Digital Media

Last year a longstanding conspiracy was reignited, telling the tale of how your smartphone is listening to your conversations and delivering targeted ads, but it still isn't true and the way you actually get your ads is much more unsettling.

Watching streamed content on a big TV can involve a good many cables running between your media streamer, soundbar and TV. Roku aims to cut some of the clutter with the Streambar, which combines a streaming player and a compact soundbar.

A longstanding conspiracy is the tale of how Facebook is listening in on your conversations, but the way it is actually serving you ads is much more unsettling.

If you own a typical Android smartphone or tablet, you need to rely on unconventional methods for streaming to an Amazon Fire TV. AllCast is a popular app for streaming your digital content from your Android device to all sorts of set-top boxes and game consoles – and it supports the Fire TV.

There are plenty of options for storing your photos and videos with an online storage provider, such as Google or Dropbox. A private, home-based cloud can provide more control, security and home-integration options, though. EzeeCube is a new home cloud hub that aims to do just that.

With Microsoft looking to cement its place in the living room with the launch of its new Xbox One later this year, we thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the company's previous attempts to stake a claim on the living room that never quite took off.

There's plenty of excitement out there about Google's US$35 Chromecast that allows you to stream digital content to your HDTV. But you might already be able to stream digital content from your Android device to your TV if you have a set-top box, Smart TV or game console. Here's how.

If you get a new Windows 8 computer, you might be surprised to find out that it won't play your DVDs. Microsoft took out this feature in the new version of the OS. Here are five free programs that will play DVDs on Windows 8 and ultimately offer more playback options.

RED announces the Odemax 4K distribution platform plus a 4K player for the home.

The Sound Blaster Axx speaker solutions from Creative feature stacked stereo speakers and are said to offer big sounds from units powered via a USB port.

Cloud Engines has announced the Pogoplug Mobile at IFA 2011, which allows users to securely stream entire libraries of digital content from connected storage in their homes to their Android or iOS mobile phone and tablet.

Xtreamer has announced the launch of a new media player and streamer which has a 3.5-inch drive bay, USB 3 and HDMI connectivity, is capable of wireless streaming, and is compatible with Apple's AirPlay