There was also a Widget Board where presumably I could add widgets, but there was only one available - an analog clock. I clicked on the link and the Slingplayer software loaded, saying I could log in if I had either a Solo or Pro HD model, which I don’t. When I tried to launch it, it took forever while I got a message “waiting for cache.” I was also surprised to find a Slingplayer app labeled Slingplayer for Logitech Revue (which has been discontinued). HBO Go is also supported, although the “app” - more on this below - is somewhat hidden in a sub-menu within in an area called “Made for TV Spotlight.” There’s an area for “featured” apps, such as CNN, Crackle, and the NY Times, among others, but apparently HBO Go isn’t one of them - I found it in the genre listings (games, lifestyle, news, etc) under TV and movies, along with Adult Swim, TBS, and TNT. I was a bit surprised that the Vudu on-demand service wasn’t include, as Vizio was an early supporter of it on their Internet-connected TVs. It also has a few proprietary apps, including M-Go - an entertainment app that wasn’t active when I tried it - and the OnLive streaming game service. Like the Sony, the Co-Star supports Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, and YouTube, plus Pandora and Slacker Internet radio, as well as IHeartRadio. Vizio’s implementation is a bit different, with the apps displayed as an overlay on the left side of the screen, with live TV playing in the remaining three-quarters of the screen real estate. There are also repetitive listings of apps available directly from the All Apps page. Sony Entertainment includes the company’s Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited streaming services, as well as some niche content (GolfLink, Dailymotion,etc), plus a few more interesting apps, including NPR and Slacker Internet radio. Among the selections are Amazon, AOL HD, Flixster, HBO Go, a help guide, Pandora, and Socialife. When you call up the apps page, they appear in a grid that takes up about two-thirds of the screen, arranged in alphabetical order. There are icons for the current time, messages, a link to all the apps, Live TV, a Google Play area called TV & Movies, plus shortcuts to Netflix, YouTube, the Google Play app market, the Chrome browser, Sony Entertainment, and Search. But once you’re watching something, the toolbar appears as an overlay on top of the program. When you first access Sony’s home page, the main part of the screen is blank, with a bar of icons across the bottom. With the exception of some exclusive content - primarily niche channels - the main difference between the two players is how they integrate Google TV into the player’s interface.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |