We’re diving into subscription fatigue, innovative reading technology, and the hardware shortage crisis affecting gamers everywhere. Crunchyroll hits subscribers with $2 monthly increases across all tiers, but there is a silver lining. Spotify unveils Page Match, a clever feature using your phone camera to find your exact place in audiobooks from physical books (and vice versa), alongside a Bookshop.org partnership that brings physical book purchases into the Spotify app. Hardware news is concerning: Valve pushes back its Steam Machine launch. NVIDIA compounds the problem by reportedly scrapping all new graphics card launches this year.

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• Crunchyroll increases prices for all anime streaming plans
• Spotify Partners With Bookshop.org and Debuts Page Match Feature to Bridge Physical, E-book, and Audio Formats
• Valve Delays Steam Machine and Steam Frame Due to Memory and Storage Shortages
• NVIDIA reportedly won’t release new graphics cards this year

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The intro music is a song called Rogue by Raw Stiles.

The post Entertainment 2.0 #702 – Component Shortages & Spotify’s Physical Book Push appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

In this episode, we explore the shifting landscape of home entertainment, starting with TCL’s rapid ascent to challenge Samsung for the top spot in the global TV market while Google TV’s North American presence shrinks. We dive into how the Auracast standard is being utilized in Sennheiser’s RS 275 TV headphones and Marshall’s Heddon hub to allow seamless audio broadcasting. Additionally, we discuss Sonos’ return to hardware with the professional-grade Amp Multi and Microsoft’s rollout of the Xbox PC app for Arm-based devices.

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• Google TV’s future sounds a bit bleak even as TCL nears the crown
• Sonos bursts out of the shadows with a bespoke amplifier, says more is coming
• These Sennheiser headphones are a world’s first for audio connectivity – and I’m excited | ZDNET
• Marshall’s new Auracast hub turns Bluetooth speakers into a unified sound system
• The Xbox PC app is now rolling out publicly for Windows Arm PCs — Microsoft Prism now supports “85%” of Xbox Game Pass titles

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The intro music is a song called Rogue by Raw Stiles.

The post Entertainment 2.0 #701 – Google TV’s Decline and the Global TV Market Shift appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

We’re on the show floor at CES 2026! We discuss the latest television news from LG, TCL, and Hisense, and how most of them were focused on micro RGB televisions. In the audio segment, we’ve got some Auracast products and some interesting new open-ear headphones. And gaming, well, gaming was weird at CES 2026!

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The intro music is a song called Rogue by Raw Stiles.

The post Entertainment 2.0 #700 – CES 2026 appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

In this year-end episode, we’re taking a look back at the tech and entertainment that defined our 2025. We share what’s been in our home theater setups this year. From the TVs and speakers we’ve been using to the headphones we can’t live without and the streaming services that earned our subscriptions. Then we reveal our personal top picks across movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, books, and games that made 2025 memorable. Whether you’re looking for gear recommendations or just want to discover something great to watch, listen to, or play, this retrospective has you covered.

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The intro music is a song called Rogue by Raw Stiles.

The post Entertainment 2.0 #699 – Our 2025 Gear and Top Picks appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

We discuss just what an LG Micro RGB TV is and whether it should be on your 2026 shopping list. We have an update in the Warner Bros. Discovery situation. Xbox has brought Josh’s favorite new audio feature, Auracast, to the Xbox Wireless Headset, and the Kindle app has a useful new feature for readers.

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• This is What Christmas Feels Like
• Warner Bros. Discovery rejects Paramount’s hostile bid
• LG just announced its first Micro RGB TV — and it’s a massive upgrade for Mini-LED | Tom’s Guide
• Xbox December Update: Xbox Mobile App Updates, Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio Support, and More – Xbox Wire
• Kindle app now answers questions about the book you’re reading | The Verge

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The post Entertainment 2.0 #698 – What is an LG Micro RGB TV appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

Netflix and Paramount are both trying to buy Warner Bros. Discovery. YouTube TV will soon launch new plans targeting the types of channels you are most interested in. Spotify brought music videos to it US and Canadian listeners. Plus, we had a great question about backing up your media and we have lots of updates from our entertainment centers.

