The first public beta of Boxee will be shown on December 7th, according to its developer. The app is primarily used to stream movies and TV shows to an HDTV, including remote content from sources such as Hulu and Netflix. Music and photos can also be streamed; versions of the app have been produced for the Mac, Windows and the Apple TV.
Verizon has introduced a Mac version of Media Manager, its media extender software for FiOS TV subscribers. The program is meant exclusively for FiOS DVR set-tops, and lets users listen to iTunes music on a TV, including specified playlists. Images can meanwhile be shared out of iPhoto libraries, viewed by event and/or in slideshow form, the latter with music if assigned in advance.
Monsoon Multimedia has launched HAVA Mobile Player for the iPhone and iPod touch, allowing users to remotely watch and control cable, satellite, DVD and TiVo video sources. Users must have a Wi-Fi connection and a HAVA box, which enables people to remotely control and channel any TV source in their home. App users can additionally browse program guides in order to see schedules and content descriptions.
Verizon is exploiting complaints about AT&T's network coverage in a new TV ad (see below), which also indirectly targets Apple and the iPhone. "Browse the web and download music and apps, at 3G speed, in five times more places than the nation's number two wireless carrier," the ad says. The centerpiece of the ad is the slogan "Want five times more 3G coverage? There’s a map for that," a reference to Apple's marketing for the iPhone and the App Store, which frequently uses the tagline "There's an app for that."
Elgato has released an EyeTV app for the iPhone, which serves as an extension to the company's desktop software. Users can watch both live and recorded TV, though due to bandwidth and carrier restrictions, live TV can only be streamed over Wi-Fi. While connected to a Wi-Fi network, the app can also exploit Bonjour to discover local Macs running EyeTV.
Apple is unlikely to turn the Apple TV into a DVR set-top, despite analyst suggestions and hints in patents, says research firm Caris & Company. Analysts from the firm are said to have met recently with Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer, who immediately tried to dispel rumors. "While some have wondered whether Apple might ultimately try to integrate traditional cable set-top box (decoding) functionality into its Apple TV product," a Caris investor note reads, "Mr. Oppenheimer pretty much killed that concept and said that it just doesn't fit Apple's business."
iLive has unveiled two new bar speakers with integrated iPod docks, DVD players and AM/FM radio, the iT319B and iT209B. The iT319B is a 3.1-channel speaker system with a built-in subwoofer and SRS TruSound technology, capable of upconverting the DVDs it plays to 1080p. It includes 10 radio station presets, and a remote which can be used to control both the speaker and a docked iPod. A line-in jack allows for additional audio devices.
i.TV has released an update to its self-titled iPhone app, which now supports a variety of remote control functions. Version 2.0 sports a new interface, redesigned for improved simplicity and aesthetics. iTunes integration allows users to discover related TV and movie content, then simply tap to download the videos from iTunes. The new push notification feature sends alerts when a favorite TV show is about to air.
equinux has updated its Live TV on the iPhone for users, which is delivered via The Tube Mac software and iPhone app Live TV. The software combination allows users to watch TV channels on their iPhone over WiFi signals. The system begins with an equinux TubeStick hybrid TV tuner. The Tube software tunes channels and prepares the signals for the Live TV app, which seeks out The Tube feeds and displays them on an iPhone.
Sony has announced an initiative to bring 3D visuals to several of its products, beginning sometime in 2010. Central is a 3D-compatible BRAVIA TV, which should use a frame-sequential display, and require active-shutter glasses. The company is promising a high framerate, as well as a 1080p resolution for each eye. No prices or narrowed release dates have been suggested.
Apple has begun airing its third new "Get a Mac" TV spot in under a week. Called "Trainer," the ad sees PC (John Hodgman) doing sit-ups as a personal trainer (Robert Loggia) and Mac (Justin Long) watch on. The trainer berates PC, pointing out that PC Magazine has rated Mac number one in customer support, and that PC World readers have called Mac the highest in reliability.
Apple has produced two more TV ads as part of its long-running "Get a Mac" campaign, touting the advantages of Macs over Windows PCs. The new commercials are primarily negative, accusing PCs of being subject to many more virus attacks than Macs. The first spot, "Surprise," has PC (John Hodgman) disguise himself as Mac (Justin Long), and insist to a computer buyer that PCs are very reliable.
