With the recent spring TiVo Premiere update we figured it was as good of a time as any to spend some quality time with the newly-renamed TiVo Premiere XL4. The highest model in the TiVo line, the XL4 costs $399 plus $15 a month, or $499 for lifetime service. For the money, it records four HD shows at once with a single CableCARD and offers 2TB of storage. More tuners and space aren't the only things that have changed since we gave the original TiVo Premiere a once-over just two years ago. No, there have been a few notable releases as well as the release of the TiVo Slide Remote and a number of TiVo companion apps for phones and tablets. How all that comes together is exactly what you'll find out should you choose to click on through to the other side.

Gallery: TiVo Premiere XL4 review

Continue reading TiVo Premiere XL4 review

TiVo Premiere XL4 review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 12:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

As promised at CES earlier this year, TiVo has released its Spring update with the anticipated new Netflix and YouTube apps, as well as porting parental control options to the Premiere's HD user interface. Netflix is the most intriguing of the additions, but while TiVo Premiere owners can now watch Netflix 1080p programming with Dolby Digital Plus discrete surround sound, like Hulu Plus, it isn't a TiVo experience. The new Google-built YouTube app is also like any other streamer and with the exception of search, there isn't much integration at all. Parental control options can finally be set when using the HD UI, but still isn't as full featured as it was with the old UI and is a far cry from KidZone. What the update doesn't do yet however, is complete the HD interface transformation that some Premiere owners have been waiting two years for. Still, we suspect that caveat won't stop owners from rolling the dice on an update check for their TiVo every day over the next few weeks.

TiVo Spring update brings new Netflix and YouTube experience originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 12:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We didn't hear much from Hillcrest Labs' Kylo web browser for TVs after it launched in 2010, but now the company is apparently turning its fate over to the community. A Mozilla-based browser, Kylo will work with any mouse but is designed specifically for its Freespace pointer controls. It's available under the Mozilla Public License which means others can use it for commercial products, but so far web connected products have been slow to take off and even Google TV has had trouble pushing a typical browser experience on HDTVs. Interested devs can snag the code at Kylo.tv or GitHub, we'll see if anyone builds anything with more market impact.

Continue reading Hillcrest Labs open sources Kylo web browser for TVs, hopes the people want one

Hillcrest Labs open sources Kylo web browser for TVs, hopes the people want one originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 03:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's a moderately good day to be an Oklahoman. Wireless subscribers living near Oklahoma City or Tulsa will be among the first to reap the benefits of a new collaboration between Cox Communications and Verizon Wireless that bundles services from both companies, letting customers sign up for packages that include video, internet and voice services from Cox, and wireless service from VZW at a discounted rate. They'll also be eligible to receive debit cards valued at $100-400 if they make the switch to a co-sponsored bundle. You can head over to select retail outlets from either company to sign up, or hit up the source links past the break for more info.

Continue reading Cox and Verizon Wireless join forces, launch service bundles in Oklahoma

Cox and Verizon Wireless join forces, launch service bundles in Oklahoma originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's Monday, and we're on our regular day, but not our regular time. We're still going to let you listen into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to mp3, but at 9:00PM. Please be a part of it by reviewing the list of topics after the break, then participating in the live chat as you listen in.

Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 9:00PM ET

Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 9:00PM ET originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you, or your kids, wish to view the dionysian exploits of Newcastle's finest at any hour of the day, then you're in luck. MTV has unveiled an online on-demand service in the UK that will allow you to binge-watch Geordie Shore and other shows of its ilk for a modest fee. £2 ($3.20) will buy you 24 hours access, while £3 ($4.80) will provide a full week of delightfully low-brow programming. Given the adult nature of MTV's oeuvre, only those 16-and-over will be eligible to access the service, but be warned -- it's charged via your monthly cellphone bill, so keep it a safe distance from the rugrats.

MTV on demand launches in the UK, now everyone's got a 'banker' for those cold nights originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 May 2012 04:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sad that Samsung's rumored S-Cloud didn't appear on the scene? Well the arrival of the company's new Video, Game and Music hubs might heal the wounds. Rather than a unified service, the Galaxy S III will have access to three separate stores that will offer an alternative to Google Play. We spent a few minutes having a play, and you can see what it's like after the break.

Gallery: Samsung's new movie and game hubs hands-on at Samsung Mobile Unpacked 2012

Continue reading Samsung Game Hub, Video Hub hands-on (video)

Samsung Game Hub, Video Hub hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 May 2012 17:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We got a first hand look at Samsung's stunning 55-inch OLED HDTV prototypes earlier this year during CES, but now it's surprising the world by showing off the first mass produced ES9500 models at the 2012 World's Fair (which is apparently still a thing?) in Korea. Beyond the Smart Interaction voice and gesture control, Smart Content and Smart Evolution upgradeable dual-core CPU features found in its other high-end HDTVs, Samsung has also built in Smart Dual View technology. This lets users watch two different programs (2D) on one screen at the same time using the set's 3D glasses and sound fed through headphones. Since each pixel is individually lit, Samsung says its OLED tech has 20 percent better color reproduction than existing LED-backlit LCD HDTVs. There's still no word on exactly when these will ship and for how much, however with competition on the way from LG, these fresh-off-the-factory-line flat panels are a sign we won't be waiting long. Other than new display tech, Samsung also took the opportunity to officially announce bigger LCD models on the way in sizes from 60- to 75-inches. Check the galleries below for a few pictures straight from the expo, as well as our shots of the CES display.

Update: According to the Associated Press, company officials expect it to go on sale in the second half of the year for over 10 million won, around $9,000 US.

Gallery: Samsung ES9500 55-inch OLED HDTV

Gallery: Samsung 55-inch Super OLED TV eyes-on

Continue reading Samsung shows off production 55-inch OLED HDTVs at the 2012 World's Fair

Samsung shows off production 55-inch OLED HDTVs at the 2012 World's Fair originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 01:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.