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• Paramount makes a $108 billion hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
• YouTube TV to Launch Cheaper, Genre-Specific Plans in 2026
• Spotify launches music videos in the US and Canada for Premium subscribers | TechCrunch

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The post Entertainment 2.0 #697 – Netflix/Paramount Bidding War for Warner Bros. Discovery appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

Plex and Netflix are paywalling features. Amazon finds a great use for AI. Spotify simplifies switching services. Xbox full-screen experience comes to more handhelds.

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• Plex starts paywalling remote streaming to TVs, beginning with its Roku app
• Amazon says Alexa Plus can find that movie scene you’re thinking about | The Verge
• Netflix quietly killed casting from phones (Updated)
• Spotify now includes a built-in tool for importing your playlists from other services
• Microsoft brings the Xbox Ally X’s full screen experience to other handhelds
• ROG Xbox Ally Adds Default Game Profiles for Select Games

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The intro music is a song called Rogue by Raw Stiles.

The post Entertainment 2.0 #696 – Amazon Built a Great AI Feature for the Living Room appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

Disney’s fight with YouTube TV is over. Apple is making it easier to watch MLS, but not for as long as expected. Paramount is getting more expensive. Spotify has a great new feature for audiobook lovers. Valve announced the Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and a new Steam Controller. We also share some of our favorite Black Friday deals.

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• Disney channels are back on YouTube TV
• YouTube TV Gives Subscribers $20 Credit To Compensate for the Removal of Disney Content
• Apple, MLS to end landmark broadcast deal three years early amidst major changes
• Paramount Plus is getting a price hike in early 2026 | The Verge
• Spotify is adding recaps for audiobooks
• Valve announces new Steam Machine and Steam Controller
• The Steam Frame is a surprising new twist on VR | The Verge

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) – $249 – 17% off
• Bose QuietComfort Headphones – $199 – 43% off
• Sony WH-1000XM5 – $248 – 38% off
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max – $35 – 42% off
• Roku Streaming Stick 4K – $35 – 30% off
• Meta Quest 3S 128GB – $249 – $50 off

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The intro music is a song called Rogue by Raw Stiles.

The post Entertainment 2.0 #695 – Is the Steam Machine Coming for Xbox? appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

YouTube TV removes Disney’s networks. Google drops out of Movies Anywhere. Auracast is coming to Windows 11. Sony’s PlayStation Portal can now stream your owned games. And we’ve got a couple of early Black Friday deals!

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• YouTube TV loses ESPN, ABC and other Disney channels
• Google Abruptly Ends Support For Movies Anywhere, Shattering Cross-Platform Movie Ownership for Millions | Cord Cutters News
• Google TV Streamer 4k on sale at Amazon for $75
• Pixel Buds Pro 2 on sale at Amazon for $169
• Extending Bluetooth® LE Audio on Windows 11 with shared audio (preview) | Windows Insider Blog
• Sony’s PlayStation Portal Can Now Stream Select PS5 Games from the Cloud

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The intro music is a song called Rogue by Raw Stiles.

The post Entertainment 2.0 #694 – YouTube TV and Disney’s Ongoing Fight appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

CNN All Access is a new attempt at a stand-alone streaming news service. Apple TV and Peacock have a great bundle offer. Prices are increasing from HBO Max. Spotify is giving you fine-grained control of your musical preferences. Xbox executives are talking about the next generation.

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• CNN All Access is now available; here’s what you need to know
• Apple TV and Peacock announce a discounted $15 monthly subscription bundle
• HBO Max is getting even more expensive starting today
• Spotify Gives You Even More Control With the Ability to Exclude Tracks From Your Taste Profile
• Phil Spencer Discusses Microsoft’s Next-Gen Xbox

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The intro music is a song called Rogue by Raw Stiles.

The post Entertainment 2.0 #693 – Best Streaming Bundle Ever? appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.