Verizon FiOS Media Server arrives as Quantum TV DVR that records up to 12 channels at once

We double checked the calendar too, but no, it's not an April Fools joke -- Verizon's FIOS Media Server is finally available in a few areas as a part of the new Quantum TV package. The VMS1100 upgrades the standard cable boxes used by Verizon and other providers by shoving six tuners and a 1TB hard drive into a box that then feeds TV to other smaller set-top boxes in the rest of the house over existing cable wiring (MoCA). Better still, you can add more DVRs for the ability to record up to 12 channels at once, 2TB of storage and feeds for as many as ten TVs. Unlike some other multiroom systems, users can pause and rewind live TV on the extender boxes as well, or pause a program in one room, then resume it in another room.

Verizon leaked (and then pulled, the demo above is older) a quick advertisement for the service on YouTube laying out some of the specs, while DSLReports.com forum posters have seen availability in parts of New York, New Jersey, California and Pennsylvania. Early reports indicate the software still needs some polishing, but that using the VMS1100 itself is "lightning fast" and nearly as responsive on the networked boxes. The cost for the system right now is $22 per month for one of the DVR boxes, and $32 for the two DVR, 12-tuner setup, plus $10 to connect additional TVs.

While its current capabilities are impressive, what's more exciting is the "phase 2" Verizon has shown with transcoding that makes video available on network connected hardware like an Xbox, Roku or iPad. Combined with Verizon's purchase of Intel's OnCue IPTV project and the prospect of the FCC's AllVid standard, it could take us one more step towards a future where the TV experience, including recordings, is available on every screen inside and outside the house and doesn't need special boxes at all.

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New York Public Library now lets you use 20,000 historical maps for free

Ever wanted to see what New York City's maps looked like before skyscrapers took over... or before Americans took over, for that matter? It's now easy as pie. The New York Public Library has published more than 20,000 of its historical maps under a Creative Commons public domain license. You can freely download, manipulate and publish cartography created between 1660 and 1922, a large chunk of which explores New York City's neighborhoods in detail. You'll also see thousands of maps covering the mid-Atlantic US and the Austro-Hungarian empire (yes, really). We can't imagine too many people wanting to remix Gangs of New York-era property charts, but it's hard to object to getting more geographic knowledge at no charge.

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Must See HDTV for the week of March 31st: HIMYM finale, Game of Thrones, Final Four

March Madness comes to an end this weekend, but it's the perfect time for the return of one of our favorite series, HBO's Game of Thrones. It's joined Sunday night by the premiere of Mike Judge's new comedy Silicon Valley, and Turn, a new Revolutionary War spy drama from AMC. This is also the week we finally say goodbye to How I Met Your Mother, and Anchorman 2 arrives on Blu-ray. Check after the break for trailers plus our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and gaming.

Blu-ray, Streaming movies & Games

Anchorman 2: the Legend Continues 47 Ronin (3D) The Pirate Fairy Fargo (remastered) Dragon Ball Z (S3) MLB 14: The Show (PS3) Goat Simulator (PC) The Elder Scrolls Online (PC) Halo: Spartan Assault (PC - Steam)

Monday

Dancing with the Stars, ABC, 8PM Bones, Fox, 8PM Bitten, Syfy, 8PM How I Met Your Mother (series finale), CBS, 8PM Star-Crossed, CW, 8PM The Voice, NBC, 8PM WWE Raw, USA, 8PM Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall, HBO, 9PM Friends with Better Lives (series premiere), CBS, 9PM The Following, Fox, 9PM The Tomorrow People, The CW, 9PM Dallas, TNT, 9PM Being Human, Syfy, 9PM Mike & Molly, CBS, 9PM Mom, CBS, 9:30PM The University of Sing Sing, HBO, 9:45PM House of Food (series premiere), MTV, 10PM Bates Motel, A&E, 10PM Archer, FX, 10PM Intelligence (season finale), CBS, 10PM Lost Girl, Syfy, 10PM Chozen (spring finale), FX, 10:30PM Inside Comedy, Showtime, 11PM

