First, you’ll need to determine what type of home audio installation is best for your home. The sound can be wired though an in-ceiling, freestanding, outdoor or smaller, compact system. Assess the amount of space you have available to choose the best fit for your home theatre.

Second, you’ll need to select which home audio products are necessary for your room. Make sure you invest in quality electronics that won’t need replacing every few months and double-check that they’re compatible with the rest of your products and overall design. Read More »]]> Home audio installation is the final touch for your home theatre system. Without a quality sound system the television, gaming system and other technology you have are virtually useless! If you’re preparing to install an audio system; here are a few important things our consultants will help you decide – taking care of these details ensures you’ll be satisfied with your final product.

First, you’ll need to determine what type of home audio installation is best for your home. The sound can be wired though an in-ceiling, freestanding, outdoor or smaller, compact system. Assess the amount of space you have available to choose the best fit for your home theatre.

Second, you’ll need to select which home audio products are necessary for your room. Make sure you invest in quality electronics that won’t need replacing every few months and double-check that they’re compatible with the rest of your products and overall design. We can help you select subwoofers, AV receivers, digital media receivers, audio shelf systems, speaker systems, outdoor speaker systems, total home audio installation and other similar products you may be interested in.

Finally, once you have your layout selected and products chosen it’s time for the finishing touch – the installation of your new equipment! We will assist you in integrating your electronics with your home entertainment system and installing your keypads, speakers and all other necessary items for your sound system.

Contact us for more home theatre installation tips or to arrange a consultation with one of our staff. We would love to assist you!

It isn’t long before you realize that you forgot to ask the retailer if they offered TV installation. Instead, they seemed all too eager to sell you an expensive TV stand or worse, a wall mount kit that specifies on the box precisely how “easy” it is to install for even the most novice homeowner.

It feels so great for you to have that new flat screen in your possession, doesn’t it? Not only do you Read More »]]> You’ve finally taken the plunge! That old hand-me-down floor model television that’s been in your family for years has finally made its way out to the curb. Now,a brand new flat screen TV is sitting in your living room in a box. You can almost feel the softness of your recliner as you settle in to watch your very first HD television show. First things first, however. You have to get the TV set up…somehow.

It isn’t long before you realize that you forgot to ask the retailer if they offered TV installation. Instead, they seemed all too eager to sell you an expensive TV stand or worse, a wall mount kit that specifies on the box precisely how “easy” it is to install for even the most novice homeowner.

It feels so great for you to have that new flat screen in your possession, doesn’t it? Not only do you want to showcase it properly in your home, but you also want to protect it from getting damaged. Too many retailers are leaving TV installation in the hands of the customer, and in our opinion, that’s something that just shouldn’t be happening. Not only that, but these types of services should be offered to customers at a reasonable cost.

Allow us to introduce ourselves–we’re Hooked Up Installs. We pick up the slack that your TV retailer didn’t pick up. Not only will we provide you with a professional TV installation, but we’ll do it much quicker and safer than you would be able to do it. Having a professional install your new TV will protect your important investment (in other words, we’ll keep you from having to drag that old TV back in off the curb), and we’ll make sure it looks good too.

Don’t waste another minute trying to figure out how you’re going to install your TV. This is a job for a pro who’s done it before, and who understands the ins and outs of what it takes to make your TV viewing area look great.

When you’re ready to purchase your new TV, contact us. We’ll make sure the installation is done right the first time.

1) Plan your layout: Take into consideration power sources and light fixtures as you plan the layout of your home theater system. Consider wall mounts and wire organizers to save space and maintain a tidy appearance. Forethought like this will save you significant time when the professionals arrive to help with the installation of your new equipment.

2) Provide seating options: What good is a home theater without comfortable and abundant seating options? You can choose from couches, lounge chairs, settees, ottomans and armchairs or you can go Read More »]]> In a media-driven culture like the one we live in home theaters are a growing trend. Having a theater system conveniently located in your home makes for easy and affordable enjoyment of the latest movies and video games! If you’re considering installing one here are a few things you should consider to make the planning and installation process as painless as possible.

1) Plan your layout: Take into consideration power sources and light fixtures as you plan the layout of your home theater system. Consider wall mounts and wire organizers to save space and maintain a tidy appearance. Forethought like this will save you significant time when the professionals arrive to help with the installation of your new equipment.

