Hulu Plus Coming to Roku and TiVo Premiere: Apple TV Next?

Roku and TiVo today announced that they are bringing support for Hulu Plus subscriptions to their set-top boxes, leading to speculation that a similar deal could eventually be struck for the new Apple TV. The service, which requires an additional $9.99-per-month subscription, will launch on Roku and TiVo Premiere boxes within the next few months.

Hulu Plus offers one of the deepest offerings of current TV shows on a streaming platform to subscribers in the U.S., including every episode of more than 45 current hit programs from ABC, FOX and NBC like Modern Family, Grey's Anatomy, Glee, Family Guy, The Office and 30 Rock. In addition, TV lovers with TiVo Premiere DVRs will be able to enjoy full series runs and numerous back seasons of dozens of classic shows like The X-Files, Law and Order: SVU, Arrested Development, Saturday Night Live, Miami Vice, Ugly Betty, Quantum Leap, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Roswell and Ally McBeal.

Hulu Plus launched on the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch earlier this year, and so it seems reasonable to speculate that a version for the iOS-based Apple TV could be in the works. While Apple's AirPlay technology set for public release with iOS 4.2 in November will allow users to stream video content from their portable iOS devices to the new Apple TV, it is unclear whether Hulu, which has been selective in the platforms on which it allows its content to be used, will be compatible with AirPlay. Regardless of Hulu's AirPlay compatibility, however, native support for Hulu Plus on Apple TV would be a significant feature addition for the new device.

Via : macrumors

MSI Debuts GT663 Gaming Notebook with nVidia GeForce GTX 460M

The new MSI GT663 gaming laptop comes with the latest Intel Core i7 [720QM-840QM] quad-core processor as well a three slot setup of memory banks allowing up to 12GB [4GBx3] of installed memory at up to 1333MHz. Unlike many "i7"-branded processors that are actually dual-core or double-channel memory, this is a fully fledged triple-channel memory, quad-core with Hyper-Threading i7.

In addition to the desktop replacement-like specs MSI also integrated the sound technologies from Dynaudio to improve the GT663’s auditory experience. The GT 663 also features DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC technology to give you cinema-class sound at no extra cost through either dual-channel speakers or headsets.

The GT663 also doesn’t skimp on hard drive space coming with two hard drives with up to 1TB in storage capacity. This allows not only for the expansion of hard drives in the future, but it also leaves open the realm of possibility of running an SSD as a boot/OS drive and a 500GB 7200RPM drive as a data drive. This would be the ultimate gaming solution, and we hope MSI considers it in some of their offerings. Then again, we do advise to go for post-market upgrade with the latest SSD hard drive, rather than the current situation where you buy a hybrid notebook carrying an SSD that doesn't support TRIM or Garbage Collection combined with a perfectly good hard drive.

When it comes to the Graphics, the MSI GT663 utilizes the all-new GeForce GTX 460M processor which enables high-end graphics gaming in a mobile form factor. The GTX 460M features all of the usually expected technologies that are associated with a gaming chip, helped along by the 1.5GB of GDDR5 memory.

The GT663 can display these graphics through a wide array of displays ranging from the two types of onboard LCDs that display at 1920x1080[16:9] and 1366x768 [16:9] to the VGA and HDMI outputs on the back of the laptop. The GTX 460M is also supplemented by a 720P webcam that enables high-resolution video chatting without the need of purchasing a new webcam. This is all powered by a beefy 9-cell battery that gives the MSI GT663 it’s unplugged, albeit fairly short, life. In our view, Toshiba still leads the desktop replacement category with their 12-cell battery, but their graphics configuration doesn't come close to performance offered by the GT663.

Read More @ brightsideofnews

R2-D2 Droid 2 beeps and whirs to Verizon Wireless

Lucasfilm may have just announced plans to re-release theStar Wars theatrical films in 3D format, but fans who want to hold a bit of the franchise in their hands (and maybe make a phone call or two) will be pleased to know the Motorola Droid R2-D2—basically a Droid 2 in R2-D2 clothing—goes on sale today via Verizon Wireless’s Web site and selected retail locations.

The limited edition phone was announced with the Droid 2 back in August: the phone features a graphic design that helps the phone resemble the iconic robot character, along with custom packaging designed to resemble carbonite—because that way the phone will be safe until it’s thawed out and released by a princess, or something. The phone will come with aStar Wars media dock and stereo headset, along with exclusiveStar Wars content, including ringtones and wallpaper, a special clock Widget, a “Best of R2-D2″ video, and an exclusive binoculars application.

The Droid R2-D2 will be run $249 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year service agreement, along with subscribing to plans that total up to $68.98 a month in voice and data service, exclusive of taxes and fees.

Verizon Wireless is also planning to launch an exclusiveThe Empire Strikes Back app—although it won’t be restricted to just the R2-D2 phone, any Verizon Wireless phone with Android 2.1 or later will be able to grab it for $2.99.

Via : digitaltrends

R2-D2 Smartphone is the Droid You're Looking For

It's only fitting that Motorola would build a Droid device around the most famous android of all time. We're of course talking about R2-D2 and not Google's open-source platform, though that Android is included in the fray as well. You've read about the R2-D2 Droid, you've seen the pictures, and at long last, you can finally order one.

The limited edition smartphone is now available through Verizon for $249 with a two-year service agreement, regardless of whether you're a new or existing subscriber (full retail price is $699). That gets you one of the coolest looking phones in the galaxy, a multimedia dock, and a handful of exclusive content pre-loaded on the device, including ringtones, interactive wallpaper, a custom clock Widget, a "Best of R2-D2" video with original Cantina music, and an Empire Strikes Back Binoculars application.

In case you need a refresher, Motorola's Droid 2 smartphone comes with a 3.7-inch WVGA touchscreen, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 5MP camera, 512MB RAM, 8GB pre-installed microSD card (expandable up to 32GB), 1GHz processor, and Android 2.2 (Froyo).

Via : hothardware

MSI Announces New 15.6″ Quad Core Gaming Notebook With Nvidia Graphics

Micro-Star International has announced yet another gaming notebook they plan to release. The MSI GT663 is the name of the 15.6″ DirectX 11 gaming notebook which has no price or release date at the moment. The notebook features the latest in Intel processors and Nvidia graphics technology.

The MSI GT663 is powered by an Intel Core i7 Quad Core processor which features Intel Turbo Boost, Turbo Boost basically boosts the clock speed of the processor automatically when you need the power. The notebook will have graphics support from the recently announced Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M, the discrete graphics card features 1.5GB GDDR5 video memory and support for DirectX 11 graphics, Nvidia PhysX, Nvidia Optimus Support, OpenCL, OpenGL and much more –more on the Nvidia GTX 460M.

The GT663 will feature a 15.6″ Full HD or HD LED back-lit (16:9) display, depending on your configuration choice. The notebook will support up to 12GB of DDR3 RAM 1333MHz. For storage you’ll be able to have either 500GB or 640GB or a 1TB RAID O or 1 setup. The optical drives that you’ll have as options include a DVD SuperMulti drive and a Blu-ray, This MSI gaming notebook will also feature DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC technology which helps the laptop provide you with “5.1 channel theater-class wrap-around sound”.

As for ports and connectivity the MSI GT663 comes with the usual things that are found on similar workhorse and gaming laptops. It features 802.11 b/g/n WLAN,Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR,1x Gigabit LAN, two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, eSATA, Express Card reader, a 5-in-1 multi-card reader and a HD Webcam. The laptop will come with Windows 7 Home Premium pre-loaded onto it.

Via : laptop-computer-planet