Skip to main content

Comcast’s new XiOne streaming boxes to hit U.S., parts of Europe

Comcast today announced a wireless streaming device — the XiOne — that will be available to Xfinity Flex customers in the United States, as well as on Sky Q in Italy and Germany.

Comcast didn’t go too deep into the specs on the XiOne hardware, but notes that it’s “a plug-and-play device that features faster processing and increased memory, enabling swift switching and navigation in and out of apps.” Comcast says it supports Wi-Fi 6 (that’s 802.11ax, for those who refuse to use the new nomenclature) for networking, 4K UHD resolution, Dolby Vision for HDR, and Dolby Atmos for audio.

You’ll get a different sort of setup depending on where you live. The XiOne that’s coming to Xfinity Flex has a sleeker box with rounded corners and edges, but a pared-down remote that’s oddly triangular (and not in the cool sort of way that NVIDIA did with the latest Shield remote). The The Sky Q version headed to Italy and Germany has a more squared-off box that’s akin to a Mac Mini, and a more traditional-looking remote control that’s a little more stylish and includes a numeric keypad.

The Comcast XiOne streaming box for Xfinity and for Sky.

“When Sky joined the Comcast family, we brought together our engineers to share insights, road maps, talent, and technology to support our global customers. The launch of our new XiOne device is a direct result of these efforts and underscores how our collaborative development approach can bring new and innovative streaming products to markets faster and more efficiently,” Charlie Herrin, president of technology for Comcast, said in a press release.

XiOne will available free to Xfinity’s internet-only customers.

Editors' Recommendations

Phil Nickinson
Phil spent the 2000s making newspapers with the Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal, the 2010s with Android Central and then the…
Usually $120, these Sennheiser wireless headphones are on sale for $70
Ebay home learning sale - Sennheiser HD 350BT headphones

If you're a casual headphones user that still wants something of decent quality, the price tags can be scary. For something showing even decent levels of comfort and features the price tag usually climbs over $100. And so it is with the Sennheiser HD 350BT, which usually sit at $120. However, the rest of us can now enjoy the comfort that those willing to spring on the latest have had. While this deal lasts, you can pick up your own pair of comfy HD 350BTs for just $70. That's a savings of $50! So, pull up your chair, turn on the music, and tap the button below to get what the rest have been using for awhile now.

Why you should buy the Sennheiser HD 350BT
Sennheiser, a company that nearly always has something in our listing of the best headphones, created the HD 350BT with just a couple of things in mind. If you're familiar with the Beats headphones line, and we're sure you are, then the first objective won't surprise you; they wanted to create headphones with an intense sound profile, especially emphasizing a deep bass range. Secondly, they wanted to create a streamlined approach to headphones, using a simple and minimalist style so the average person can start using them right away without vast audiophile-level knowledge. For example, in the Sennheiser Smart Control App, you can choose between listening modes for music, news, podcasts, and films to suit your needs quickly and comfortably on the go.

Read more
YouTube TV password sharing — is that even a thing?
YouTube TV family sharing.

There's been a little bit of a to-do this week about YouTube TV cracking down on password sharing. Potentially. Ya know, like Netflix is doing. Except not really, or at all, probably. And that has to do almost entirely with how YouTube TV's account structure works.

First, some context. A few posts on Reddit stated that some family members — that is, not the primary account holder — were being asked to sign up to YouTube TV, despite already being authorized to use the service. YouTube TV allows for up to six family members to share one YouTube TV subscription, with one of them serving as the primary account. Those family members basically have to be anyone older than 13 who lives with the primary account holder.

Read more
How we test headphones and earbuds
Side view of man wearing Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones.

Our evaluation of headphone and earbuds begins the moment the product lands on our desk. We take note of the product’s packaging and presentation before diving into the unboxing.
Out of the box

Nicely packaged products can have an effect on your overall experience. But we're a lot less concerned with beauty and design than we are with a box's impact on the planet. Even a $1,000 set of headphones can be packaged responsibly -- with fully recyclable materials -- without compromising the protection offered. In 2023, most companies do a good job of this, but we'll definitely single out the ones that are still relying on heaps of plastic and foam.

Read more