2) Provide seating options: What good is a home theater without comfortable and abundant seating options? You can choose from couches, lounge chairs, settees, ottomans and armchairs or you can go with a trendy mix-and-match approach and use all of the above!

3) Choose a color scheme: You are the interior designer of your home theater. Purchase movie posters or memorabilia from your favorite films, select a trendy color scheme or plan the room around a unique theme to make the room a funky and fun reflection of your style and favorite films.

4) Invest in quality equipment: You don’t have to buy everything at the same time or purchase all the newest equipment however; whatever you do choose to purchase should be high quality. Choose speakers, gaming consoles, televisions and DVD players from well-known and reputable companies. While the up-front cost may be slightly higher, the money you save in repairing and replacing broken electronics is well worth the investment. Finally, save yourself a lot of headaches and pay the professionals to set up your equipment – they’ll be able to trouble-shoot any problems that arise and you’ll be guaranteed a finished product in half the time.

Contact us for more installation tips. We’d love to assist you with your project!

Yes, it wasn’t that long ago when we actually had to get up to change the television channel or click the light switch on or off. How twentieth century caveman is that notion? Slowly but surely at first, progress was made. The next step was the remote control that was roughly the size of a loaf of bread, and “The Clapper” provided us all with supreme advertising amusement. As technology grew, we got to the point where we needed multiple remote controls to control many, many different devices. Soon, however as a result, remote controls began to overtake the American coffee table. The universal remote wasn’t much of a help because the interface just never proved quite user-friendly enough.

Alas, the modern age has taken over and the world of home automation is here to stay. Read More »]]> It’s not quite the home of George Jetson, but we’re getting closer and closer every day.

Yes, it wasn’t that long ago when we actually had to get up to change the television channel or click the light switch on or off. How twentieth century caveman is that notion? Slowly but surely at first, progress was made. The next step was the remote control that was roughly the size of a loaf of bread, and “The Clapper” provided us all with supreme advertising amusement. As technology grew, we got to the point where we needed multiple remote controls to control many, many different devices. Soon, however as a result, remote controls began to overtake the American coffee table. The universal remote wasn’t much of a help because the interface just never proved quite user-friendly enough.

Alas, the modern age has taken over and the world of home automation is here to stay. Forget about “Clap on, Clap off” and 5 different remotes taking over your coffee table. A professionally designed and installed home automation system can make your home smarter than a 5th grader…way smarter really.

Home automation can provide you with centralized control of so many necessary functions of your home, including:

• Complete home theatre systems, including television, Blu-Ray, stereo, and more.
• Interior and exterior lighting. Don’t want to drive into a dark driveway?Program the outside lights to go on whenever you expect to drive home. Going to be away on vacation for awhile. Program your interior lights to go on and off at certain times of the day.
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
• Irrigation
• Swimming pools
• Security systems
• More

Sounds expensive, right. You’d be surprised. A package can be customized to fit the individual needs of your home at a very reasonable price, and the benefits can be quite satisfying, ranging from comfort and convenience to peace of mind. Home automation systems are becoming increasingly popular. We’re not in the world of The Jetsons quite yet, but we’re getting close. Now if we could only find a robot named Rosie to bring us snacks whenever the game is on?!

“Hooked Up Installs” provides full-service home installation to all of our customers. Your satisfaction is the foremost goal for the professionals at Hooked Up Installs. It is our mission to build an enduring relationship as your trusted partner of choice, and we always stand behind our work.

Contact us today for a free in-home consultation before purchasing your next TV, Audio & Home Theater system. We would love the opportunity to serve you!

To help guide the purchase decisions of home theater owners, Projector Reviews recently released the 2013 Best Home Theater Projector report. Site editor Art Feierman said, “This year’s crop of home theater and home entertainment projectors raises the bar for quality. That’s true whether considering under $1000 projectors, those in the $2000-$3500 sweet spot, or the massively amazing $25,000 true 4K projector from Sony, which demonstrates what to expect in future, more affordable home theaters.”

Let’s check out some of the projectors that made the list. Meanwhile, if you need any help on installing projectors and video Read More »]]> One of the most crucial components of modern home theater installations is the projector. Why? Well, apart from the fact that it will deliver the picture – the visual entertainment – that your eyes will be fixed on most of the time, the home entertainment projector represents an investment that must be very carefully made.

To help guide the purchase decisions of home theater owners, Projector Reviews recently released the 2013 Best Home Theater Projector report. Site editor Art Feierman said, “This year’s crop of home theater and home entertainment projectors raises the bar for quality. That’s true whether considering under $1000 projectors, those in the $2000-$3500 sweet spot, or the massively amazing $25,000 true 4K projector from Sony, which demonstrates what to expect in future, more affordable home theaters.”

Let’s check out some of the projectors that made the list. Meanwhile, if you need any help on installing projectors and video players in your home theater, just give the professional home theater installation team here at Hooked Up Installs a call.

Sharp XV-Z30000

Best in Class Under $2000 

The Sharp XV-Z30000 is a 1080p high definition DLP® home theater projector that’s been praised by CNET for its state-of-the-art 3D performance and reasonable price. This projector features a Texas Instruments DLP® chip with 1920×1080 resolution, an outstanding 50,000:1 contrast ratio, and a 1600 ANSI lumens high-brightness rating. It also comes with 2 sets of 3D glasses.

Epson Home Cinema Pro 6020UB

Best in Class $2000 – $3500 

The THX-certified Epson Home Cinema Pro 6020UB actually ties the 5020UB/e for the Best in Class ($2000 – $3500) Award, but their differences are minor, and the former gets the edge for the Pro version’s extra goodies (like 2 free pairs of 3D glasses, a ceiling mount, and a spare lamp). It features full HD 2D and 3D 1080p performance, an astounding contrast ratio of up to 320,000:1, and the widest horizontal lens shift in its class. The projector’s built-in cinema filter with an expanded color gamut, meanwhile, provides terrific cinematic experiences in your home theater, complete with true-to-life colors and up to 3 times brighter colors.

Sony VPL-VW1000ES

Best in Class $3,500 – $10,000 

Got cash to spare? Then you have to check out Sony’s amazing 4K home theater ES projector: the VPL-VW1000ES. It actually retails for just below $25,000 – beyond the price range of its class – but there’s no denying that projectors like it will be seen in more affordable 4K home theaters of the future. Sony’s SXRD™ 4K movie theater projector technology delivers greater than four times 1080p resolution, anamorphic 3D performance, and 1080p to 4K upscaling – making it, according to Feierman, this year’s “Holy Grail” of home theater projectors. The VPLVW1000ES also comes with a 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 2,000 ANSI lumen brightness, and wide color gamut.

Generally, though, when you’re talking about wireless speakers, you’re talking about speakers that work over Bluetooth. Which is pretty cool and all, since most entertainment and media devices that we have today – smartphones, tablets, iPods, gaming consoles, etc. – come equipped with Bluetooth connectivity anyway.

But you know what’s cooler? Wireless speakers that connect to our players and devices via Wi-Fi. Or via Apple AirPlay. That’s because Wi-Fi and AirPlay can carry much more information than Bluetooth – thus producing better, high-quality sound for your home audio system.

Recently, we here at Hooked Up Installs are seeing more and more Wi-Fi and AirPlay-enabled speakers installed in home theater systems. Let’s check out some of our favorites:

Panasonic ZT60 Series 

Panasonic unveiled an enhanced 2013 Smart VIERA Plasma HDTV lineup at this year’s CES. The series that drew our attention the most is the stylish VIERA ZT60 Plasma Series, which includes models in two sizes: 65 inches and 60 inches.

One of the most notable features of the Panasonic ZT60 is the new Studio Master Panel, designed to maximize the natural properties of glass and metal as well as improve 3D performance, while also eliminating dim and double images. Offering what Panasonic calls “Beyond the Reference” level of picture quality, the Read More »]]> The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2013 – perhaps the world’s biggest technology-related trade event – was held last month in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. Thanks to the innovation of today’s leading manufacturers, we came across some awesome new TVs at the show. Here we provide a list of the new models that caught our eye.

Panasonic ZT60 Series 

Panasonic unveiled an enhanced 2013 Smart VIERA Plasma HDTV lineup at this year’s CES. The series that drew our attention the most is the stylish VIERA ZT60 Plasma Series, which includes models in two sizes: 65 inches and 60 inches.