Tuesday

Glee, Fox, 8PM Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., ABC, 8PM The Voice, NBC, 8PM Rockets/Nets, TNT, 8PM NCIS, CBS, 8PM The Story of the Jews with Simon Schama, PBC, 8PM Flyers/Blues, NBC Sports Network, 8PM The Mindy Project (spring premiere), Fox, 9PM From Dusk Till Dawn, El Rey Network, 9PM About a Boy, NBC, 9PM Face Off, Syfy, 9PM The Goldbergs, ABC, 9PM NCIS: LA, CBS, 9PM Twisted (season finale), ABC Family, 9PM Growing Up Fisher, NBC, 9:30PM Trophy Wife, ABC, 9:30PM The Listener (season premiere), ION, 10PM Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge, Syfy, 10PM Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan, BBC America, 10PM Clash of the Ozarks (season finale), Discovery, 10PM Game of Arms, AMC, 10PM Mind Games, ABC, 10PM The Profit, CNBC, 10PM Person of Interest, CBS, 10PM Justified, FX, 10PM Tosh.0, Comedy Central, 10PM Cougar Town (season finale), TBS, 10PM Inside Amy Schumer (season premiere), Comedy Central, 10:30PM Trail Blazers/Lakers, TNT, 10:30PM Are You The One? Reunion, MTV, 10:30PM

Wednesday

Arrow, CW, 8PM Survivor, CBS, 8PM Melissa & Joey, ABC Family, 8PM American Idol, Fox, 8PM The Middle, ABC, 8PM WWE Main Event, ION, 8PM Bruins/Red Wings, NBC Sports Network, 8PM Suburgatory, ABC, 8:30PM Baby Daddy, ABC Family, 8:30PM The 100, CW, 9PM Modern Family, ABC, 9PM Mixology, ABC, 9:30PM Psych After Show, USA, 10PM Doll & Em (season finale), HBO, 10PM The Americans, FX, 10PM Legit, FXX, 10PM Workaholics, Comedy Central, 10PM Nashville, ABC, 10PM The Real World, MTV, 10PM Chicago PD, NBC, 10PM CSI, CBS, 10PM Triptank (series premiere), Comedy Central, 10:30PM Deal With It, TBS, 10:30PM Ali G: Rezurection, FXX, 10:30PM

Thursday

Once Upon A Time in Wonderland (series finale), ABC, 8PM Community, NBC, 8PM The Big Bang Theory, CBS, 8PM Spurs/Thunder, TNT, 8PM Parks & Recreation, NBC, 8:30PM The Millers, CBS, 8:30PM American Idol, Fox, 9PM Saint George, FX, 9PM Suits, USA, 9PM Grey's Anatomy, ABC, 9PM Reign, CW, 9PM Two and a Half Men, CBS, 9PM Hollywood Game Night, NBC, 9PM Surviving Jack, Fox, 9:30PM Anger Management, FX, 9:30PM The Crazy Ones, CBS, 9:30PM Review with Forrest Macneil, Comedy Central, 10PM Portlandia, IFC, 10PM Scandal, ABC, 10PM Vikings, History, 10PM Parenthood, NBC, 10PM Sirens, USA, 10PM Mavericks/Clippers, TNT, 10:30PM

Friday

Turbo Fast, Netflix Unforgettable (spring premiere), CBS, 8PM WWE SmackDown, Syfy, 8PM Last Man Standing, ABC, 8PM Whose Line Is It Anyway?, CW, 8PM Rake, Fox, 8PM The Neighbors, ABC, 8:30PM Hart of Dixie, CW, 9PM Enlisted, Fox, 9PM Bellator MMA Live, Spike TV, 9PM Raising Hope (series finale), Fox, 9PM Shark Tank, ABC, 9PM Bruce Springsteen's High Hopes, HBO, 9:30PM Continuum (season premiere), Syfy, 10PM Game of Stones (season finale), Discovery, 10PM Hannibal, NBC, 10PM Vice, HBO, 11PM

Saturday

NCAA Basketball Tournament Final Four, TBS, 6:09PM NCAA Basketball Tournament Final Four, TBS, 8:49PM The Trials of Cate McCall, Lifetime, 8PM Ripper Street, BBC America, 9PM Da Vinci's Demons, Starz, 9PM Saturday Night Live: Anna Kendrick/Pharrell, NBC, 11:30PM

Sunday

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series @ Texas Motor Speedway, Fox, 2:30PM Bob's Burgers, Fox, 7PM American Dad, Fox, 7:30PM Giants/Dodgers, ESPN, 8PM The Simpsons, Fox, 8PM Once Upon a Time, ABC, 8PM The 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, CBS, 8PM Family Guy, Fox, 8:30PM Game of Thrones (season premiere), HBO, 9PM Mr. Selfridge, PBS, 9PM Overhaulin, Velocity, 9PM Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, Fox, 9PM Naked & Afraid, Discovery, 9PM Believe, NBC, 9PM Resurrection, ABC, 9PM Shameless (season finale), Showtime, 9PM Turn (series premiere), AMC, 9PM Silicon Valley (series premiere), HBO, 10PM Patton Oswalt: Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time, Comedy Central, 10PM Crisis, NBC, 10PM House of Lies (season finale), Showtime, 10PM Revenge, ABC, 10PM Veep (season premiere), HBO, 10:30PM Looking, HBO, 10:30PM

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Google+ adds page view counts to user profiles

Earlier this month, we learned that Twitter's considering introducing view counts to individual tweets, and it looks like Google+ just flipped the switch on a similar initiative. Follower counts are now joined by the total number of page clicks, which includes the sum of your profile, post and picture views since October 2012. Some profiles have already begun showing the count by default, but you may need to check a box in your profile settings before it appears for you. Similarly, you can disable the feature by unchecking the box.

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The government is about to make outdoor WiFi faster

Just over a year ago, the FCC said it was working on a proposal to make outdoor and public WiFi faster, and, well, it's finally come to pass. Today, the outfit announced that it has freed some 100 megahertz of spectrum in the 5 gigahertz band, which will make wireless connections faster. By how much? Well, this could allow transfer rates of up to a gigabit per second for the likes of laptops, smartphones and tablets. It'd also immediately benefit beefy 802.11ac networks, according to Gigaom. If you're thinking that your favorite coffee shop's network could get faster as a result, that's only part of the plan: the ruling also allows for the deployment of speedier outdoor WiFi hot spots.

As FCC commissioner Ajit Pai tells it, this could push the price of related gizmos down, too. If you want to see government employees liken licensed and unlicensed spectrums to peanut butter and jelly, or data transfers to Tom Selleck's moustache (yes, really), hit the source links.

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New Xbox head Phil Spencer promises renewed focus on gaming across all Microsoft platforms

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced the new head of its Xbox division this morning: Phil Spencer, longtime Microsoft Studios leader and Xbox game dude. In Spencer's initial letter to the legions of Xbox owners the world over, his approach comes across as scattershot. See for yourself:

"This past year has been a growth experience both for me and for the entire Xbox team. We've taken feedback, made our products better and renewed our focus on what is most important, our customer. Our mission is to build a world-class team, work hard to meet the high expectations of a passionate fan base, create the best games and entertainment and drive technical innovation. As we continue forward, this renewed focus and mission will be a foundational part of how I lead the Xbox program."

Given that, our first question to Spencer in a short phone interview this afternoon was one of clarification. With so many aspects of Xbox to oversee, where will he begin? "I'm gonna lead with a gaming focus and making sure that's where we're led. That's the North Star for the organization," he told us.

Beyond coming from a background at Microsoft Studios -- the name for a group of internal game development groups at Microsoft -- Spencer's known for being game-focused. He reaffirmed this approach to us. "Winning with the gamer first is gonna be something that drives the organization," Spencer said. That's at the heart of his boss Satya Nadella's Xbox reorganization.

With Spencer's title change comes a heap of new responsibility (due to an internal reorg). He's not just overseeing the Xbox One and Xbox 360, but the entire ecosystem around the greater Xbox brand. That includes the following departments: Xbox, Xbox Live, Xbox Music, Xbox Video and Microsoft Studios.

Spencer actually fought for all this oversight. In a discussion with Nadella, as well as Windows boss Terry Myerson and devices lead (former Nokia head) Stephen Elop, he had two stipulations. The first was the unification of Xbox under one umbrella; the second was a seat at the table with the likes of Myerson and Elop. "The Xbox team, the Xbox leader (me) sitting at the same leadership table as Terry (the Windows team leader, the Windows Phone OS team leader) really helps us look at gaming as that first-class citizen across all Microsoft platforms," he said.

More tightly, intelligently integrated Xbox services across more Windows platforms is something Redmond's struggled with for years. With Spencer, there's hope that someone with a real sense of the game industry can bridge the longstanding divide.

The next major beat for Spencer's Xbox will, naturally, be E3. He said we'll hear dribs and drabs before then -- some games will get launch dates, the first ID@Xbox games will arrive on the Xbox One -- but expect Xbox to once again lean on the all important holiday sales season for its major game releases.

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Rdio and Crackle can now send music and free videos to your Chromecast

The Chromecast's media universe just got a little bit larger today. You can now stream Rdio's music service through the Google TV adapter using Android, iOS and web apps; you'll get both album art and track details when you send tunes to the big screen. Meanwhile, Crackle has updated its own Android and iOS apps to let you watch its free movies and short videos through Chromecast. Whether you're itching to play Chvrches' album or Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, you'll find the relevant app updates at the source links.

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Samsung looks to Google for help in its latest legal battle with Apple

No matter how much we hope and pray, the legal wrangling between Apple and Samsung never seems to end. The latest court battle has Apple seeking up to $2 billion in damages from the Korean manufacturer for infringing on five patents, including tap to search and slide to unlock. This time around though, Samsung is looking to drag Google engineers into the courtroom to testify about the creation of Android -- including, potentially, Andy Rubin. The hope is that their testimony and the evidence they provide would prove once and for all that the mobile operating system was developed independently of iOS and put to bed the back and forth over patent battles.

While Mountain View has successfully stayed above the fray for the most part, it makes sense for Seoul to drag the company into this particular battle. Apple is seeking up to $40 per device sold in royalties -- far more than it ever has before. As part of its counter offensive Samsung is countersuing, claiming that Cupertino stole two of its technologies for use in the iPhone and iPad. Like other cases in the war, this will probably take some time to settle. And jury selection starts this week.

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This is what the new CyanogenMod OS looks like on the OnePlus One

OnePlus has been constantly dishing out teasers for its upcoming One smartphone since December, but little is known about its UI until we received these two screenshots today, courtesy of a reliable tipster. First of all, this Android KitKat-based OS is dubbed "CyanogenMod 11S," and given how the lock screen on the left looks nothing like the one in the original CyanogenMod, we assume the "S" indicates that this flavor carries OnePlus' customizations. This cleaner lock screen lacks the usual unlock slider, but it still shows the clock, date, weather, battery level and text messages over a solid-color background. Here's hoping that we can also toggle specific apps from the lock screen using swipe gestures.

The screenshot on the right confirms the presence of the three virtual Android buttons (as opposed to hardware ones), and that this Android 4.4.2-based OS is made for a device named "One." With 23 more days to go until the phone's launch, we'll be keeping an eye out for the OnePlus One's few remaining secrets -- especially its sub-$400 price tag, which is very competitive for this 5.5-inch 1080p, Snapdragon 801-powered device.

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Intel's SD card-sized computer may not be so tiny after all

Back at CES, Intel made a big deal of the fact that it could squeeze a Linux-based PC with Bluetooth and WiFi into the size and shape of an SD card. However, with just a few months to go before the launch of these miniscule Edison development boards, it looks like the chip-maker has changed tack. Instead of being based on the Quark SoC, which was specifically designed for wearables and the Internet of Things, the first Edison products will actually rely on a more traditional Atom chip -- in other words, the same sort used many current Windows tablets and hybrids. An Edison PC based on Atom should deliver more grunt and connectivity options compared to Quark, and for less money, but it'd be too chubby to ever get accidentally jammed in an SD slot. That's why Intel has been forced to admit that, while it continues to work on Quark, the Edison devices coming this summer will be "slightly larger" than was first claimed.

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Olympus Stylus Tough TG-3 ships with WiFi and f/2 lens for $350, dead fish sold separately

We question Olympus' decision to photograph its latest ruggedized cam next to a dead fish, then send that image out to reporters. But puzzling marketing practices aside, this is one impressive point-and-shoot. The Stylus TG-3 hails from the company's Tough line, which means it's waterproof (to 50 feet), freeze-proof (to 14°F), shockproof (from seven-foot drops) and crushproof (to 220 pounds). Unlike many other ruggedized cams, however, the TG-3 is equally impressive when it comes to traditional capabilities. There's a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, an f/2-4.9, 25-100mm optical zoom lens, a 3-inch 460k-dot LCD, 1080p video, GPS and WiFi. A new microscope mode lets you snap macro shots just 10mm from your subject and a ring light accessory (perhaps our favorite feature) mounts atop the camera's built-in LED to provide even light with small subjects positioned just in front of the lens. The TG-3's expected to ship this June for $350 in black and red. Olympus Stylus Tough TG-3 See all photos

