Kylo Teams with WarpiaTV to Revolutionize PC to TV Entertainment
Last Updated on Thursday, 19 April 2012 07:54 Written by Alan Friday, 20 April 2012 07:00
Kylo, the popular web browser for Media Center, has teamed up with Warpia for a new PC and TV software-hardware solution. Hillcrest Labs, the maker of Kylo, issued a press release announcing the new controller for Media Center users. Over the lifetime of the Media Center platform there have been a number of ingenious ways to control it including wireless mini keyboards with built-in mice and specialty remote controls.
The WarpiaTV is a new type of wireless mouse that works somewhat in the way of what has previously been known as a “gyro mouse”. However, WarpiaTV combines that motion-style mouse control with keyboard functionality to make the ultimate Media Center remote control. They also include a web browser that borrows technology from Kylo to add a new TV-style browser that includes 150 of the most watched video sites on the internet.
The new WarpiaTV is available immediately for $79.99 from Warpia and includes the following features, per their source material:
- True 1080p Resolution
- Wireless Motion Controller
- WarpiaTV Browser Powered by Kylo
- High Quality 6ft HDMI cable
- Extend and Mirror Modes
We have not yet had a chance to test WarpiaTV so at the moment this is all based on product specs. We’re hoping to get one for review and full-testing and will update you at that time. From what we have been able to learn, this should make a great addition to any living room Media Center and we can only hope that it truly lives up to that.
Microsoft Announces 2 Windows 8 SKU’s, Changes to Media Center
Last Updated on Monday, 16 April 2012 09:18 Written by Alan Monday, 16 April 2012 09:18
One of the biggest complaints from Windows users in the past has been the number of different versions (known as “SKU’s”) that were available. For many casual users Windows 7 SKU’s were a source of confusion when they were faced with Starter, Home Premium, Ultimate, Professional, et al. Today Microsoft announced that Windows 8 will be greatly simplified with only 2 SKU’s – regular and professional.
Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro will each be available in both x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit) versions. In addition there will also be a Windows 8 RT version for ARM devices, but it will be for OEMs only and not available at retail.
There was mixed news for Media Center fans in this announcement. While Media Center will still be available, as Microsoft promised it would be, it will not be included as it has been in the Consumer Preview version. Instead, Media Center will be an add-on for the Pro version only, and it will not be a free add-on, although no price is being given at this point. Many people had previously speculated that this was the direction the software would head in for the next version of Windows.
Microsoft follower and blogger Ed Bott broke down the 2 editions of Windows 8 in the following way.
- Windows 8 is the default consumer edition, replacing Windows 7 Home Premium. It includes the ability to switch languages on the fly, a feature that was previously available only in the most expensive Enterprise/Ultimate editions.
- Windows 8 Pro is a superset of Windows 8, with the addition of BitLocker encryption and support for Encrypting File System, client Hyper-V virtualization, the ability to boot from a virtual hard disk (VHD), the ability to join a Windows domain, support for group policy, and Remote Desktop host capabilities. That complete package of features is currently available only in Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise.
Microsoft has not yet talked pricing for the new OS, but it’s unlikely that it will vary much from the equivalent versions of Windows 7. The streamlining of the Windows 8 OS was not expected, but will be greatly appreciated by the vast majority of users.
2 Linux Alternatives to Windows Media Center
Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 March 2012 09:49 Written by Alan Monday, 16 April 2012 07:00
Microsoft assured users that Media Center would be a part of Windows 8 and they made good on that promise, but unfortunately the software is completely unchanged from Windows 7, at least in it’s current “Consumer Preview” form. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it also is a bit boring and not what Windows users had hoped for. That got us thinking about non-Windows alternatives, which means either Apple or Linux, and if you’re a computer geek then you likely want to look at Linux.
There are several Linux versions that can replace Windows Media Center, but there are two that we wanted to focus on – Linux MCE and the brand new XBMCbuntu. Both offer more functionality and extensions than Windows, but being Linux, they aren’t quite as simple to set up and use.
This distro brings you all of the XBMC goodness along with a few extras. For one it’s a full stand-alone Linux build. When started up it boots directly into the XBMC interface – think of it as a Windows app that you have loaded into “Startup”. You still can access the full Linux desktop and do upgrades. There are also many add-ons for the operating system.
This OS is probably the most full-features of the two. It comes with support for home automation, telephone, home security, mobile apps, and more. Linux MCE recently went from Alpha to Omega and they are hoping to hit Beta soon. Don’t let this scare you off as it’s been around several years and is quite stable.