One of the most notable features of the Panasonic ZT60 is the new Studio Master Panel, designed to maximize the natural properties of glass and metal as well as improve 3D performance, while also eliminating dim and double images. Offering what Panasonic calls “Beyond the Reference” level of picture quality, the ZT60 Series also comes with 1080p Full HD resolution, voice recognition and interaction technology, three HDMI ports and three USB connectors, and the VIERA Connect suite of smart TV apps and services.

Samsung UN85S9 

This is an 85-inch ultra-HD 4K TV. Need we say more? We’re going to anyway. Winner of CNET’s “Best of CES”  in the Television category, the Samsung UN85S9 actually looks more like a masterful piece of art on a large easel – coming soon to a home theater near you. That’s because of its striking design: it’s a floor-standing 4K TV, designed to be able to tilt up and down, and stunningly appears to float within its frame.

The technology behind this set’s unique, minimalist looks is pretty impressive, too. It has a quad-core processor, brilliant picture quality (rare for a large-format display), full-array LED backlight, improved voice interaction capabilities, and Samsung’s Precision Black Pro technology, which is designed to deliver deep black and vivid whites.

Sony KDL-55W900A 

While other manufacturers focus on making everything bigger and smarter, Sony is committed to making their TVs look better. The LED-based BRAVIA W900A Internet TV is a prime example of that. This stunning 55-inch TV is equipped with Sony’s latest-generation X-Reality PRO picture engine, which is designed to deliver the company’s most lifelike pictures ever.

Other feature enhancements include Dynamic Edge LED backlighting, S-Force surround sound technology, two pairs of 3D glasses, and new one-touch-mirroring NFC technology that allows users to connect their smartphones to the TV and mirror what’s being displayed on the smaller screen.

Samsung Curved OLED TV 

Introducing another new breakthrough in TV display technology, Samsung unveiled a curved OLED TV at this year’s CES. By “curved”, we literally mean curved – in a way that adds depth to multimedia content and enables viewers to keep the same distance from the TV at almost all angles.

The 55-inch OLED TV, while still an experiment at this stage, promises to create a more panoramic, more immersive viewing experience. It’s also poised to set a new design trend for TV manufacturers and Samsung’s main competitors. Don’t be surprised if, in the future, home theater installations expand their scope to include the demand for curved TVs, and not just traditional flat-screen displays.

Photo credit:

CNET

The Verge

According to a recent survey by video ad platform YuMe, more and more consumers are embracing connected TV viewing via Internet-enabled smart television sets. In fact, 8 percent of the survey respondents who did not already own a smart (connected) TV said that they were “very likely” to buy one in the next 6 months. This will push connected smart TV adoption to 20 percent of US homes in 2013, demonstrating that consumers are increasingly bullish on TV, Internet-related electronics, and home theater components and systems.

Said Mike Vorhaus, President of Magid Advisors at Frank N. Magid Associates (YuMe’s partner in the study): “Building on our significant existing insight into consumer behavior and preferences related to Connected TV and its environment, we’re seeing an unprecedented rate of adoption Read More »]]> Smart TV adoption and video content streaming are growing rapidly in the US – and it seems poised to continue that way.

According to a recent survey by video ad platform YuMe, more and more consumers are embracing connected TV viewing via Internet-enabled smart television sets. In fact, 8 percent of the survey respondents who did not already own a smart (connected) TV said that they were “very likely” to buy one in the next 6 months. This will push connected smart TV adoption to 20 percent of US homes in 2013, demonstrating that consumers are increasingly bullish on TV, Internet-related electronics, and home theater components and systems.

Said Mike Vorhaus, President of Magid Advisors at Frank N. Magid Associates (YuMe’s partner in the study): “Building on our significant existing insight into consumer behavior and preferences related to Connected TV and its environment, we’re seeing an unprecedented rate of adoption that’s providing us with the industry’s richest insights to date.”

