Barb Gonzalez

SmartStream
Hands On: Apple’s New Watch Anywhere Feature
Barb Gonzalez  |  Mar 22, 2017
Apple is finally getting around to allowing users to rent a video once and watch it on all devices. I took the new feature for a test drive.
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SmartStream
Hands On: Facebook Video App for Apple TV
Barb Gonzalez  |  Mar 10, 2017
It would be easy to dismiss the Facebook Video app as unnecessary and just another way to waste time. The new app,recently launched for Samsung TVs and the fourth generation Apple TV, is a lot better than I had expected. And oddly, I find that I’m spending less time using it.
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SmartStream
Alexa Finds More Ways to Say 'Your Wish Is My Command'
Barb Gonzalez  |  Feb 23, 2017
Voice control is getting smarter and smarter every day and Alexa is leading the way.
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SmartStream
Hands On: Plex Adds DVR Features and Alexa
Barb Gonzalez  |  Feb 09, 2017
We revisit Plex to see how its new DVR and voice-control features work.
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SmartStream
NVIDIA Shield TV: My New Favorite Media Streamer
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 26, 2017
The NVIDIA Shield TV was created as the best streaming player for gamers. Features including Home Control, improved search, and all the content a cord-cutter could want in one device, makes the new Shield TV a top media streamer choice for everyone.
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Media Server Reviews
Roku Ultra Streaming Player
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 17, 2017

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $130

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Excellent 4K HDR picture and sound quality
Optical audio output for full Dolby Digital Plus surround sound
Agnostic voice search finds movies/TV shows on most streaming channels
Minus
Playback control for music and slideshows is awkward
Doesn’t play Dolby Atmos from Vudu

THE VERDICT
Roku has once again upped the streaming game by including HDR and more in its highly recommendable Ultra 4K media player.

Continuing to up their game, Roku has introduced new products that add HDR (high dynamic range) to 4K streaming while maintaining their anyone-can-use-it simple menu structure. A slew of new models range from the Express player to a new top-of-the-line player, the Ultra. While both the Premiere+ and the Ultra support 4K and HDR (the standard 4K Premiere lacks HDR), the Ultra has a few more features for those who insist on the best picture and sound, and more. It’s proof of how far the streaming player has come from the low-quality picture of its first generation.

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CES 2017
Streaming Gets Refined at CES 2017
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 12, 2017
CES 2017 didn’t knock my socks off with any groundbreaking news. Still, there were definite trends repeated at every booth corner. Streaming video and music is no longer news. Now companies are coming up with new ways to entice those disenchanted with their current TV provider as they try to capture the cord cutter market. UHD streaming will be increasingly available in HDR as more devices support the higher quality format. YouTube 360 videos are available on TVs and media players that have mouse capabilities. Many media streamer manufacturers are moving forward with voice commands. They will be incorporating Alexa or Google Home for either controlling the device or using the device to control the rest of the home.
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CES 2017
Dish Anywhere Comes to Fire TV
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 08, 2017
The Dish Anywhere app has expanded beyond mobile phones to the TV on Fire TV sticks and media players. The app can access a Dish Hopper receiver’s live TV, guides, and DVR. Users can start recording or set up scheduled recordings.
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CES 2017
Rock Band VR - Fulfill Your Dreams of Being a Rockstar
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 08, 2017
Video game fans can take their rock-and-roll fantasies to a whole new level with the virtual reality version of Harmonix's popular guitar playing game, Rock Band.
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CES 2017
Zeeq Pillow Streams Music, Stops Snoring
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 08, 2017
If you share a bed, or a bedroom, Zeeq may just be the best thing that ever happened to your bedmate or roommate. Deep inside the Zeeq pillow are blue speakers and a microphone. It is designed so that only the person whose head is on the pillow can hear the music or sounds without disturbing the person next to you.
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