TiVo Bolt lets you skip commercials and speed-watch TV
Culture
In a time where many people want to pay less for television TiVo has reasons for you to play more.
I'm Bridget Carey.
This is your CNet Update.
TiVo doesn't want to be seen as just a DVR.
In fact the newest model isn't even a black box anymore.
It's white and it has no buttons.
And there's a design that looks like someone kicked it.
Because, you know, bends make it seem futuristic and edgy.
And maybe that edginess will make you feel okay with paying a monthly $15 service fee.
This is the Bolt, and yes it still records TV shows.
It can record four shows at once.
If you're unfamiliar with how TiVos work, Instead of renting a cable box, your TV service provider gives you a cable card chip to insert inside.
But it also works for customers that cut the cord and want to record free over the air broadcasts from an HD antenna or if you wanna stream video from apps over the Internet.
This upgraded model supports 4K, known as ultra high definition.
So about that service fee, The Bolt itself starts at $300 but after the first year you have to pay $150 a year for keyless service which let's you skip commercials of recorded shows with one button tap.
And you can speed up the playback of shows by 30% and the dialogue still sounds normal not all chipmunky.
You can do one search across all cable TV and streaming apps to find shows in one menu.
It also has parental controls, offers suggestions on what you may like to watch and it streams video to your mobile phone or tablet.
In a time where you want to spend less on television, TiVo gives TV lovers reasons to spend more money.
Now you see why they had to make it look so snazzy, hm?
And that's not the only tech that's bending in new ways.
Tesla just unveiled the Model X. It's an all electric SUV with Falcon Win doors that make it easy to get in.
Not only do the doors look cool, but there are sensors so it won't bang into things.
It's a car for the family that wants to zip off to soccer practice.
From 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds.
That speed boost is an extra feature called Ludicrous Speed mode.
But before you get too excited, it's pretty expensive and it's not coming out anytime soon.
The top model with the Ludicrous Speed boost Cost $142,000.
But some estimate that the base models could start at 80 grand.
You may not be able to order one until next year.
And here's a new smart watch that's going on sale without much notice.
Samsung just announced that the round Gear S2 is going on sale in the US this Friday, starting at $300.
You navigate by twisting the outside rim.
It'll be at Best Buy stores if you wanna try it on in person.
There's a model that has a 3G cellular connection, but that's not coming out until the fall and we don't know the price of that yet.
All of this stuff is so expensive, but if you're looking for something for free, well the Mac update for OS X, El Capitan, is now available to download.
You can get a detailed overview of all the features at cnet.com.
That's it for this [UNKNOWN] news update.
From our studios in New York, I'm Bridget Carey.
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