Here are other key findings:

• Connected TV for video viewing use has jumped from 30 to 35 percent in the past year. Moreover, 47 percent of respondents said that they have connected to a TV to the Internet using an Internet-connected device (video game console, Blu-Ray player, Internet-enabled set-top) for the purpose of viewing online content.
• Interestingly enough, 32 percent use a video game console to connect to a TV and the Internet. 19 percent use a Blu-Ray disc player, while only 9 percent connect via Internet-connected set-tops.
• 34 percent of consumers expect to replace their primary TVs and purchase a new one in the next 12 months. Meanwhile, 37 percent expect to add another set to their home. This can only mean that the demand for video installations, home theater installation, and video content streaming (video-on-demand) will also be on the rise.

For more facts and figures, check out YuMe’s cool infographic below (via YuMe):

In a world pushing towards innovative and eccentric technology, the possibility of “smart appliances” is becoming increasingly popular. These useful household appliances are just some of the appliances that were showcased at this year’s CES convention. Designed to make life easier while still maintaining the “cool” factor, the various appliances and gadgets listed below are far beyond promising in terms of functionality and versatility. Ultimately, these items and appliances are just a glimpse of what will truly be possible as “smart appliances” continue to evolve with new technology and concepts.

Smartphone Controlled Washers & Dryers

Earlier this year at CES, Samsung unveiled its new line of washers and dryers which aim to push the efforts towards smart appliances. Both appliances can be completely controlled from the convenience of the user’s smartphone. Individuals are able to download an app that allows them to control the usage of the appliances whether they Read More »]]>

In a world pushing towards innovative and eccentric technology, the possibility of “smart appliances” is becoming increasingly popular. These useful household appliances are just some of the appliances that were showcased at this year’s CES convention. Designed to make life easier while still maintaining the “cool” factor, the various appliances and gadgets listed below are far beyond promising in terms of functionality and versatility. Ultimately, these items and appliances are just a glimpse of what will truly be possible as “smart appliances” continue to evolve with new technology and concepts.

Smartphone Controlled Washers & Dryers

Earlier this year at CES, Samsung unveiled its new line of washers and dryers which aim to push the efforts towards smart appliances. Both appliances can be completely controlled from the convenience of the user’s smartphone. Individuals are able to download an app that allows them to control the usage of the appliances whether they are in their home or out running errands, clearly reducing the common issue of forgetting to turn on the washer or dryer before leaving to handle other priorities.

Whirlpool washers also feature apps which allow them to communicate with owners. Many of the available models are able to send notifications to the user regarding the level of detergent that has been used or if the daily washing has been completed yet.

Internet-savvy Refrigerators

Another inviting smart appliance from Samsung can be found in their recent release of refrigerators. The front of each refrigerator features a large LCD screen that users can connect to the internet in order to research suitable recipes. The LCD can also be used for leaving virtual post-it notes to other people in the household, which will save a few trees. Additionally, the refrigerator even keeps track of the foods that are stored inside and alerts users to when foods are spoiled.

Some models of the refrigerators are also able to offer increased versatility. Outside of the US, refrigerator models have been created which allow users to shop for groceries and other related items from the LCD screen. In contrast, some US models also exist which provide information to users about which food items are available in the refrigerator via the app and can be used during shopping trips to create a grocery list.

Blast chillers

LG has its own line of refrigerators which provide a different level of convenience. Using a compartment called the “Blast Chiller,” the appliance is able to transform a room temperature can of soda into an ice cold can of soda within a period of five minutes. The compartment repetitively shoots cold air at the can of soda while moving it gently in order to ensure that the can cools down without allowing the soda to freeze on the inside. The compartment is also able to chill wine or multiple cans of other beverages within around eight minutes.

Remote-control Vacuum Cleaners

Another popular release from LG Electronics can be found in their concept for a robotic vacuum cleaner which is way ahead of the Roomba. Individuals are able to control it from their smart phone using a related app. The vacuum cleaner features a built-in camera, which enables individuals to view the surrounding areas within the household from the app on their phone. This way, individuals can monitor the cleanliness of their home while they are away on a trip or handling other responsibilities outside of the household. The app can also be used to control where the vacuum cleaner goes throughout the house. In the meantime, the vacuum cleaner uses the built-in camera and a sensor to help it determine where items and furniture are located or memorize specific areas of the house.

These are just a few of the more pedestrian examples of new household technology.  For those who can afford it, an entire home can be computerized and controlled from phones or laptops, such as shades, ovens, and even robotic butlers. The world of the Jetsons is seemingly just around the corner.