24 Photos

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Olympus brings five-axis image stabilization to the point-and-shoot with $400 Stylus SH-1

Olympus introduced its five-axis image stabilization in 2012 with the OM-D E-M5. That $1,000 camera was mighty powerful for its day, but the new IS tech was perhaps its most impressive feature, enabling sharp stills and steady handheld video. It's very exciting, then, that Olympus is bringing that same stabilization to its point-and-shoot line with the Stylus SH-1. This compact cam has plenty of other tricks up its sleeve, too. Take the f/3-6.9, 25-600mm 24x optical zoom lens, for example, or the 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and TruePic VII processor (the same found in the OM-D series). There's also a 3-inch 460k-dot LCD, 1080/60p video, an 11fps burst mode and integrated WiFi. The SH-1 is expected in stores this May in black, white and silver. It'll retail for $400, which, considering the optics and the five-axis image stabilization on board, is a pretty solid deal. Olympus Stylus SH-1 See all photos

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Weekends with Engadget: the future of Oculus Rift, new HTC One review and more!

Welcome to Weekends with Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines from the past seven days -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. For even more news, subscribe to our Flipboard magazine!

Can Oculus survive the Facebook effect?

Earlier this week, the internet responded to Facebook's $2 billion acquisition of Oculus VR with a swift fury. But it's not all bad news. Our own Marc Perton points out, the deal doesn't change the essence of the Oculus Rift, or its potential for non-gaming applications.

HTC One review (2014): a great phone, but no longer a game-changer

HTC's new One is official, and it's quite the looker. With a sleek unibody chassis reminiscent of last year's model, the new One packs a larger 5-inch screen, and a brand new version of its Sense UI. What's more, the handset is one sale in the US today, starting at $199 for the 16GB version.

iTunes Radio now streams the news, thanks to NPR

Last week, NPR announced that it joined iTunes Radio as the music streaming service's first news channel. It may be the exclusive station for iDevice users at the moment, but we expect that won't last for long.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon review (2014): new, but not necessarily improved

The new ThinkPad X1 Carbon brings everything Lenovo fans loved about the original X1 Carbon, just in a lighter, slimmer package. Some users, however, may not enjoy its new "adaptive panel," which replaces the traditional Fn keys. You can pick one up for $1,259, but be warned: the X1 Carbon has the shortest battery life in its class.

Turkish government bans YouTube following attempt to remove corruption videos

The Turkish government has struck again, this time banning YouTube in what appears to be an attempt to remove videos that contain evidence of political corruption. At this point, the restriction is active on several ISPs and continues to roll out.

San Francisco Giants (and most of MLB) adopt Apple's iBeacon for an enhanced ballpark experience

The iBeacon is a small Apple device that boosts iPhone location services through Bluetooth -- and the San Francisco Giants are outfitting their entire stadium with the tech. For the Giants, as well as 19 other MLB teams following suit, the iBeacon is yet another way to bring mobile interaction with fans to the next level.

Facebook: A visual history

Mark Zuckerberg's social network turned 10 this year, so we took a look back at its design changes over the course of the decade. From profile redesigns to quarterly News Feed tweaks and open betas, constantly adapting aesthetics to catering to user habits has been a driving force for Facebook for quite some time.

Office for iPad review: three beautiful apps, each with strong competition

After quite a few leaks, Microsoft officially outed its Office for iPad offering. Those curious to try it out will need an Office 365 subscription in order to opt in and OneDrive for cloud accessibility, making it an optimal choice for those already invested in Redmond's wares. Click through for all of the details in our full review.

This is what Facebook could look like on Oculus Rift (video)

As you're probably aware, Facebook dropped $2 billion on Oculus VR with the intent to bring "completely new kinds of experiences" to us all. And while that leaves much to the imagination, Chaotic Moon studios has an idea of what that could look like.

NSA spied on Huawei founder's emails to implicate him as a Communist Party insider

The New York Times managed to get a glimpse of documents suggesting that the NSA was hacking into the email account of Huawei founder, Ren Zhengfei. Apparently the government has been creating "back doors" in the company's systems since 2009.

