eHomeUpgrade

Google TV Rolls Out Android 3.2

Staff — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:55:58 +0000

Google TV is now a part of Android Honeycomb 3.2. A new update was released last week to allow Google TV to go Android in keeping with Google’s promise earlier this month to release frequent updates. This is the latest update that will happen before Android 4 is provided to users. The new software is [...]

Apple Would Like Universal Remote

Staff — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:55:56 +0000

An intriguing and innovative patent application, which was registered by Apple in September 2011, has appeared. The patent app explains a new universal remote control program that appears to be unique to Apple. Named Apparatus and Method to Facilitate Universal Remote Control, the application proceeds to describe a universal remote control that has a user-friendly [...]

Netflix Tip – Get Alerted When New Titles are Released

Staff — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:41:37 +0000

If you want to make certain you are aware of all of the new uploads on Netflix and don’t want something more personal than InstantWatcher.com there is an option you can add to your home setup. Think of it as a different type of home automation. Using RSS and your favorite feedreader you can now [...]

Is This the Future of TV Remotes?

Staff — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:03:00 +0000

A lot of attention has been paid to the interfaces of the Smart Tvs and the media software that runs on them but very little has been said about the TV remote. From humble beginnings the average remote now has more buttons than the space shuttle and requires similar training to operate it. As we [...]

Frequent TV Upgrades Planned by Google

Staff — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:53:51 +0000

Google has stated that its most recent television version will be receiving yearly software updates, in addition to voice search and customized suggestions. Google said that it is intending to update its Google TV software by the end of 2012, incorporating new content as well as more customized recommendations and keeping its yearly software upgrade [...]

D-Link High-End Home Networking Earns Honor at CES

Staff — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:57:23 +0000

An announcement has been made by D-Link stating that it has been named as an International CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree for its amplifi™ HD Media Router 3000 (DIR-857) with SharePort™ Mobile app. Items that are entered into this exclusive program are evaluated by a leading panel of independent commercial designers, members [...]

Momentum Increase for Home Automation Technology

Staff — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:20 +0000

As a number of the country’s biggest telecommunications and cable organizations keep making their drive into the home security industry, the usage of home automation technology has increased substantially. On Monday one of the companies that is seeing the advantages of this trend, iControl Networks, made an announcement that its OpenHome software program is going [...]

Home Networks Make the Move to Cloud

Staff — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:51:12 +0000

It isn’t just businesses that are making the move to cloud computing. At CES, leaders in home networking Netgear and D-Link are exhibiting a variety of products that utilise cloud services to provide customers with more access to and more management of home networks – and network content – from mobile devices. Cloud features [...]

Apple-Based Automation Control Systems Showcasing at CES

Staff — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:23:31 +0000

An announcement has been made by Savant Systems LLC declaring that they are going to be presenting a media, automation and control system at CES 2012 in relation to Savant’s scalable SmartMedia answer, which is aimed at an extensive customer market section. As well as managing security cameras, climate, lighting and more, the adaptable SmartMedia [...]

Boxee Releases Last Version that Supports the PC

Staff — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:00:21 +0000

Have Boxee Shot Themselves in the Foot by Turning their Back on the Home Computer? Boxee sees the way forward as internet TV, and the PC, which started everything, is not a part of that way forward. Boxee’s most recent release, v.1.5, is going to be the final one that supports the local PC. Growing [...]

Broadcom Creates Way Forward in Home Networking

Staff — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:30:07 +0000

Silicon that will use the future coaxial home networking standard, with a speed of 400Mbps, will be demonstrated by Broadcom next week at the International Consumer Electronics Show. In June 2010, the Multimedia over Coax Alliance’s MoCA 2.0 standard was completed and the team anticipates that products will be certified under the standard this year. [...]

iOS Apps on an Apple TV

Staff — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:23:18 +0000

A gentleman by the name of Troughton Smith has hacked his Apple TV to run fullscreen iPad apps – not streamed across AirPlay, but straight off the box. It may not be entirely practical, entirely pretty, or indeed released to the public, but it’s an intriguing look at what’s possible when you bend Apple’s rules. [...]

Control4 Release Android Home Automation App

Staff — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:12:13 +0000

Control4 are one of the many choices in home automation, offering a range of products for the home and for businesses. They’re not cheap, but they are stylish – check out the HC300 Home Controller that we first wrote about in ’07. If you’ve bought their systems, or are looking to, you’ll be pleased to [...]

