Daily News Courier

SiriusXM satellite radio app gets a hefty update

Android's SiriusXM app (yes, some of us love and use satellite radio over streaming services) just got itself a fairly decent update in the Google Play store. On tap are "enhancements and fixes to the following core features:"

• Start Now – Go back in time up to 5 hours to hear previously aired programming on most channels
• TuneStart – Hear songs from the beginning when tuning to music channels
• Pause – Pause and resume live programming
• Fast Forward & Rewind – Skip forward and back on many channels
• Show Alerts – Reminders when your favorite shows begin
• Album Art & Artist Bios
• Improved reliability & sound quality

A decent update indeed. We've got a download link after the break should you need it.

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Sirius XM Lynx hands-on: satellite radio shows an Android in disguise [VIDEO]

Sirius XM has expanded its listening options with Lynx, a new streaming device built on-top of Android. Don’t get too excited just yet because you won’t be playing games or browsing the web on this (unless someone gets hacking). No, this is a device for one thing and one thing only: streaming Sirius XM radio wherever you are.

Lynx features hardware that can stream Sirius XM satellite radio in the car or home. The device features an audio jack that can plug into a car auxiliary or headphones, and it has Bluetooth connectivity in case you wish to connect to speakers. It can also dock into a separately sold speaker box in case you wish to listen more at work or home. A Sirius XM subscriber can use the device to do things like start a song from the beginning when listening to a favorite station, or set-up radio replays that build a library of songs from those favorites.

There are plenty of ways to browse Lynx, especially since the device is touch-screen only and has more channel options than previously available in Sirius XM devices. The presence of Android doesn’t add anything unique or amazing from an app perspective, but it does enable faster updates through Wi-Fi. For a list of other features of the device and Sirius XM, take a look at this hands-on video and feature list courtesy of Sirius XM below.

• Tune Start
  

Redux TV delivers curated, leanback viewing experience for Google TV [App Reviews]

Google TV is not a cord cutters one stop solution because resistance from networks and online video providers makes it so. However, the recent addition of Android apps has unlocked more video options other than YouTube and vimeo. Redux TV is a clever Google TV app for users looking to fill in programming gaps with noteworthy online video.

Redux TV doesn’t hunt down television shows or online web series. Instead, it crawls the web for interesting videos, documentaries, and displays them in channels centered around a certain topic. For instance, the Tech channel has TED talks and interviews by Digg founder Kevin Rose. The Dress Code channel is all about fashion, home life, and style; Caught on Tape has unbelievable home video and closed-caption clips; Adrenaline is about extreme sports; Underground Comedy has funny skits, Music Backstage has performances and behind-the-scenes footage; and Street Level has documentaries on subcultures and interviews with tastemakers.

All channels on Redux are curated by a humans, an interesting change of pace from the algorithm-driven apps that have passed through Androinica HQ in recent months. On some channels, like Tech and Dress Code, it’s a winning formula because there’s a steady stream of great content that would appeal to all viewers. That’s not always the case with Comedy and Music channels because both artforms are so subjective. What curators find funny may make me laugh, but it may be a massive dud for others. Likewise, bands featured on the Music channel may lead me to do a lot of skipping while you’re still enthralled with a concert performance.

The curated stream of Redux is a risky but overall favorable strategy. Redux TV focuses on pressing play and leaning back to not put in any effort. Would it be nice to be able to find specific videos or have a central navigation menu? Sure. But then it would just be another YouTube. Instead, Redux goes out and finds interesting online videos, skits, short films, and docuseries that will keep your Google TV constantly broadcasting entertainment.

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