Subscribe to Weekends with Engadget on Flipboard today!

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How would you change the Nexus 10?

It's a 10.1-inch tablet with a 2,560 x 1,600 display, and that's all we need to know. Google's Nexus 10 may have been the Galaxy Tab that everyone wanted, but what did our reviewer think of it? Sadly, strapping a laptop-class display onto a tablet doomed the device's battery life, making it last around three hours less than its closest rivals. Did that deter you from buying one? We doubt it, so why not share your feelings about this product over on our forum?

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The UK is finally making it legal to rip a CD on June 1st

After a lengthy two-year legislative process, the UK is nearly ready to drag its copyright law into the digital era. The country's Intellectual Property Office has published the final version of copyright exceptions that make it legal to rip CDs and otherwise shift formats. As of June 1st, Brits can copy media as much as they like for personal use. Institutions can also make duplicates for backups or research, and the Secretary of State can tell copyright holders to make content accessible if paying for an alternative format isn't practical. Out-and-out piracy is still forbidden, of course, but the new measures should let locals modernize their media collections without feeling a twinge of guilt.

[Image credit: Jonathon Colman, Flickr]

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Facebook scrapped last year's redesign because your screen is too small

When Facebook scrapped the picture-heavy News Feed redesign from last spring in favor of a more conservative look, it briefly touched on screen size as a factor. As it turns out, displays played a more important role in the reversal than you might think. The company's Julie Zhuo explains that the hyper-visual layout fell apart on netbooks and other small-screened PCs -- you might only see one post at a time, and scrolling was a pain without the right mouse or trackpad. While the early 2013 feed would have boosted Facebook's revenue, it wasn't going to fly when the social network has to please hundreds of millions of users that seldom have access to big displays.

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Oculus VR's John Carmack sees bright future in Facebook deal

When Facebook said it would buy Oculus VR, many eyes turned to Oculus CTO John Carmack. Would Quake's co-creator be happy with the deal when Facebook sees virtual reality gaming as just the beginning? Thankfully, it looks like he's staying put. In a response to jitters about the acquisition, Carmack says that Facebook appears to "get the Big Picture" -- it understands the impact of VR and will help the technology grow. The executive also isn't worried about the social network's privacy issues. While he believes that privacy is important, he also sees data mining as a valuable tool for successful companies. The statements won't completely assuage fears that the acquisition could lead Oculus astray, but Carmack clearly believes that the company is still headed in the right direction.

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Samsung's Galaxy S5 doubles as a baby monitor, if you have a Gear watch

The Galaxy S5: powerhouse smartphone, fitness guru... baby monitor? Yes, you read that right. SoyaCincau has learned that Samsung's jack-of-all-trades Android flagship includes a "baby crying detector" mode that uses the phone as a listening station. If your child is upset, the GS5 sends a vibrating alert to your Gear watch (needed for the feature) that urges you to come to Junior's aid. You probably wouldn't want to lean on the detector too often -- Samsung certainly doesn't think it's a wise idea, as you can see from the massive legal disclaimer pictured here. Still, it could come in handy if you don't have a dedicated monitor and occasionally want to keep tabs on your tyke while you run around the home.

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Gadget Rewind 2005: Slingbox

It's our 10th birthday, and to celebrate we'll be revisiting some of the key devices of the last decade. So please be kind, rewind.

A company called Sling Media burst onto the scene in 2005 with a relatively new idea: give customers the ability to access their home cable and video services while they're traveling. Its "place-shifting" concept was embodied in its first device: the Slingbox. While you're on the road, this set-top-like box served to connect you to your very own TiVo recorded shows, media PC or cable and satellite TV services, provided you had a computer with Sling Media's software and an internet connection (preferably high-speed). The original design was somewhat unique, resembling an oversized candy bar (Sling calls it an "ingot"), and it was a clear favorite of both Engadget editors and readers, earning the title of best home entertainment device for 2005. At launch, the $250 price certainly wasn't cheap -- especially for standard definition only -- and it was markedly Windows-centric, excluding Apple users until its Mac compatible software arrived around 2007.

