Category Archives: Home Entertainment

Microsoft “can’t win for losing”

Posted on January 6, 2018 by halberenson

When it comes to the consumer, Microsoft’s history can best be described as “I got it. I got it. I got it. <THUMP> I ain’t got it.”.  Today is the 4th anniversary of my Xbox: Fail blog post, and this … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Home Entertainment, Microsoft | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Sonos One

Posted on November 27, 2017 by halberenson

I’ve been a Sonos fan for years, and recently talked about my first experience using Alexa to control older Sonos equipment.  I have one room, my exercise room, that isn’t covered by the Niles multi-zone system.  I was using an … Continue reading →

Posted in Amazon, Computer and Internet, Home Entertainment | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Sonos and Alexa, now for Niles…

Posted on October 12, 2017 by halberenson

It seems like I’m on a continuous journey of how to play music at home.  It all started when we built our ranch back in 2003-2004 and I had the bright idea of doing a whole-house A/V system.  Our timing … Continue reading →

Posted in Amazon, Computer and Internet, Home Entertainment | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Microsoft has a near miss with the Xbox One Media Remote

Posted on March 24, 2014 by halberenson

Regular readers will of course be familiar with my Xbox: Fail from January, and I thought a little update was in order. To get something out-of-the-way, the February and March updates did nothing noticeable to improve voice recognition.  I did … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Home Entertainment, Microsoft | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

The Smart TV Market

Posted on January 11, 2014 by halberenson

I (and many others) have opined on the need for Microsoft to have a device to compete in the lower-priced mass market segment for smart TV add-ons.  I want to refine my thinking and explain why Microsoft may not have … Continue reading →

Posted in Cloud, Computer and Internet, Google, Home Entertainment, Microsoft | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Don Mattrick departs Microsoft

Posted on July 1, 2013 by halberenson

Microsoft has lost another senior executive, and a number of people have asked me if this is good or bad for Microsoft.  I’ll render judgment at the end of this piece. I never interacted with Don Mattrick though no doubt … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Home Entertainment, Microsoft | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Apple TV and Xbox 720 to usher in new era of A/V-control interfaces

Posted on April 1, 2013 by halberenson

As a computer guy I’ve always hated the control interfaces that the Consumer Audio/Video (A/V) Equipment companies have put on their components.  They just can’t seem to get it right.  The Zenith-invented ultrasonic remote control interface dominated the field for over 20 years … Continue reading →

Posted in Home Entertainment, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Where are the 7″ Microsoft tablets?

Posted on November 9, 2012 by halberenson

A few days ago I was contemplating a blog post with my speculation about a 7″ Microsoft tablet when rumors of an “Xbox Surface” re-surfaced.  I tend to believe this rumor because I’ve been expecting that a portable Xbox family … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Mobile, Windows | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Media Center, DVD Playback, and Microsoft’s Media Strategy

Posted on May 5, 2012 by halberenson

There is quite a bit of noise in the system after Microsoft’s announcement this week that Windows Media Center would be a separate add-on to Windows 8, and even more noise regarding the decision to remove DVD playback from Windows … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Windows | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments