Microsoft’s Home of the Future: A Visual Tour

I’ve been to the Disneyland House of Tomorrow, and this looks like an extension of that with even more cool stuff. CIO got to take a full tour and posted some neat photos. Microsoft’s full-scale model home of the future may seem like science fiction, but interactive bedrooms, dishes that charge cellphones, sensors that notify you when plants need water, […]

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HTPCs will soon have motion sensors

This is pretty neat stuff if they can get it working well enough. And with Kinect sure to sell a bunch of Xboxes, the opportunity to be in lots of living rooms is already there. The company is looking to change the way the consumer interacts with their media, and as such could eliminate the need for TV remotes, and […]

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HD Guru Reminds Us to Update Firmware

I have to admit it was strange to find a section in the menus for updating the firmware on my new TV.  The surprising thing wasn’t that it was necessary, but that it was so accessible.  Some may complain about the need to do it in the first place, but to be honest I’d rather have the hardware now and […]

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Hands On with the WD Live TV Plus (Netflix)

Another extender review here, with some improvements on the original from WD, but still having some growing pains. Still it’s a nice small box that does a lot, and even Netflix now, for a pretty affordable price.   When I made the selection I was presented with the thumbnails for my movies, in duplicate. It seems the WD TV likes […]

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New Xbox Live Gold Family Subscription Plan

Finally. I have to read more of the article but I have always had a fear of having to keep up with 4 separate accounts and have to pay close to 150 for them.   An Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack includes: Up to four individual Xbox LIVE Gold memberships for the price of two – (US) $99.99. Family Center […]

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Shuttle SG41J1 Plus Barebone Review

Shuttle really started the whole SFF (Small Form Factor) trend, but they kinda got quiet in the DIY crowd when it looked like they cared more about their own pre-built systems. Good to see them still evolve their line for us DIY-ers. The SG41J1 is an entry-level (Shuttle ‘J-series’) barebone unit, and if the integrated graphics have enough chops for […]

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