It was still a nascent market, but the Slingbox wasn't the only device that served the media-hungry, place-shifting early adopters. Sony had been marketing its LocationFree TV since 2004, which centered around a tablet used for wireless TV viewing, whether you were around the house or on the road. Also available at the time was Orb, a free media-streaming software that provided access to personal files and live TV, as long as you had Microsoft Media Center and a TV tuner installed on a connected home computer. Sling announced several new versions of the Slingbox in 2006, including the Tuner, AV and Pro models that aimed at improving the experience and offering more connections for multiple video sources on a single Slingbox. Today, Sling Media continues to deliver products that let you access your various media content while away from home, but in much greater definition and in a variety of funky, non-confectionary-based Slingbox designs.

Did you own a Slingbox? Add it to your Engadget profile as a device you had (or still have) and join the discussion to reminisce or share photos of your device with other like-minded gadget fans.

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Inhabitat's Week in Green: Juggernaut Bike, Project Blue and a skyscraper made of desert sand

Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

It's been a big week for architecture -- especially the futuristic kind. First, winners were announced for the 2014 eVolo Skyscraper Competition, a contest that challenges designers to create buildings that are beautiful as well as problem-solvers. Top honors were earned by Sand Babel: a twisting, solar-powered, 3D-printed skyscraper built from desert sand. Then there's the extraordinary Hyper Filter Skyscraper, which is designed to inhale carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and exhale oxygen. China's ongoing air-pollution crisis seems to have inspired more than one designer, as an honorable mention also went to Project Blue, a skyscraper that could actually transform air pollution into green energy.

Of course, pollution isn't only found floating in the air. That's why the judges were particularly fond of this floating skyscraper, which could rid the world's oceans of plastic while generating clean energy. But you can't spend too much time with your head in the clouds. That's why we love real-world architectural geniuses like Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, who was awarded the prestigious 2014 Pritzker Prize for his experimental and environmentally conscientious designs built from low-cost and recyclable materials.

In renewable energy news, the city council of Bridgeport, Conn., voted to approve plans for a 9,000-solar panel array to be built across 16 acres of what used to be a landfill. Talk about trash to treasure. Meanwhile, Israel launched the world's first self-cleaning solar farm and a new study shows that wind power costs are almost on par with the price of natural gas. Energy experts are also thinking outside the box when it comes to new ways to harvest renewable resources. Case in point: An enormous helium-filled wind turbine will soon float over the city of Fairbanks, Alaska, to produce enough electricity (and WiFi!) for more than a dozen families living off the grid.

Tired of digging your car out of the snow? Things might be easier if you had Rungu's Three-Wheeled Juggernaut Bike. Equipped with large, soft tires, this "fatbike" floats over snow and sand -- and it can even climb up stairs. Not interested in doing quite that much leg work? You'll be glad to know that the stylish Leaos Carbon pedal-assist electric bike has finally made its way from Europe to the US. The futuristic bike features state-of-the art technology such as sensors and Supernova LED lights, and it can travel up to 2.5 hours on a single charge. And what about those who can't pedal because of a physical disability? Designer Jesse Lee sees no reason why they should have to miss out on the electric-bike fun. So he created an all-terrain electric tricycle that can be controlled with hand or foot pedals, giving riders the freedom to travel across gravel, hills, grass and dirt.

Have you ever wished you could smell a dish before ordering it? Michelin-starred Chef Andoni Luis Aduriz is working on a smartphone app that greets customers with bursts of delicious fragrance as they peruse his menu. That's almost as crazy as an innovative edible water bottle called Ooho that recently received a 2014 Lexus Design Award. Made from a gelatinous membrane, the biodegradable bottle can be cooked up in your kitchen, then eaten or safely thrown away. Speaking of biodegradable design, researchers are working on a new breed of dissolvable batteries that can be inserted under the skin to power medical devices. In wearable tech news, NASA is looking to the public for help in designing its next-generation "Z-2" space suit. The "Z-2" will incorporate a number of advanced features designed to protect astronauts from deep-space conditions. If you're more interested in designs you can actually wear, be sure to check out this incredible Iron Man suit crafted by a father-and-son team in China.

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IRL: A closer look at the Moto G

Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.

I love low-cost smartphones that punch above their weight, like the Lumia 620. They're proof you don't need high-end hardware to get a full smartphone experience. As you might imagine, then, I was eager to try the Moto G. A modern quad-core processor, a 720p screen and an up-to-date version of Android for under $200 off-contract? In theory, that's an astounding bargain. With that in mind, I've been testing a Moto G on Telus' network here in Canada to see whether I could live with it instead of the flagship phones I'm used to.

