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It's been nearly a year since Samsung first announced HBO Go access would be coming to its Smart TVs, and today the company announced on all forms of social media (Twitter, Facebook, Google+ -- there may be a YouTube video out there somewhere) it's finally available. Most should be familiar with HBO's TV Everywhere offering that opens its archives to users on various internet devices and has already been well received on iOS, Android and Roku platforms. The official HBO Go Twitter account mentions news on the Xbox 360 client is "coming soon" but for now subscribers can just grab the app and start watching -- with a few caveats.

For reasons not mentioned, the HBO Go app doesn't play nicely with every Smart TV, with access available on all 2010 and 2011 models with the exception of several from last year (listed after the break). Also key to remember is that not every TV provider has given its blessing to allows customers access to HBO Go in the living room, so it seems Comcast, DirecTV and Time Warner customers are still out of luck. If you've got the right combo of service provider and hardware go forth and download from the Samsung Apps marketplace right now, we'll be busy trying to figure out where the old episodes of Arli$$ are.

The Beeb has finally detailed its plans for 3D broadcasts during the London 2012 Olympic Games this summer, and unfortunately for fans of the technology, the content available for live viewing will be pretty limited. The BBC's site lists the Opening / Closing ceremonies and the men's 100m dash for its experimental coverage... and that's it. At the end of each day a "highlights package" will be available, but we're still not sure what other sports will be included yet. This approach harkens back to NBC's 24 hour tape delayed HD broadcasts of 2004, and according to director Roger Mosey, is mostly due to limited capacity. If the BBC is using one of its HD channels for the free-to-air 3D broadcast, then it takes away an HD channel for another event at the same time, so the ceremonies have the advantage of not blacking out any other coverage. In the US, it's possible things could be different if 3D broadcasts are made available on a dedicated events channel as Versus nee NBC SportsTalk has done before, but we'll wait to hear what NBC has planned and hope Usain Bolt doesn't false start again.

In the market for a HDTV upgrade? Then you may be interested in hearing how much you'll need to pony up for Samsung's new screens. HDGuru's got its hands on a whole list of purported MAPs (minimum advertised prices) for its 2012 range and, sadly, they're slightly pricier than last year's models. You will, however, be getting some extra bang for your buck; its latest top-end sets include built-in cameras, speech recognition and gesture-sensing remotes. The LED LCD 8000 series of Smart TVs maxes out at 75 inches ($7,299), "shrinking" down to a 46 inch model ($2,699). These all pack a 3D screen alongside dual-core processors for TV-based apps. Meanwhile, if you're in the market for a plasma, expect to pay around $2,249 for the 51 inch model with the same specifications outlined above, while a 64 inch vista will necessitate 3,399 notes. Prices aren't set in stone just yet and could change depending on competitor's pricing ahead of hitting the shelves. We're hoping any potential price adjustments will be in the downward direction. Also of note: in 2012 you may not be able to find deep discounts at online shops like Amazon vs. big box retailers like Best Buy, as HDGuru mentions Samsung is reportedly looking to enforce Apple-style uniform pricing on its high-end products. Check the full -- and pretty darn comprehensive -- list at the source below.

The National Cable & Telecommunications Association and Boxee don't see eye to eye on whether or not ClearQAM is good or bad for us. Boxee argues that encrypting even those channels free and clear via an antenna, as a few cable companies have requested permission from the FCC to do, will increase your bill and limit competition. The NCTA alternatively claims that eliminating ClearQAM will enable self installs, thus reducing costs and truck rolls, because the coax outside your house will no longer need to be disconnected when you cancel service, and that Boxee should just adopt CableCARD if it wants the Boxee Box to access live cable TV -- of course most anyone who has had a CableCARD setup knows that a simple truck roll to connect a cable outside is child's play. While this struggle has played out in public with FCC filings, social media and blog posts, we all just fondly remember a day when setting up a TV was as simple as connecting a single coax cable and running a channel scan. Of course, it would be nice if the FCC would actually force more QAM to be sent in the clear and require accurate PSIP data while it's at it, but we gave up on that dream years ago.

Sure, we knew it was coming, but now Hulu Plus has officially arrived for the Nintendo Wii, letting you stream "current-season hit TV shows such as... New Girl and Vampire Diaries" in all their high standard-definition glory. We know, you're already caught up on all that New Girl action, but The Biggest Loser's latest win will look even juicier in gorgeous 480p SD resolution, so head on over to the colorful Wii Shop Channel to get your $7.99 monthly Hulu fix. Or, if you're not keen on paying for your teevee, you can download a two-week free trial of the service anytime within the first month of availability. And what about that 3DS version? You'll need to wait until "later this year," unfortunately. Full PR is just past the break.

