I’ve had a chance to play with the new sync feature a little bit over the last few days, and have to say that it makes the Plex app on my iPad a lot more valuable for me. Plex traditionally relies on a media server application. The idea is that you have the server up and running on your Mac or PC at home, and then access your media anywhere – either in the living room, or on the go.

However, I often find myself in situations where I have the iPad in my bag, but no way to access my server. Think road trip without cell phone coverage, for example. That’s when the ability to download a few movies beforehand is great. And having the really slick Plex UI to select the media I want is an added bonus.

It’s worth noting that sync is only available to paying PlexPass subscribers. Plex introduced PlexPass as a paid subscription tier this summer; subscribers who pay $4 a month or $30 a year get access to some premium features. Right now, this includes sync as well as early access to a web-based Plex client.

Check out a few screenshots of the new Plex iPad app below:

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• What Amazon’s new Kindle line means for Apple, Netflix and online media
• Analyzing the wearable computing market
• Who and what to watch in the new era of the living room

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• What the shift to the cloud means for the future EPG
• Connected world: the consumer technology revolution
• CES 2012: a recap and analysis

The company announced the move late last year, and Boxee VP of Marketing Andrew Kippen confirmed Monday that the company is going through with its plans, despite some criticism from Boxee’s early adopters.

Boxee released the last version of its software for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux at the end of December, and Kippen wrote at the time in a blog post:

“We believe the future of TV will be driven by devices such as the Boxee Box, Connected TVs / Blu-Rays and 2nd screen devices such as tablets and phones. While there are still many users who have computers connected to their TVs, we believe this use case is likely to decline as users find better alternatives. People will continue to watch a lot of video on their computer, but it is more likely to be a laptop than a home-theater PC and probably through a browser rather than downloaded software.”

The most recent PC version of Boxee won’t be supported by the company going forward. Boxee will instead concentrate all of its efforts on the CE market, where it’s been selling the Boxee Box manufactured by D-Link for more than a year. It recently released a USB dongle that brings live broadcast TV to the Boxee Box and also released an iPad app last year.

Still, some of Boxee’s early adopters are pretty upset about the company’s decision to cease support for PCs. The blog post announcing the change provoked hundreds of comments, most of them negative. Boxee may be able to win some of those users over, but many are likely going to look for other solutions. Benefiting from this could be two media center products:

• XBMC is the open-source media center software Boxee is based on. It originated on the Xbox and focuses mainly on local media playback, but can be extended to play online video from various sources through a number of add-ons.
• Plex is, like Boxee, also based on XBMC, but has been going a slightly different route, focusing on a client-server architecture that makes it possible to play media on many different platforms. Plex most recently introduced an app for the Kindle Fire  as well as a personal cloud service.

As for Boxee, cutting its losses and concentrating on its CE platform should help the company keep up with an emerging market that pits it against much bigger players like Google and its Google TV platform. Boxee currently has 45 employees, and the company has raised a total of a $28.5 million in funding.

Check out our video review of the recently released Boxee Live TV dongle below:

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• How consumer media will change in 2013
• Who and what to watch in the new era of the living room
• What the shift to the cloud means for the future EPG

Pair your remote with your Mac

If there are multiple Macs around when you’re using your remote, you’ll find that pressing a button once will perform the same action on every nearby Mac. To solve this problem, you can pair the remote specifically with a single target Mac. Open System Preferences, and then open the Security & Privacy pane.

At the bottom is a button labelled Pair…. Click this button, then follow the instructions that appear by holding the remote near your Mac and holding down the Menu and Next buttons on the remote. (Next is the button on the right-hand side of the ring at the top of the remote.)

Once you’ve done this, your remote and your Mac will be paired, meaning that using that remote will only control that one Mac.

Send your Mac to sleep with the remote

When using your Mac as a media center, you may wish to put the computer to sleep once you’re done. To do this quickly, you can use your remote. All you need to do is hold down the Play/Pause button on the remote. After a few seconds, a graphic will appear on the screen and your Mac will go to sleep.

