FOX snuggles up with Xfinity, streams content to mobile devices, Smart TVs, and PCs

By Adam Poltrack Updated February 14, 2013

Tuesday, FOX and Xfinity announced that they had reached a deal to bring content from the network to multiple new platforms,.

While networks have historically shied away from non-traditional methods of serving up their content, we’ve seen some cracks in the foundation lately. The unavoidable irony here, however, is that Fox is currently in court seeking an injunction against DISH Network’s Hopper with Sling, largely due to the device’s ability to facilitate…well…non-traditional methods of viewing its content.

That aside, the new agreement will keep Xfinity subscribers flush with FOX, bringing a wide range of programming, including live broadcasts, from 20 of its outlets to computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and Internet-enabled televisions, in addition to traditional TVs.

Some of the channels that will lend their services to the newly supported devices include: FUEL TV, FOX Soccer, FX, FX Movie Channel, SPEED, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic Channel, MundoFox, Fox Deportes, and Fox Business Network. The deal also includes language that allows the companies to broaden their partnership as new technologies crop up.

After being content to freeze frame the past, it seems broadcast TV is starting to lurch towards the present. After all, living the same day over and over again gets tedious – just ask Bill Murray.

Contributor

Adam is an A/V News Writer for Digital Trends, and is responsible for bringing you the latest advances in A/V…

Audio / Video

There’s a rare deal on the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones today

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones seen in black.

The massively popular Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones rarely appear in headphone deals, so if you've had your eye on them for quite a while, you're in luck because they're currently $51 off on Walmart. From their original price of $400, you'll only have to pay $349, but only if you hurry because we don't expect stocks to last long. You're going to miss out on the offer if you take too long, so don't hesitate -- add the wireless headphones to your cart and check out as fast as you can.

Why you should buy the Sony WH-1000XM5
The best headphones that you can buy right now are the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones, and it's not even close. At the heart is their outstanding wireless sound, supported by top-quality active noise cancellation that uses two processors and eight microphones to block all unwanted sound, as well as crystal-clear hands-free calling using four beamforming microphones and advanced audio signal processing. The wireless headphones also offer Bluetooth multipoint connection so that you can quickly switch between different devices, touch controls for functions like adjusting volume and calling your digital assistant, and Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention features to stop your music and let ambient sound in without having to take them off.

Audio / Video

Sony’s premium soundbars will finally get support for VRR, ALLM

Sony HT-A7000 Dolby Atmos soundbar close-up of top panel.

It's been a long time coming, but the wait is almost over. Sony's premium home theater soundbars are set to receive a software update that will add support for variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low-latency mode (ALLM), two HDMI 2.1 gaming features that have been absent since these products launched.

The soundbars in question are the Sony HT-A5000, HT-A7000, and the multi-wireless speaker HT-A9 system. All three are scheduled to receive the update this fall, but Sony has declined to share specific timing, saying only that there will be more information closer to the rollout date.

Audio / Video

What is Roku? The streaming platform explained

A roku powered TV hanging on a wall running Roku OS 12.

How do you get your Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, or Prime Video fix? Chances are it's through a streaming device or smart TV, and there's a good chance that it's through a Roku device or one running its pioneering streaming operating system. At this point, cord-cutting is old news, and Roku was one of the earliest companies to drive the adoption of web-based streaming with its self-contained, app-driven devices.

Today, watching something "on Roku" is standard parlance and the company's popular platform can be found baked into some of the biggest TV brands in the world as well as in its own lineup of streaming devices sticks, and set-top boxes. Even so, that doesn't mean you totally get what a Roku actually is. What is Roku? How does Roku work? Do you need a subscription to use it? Is it just a device you buy, or is it software?