Remember those color problems experienced by some Xbox 360 users after last year's dashboard update? Microsoft appears to have fixed the issue in its latest system update, although it will take time for the fix to roll out across the associated apps -- we've been told this will happen over the next few months. Its Sony rival also rolled out its own (optional) update for the PS3 yesterday, improving "certain aspects" of the UI. The Xbox team promise that their update will also increase performance, but don't take their word for it; the update is rolling out now -- let us know how it goes.

Time Warner Cable promised live TV streaming would make the leap from iOS to Android devices after Ice Cream Sandwich rolled out, and now Director of Digital Communication Jeff Simmermon tweets that it could go live by the end of March. That's described as a "very loose" date however, so don't get your Tab's and Nexus' hopes up to high just yet. This comes just after it launched a beta for live TV streaming to PCs, and on the same day the company revealed the formerly Android-exclusive MyTWC app for iOS. It handles more mundane tasks like bill payment, call forwarding and voicemail, but interested subscribers can grab the free app from iTunes at the link below.

It's not often that a company announced it lost 17,000 customers in a quarter and that's considered good news, but for Comcast that's exactly the case when it comes to cable TV. Compared to the 135,000 customers lost in the same period a year ago (which was also lower than the year that preceded it), it's a slowing of a trend over the last few years and if you believe cord cutting is taking a toll on Big Cable, could indicate that is tailing off as well. That's not all of the good news however, as it also increased the number of customers picking up extra services like internet and phone. We didn't get too many tidbits from the earnings call, but did hear a mention that it's investing in new cloud-based software for its TV boxes -- hopefully that means we'll see that new Xfinity TV guide roll out widely sooner rather than later.

Kinect hacks previously brought gesture and voice control to Boxee and XBMC, and now that the Kinect for Windows hardware has been released we've got a solution for Windows Media Center. The aptly named Kinect for Media Center brings all the normal playback controls (for WMC and add-ins like Netflix) to your fingertips and lips, at the cost of $6.99. While its control scheme seems to be fully featured there are unfortunately some limitations -- it doesn't work with the Xbox 360 Kinect due to Microsoft's restrictions, and it also doesn't work with WMC extenders. What is included are filters to keep your content from accidentally triggering the voice controls (something some of us have had problems with on the Xbox 360), and configurable settings for right or left hand dominance or sensitivity. You can check out a video demo of the beta version (compare to a demo we saw last year from the makers of the Amulet voice control remotes) embedded after the break, or head directly to the site to try it out yourself if you're sure that finding the remote has simply become to much of a hassle.

We're back with 2012's first post-football Engadget HD podcast. How will we survive in these harsh, unforgiving lands? We're not sure, but there's still plenty of news to discuss including the latest rumors from Google and Apple, and pricing info on some of 2012's most anticipated HDTVs. Not happy with your current cable company-provided DVR? Announcements from Virgin Media and Arris have some good news/ bad news for you, but for all that and the rest, just press play.

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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)

Producer: Trent Wolbe

00:01:42 - Virgin Media's Q4 2011 report: Brits love TiVo
00:05:23 - Arris brings Moxi HD DVR sales to an end, plans to cut off guide data after 2013
00:13:30 - AT&T U-Verse iPad app combines DVR control and companion features
00:20:17 - Roku adds BBC iPlayer channel as it starts shipping in the UK
00:21:30 - 2012 HDTV pricing leaks out for Panasonic, Sony, Sharp and Samsung
00:30:49 - Google reportedly working on wireless home entertainment system
00:34:00 - Google TV Facebook page teases new announcement (Update: It's a new YouTube app)
00:36:17 - Super Bowl internet debut breaks records, disappoints some viewers
00:43:10 - Disney considering 28-day rental window
00:53:45 - Amazon, Viacom deal brings more TV shows to Prime
00:57:54 - Globe and Mail reveals early details on Apple iTV
01:06:46 - Must See HDTV (February 13th - 19th)

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After expanding its live TV streaming from iPads to iPhones, Time Warner Cable is going in the other direction and offering the service on PCs. The PC version of TWC TV launched today in beta -- still no word on streaming to Android devices or HDTVs yet -- but the Silverlight player will work on Windows and OS X, in Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari or Chrome. According to the official blog it has more than just streaming, with remote control over compatible set-top boxes and DVR scheduling also included. Of course, the same restrictions still apply here as they have on tablets and phones, with playback only while connected to your home network. If you're a Time Warner customer, hit the link below to sign in and try it out, or hit the blog for more details on what works where.

We've all heard about SlingBox, that nifty bit of kit that lets you stream your cable or satellite television to the mobile device of your choice, and now a new company called Aereo aims to provide a similar service for OTA broadcast television. The service costs $12 dollars a month and will launch March 14th, but is only available to folks in New York City through Aereo's HTML5-powered website. It'll stream all the major networks, and also offers a cloud-based DVR service on the internet-connected device of your choosing, whether it's a media streamer, phone, tablet or TV. Aereo's powered by large devices containing tons of tiny, dime-sized TV antennas connected to the cloud, with individual antennas corresponding to individual users -- giving each the ability to tune into one channel at a time. Intrigued as much as we are? Learn all about Aereo's new service at the source link below.

B&W will soon have something new for every corner of your media consumption shrine. The six-year-old M-1 compact monitor is getting improved drivers, offering "enhanced full-range performance," while the PV1D subwoofer benefits from a more complete redesign. It now boasts the same digital platform as the flagship DB1, a new OLED display and other fresh specs including a dynamic EQ circuit and a low 7.5Hz cut off. The only component of the Mini Theater range that'll keep its old guts is the ASW608 subwoofer, which is now available in matte white to match that option with the M-1s. Look to spend $250 on each monitor, $1,700 on the PV1D and $500 on the ASW608, but check the press release first for more details and bundle options. Availability starts "early 2012."

It's Monday, and almost as regular an occurrence as the day itself, we're here to help by letting you listen into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to mp3 at 10PM. 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.

This week sees the annual return of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show alongside other premieres sprinkled among the Whitney Houston tributes. Still, even with football off the schedule we're focused on sports, whether it's New York's newest star or a fictional player in an HBO series. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.

Mavericks/Knicks
One word: LINSANITY. Jeremy Lin mania has swept the nation and we are completely caught up in it. The Harvard star turned Knicks starting point guard brings his show back to national TV Sunday afternoon against the defending NBA champions -- catch the fever.
(Sunday, ABC, 1PM)

Survivor, The Amazing Race
The two big reality show / travelogue contenders both return with new seasons this week. While we prefer The Amazing Race for its varied locales, we're sure whatever island Survivor sticks its collection of money-hungry individuals on this time will be quite beautiful as well.
(Wednesday, CBS, 8PM) (Sunday, CBS, 8PM)

Eastbound & Down
Kenny Powers returns for the final season of Eastbound & Down Sunday night, as he joins a minor league team and attempts to make it back to the major leagues. If you haven't been watching this comedy, you've been missing out. One of our managing editor's favorite shows, Kenny is not exactly a role model, but that's what makes him so hilarious as a disgraced former star who goes from big time baseball to gym teacher. Check out the trailer for the new season embedded after the break.
(Sunday, HBO, 10PM)

It's been over a year since we saw AT&T first demo a U-verse connected tablet app with second screen companion features it called "ComplemenTV" and last week it officially launched for the iPad. AT&T U-verse for iPad can act as a remote control for any the company's DVRs in the home, as well as pull in extra info about the content that's playing. If you're away from home, it can still pull up guide data, program the DVR, or play a selection of VOD shows just like the U-verse's other mobile apps. what it doesn't have however, unlike many other pay-TV tablet apps out there, is live TV streaming of any kind. Of course, it is a free add-on, so check after the break for a quick video demo or hit iTunes to download it yourself.

We first heard about Google's foray into home-based hardware late last week, when it asked the FCC for Special Temporary Authority (STA) to have employees test an "entertainment device" in their homes (as opposed to a lab). According to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, it's rumored to be a Sonos-like device related to the Android@Home Tungsten hub we saw at Google I/O last year. It appears, however, that's not all Google's got in store, as some information has trickled out about another Google-branded gadget. Apparently, it's a "next generation personal communication device," and Mountain View has asked the FCC for another STA to test 102 of them in the same cities as the aforementioned entertainment box: Mountain View, LA, New York and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Why? Well, Google wants to track its Bluetooth performance and evaluate "the throughput and stability of the home WiFi networks that will support the device" in a real-world setting. Other details about the device are scant, but we do know that testing on this second Google-made gadget is ongoing through July 15th, so here's hoping we can get a glimpse of one between now and then. Check out the FCC docs for both devices at the source below, and feel free to sound off on what you think Google's got in store in the comments after.

Since Eric Schmidt made the rather bold proclamation that "most" new TVs would have Google TV embedded by summer 2012, we've all been waiting for something "big" from Mountain View. Well, if you can believe the services' Facebook page, "big announcements" are just what we can expect Monday. A post on Google TV's profile leaves a lot to the imagination, but while speculation is already jumping sky-high (Google TV Nexus, anyone?) the possibilities range all the way from new product announcements to minor service / feature expansions or contests -- so set your alert levels accordingly. Of course, if it were really a big deal then you'd think the news would come out on Google+, right?