Apple will probably launch a new Apple TV within the next several months, argues Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. In July's Q3 results call, COO Tim Cook stated that Apple would "continue to invest" in the Apple TV. The company could also have strong incentive to build a new set-top, says Munster, if it decides to offer a subscription service for iTunes video.
The TV drama series Mad Men is set to forgo distribution by its previous broadcasters in Canada, following a deal for exclusive online availability through Apple, according to Media in Canada. Viewers of earlier seasons will have to watch the third through iTunes Canada, or else the American channel AMC.
Comcast on Tuesday announced that its recently-launched On Demand Online streaming video service trial will offer content from 17 more cable networks, thanks to a series of agreements. The new partners include Rainbow Media, Scripps, AETN, MGM Impact and the BBC. The service, accessible via Comcast.net and Fancast.com, should not add any cost for Comcast cable subscribers.
Sharp on Tuesday introduced its latest AQUOS LCD TVs, including several models featuring LED backlighting. New models in the E77 series include the The 65-inch LC-65E77UM and 60-inch LC-60E77UN, each featuring 1080p resolution and the company's Advanced Super View technology designed to reduce haze and reflectivity. Both offerings support 120Hz frame-rate conversion and a pixel response time of 4ms.
Having only recently introduced a regular version of the LCD to North America, LG is now shipping a 3D edition of the 47LH50 in South Korea. The 47-inch TV requires special glasses, but handles processing on its own when displaying supported 3D content. The set is also classified under the XCanvas brand in Korea.
The Major League Baseball At-Bat 2009 app for the iPhone is gaining live video streaming, its creators say. The upgrade is meant to coincide with today's iPhone 3.0 firmware release, and will allow people to watch complete MLB games over a Wi-Fi or 3G connection. Intermixed with footage will be in-game highlight reels.
Electronics multinational LG is beginning to ship two new lines of TVs, originally announced during CES. The LH50 series is based on LCD technology, and currently includes only a 47-inch model; a 42-inch set is due later this summer. The predominant LH50 feature is said to be integrated Netflix streaming, allowing subscribers of the rental service to stream movies without a separate set-top box. Sets should also be capable of 1080p resolution.
The BBC and Livestation have introduced a new app for the iPhone and iPod touch, BBC World News Live. Users are able to stream the BBC's 24-hour TV news feed, using either a 3G or a Wi-Fi connection. Low- and high-quality versions of the feed can be selected, though only the former is available over 3G.
Apple has confirmed intentions to allow direct purchase of iTunes videos from an iPhone, sources close to the company's training programs say. Originally a blogger is said to have discovered the option's existence by accident, though users of the iPhone 3.0 beta can now gain a glimpse through a custom link. Graphics and downloads in the early browser are currently broken.
Hulu, jointly operated by NBC, Fox and Disney, has launched a new desktop application meant to simplify streaming the site's video. Mac and Windows versions are available, supporting Front Row and Windows Media Center remotes, respectively; aside from controlling playback the software provides a special tracking display, and a distinct menu for browsing categories and subscriptions. Windows systems require XP, 2GB of RAM and a 1.8GHz Core Duo, while Macs differ by needing a 2GHz Core Duo and at least Mac OS X 10.4.
Apple has made significant improvements to its TV offerings at Canada's iTunes Store, beginning with option of HD. Selected episodes are only rendered in 720p, and cost a minimum of $3 each, but may frequently support 5.1-channel sound and will always come with an SD-quality download meant for sync with Apple handhelds. A 2GHz dual-core processor is required, whether for a Mac or a PC.
Apple may soon allow the iPhone and iPod touch to directly access movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store, a leak suggests. In using an ad-supported version of Twitterfon, one user claims to have encountered a banner promoting not just purchases of videos from iTunes, but also movie rentals. At present the main means of shuttling iTunes video to an Apple handheld is through sync with a Mac or PC; the one exception is podcasts.
Some information has emerged on Samsung's new 9 Series TVs, a report claims. The sets (not pictured) are expected to replace current A950 LCDs, and use a B9000 designation. Distinguishing the models from other Samsung hardware is said to be LED backlighting with local dimming, as opposed to edge lighting. Local dimming provides better contrast, by removing light entirely from black sections of an image.
