Watch the Vice Presidential debate tonight on Roku
Tonight at 9pm ET the two vice presidential candidates square off in their one and only debate. Unlike the top of the ticket, this pair doesn't get three tries at it. Mike Pence and Tim Kaine, perhaps the most two ordinary candidates in an extraordinary year, will get the chance to give their views and defend their tickets.
If you have cable or satellite then you should have no problem catching the action, depending on your package. But if you no longer have that option it doesn't mean you're out of luck. There are other ways to catch the big debate.
Xiaomi finally launches its long-awaited Mi Box
As Google TV struggled, Roku and Amazon Fire TV were seemingly taking over the market. Google finally let its TV platform go, but announced it would be replaced with Android TV. The company also promised a third-party set-top player known as the Mi Box.
It has taken since June, but the much-anticipated Mi Box, announced at Google I/O, is finally hitting the market.
Spotify enters the market in Japan
Streaming services proliferate the music market these days, making CDs seem very much a thing of the past. One of the more popular options available to customers is Spotify, which sometimes seems to have pretty much taken over. The company would like to keep expanding its global footprint and is taking another step towards that.
Now the company is launching its latest destination, Japan. Spotify announces that at the moment it is invitation-only however, it will be available across major platforms including mobile, tablet, desktop and PlayStation.
The CW Network is now streaming for free on Roku
When you put together all of the shows one person watches, the list can cover a staggering amount of channels. It seems like we're always flipping from one to another when we have nothing particular on. That gave rise to today's channel packages, which can provide hundreds of networks to choose from.
One channel that does provide content viewed by a wide range of people is CW, and now it's coming to Roku. The tiny set-top box maker announces the network is available beginning right now and it's free -- no login or subscription needed.
Roku introduces five new set-top boxes, features 4K and more
Today is a big day for Roku. The company has never before introduced this many new players to its lineup or carried some of the features now available. The new lineup should contain something for just about everyone, including those on a budget.
In fact, a budget is where the lineup begins. The new Roku Express features 1080p support for only $29.99. Perfect for those looking for a second box in another room. If you're still living with an older TV then you can pay $39.99 for the Express+, which comes with a composite jack and a/v hookup -- those old red, white and yellow cables.
iHeartRadio introduces All Access
Being able to collect music as you listen to the radio isn't entirely new. Different streaming apps provide various methods of accomplishing this.
Now one popular app that had not previously offered this option is getting in on the game. iHeartRadio is introducing its version, called All Access. The service claims it's the first to allow this option for listening to terrestrial radio.
More sports come to Sling TV
If you're getting your TV service over the internet then Sling is likely on your radar as it offers live TV with a good choice of channels. Want CNN? You got it. Want sports? You have ESPN and ESPN 2 to choose from, and currently an SEC free trial.
But sports is more than just those big name channels. What about the lesser watched ones? Well, now Sling is bringing two more of those to its service.
To celebrate a decade of iTunes Movies, Apple is selling $10 film bundles
While the iTunes software on both macOS and Windows 10 is currently in need of some tender loving care, there is no denying that the overall platform changed the world. In a time when music piracy was rampant, Apple legitimized downloadable music, arguably saving that industry. It later introduced movie downloads too, making iTunes a brilliant media market.
Today, iTunes Movies celebrates 10 years of existence. To mark the occasion, Apple is selling some $10 movie bundles (technically, $9.99) that are seemingly a great value. In a world where everything is streaming and rentals, the iPhone-maker is giving you an opportunity to purchase and own a collection of films for a very low price. In other words, these are not rentals, folks!
NFL Network comes to Sling TV, and the game schedule is out
If you no longer subscribe to cable or satellite then Sling TV becomes a viable alternative. It operates in the same way, with live TV coverage on multiple channels, and we've recently seen Sling add several new ones, including BBC America. There's also occasional previews. Back in May we had DIY and currently there are college sports networks on the air.
Now NFL Network is on the list and it carries a number of games during the season, in addition to full-time news coverage.
It's college football season time and you can catch the games on TuneIn
While we anxiously await the start of the NFL season, we have college football getting underway. Games have begun and fans are hanging on every moment waiting to see who the next national champion will be. While there are the obvious favorites that we won't name because if you follow the sport then you know.
Now TuneIn, who last season brought us radio broadcasts of NFL games, is doing the same for the collegiate level of the game. The company has partnered with a number of media outlets to carry the play-by-play call.
Plex adds DVR support worldwide, including HD
If you have never used Plex then you may be missing out on a great source of entertainment. The media server can be used on multiple devices. You'll need to install the server on a computer that's always on (and holds your media), but the required software is free. You can then access your content on a set-top box like Roku or Fire TV, or even an HTPC. You'll just need to install the relevant Plex app on your devices.
A new update is promising global DVR support worldwide and you'll be able to use it from mobile devices anywhere you have a connection.
NBC comes to Sling TV, sort of
Sling TV has received a lot of publicity lately. Getting your television fix over the internet is no longer a new thing thanks to services like YouTube and Hulu, but Sling takes things to another level, delivering live TV that mimics cable and satellite and features channels like CNN and ESPN to name just two.
Now NBC is finally arriving, even though you could already get MSNBC and NBC Sports. However, there's a bit of catch with this addition.
Grab your popcorn, AMC lands on Roku
AMC doesn't always show the latest films, but it does land some big names from Hollywood, and of course it's responsible for producing some excellent original content. It's become a go-to channel for surfers looking for something to watch. Now the entertainment network is coming to that tiny set-top box in your living room.
The channel debuts just in time for the mid-season launch of Fear the Walking Dead. If you're into zombie apocalypses then that's certainly for you.
I've switched from Amazon Fire TV to Roku 3 and I like it... for now
Its been two and half years since I parted ways with DirecTV. It wasn't them, I honestly loved the service, but I was paying for countless channels I never watched. I replaced it with Hulu Plus and Sling TV and now pay much less for fewer channels I don't watch. I have the same few I flick between, but without al-a-carte this is the best I can do.
Recently a system problem eliminated one of my options -- not the TV channels, but how I view them. I'd been predominantly using an Amazon Fire TV along with a Harmony remote. The remote stopped connecting to its hub and no fix I could think of worked. The batteries in my Fire TV remote were dead and I had no spare AAA ones lying around. Similarly, the Roku 3 batteries were also history, but I did have the required AA ones.
Missing the NFL pre-season? It's not too late to catch it
This past weekend the NFL pre-season got underway with games over several days. The first of four weeks of action that tell you little about how your team will really be because the play calling is generic in an effort to hide real game plans.
Depending on the market you live in you'll get your local team's game and a couple of others, but what if you want them all? What if you're a fan of an out-of-market team. Say you're a Cowboys fan living in Philadelphia -- aside from getting abuse, you can also get the Dallas games, and every other team.
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