical as it sounds, at least if you’re really aiming to go pro and bring in all the views. You will need to invest in quality equipment that not only makes their work more comfortable but also makes the overall experience more enjoyable. These concept products try to do exactly that, assisting streamers to make them feel more alive, whether onscreen or especially offscreen.

Designers: Mariana Aréchiga, Isaac Saldaña, Ricardo Zerón, Adriana Cruz, Jonathan Gonzalez, Alondra Alvarez, Mariana Pedroza, Juan Muciño

It’s admittedly easy to get started in the live streaming industry. All you need is a decent camera, a reliable Internet connection, and content that will capture the attention of the fickle masses. Going viral and staying relevant, however, requires not only hard work but also tools that will help carry you through both the good times as well as the bad. Alive is a series of product design concepts that try to elevate the streaming experience and beyond, focusing on the things that help streamers stay in control all the time.

One example is a wireless streaming mic that frees you from your desk with its detachable design. While it looks like an ordinary studio mic when on its wireless charging stand, you can easily pick it up and move around without missing a beat or dropping out. It has a helpful ring indicator that quickly clues you in on the volume level without having to check your app’s or computer’s controls.

Lighting does more than just illuminate your face during streams, it can also help set the mood or even indicate your own mood. This conical desk lamp concept delivers that kind of emotional lighting but also provides direct physical controls that don’t leave you at the mercy of buggy apps and spotty network connections. Any streamer will testify to the stress and tension that occurs whenever those supposedly smart lights feel rather dumb due to those technical difficulties.

Power strips are designed to expand your wall socket, but most of them seem to still embrace the limitations of those fixed outlets. This streamer-friendly design, however, has sockets you can rotate so that they adjust to your cables and plugs, not the other way around. There’s also a section of the strip that offers battery backup to make sure critical devices stay powered up even during an emergency. These features might sound trivial, but every small thing that gives streamers peace of mind also helps them create better content.

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Retrofuturistic streaming audio player recreates the simplicity of a radio

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There is no shortage of powerful and sophisticated media players these days that have almost every and all features you can possibly cram inside. Some of these designs are more upfront with the complexity of options and controls, while others hide behind a deceptively minimalist facade that relegates the knobs and sliders to a mobile app instead. While there is always a place for such advanced devices, there is sometimes also a need for simpler and more focused features. An old-school radio, for example, simply plays music it receives from certain frequencies, and that’s the kind of distilled listening experience that this DIY streaming audio player tries to offer in a retrofuturistic design that looks like a cross between that analog radio, a small TV, and, oddly enough, a miniature microwave.

Designer: Nik Reitmann

Streaming devices are so common these days that it almost makes no sense to make one yourself. After all, our smartphones themselves are capable of these and more, and you can easily pair them with a wireless speaker at home for louder output. Of course, if you value the journey and the process of making such a functional design more than the final product, then you’ll probably want something that at least stands out in more than just appearance alone.

This DIY streaming audio player stands somewhere in between a smart speaker and a smart display, focusing on the streaming audio activity but with a touchscreen display that adds a bit of flavor to the experience. It’s not a touch-only device, however, as its creator preferred to embrace some analog controls, especially a volume dial that seems to be a rare sight on many smart speakers these days. There are also a few LED-lit buttons, though, and the whole setup can be controlled remotely from your phone or even a computer.

The design chosen for the player is admittedly distinctive, embracing an aesthetic that seems to mix different eras. The arrangement of a large display or rectangular element opposite a set of buttons and a knob is reminiscent of analog radios and even some TVs from decades past. The smooth surfaces and curves, however, give it a more modern look that is amusingly close to the appearance of a microwave with a physical knob instead of just buttons. Either way, it’s an interesting design for a dedicated streaming audio player that distills the listening experience to its very basics rather than getting lost in a multitude of features.

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LG MyView 32-inch 4K monitor is like having a smart TV for your desk

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The lines that separate large displays at home are becoming blurrier by the day. Although TVs still have the size advantage, the computer monitors on our desks are catching up slowly but surely. And that’s not even considering how many of the functions they have are now being shared by both devices, especially when it comes to supporting a variety of input sources, both wired and wireless. In fact, smart TVs are pretty much gigantic computer monitors, if you want to hook up your desktop, laptop, or even handheld to your living room screen. LG’s latest batch of smart monitors is now turning the tables by incorporating those very same features and putting them at the service of computer users, allowing them to switch between work and play seamlessly, without even mixing those worlds together.

Designer: LG

The needs of computer users and TV owners can be very different, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have things in common as well. In addition to picture quality, both groups probably want to have a wealth of content to choose from, whether it’s for productivity or for entertainment. To some extent, smart TVs actually have the edge with a multitude of connectivity options and built-in support for streaming services. The latter is what LG’s MyView line of smart monitors is bringing to the table, quite literally, giving users a bit more freedom in what they can do on their desks.

The 2024 LG MyView lineup consists of 31.5-inch 4K monitors that, to be honest, might not make PC gamers that happy with their 5ms response time and 60Hz refresh rate. Content creators, in contrast, will be satisfied with the DCI-P3 95% color gamut support and adjustable stands that will let them work at a more comfortable level. Simply based on those specs, the LG MyView sounds pretty mediocre, but as they say, wait, there’s more!

The real highlight here is that the monitors are running webOS, which practically makes them 32-inch smart TVs. This gives them access to a variety of streaming services as well as apps such as Microsoft 365 and Google Calendar, all without even connecting to a computer. Of course, you’re most likely to already have a computer attached anyway, but this independent mode will let you enjoy watching videos without distractions from your computer’s notifications.

Admittedly, it might sound like a niche use case, one that will cost you $599.99 if you do subscribe to that kind of workflow. It could even encourage unhealthy habits, with people preferring not to get up from their desks since they can just watch their favorite flicks from there anyway. Then again, this isn’t LG’s first MyView monitor, nor is it alone in this market, so it might only be a matter of time before all computer monitors become smart computer monitors without exception.

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The BEACN Mix Sound Controller Is on Sale at a 33% Discount

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The BEACN Mix Sound Controller — a basic hardware mixer which provides convenient control over up to four audio inputs/outputs on a connected PC — showed up in August 2021 to critical streamer and podcaster acclaim alongside its slightly bigger, yet far more advanced sibling, the BEACN Mix Create. MMORPG’s Joseph Bradford noted its ease of use and great-feeling controls, though it’s broadly disagreed upon whether or not the baseline BEACN Mix controller is worth its $149 MSRP when placed so close to the Mix Create (which has a $199 MSRP). Meanwhile, both controllers compete against the Elgato Stream Deck ($199.99) in both functionality and price, albeit with a few key design differences; potentially making the BEACN Mix the better choice for regular use.

And now, for those who’ve remained on the fence about buying one or the other, the tables are turning. Drop is currently offering the BEACN Mix Sound Controller at a 33.5% markdown ($99, down from $149). Of course, there’s also the far more comprehensive Razer Stream Controller, but its $269.99 MSRP pushes it outside of the same ballpark while its $149.99 macro-only counterpart, the Razer Stream Controller X, is in a category of its own. For the limited time this offer is active, the BEACN Mix is one of the best — if not the best — dedicated streaming audio mixers you can buy, and its major design advantages over the premium-priced Elgato Stream Deck are significant where accessibility is concerned.

Designer: BEACN

Buy it now on Drop $99 $149

BEACN’s design features two colorways: Dark Blue and White, and they’re both attractive yet functional thanks to the mixer’s four large (and evidently, quite comfortable) knobs and 5-inch full-color display. These are a departure from the Elgato Stream Deck’s much tinier display, function buttons, and knobs, and that’s all possible due to its larger dimensions. Comparing the two side-by-side, the BEACN Mix Sound Controller measures in at 7.4 x 14.3 x 14.2 inches, whereas the Stream Deck is 4.6 x 3.3 x 0.8 inches. Despite the BEACN’s added comfort making it a shoo-in for someone who needs a bigger display and bigger controls, that size difference may be worth considering when determining whether your desk has enough space to fit it.

Still, it’s a plug-and-play mixer with plenty of portability, using USB-C to connect to the streaming PC via a single connection. Once that’s set up, the software seems equally easy to get rolling. Critics are less in love with the mixer’s lack of sophisticated features, however. For example, it lacks the ability to create and control submixes of similar audio signals. That’s not too important when you need something simple in a pinch, and the BEACN Mix is just that — a simple, yet durable and easy-to-configure solution for podcasting and streaming with limited space resources. If that’s you, you’ll want to grab it at its current price before the deal ends, though it’s unclear when that’ll be. Drop’s estimated ship date is December 29, 2023.

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