At a recession-dampened NAB show, Adobe's demo of Flash for the Digital Home was one of few exhibits to draw large crowds on Monday. The company set up a mock living room, complete with an easy chair to demonstrate the ground-breaking technology, which could finally bring IPTV into the mainstream.
Adobe has devised a new version of its Flash animation standard which should allow TVs and other electronics to stream content directly, according to an announcement. Called the Flash Platform for the Digital Home, the technology is now being licensed to OEMs and should ship in products scheduled for the second half of 2009. Some companies which have agreed to support the platform include Broadcom, Comcast, Disney, Intel, Netflix, Atlantic Records and the New York Times.
A dedicated Hulu application is in development for the iPhone and iPod touch, claims an industry executive speaking with Silicon Alley Insider. Like the website, the app should let users watch movies and TV shows from studios such as Fox and NBC. Key differences will include the use of a native video format, and a revised interface, omitting the Flash an iPhone is incapable of rendering.
The BBC has released a completed version of the iPlayer Desktop, a cross-platform application that lets users download recent BBC programming, rather than simply view it on the web or TV. The app is based on Adobe's AIR platform, and is compatible with Mac, Windows and Linux systems. Access is restricted to residents of the UK however, and files are set to expire and delete automatically after a given timeframe, no longer than 30 days.
Electronics giant Philips is drawing a close to its public efforts in 3D imaging, a Dutch site reports. The company is noted to be closing its 3D Solutions division entirely, and putting an end to the production of displays using its WOWvx technology. The technology is unique in the industry for simulating 3D on an LCD TV, without requiring viewers to wear special glasses. The cost and/or inconvenience of such glasses has traditionally been a major obstacle to the adoption of 3D displays.
Boinx has released BoinxTV 1.2, featuring a screen source capture for Skype or iChat video and a new widescreen template. BoinxTV is live production software that allows a Mac to be a TV studio, streaming live video to disk, the Internet or to a projector. It can record studio shows, podcasts, sports events, concerts and interviews via the Mac, and supports multiple cameras. Version 1.2 also adds chroma keying improvements and several new and enhanced layers.
ViewSonic on Wednesday announced the release of its VT2230 LCD TV, which offers 16:9 resolutions up to 1080p, on a panel measuring 22 inches. The display is meant for use in locations where a larger set would not physically fit, such as kitchens, dens or small bedrooms. The TV achieves a 5ms response time, with 300cd/m2 brightness.
The costs of various 2009 Samsung LCDs have leaked in advance of an official announcement, a site claims. The information is said to have become available because products are now shipping to dealers, and show sometimes wide disparities in pricing. 3 Series sets, measuring between 19 and 32 inches, should cost anywhere from $300 to $550, while the 22- to 32-inch 4 Series sets range between $400 and $650. Prices begin to rise sharply with the 5 Series, which come in models varying from 32 to 52 inches at costs of $800 to $1,800.
i.TV has launched version 1.4 of its TV and movie guide for the iPhone and iPod touch. The update provides AT&T U-verse listings for all coverage areas, and more support for Comcast customers, including video-on-demand information and other material. Stability and speed improvements have also been made; the latter cut the start-up time for the app roughly in half, and double active running speed.
After a brief postponement, Apple has at last enabled Genius video recommendations within iTunes. When browsing personal movie or TV show collections, the Genius Sidebar will now suggest videos to buy from the iTunes Store, based on information uploaded to Apple and compared against the purchases of others. The option can be toggled on and off, in the same manner as Genius for music recommendations.
AVerMedia on Monday announced the release of its AVerTVHD Volar MAX USB TV tuner, compatible with both Macs and PCs, and able to receive digital HDTV or unencrypted ClearQAM signals. The device ships with AVerTV for Mac and Aver MediaCenter software, used to watch HDTV programming. Users can schedule recordings and timeshift programming, although resolutions are limited to a maximum of 1080i.
TV streaming service Hulu is once again attempting to block access from the Boxee media browsing client, the latter company claims. After Boxee was initially forced to remove a dedicated Hulu component, the company developed a workaround in the form of an RSS reader that tapped into publicly-accessible feeds. Even this access is now being blocked, despite continued Hulu RSS compatibility with ordinary web browsers.