For the most part, I'm impressed. After several weeks of use, it still feels like a mid-range device in budget phone's clothing. The Moto G is well built, lasts for more than a full day on a charge and is very quick handling most day-to-day tasks. There are a few clues this isn't a speed demon, most notably the modest 3D gaming performance, but it's otherwise responsive. I don't even mind the absence of LTE. Here in Ottawa, Telus' 3G service gave me download speeds around 6 Mbps. That's plenty of bandwidth for Instagram and Twitter.

I also appreciate Motorola's commitment to software updates. The Moto G was one of the first devices to get Android 4.4 KitKat, and there have since been significant upgrades to Assist, Gallery and other key apps. Few of the entry-level handsets I've tried have received more than a handful of noteworthy updates during their lifetimes. Hopefully Motorola will keep up the pace -- it's great to have a cheap phone that's constantly evolving.

It's just a shame about the camera. Even after the KitKat refresh and a separate camera update, the Moto G's photo quality is merely okay for the price. The sensor occasionally focuses on the wrong subject right as I'm taking the shot, and low light pictures often turn out blurry. The quality isn't bad enough to keep me from recommending the device to friends, but I would suggest ponying up for the Nexus 5 if you care about imaging in a frugal, off-contract smartphone.

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Microsoft changes privacy policy to ban accessing users' email

Several days ago, it was revealed that Microsoft once accessed a blogger's email account without permission to uncover an employee who leaked source code. MS initially defended its actions, saying it was the quickest way to respond to a case of illegally distributed information, but it's now responding with a policy change. In a blog post published today, the company's General Counsel Brad Smith says that this will never happen again. He explains how the company will handle similar issues going forward:

Effective immediately, if we receive information indicating that someone is using our services to traffic in stolen intellectual or physical property from Microsoft, we will not inspect a customer's private content ourselves. Instead, we will refer the matter to law enforcement if further action is required.

In short, the company will rely on formal legal processes should any leak situation happen in the future. It's no doubt a good sign of progress, and Microsoft is also partnering with the Electronic Frontier Foundation and The Center for Democracy and Technology to further discuss consumer privacy issues.

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Cellphone deals of the week: 3.28.14

We're smack-dab in the middle of the new phone-announcement season. While you'll have to shell out quite a bit for the latest hardware, some previous models -- including recent releases -- are getting price cuts. Head on past the break to peruse the handful we've selected, catering to iOS, Android and Windows Phone sensibilities along the way.

If there are other hand-held devices that you're after that we haven't included here -- join us and add them to your "Want" list. Every time there's a price cut in the future, you'll get an email alert!

HTC One (2013) Google Play Edition

Price: $499
Regular Price: $599
Engadget Score: 92 (Regular Model)
Buy: Google Play

With a new unskinned HTC One now available from Google, last year's model is seeing a $100 discount. So if you're after a pure Android experience on an unlocked handset, here's a chance to nab up a phone that we've become quite smitten with since its release.

iPhone 5c

Price: Free (on-contract)
Regular Price: $50
Engadget Score: 87
Buy: Best Buy

If you don't mind your 16GB iPhone sporting a coat of white, and you happen to be an AT&T customer, Best Buy is offering the iPhone 5c for free with a two-year agreement. Not sure if you should opt for the 5c over the 5s? Consult our Compare tool to see how they differ.

Nokia Lumia 1520

Price: $100 (on-contract)
Regular Price: $200
Engadget Score: 86
Buy: Amazon

Engadget Senior Mobile Editor Brad Molen touted the Lumia 1520 as "the best Windows Phone device yet" when we reviewed it back in November. The Nokia handset is seeing a pretty handsome discount on AT&T, for those willing to opt in for two years. And according to our Price History tool, this is on par with the lowest rate we've seen in the last 90 days.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Price: $150 (on-contract)
Regular Price: $300
Engadget Score: 87
Buy: Amazon

Folks who are Verizon faithful and prefer super-sized smartphones may want to have a look here. The Galaxy Note 3 now has a price tag of $150 on-contract with Big Red. For those keeping score at home, that's half off the on-contract price when it arrived back in the fall. It's also the lowest rate our Price History tool has tallied for the device over the past three months.

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