Set up custom actions for your remote

By downloading the free utility BetterTouchTool, you can set up custom actions, which will be performed when you press specific buttons on your remote. This is great if you don’t use your remote for controlling iTunes or FrontRow, since you can override the default actions (play, next, pause, etc).

Once you’ve downloaded BetterTouchTool, you can add custom actions (called Gestures in BTT) by clicking its icon in the menu bar and choosing Preferences. Click Gestures at the top, then Apple Remote and other.

Next, click Add new gesture at the bottom of the screen. You can then select a ‘gesture’, i.e. a button on the remote, from the drop down in the lower left. After that, choose an action from the other drop down in the bottom right corner, or type a keyboard shortcut in the box.

For instance, you could set up an action which locks your computer when you hold down the Menu button on the remote by setting the gesture to Menu, Holding and the action to Show Loginscreen. (Note that since OS X doesn’t have an explicit ‘lock’ feature, this is the next best thing since it requires you to enter your password to get back into your Mac afterwards.)

Change the startup disk and eject CDs

As your Mac starts up, if you hold the Menu button on the remote, you’ll see the same menu as if you hold the Option key on the keyboard – a list of available startup disks. You can then use the remote to select a disk, and boot from it using the Play/Pause button.

In the same menu, you can also use the Volume Up button to eject a CD or DVD after selecting it.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Why the Mac is infiltrating the enterprise
• Will cloud computing push the BRIC market to the front?
• A clouded view of Google Music

“I consider it impossible that Google acquired SageTV so they could add native DVR capabilities to Google TV (remember, Google already manages the program guide, channel changing, and even automating your native DVR). I recently read “In the Plex” by Steven Levy and it gives a glimpse of how Google thinks — and for Google, the future is all about the Internet and the cloud.”

I’ve gotta say, I’m with Agrawal. Google TV is designed to work with existing DVRs, not to replace your DVR. Sure, eventually, we may see a DVR that runs Google TV software. But adding DVR functionality to the next version of Google TV would duplicate existing functionality and make the devices even more expensive. Hard drives still cost money, after all. And yes, Agrawal is right: Turning Google TV into a DVR would run counter to Google’s core philosophy.

So what else could Google want from SageTV? The company’s DVR software has also offered some interesting media playback capabilities, and SageTV offers a programming guide that could add some functionality to Google’s offering. But both features are incremental, and not something that Google’s engineers couldn’t have solved by themselves.

Here’s what my money is on: SageTV’s place-shifting software, which is essentially a Slingbox for your PC or media set-top box. SageTV place shifting makes it possible to watch live and archived TV programming on computers either in your home network or remotely. Third-party developers have already been able to port this functionality to iOS devices, and I expect that SageTV’s engineers will be working on releasing an Android client as soon as possible.

Google TV devices already have access to your live TV feed, and they’re capable of controlling your DVR. SageTV integration could make it possible to make your DVR recordings available anywhere and on any device. Essentially, this will be Google TV’s take on TV Everywhere — and it will add features to the device that will make Apple and others look weak in comparison.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Who and what to watch in the new era of the living room
• What the shift to the cloud means for the future EPG
• Controversy, courtrooms and the cloud in Q1

Though only in the “concept client” mode (untested and complicated to install) as of right now, the jailbreak app shows the true, unlocked potential of the new Apple TV. Plex allows you to stream nearly any kind of video directly to your device from your Mac, not just the content in your iTunes library. Despite being an early build, the app does have a clean interface that fits right in on the Apple TV and allows for easy navigation.

Plex also introduces various other sources from which to draw media, in addition to those provided by your Apple TV and files on your local network. It can act as a media center for streaming content from the web, and is compatible with sources like FoxNews.com, MLB.com and BBC iPlayer. Perhaps most useful of all, Plex also supports Hulu. Essentially, an Apple TV running this new jailbreak app nears content parity with the much more expensive Google TV offerings.

