Netgear, best known for its home Internet routers, plans to introduce yet another settop box to enable owners of older-model TV sets to watch streaming video via the Internet. (Most newer models have such capability already built in.) What distinguishes the new device, the NeoTV Streaming Player, is that it uses either Apple's iPhone or an Android smartphone as a remote. Presumably an app for the phones will permit viewers to select movies and TV shows by simply punching an icon for Netflix, Vudu, YouTube and other video websites. The device is expected to go on sale later this month at an MSRP of $79.99. In a statement, Damir Skripic, Product Line Manager for Connected Entertainment at Netgear said, "The Netgear NeoTV Streaming Player is an easy, affordable way to transform the television you already own into a smart TV."

15/09/2011