Western Digital announces the 5th generation of its networked media player series-- the WD TV Live Plus, the first with built-in wifi support.

It comes with support for most online video and music services, including the likes of Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, Dailymotion and Spotify (also a first for WD).

Connections come through HDMI and Composite A/V, with ethernet port and 802.11n wifi support handling online functionality and x2 USB ports for external HDDs.

It also handles virtually every video, Continue reading...

Logitech enters the smartphone/tablet as universal remote arena with the Logitech Harmony Link-- a wifi-enabed IR device and app combination working with both Android and iOS devices.

One connects the hockey puck-sized Harmony Link to the TV before installing the app on their devices-- without the need for attaching any dongles to smartphones or tablets.

Users can use iPads with the app as a full entertainment control system (complete with personalised program guides) while smartphones get universal Continue reading...

Feel like rewatching a favourite scene from, say, Raiders of the Lost Ark, but can't watch the entire film? Kaleidescape might just have the solution with the Kaleidescape Scenes.

Available as an automatic update for every Kaleidescape system, Scenes consists of more than 4000 classic moments from 700 films-- entertainment "snacks," as the company calls them.

It appears to be not only a new way for users to experience their favourites, but also a simple and well organised means to create a demo Continue reading...

Excito updates its Bubba TWO with the B3-- beefing up its hardware and software to make it more powerful and energy efficient while having it act as a personal cloud.

It carries a 1.2GHz ARM processor together with 512MB of RAM, while Excito says power consumption is as low as 5W. The device can handle up to 4TB of file sharing and storage.

The company also claims installation is a fairly simple 3-step process, thanks to a web-based interface providing access to all of the B3's functions-- whcih Continue reading...