Some limitations of the application include how Plex must re-encode videos rather than play them back in native form, using more device resources, and how it still isn’t very easy to install or jailbreak your device.

If you’re looking to try it out in the current un-tested mode, visit the Plex forums. For non-advanced users, it’s probably best to wait for a more stable (and more easily installed) version to emerge. As always, remember that jailbreaking your device can create various problems, to the point of making your device unusable and/or voiding your warranty.

Related content from GigaOM Pro (sub req’d):

• GigaOM Bunker Session: Is App TV Coming Next?
• HTML5’s a Game-Changer for Web Apps
• Why Humans are the Biggest Threat to Cloud Adoption

Generally, I use my media center, which happens to be a Mac mini, for entertainment, not for getting things done. But during the day, I can flip the switch and put that machine to work.

Media on Demand

My job requires me to pay close attention to what’s going on in the news. But no matter what job you do, it probably will prove helpful to stay on top of what’s going on in your field. If you find a good streaming source, playing that on the background while you work can be advantageous.

I queue up podcasts and even the occasional livestream on my media center. It keeps it off my work monitors, so I can choose to tune it out if I get too busy, but it also means I can quickly adjust my focus when I have some spare bandwidth. And I find that working doesn’t prevent me from taking in information I’m hearing at the same time.

Twitter Box

I sometimes find that if I use Twitter on my main work computer, my attention span is even shorter and more fractured than usual. By relegating that (and other) social media channels to the media center, I can check in when I have time, but it isn’t begging me to look at it.

You can just use your favorite Twitter app or the new homepage, which is pretty powerful, but I prefer using some tools designed for larger displays. There’s ParaTweet, for example, which is designed with presentations in mind. It displays tweets in real-time, and you can focus in on specific terms using filters.

Conference Call HQ

Many people use VoIP now for conference and other business-related calls. I’ve done it at my work computer, but it’s another case of having too much going on in the same place.

So for business calls, which require my complete attention and focus, I’ll turn to the media center. There are some great webcams out there with high quality mics built-in, and having a voice call routed through your home theater speaker system really helps make sure you hear what people are saying. Plus, you can sit on the couch and be at ease, which should lead to a calmer, more composed conversation.

Video calls also go to my Mac mini now, on those few occasions when I need to make them. A webcam mounted to the TV provides my end of the feed, while watching video calls on a larger display means I can pay better attention to people’s body language, which leads to fewer missed cues and other awkwardness that can come along with video chat.

Divide and Conquer

The media center may seem like primarily an entertainment device, and it is, but it’s also a great way to get low priority computer stuff off your plate. It’s accessible, but it isn’t screaming for attention. Likewise, since the media center isn’t where all your work is waiting, it provides the perfect communication tool. Just like you pay more attention on the phone when you’re not browsing the Internet, real time web-based communication works better when you do it on a machine that doesn’t have a thousand browser windows open.

If you use a media center as part of your web working setup, share your tips below.

Related content from GigaOM Pro (sub. req.):

• Are You Empowering Your Mobile Workforce?
• Report: The Real-Time Enterprise
• How to Manage Consumer-Grade Collaborative Tools in the Workplace

The Essentials

Boxee Remote (Free)

Now, obviously, getting this app requires you to have Boxee set up on your Mac as a pre-requisite, but that’s a step you definitely should take if you’re going to be using your Mac as a media center machine. Boxee automatically organizes your existing media library and gives you convenient, TV-optimized navigation of not only your own files but also of web content from sites like YouTube, CollegeHumor, U.S. television network sites and Hulu.

The official remote app for the iPhone is free, and it works better than any other general use remote software I’ve come across. You get to choose between standard and gesture control modes, depending on your preference, and it automatically detects and connects to any Boxee installation running in your house without any issue. And using the iPhone’s keyboard to perform text entry commands means you can shelve the Bluetooth keyboard, too.

Air Mouse Pro ($1.99)

There are countless remote control applications for use with your Mac on your iPhone, but I still prefer Air Mouse Pro above all others. Recently introduced features like a battery indicator prove that the developers behind it are committed to offering continued support, and the list of extras you get beyond basic control functions is long indeed.

For instance, at any time shaking the iPhone will provide a full screen trackpad, either in profile or landscape mode. There’s a keyboard for data entry, and also a variety of other screens to make sure you’re never wanting for a button to press. It requires a server, but it sits innocuously in your menu bar, and doesn’t use almost any system resources.

Apple Remote (Free)

Apple’s original iTunes remote application is still the best way to manage your music collection when you’re listening by yourself or hosting a party. If you haven’t used the iTunes DJ functionality yet, invite a bunch of friends over for a music party just to test it out.

The Nice-To-Haves

Joypad ($1.99)

If you use your Mac for playing games like me, particularly classic emulated games, then you’ll want to pick up this handy little app. It only costs $1.99, and with it you get a fully functional gamepad with a classic NES button layout. I’ve got copies on my iPhone and iPod touch for two player action at no extra cost. You’ll need a server app to get it working, which can be confusing at first since the app launches without telling you anything about its desktop requirements.

Air Video ($2.99)

Air Video can do amazing things for your video files. Just set up the server, point it at folders that you want to have access to (ideally ones where you keep your videos, obviously) and you’ll be able to see them on your small screen wherever you happen to be. A data connection is required, but it works with both 3G and Wi-Fi connections.

Air Video also has the advantage of being able to convert incompatible video files on the fly, and even let you watch as you convert so long as you have an iDevice running iPhone OS 3.0 or later.

Long past is the time when your media center Mac was limited to the home. Thanks to the iPhone, iPod touch, and now the iPad, you can take your media with you in more ways than ever. Maximizing your living room experience is great, but being able to take that room on the road with you is way better.

iPhlix ($2.99)

Manage your Netflix queue from your iPhone. This app has always worked well, but until very recently it had one of the ugliest icons in the App Store, which is a huge deal for a design snob like myself. Get it now and use it in conjunction with Netflix on Boxee and you’ll be sailing.

I don’t know about you, but my Mac has quickly overshadowed my digital cable box as the centerpiece of my home entertainment system. Combine that with the convenience and portability of the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad and you’ve got a killer combination. It’s only a matter of time before that cable subscription gets canceled. Being able to watch episodes of the Dog Whisperer whenever I want on the National Geographic Channel is really the only thing preventing me from doing so already.

But Boxee is, in many ways, swinging for the rafters with its attempts to insert an open source media center software platform into the path of territorial media executives, who are used to striking cloistered — and typically proprietary — content deals. This fact came to a very public head a few months ago, when Hulu demanded that Boxee remove its video content from its platform.

The company’s potential for massive success — and failure — with the Boxee Box is becoming increasingly apparent. Boxee must not only keep its platform open, as OStatic recently noted, but it must find ways to woo content partners. And it must handle said content partners with care. As Ryan over at NewTeeVee wrote:

“If Boxee simply ports the software and all the channels that it and others have created into its Boxee Box without the permission of content owners — in other words, if it’s committed to remaining open and allowing anyone to build content channels for the device — then it risks alienating potential content partners.”

The post prompted a response in the comments section from CEO Avner Ronen, who said that “Boxee will remain an open platform, while respecting the rights of content owners.” Ronen also responded to the OStatic post, with:

“Boxee and XBMC [Boxee's open source core] are based on GPL, so any partner of ours need to accept it as a requirement. In our discussions with CE makers and content partners it is being raised as a concern, but in most cases we are able to address it. There is still a lot of misconception regarding what it means to work with an open-source project.”

And he went on to add that:

“There is still lots of work for us to do to make them feel comfortable about working with Boxee. The main issue has to do with the concern media companies have about upsetting their existing channel (i.e. Cable/Sat).”

We’ll know much more about how Boxee intends to marry its open platform with potentially closed-minded content executives in just a few days. Stay tuned.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• What the shift to the cloud means for the future EPG
• Who and what to watch in the new era of the living room
• Connected world: the consumer technology revolution