Asus puts a geometric spin on Google TV with the Qube set-top box

By Anna Washenko January 7, 2013

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Along with its convertible laptops, Asus strengthened its line of home theater accessories at CES 2013 set-top box. The Google-TV-powered device connects to an HDTV and offers viewers access to Google Play, Chrome, and YouTube, along with the usual suite of third-party Google TV apps, including access to more than 100,000 shows and movies from Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. Every Qube with Google TV comes with 50GB of WebStorage cloud space.

Rather than using the default Google TV interface, Asus uses a unique interface for the Qube, which matches its namesake shape. Functions appear on the screen on the sides of a rotating cube shape. There are several options for navigating the Qube, including motion control and voice search. You can also control the device through an Android smartphone, or a tablet with the Mobile Remote app. The market for devices that combine a TV and a computer control is getting ever more crowded. Intel and Netgear are both reportedly working on offerings, and Hisense and Logitech both have options on the market already. It will be exciting to watch how well Asus and the Qube can keep up with the competition.

Asus has not yet announced pricing or availability details for the Qube.

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Anna is a professional writer living in Chicago. She covers everything from social media to digital entertainment, from tech…

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Tidal vs. Qobuz: Which hi-res music streaming service is for you?

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Below, we compare Tidal and Qobuz based on price, sound quality, and supported devices to determine which platform is better.
Price
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OTC hearing aid sale discounts 15 models, from just $80

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If you need a hearing aid, you’re going to love the OTC hearing aid sale going on at Crutchfield right now. Currently, you can buy a pair for as little as just $80 with up to $500 to be saved on select models. With 15 models in the sale, we recommend you click the button below to see what’s on sale for yourself. But you can also read on while we highlight some of our favorite hearing aid deals. Don’t delay as the deals are unlikely to stick around for long.

What to shop for in the Crutchfield hearing aid sale
With some of the best OTC hearing aids including models from Lexie, go straight for the . It’s currently $799 instead of $849. It has a slim, visually discreet profile with a behind-the-ear fit style. A built-in feedback management system helps reduce high-pitched feedback while there’s a noise reduction circuit which decreases the volume of constant background sounds such as vacuum cleaners or A/C units. It also has level-dependent gain and compression which keeps loud noises from becoming too loud during conversations. The app also provides bass and treble controls along with left/right balance adjustments, and directional focus modes. It’s a really well-rounded hearing aid.

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The GoldenEar SuperSub XXL subwoofer in the living room.

Upgrading your home theater setup's sound output is easily achieved by buying from soundbar deals, but if you want extra bass, you'll want to purchase a subwoofer. If you're thinking about it, you may want to checkout Crutchfield's sale on GoldenEar subwoofers with prices that start at $595. These premium subwoofers will give you all the bass that you need for watching streaming shows, epic movies, sports programs, and any other form of content, but you'll have to hurry with your decision on what to buy because these discounts are only available for a limited time.

What to buy in Crutchfield's GoldenEar subwoofers sale
The cheapest option in Crutchfield's GoldenEar subwoofers sale is still pretty powerful -- the GoldenEar ForceField 3, which is an 8-inch subwoofer with digital signal processing and a built-in 500-watt RMS digital amplifier. You'll also get a front-firing 8-inch long-throw woofer and a 9-inch by 11-inch down-firing passive radiator for , for savings of $55 on its original price of $650. You can also take a step up with the GoldenEar ForceField 30, which offers most of the same features but with an updated design with a curved top and metal grills, for instead of $900 following a $155 discount, or the GoldenEar ForceField 40 with a front-firing 10-inch long-throw woofer and an 11-inch by 13-inch down-firing passive radiator for a , down by $205 from $1,200 originally.