Update: Just that fast, the official blog has revealed the big announcement and it's.... an updated version of the YouTube app. For what it's worth, the new version is supposed to be faster with smoother navigation when it starts rolling out "in the next few days." It also adds a "Discover" feature for browsing by category, new channel pages and better tie-ins for related videos, which should help viewers browse its growing library of premium content, but isn't exactly the big announcement some may have anticipated. Check the blog for more details and return to DEFCON 5.

While Moxi may live on in spirit as a white label multiroom HD DVR for cable companies, parent company Arris announced on its website this week the retail boxes and extenders are no longer being sold. Initially, a note on the company's home page indicated tech support and guide data would come to an end at the end of 2013 as noted by Zatz Not Funny, but references to that have since been removed. Potentially abandoned users on AVS Forum have already started looking for alternative ways to keep the guide data flowing and possibly get help from Arris in prying open the code to do so. We've contacted Arris for more information but haven't received a response yet -- we'll update you when / if we do. In the meantime Digeo's baby is still operational, so owners can enjoy however much time they have left, we'd recommend studying up on the stages of grief so you'll understand how to handle them over the next several months.

Update: Arris has updated its page, claiming the discontinuation notice was an "error", and that it has "no plans" to discontinue service. Satisfied?

[Thanks, Alfred]

The FireCore team has been busy updating its pay-to-play ($30) aTV Flash software package for jailbroken Apple TVs and just rolled out the latest bundle of updates in version 1.3. Now it can automatically perform backups, speaks more languages, supports more remote commands, reads more subtitles and the list goes on. You can check after the break for the full changelog, or just hit the Maintenance section if you're already running it to download the update. Take a peek at what it can do and let us know if this is a worthwhile alternative to XBMC, or any of the other media streaming platforms out there.

Now that Netflix is available on most Android devices and even sporting a fresh tablet interface, what's there left to tweak? Plenty actually, and the company just pushed a new 1.7 version of the app that adds Facebook sharing and discovery in the countries where those features are enabled (read: not the US). Also new is a software volume slider for tablet users as shown above by Android Community, as well as tweaks for AV sync and resolution of some other tablet incompatibilities. HD streaming support for tablets will have to wait for another day, but for now users can grab the latest version from the Android Market at the link below.

Nearly one year ago, dictator Hosni Mubarak was forced to step down after 18 consecutive days of protest by Egyptian citizens. Those demonstrations were organized largely through the use of social networking, cell phones and banned TV channels, a greater trend that permeated the revolutionary period now known as the Arab Spring. To mark the anniversary of Mubarak's ousting, Sharif Sakr traveled to Egypt to speak with five Egyptians about the role that technology plays in their lives today. This issue of Distro also features reviews of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, Motorola's Droid RAZR Maxx, Sony's Alpha NEX-7 and a Q&A with the founder of the Ubuntu Project, Mark Shuttleworth. If you've been looking for a good reason to download an issue of Distro, look no further.

Distro Issue 27 PDF
Distro on the iTunes App Store
Distro in the Android Market
Distro APK (for sideloading)
Like Distro on Facebook
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Just as Netflix is nearly ubiquitous on media streaming platforms in the US, BBC's iPlayer is pretty much a default app in the UK so it's no surprise to see it show up on Roku's boxes just as they start shipping across the Atlantic. As detailed in the press release after the break, those shiny new Roku LT and Roku 2 XS hockey pucks are well on their way to punters who've shelled out £50 / £100, respectively, with over 40 available channels. Unfortunately, that announcement doesn't extend to global iPlayer support outside the UK and Republic of Ireland, so we'll have to catch up on Inside Men some other way.

The madness of CES 2012 is long over and now that we've seen all of the new HDTVs, it's time to find out when they're actually going on sale, and for how much. HDGuru has just dug up advertised pricing for some of the new models from Sony (BX, EX and HX lines) and Sharp (640, 745, 844, 847 and 945), while US pricing and ship dates for Panasonic's new plasmas have been revealed by Value Electronics. For Samsung, some of the new HDTVs have already showed up for preorders at retailers like Vanns, including the top of the line 75-inch ES8000 priced at $7,999, while a more reasonably sized 46-inch model is $2,699. Sony's prices range from $399 for the KDL-32BX320 to $2299 for the KDL-55HX750, while Sharp's range from LC-46-L540U for $1,099 to the LC-80LE844U for $6,499. Most of the ship dates are still TBA, although Panasonic is planning to unleash the ST50 later this month, followed by the UT50 and GT50, then the top of the line VT50 in May. While we wait for official announcements, you can hit the source links below for more details, and let us know if you've seen any other 2012 model information peeking out early.