About the Author: Thomas reviews home accessories like curtain rods and hardware. In his free time, he’s working on developing iPhone apps and improving his music collection.

Microsoft’s new device runs on both Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro operating systems. It features a 10.6-inch screen, a patented magnesium alloy casing, a sturdy Kickstand, a pressure-sensitive Touch Cover, and – on the software side of things – a set of touch-enhanced versions of Microsoft’s popular office suites, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

A potentially great addition to consumers’ home theater and home entertainment systems, Surface is also designed for easy integration with other Microsoft products like Xbox, Xbox Music, OneNote, and cloud-based SkyDrive. Recently Microsoft announced the availability of its new PC, Surface, in the US, Canada, Australia, China, France, Germany, and the Read More »]]> Like it did a few decades ago, Microsoft is trying to once again shake up personal computing and home entertainment, in a bid to catch up with Apple and Google. Recently it launched the Windows 8 era, headlined by a tablet-laptop hybrid called Surface.

Microsoft’s new device runs on both Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro operating systems. It features a 10.6-inch screen, a patented magnesium alloy casing, a sturdy Kickstand, a pressure-sensitive Touch Cover, and – on the software side of things – a set of touch-enhanced versions of Microsoft’s popular office suites, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

A potentially great addition to consumers’ home theater and home entertainment systems, Surface is also designed for easy integration with other Microsoft products like Xbox, Xbox Music, OneNote, and cloud-based SkyDrive. Recently Microsoft announced the availability of its new PC, Surface, in the US, Canada, Australia, China, France, Germany, and the UK. But will this new baby be the iPad killer that many have claimed it would be? Let’s check out what tech reporters and online reviewers have to say.

Walt Mossberg, AllThingsD:

“I have been testing the Surface almost daily for three weeks and I like it. It’s beautifully and solidly built and it’s the purest expression of Microsoft’s new Windows 8 touchscreen operating system which, like the Surface, goes on sale on Friday. The new operating system also works on laptops and desktops. It can be operated with a mouse or touch pad, but it’s dramatically different, touch-optimized user interface begs to be used on a touchscreen tablet.”

Zach Epstein, CNN Money:

“Microsoft is the biggest software company in the world, but its first piece of Windows hardware is a beauty. The Surface is light and portable, and its battery gave me a full day of usage without a problem. Functions such as streaming video will cut that down, but you’ll still go longer between charges than you would with any popular Windows or Mac laptop.”

Mathew Honan, Wired.com:

“This is a great device. It is a new thing, in a new space, and likely to confuse many of Microsoft’s longtime customers. People will have problems with applications — especially when they encounter them online and are given an option by Internet Explorer to run them, only to discover this won’t work. But overall it’s quite good; certainly better than any full-size Android tablet on the market. And once the application ecosystem fleshes out, it’s a viable alternative to the iPad as well.”

Joshua Topolsky, The Verge:

“The promise of the Surface was that it could deliver a best-in-class tablet experience, but then transform into the PC you needed when heavier lifting was required. Instead of putting down my tablet and picking up my laptop, I would just snap on my keyboard and get my work done. But that’s not what the Surface offers, at least not in my experience. It does the job of a tablet and the job of a laptop half as well as other devices on the market, and it often makes that job harder, not easier. Instead of being a no-compromise device, it often feels like a more-compromise one.”

Sam Biddle, Gizmodo:

“Should you buy it? No. The Surface, with an obligatory Touch Cover, is $600. That’s a lot of money. Especially given that it’s no laptop replacement, no matter how it looks or what Microsoft says. It’s a tablet-plus, priced right alongside the iPad and in most ways inferior.”

Matt Buchanan, Buzzfeed:

“Surface is a beautiful, substantial and muscular piece of hardware. It’s not as elegant, not as insistent on its ability to disappear as an iPad, but it’s just as thoughtful, in a different way. It revels in its physicality — that what makes it different is that it can physically transform into something more than a tablet, though it can be something so much less than a laptop when it needs to be, thanks to the built-in kickstand and Microsoft’s Touch Cover. The irony here is that Microsoft, a software company, has mostly nailed the hardware but fallen down when it comes to the software. The deeper irony still is that what matters more and more with devices like Surface is the software, apps and ecosystem that go into and surround the device — not the hardware itself, beyond its ability to be a stage for the software.”