XBMC Eden Beta Reveals Myriad Improvements, More Control Over Them

Staff — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:20:13 +0000

Just in time for the New Year, the XBMC team have released the first beta version of XBMC 11, codenamed Eden. Eden follows on from XBMC 10 Dharma, which itself entered beta 16 months ago and was released this time last year. The developers have not been idle in that time, as you can see [...]

Viewsonic’s Passive 3D Not Yet Ready

Staff — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:40:10 +0000

As film studios continue their push to release more and more 3D movies, it’s likely that this time round 3D isn’t a passing fad. The cinema-goer has been enjoying the newest 3D technologies, boasting reduced eye-strain and increased comfort, and these technologies are beginning to filter down to the home electronics market. The Viewsonic V3D231 [...]

Home Networks Pursue Their Advancement Towards Becoming Multiple-Service Platforms

Staff — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:52:45 +0000

It is apparent that the consumer home network is evolving. It used to be simply a couple of telephone lines and a data modem to connect to the internet, but now it is becoming a center for high quality online data and video services – clearly transforming the game. It is due to this new [...]

Learning Experiences & Educational Content Delivered Wirelessly to Console

Staff — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:14:01 +0000

A new selection of interactive academic content for the children within the household will be heading to a television set near you. AT&T has formed an agreement with TVTextbook to supply connectivity via mobile broadband to TVTextbook’s eLearning linked device portfolio. TVTextbook (TVT) provides K-12 curriculum that is of high quality and is distributed via [...]

UK Broadband Bills: Don’t Get Caught Out by Downloading Christmas Films

Staff — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:12:48 +0000

UK families that are fed up of watching the same Christmas shows and films on TV could find themselves footing unexpected bills if they decide to rent movies online instead. Huge names including Apple and Google, as well as several DVD rental organizations such as Amazon owned Lovefilm, encourage people rent the most recent TV [...]

Happy Holidays from eHomeUpgrade

Editor — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:27:00 +0000

Wishing you all a safe and happy holidays from all of us at eHomeUpgrade.com. Hopefully you have all been good boys and girls this year and Santa has delivered all of your digital goodies! Time to tuck into some festive food and enjoy some quality entertainment. Thanks for sticking with us through the transition period [...]

Social TV to Take Off in 2012

Staff — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 21:33:22 +0000

It has been predicted by both Mashable and the Harvard Business Review (HBR) that Social TV is to take off during 2012. Whilst 2011 saw a large number of startups in the sector, and more coverage in mainstream media, Social TV remained a tiny fragment of possible entertainment. However, for those who want their digital [...]

Consumers Demand Extensive and Smooth Connectivity

Staff — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:48:26 +0000

Broadcom Corporation has disclosed the results of a new customer survey carried out by JZ Analytics, showing a heightened demand for extensive and smooth connections. The survey results revealed by Broadcom are: Connecting in the home * Using online video: two-thirds of the people that participated in the survey said that they view over two [...]

Internet TV to be Used by Malaysian Government

Staff — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:36:56 +0000

A new internet video service has been introduced by the Malaysian government that will assist it in communicating news, information and other updates to the public within the country. 1MalaysiaIPTV – The IPTV internet channel – is able to be looked at online from a PC or mobile device, whilst apps for iOS (iPod Touch, [...]

Siri Flaunts its Home Automation Magic

Staff — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:03:40 +0000

Apple Siri is an intriguing piece of technology and it comes as no surprise that it has returned to demonstrate its home automation magic. What exactly is it that people are referring to? The answer to this question is the Siri Proxy written by Pete Lamonica. This small bit of code is allowing Siri to [...]

The ‘Smartphone Watch’ – an Alternative eHome Remote?

Staff — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:41:10 +0000

With the ability to check Facebook and Twitter feeds, receive phone calls and retrieve text messages, this is the world’s very first ‘smartphone watch’. Resembling something from a sci-fi film, the touchscreen i’m Watch is planned to go on sale in 2012 and contains most of the same features as hi-tech phones, at just a [...]

LifeVibes CineXPlayer Delivers Home Theater Experience

Staff — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:16:45 +0000

NXP Software has announced a new launch of its widely well-known LifeVibes CineXPlayer at Apps World Europe. CineXPlayer 2.5 is the first video player for iPod, iPhone and iPad devices that can support Dolby Digital Plus. Obtainable through the Apple App Store, CineXPlayer 2.5 offers the experience of a living room movie practically everywhere. “NXP [...]