Boxee, the developer of its namesake media player front-end, has released a new alpha version of the app with a built-in RSS reader. The software is installed onto Mac and Ubuntu Linux systems as well as Apple TVs, and provides more elaborate support for downloaded media as well as direct web streaming of shows on ABC and CBS. The Boxee RSS reader is optimized for video, and can feed clips from YouTube, Yahoo and several other sources.
CBS has released a new iPhone application, representing the first app of its sort to provide streaming TV directly from an American network. The free TV.com app provides access to regular CBS shows including CSI, Star Trek and The Late Show with David Letterman, as well as CBS Sports content, and podcasts from CNET and GameSpot. Also available are a smaller range of CW shows such as Smallville, and a mere six shows from Showtime, such as The Tudors and The L Word.
Netflix will offer a streaming-only subscription option by 2010, according to CEO Reed Hastings. Though the company was founded on the concept of mail-order DVD rental, which still forms the bulk of its business, Hastings notes that "millions" of its 10 million subscribers are taking advantage of streaming through computers or set-top boxes. Microsoft's Xbox 360 is said to be a particularly popular medium, with over 1 million Netflix users.
Apple has posted an online version of its newest TV commercial for the second-generation iPod touch. The spot carries over motifs used in several previous ads for the Touch, such as overlapping hands and iPods, and a focus on accelerometer controls. The greatest emphasis remains on the games available from the App Store, here advertised with the slogans "More Games" and "More Fun."
PacketVideo has announced its mobile video application for the iPhone. The app enables the delivery of operator-branded TV and video services to the mobile platform, including local live channels and on-demand video. Operators will be able to offer the new iPhone app under their own brands on the iTunes App Store. PacketVideo's CORE software platform supports video streaming and playback capabilities along with middleware services for delivering live and on-demand content, including program guides.
Apple is preparing an instant streaming option for video at the iTunes Store, a report claims. Said to be named iTunes Replay, the service would be similar in concept to Netflix's "Watch Instantly" option, which allows people to stream material that has already been paid for in a different medium. In the case of Replay, users would be able to watch movies and TV shows that have already been bought in download form.
Apple is headed in the direction of producing a genuine TV, claims Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. Though the company already produces the Apple TV set-top, which has in fact been enjoying brisker sales, it is thought that the company may be interested traveling further in the direction of consumer electronics, spurred on by the success of the iPod and the iPhone. A true Apple TV could let the company merge existing functions with live broadcasts and extra Internet services, Munster suggests, and make Apple synonymous with the world of electronics and "lifestyle" accessories.
The creators of the Boxee media streaming software have expanded network coverage to include ABC, according to an announcement. The addition is designed to coincide with the season premiere of Lost, and brings with it episodes from a number of other ABC shows such as Scrubs, Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy. Other studios on Boxee include CBS, NBC and Fox, the latter two coming by way of Hulu.
Cynical Peak has released the second major edition of Rivet, its Mac-based media streaming software. The software feeds movies, photos and music to networked game consoles, primarily the Xbox 360; music is delivered by way of a user's iTunes library, while photos can be sourced from Aperture, iPhoto or custom folder selections. Due to copy protection, video can be streamed only from folders chosen by a user.
Some form of dedicated hardware support may be coming for Boxee's self-titled media streaming software, a member of the company suggests. Avner Ronen observes that in order to run Boxee on a TV, users must currently connect a computer, or hack an Apple TV; the latter option prevents Netflix streaming from working. Dedicated hardware would simplify the use of Boxee, and possibly at a lower cost, says Ronen.
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Elgato has released an update to EyeTV 3, its Mac-based DVR software. Key to v3.1 is the addition of a TV Guide schedule for North America, which covers broadcasts up to 14 days in advance and provides associated cast, rating and genre information. A year of the schedule will be free for new and existing EyeTV 3 owners, but subsequent years will cost $20 each.
Sony has announced that owners of a compatible Bravia TV can purchase the BRX-A320 DVR, which has a 320GB HDD for recording up to 27 hours of HD video and 55 hours of SD, or up to 249 hours of content in LP mode. There is just one HDMI port in the device, though users can still record SD content thanks to one of four selectable recording modes. In the name of space efficiency, the DVR can mount on the back of the compatible Sony TVs thanks to a mount purchased separately.
