Fusion Installer for XBMC Simplifies Adding Third-Party Add-Ons

XBMC has a ton of cool add-ons. Not all of the cool possible additions come directly through official channels. If you want to get off the beaten path, Fusion can help make it easier to install unofficial (and untested) add-ons.

Fusion provides a list of third-party repositories that you can add directly from XBMC itself over the web. Normally, you'd have to find a zip file for the add-on, download it to your machine, and install it manually. If you're using XBMC on an HTPC with a regular remote, this could be a pain.

It's worth noting that Fusion is not an official source from XBMC and, in fact, XBMC advises against using it due to the potential for untested software to cause problems for your installation. Much like jailbreaking or rooting your phone, you're taking your tech into your own hands if you go down this route, but if you know what you're doing, there are some good add-ons out there. Check out MakeUseOf's article at the source link for installation instructions.

How To Set Up Fusion Installer On XBMC | MakeUseOf

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Dropbox Promises Adding Condoleezza Rice To Its Board Won’t Change Its Privacy Views

After Dropbox announced the hiring of former U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, the Internet roiled with unrest: Could a former government official who defended warrantless wiretapping during the Bush administration properly advise a cloud storage company at the epicenter of the discussion of data privacy, especially in the current context of the NSA and its surveillance programs?

Many inside the technology community were angered by the choice. Dropbox, a company that was listed as “coming soon” on the first PRISM slides, has joined with other technology companies in calling for reformation of surveillance.

The least we can say is that the announcement of the hire was poorly handled. Dropbox agrees. In a short blog post published today, the company was plain: “We should have been clearer that none of this is going to change with Dr. Rice’s appointment to our Board. Our commitment to your rights and your privacy is at the heart of every decision we make, and this will continue.”

The question is whether the word of the company will suffice to quiet its critics.

Dropbox is currently making a play to shape its products to better serve large corporate clients, a lucrative, large market. Chatter among some users indicates that there is at least mild effort from the plugged-in to leave the service; those leaving individually will likely amount to no more than a day’s rounding error on Dropbox’s growth, however.

But the plugged-in are often the sort that make purchasing decisions regarding the implementation of new technology for large corporations. Could the Rice pickup harm Dropbox there? The company is betting that any potential drag of will be more than made up by their new board member’s deep international experience and intelligence. Regardless of whether you agree with her political philosophy, it’s hard to dispute Rice’s credentials.

But for a company looking to secure revenue ramp and pursue an IPO, running into this level of community unrest must be unwelcome.

Photo: Whitehouse.gov

Aereo TV streaming service adding Chromecast support, starting May 29th

 

Aereo has received quite of attention thanks to its subscription-based model that essentially brings its users over-the-air-TV directly to the web, alongside added DVR functionality. Not all of the attention has been the good kind, though. As we speak Aereo is caught up in a legal battle to determine whether or not the service is actually legal, but Aereo isn’t letting that slow them down.

Today Aereo announced that it will be updating its Android app come May 29th, bringing Chromecast support to the mix! What this means is that you won’t just be able to watch Aereo content through your PC and Android devices, you’ll be able to stream it right back to the big screen as well.

This is a very welcome move for Chromecast users looking to cut the cord without having to revert to bunny ears, though it’s still important to note that Aereo’s service is in beta and is only available in select cities. For more details on Aereo’s plans for Chromecast or for a list of cities where its service is offered, you’ll want to head over to Aereo’s website.

How about it, anyone planning on jumping on Aereo’s $8 monthly service now that it is heading to the Chromecast? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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