Tech News
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Google chief says web-connected TVs will lead to fountain of new revenue sources |
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Google chief executive Eric Schmidt said today that his company’s Google TV initiative will bring the open web to TVs and result in much higher revenues for content owners, not less as some of the content owners fear.
Google has been locked in tough negotiations with a variety of cable and broadcast TV companies about getting the rights to show their TV shows and movies on Google TV devices, which are being made and sold by consumer electronics companies such as Sony and Logitech. TV content owners Hulu, Fox, CBS, ABC, and NBC have all blocked Google TV from accessing streaming video content. That’s frustrating for consumers who have dished out a lot of money since October for Google TV products.
Schmidt, speaking to Web 2.0 Summit hosts John Battelle and Tim O’Reilly in San Francisco on Monday, said that the issue revolves around piracy concerns. If Google TV allows unfettered access to the web, then users may be able to surf piracy sites and watch pay TV or movies for free.
With Google TV, TV manufacturers combine Google’s Chrome web browser, the Android operating system, and Linux in a set-top box or a web-connected TV. “You turn it on and, boom, you are in a full web browser,” Schmidt said. “You can go back and forth between web and broadcast content.”
Schmidt said that some of those who are negotiating with Google said, “Do you realize that you’re taking a dumb TV and making it smart? Yes. We are guilty of that. Their concern is this enormous revenue stream will be affective negatively by all this internet content. I disagree … Will people go to stolen content or consume more TV? We think it is the latter.”
Schmidt said that Google TV will liberate companies to create a whole new set of applications that will generate revenue. “You can have a tremendously powerful set of applications,” he said. “That is a big business. Think of new gaming platforms where you can immerse yourself in your TV.”
He added, “The way to get more revenue is to create more revenue sources, and you can do that with Google TV.”
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Sony Google TVs Ship This Week |
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Sony's Google TV products include four HDTVs and one Blu-ray player.
 Sony's 24-inch NSX-24GT1 will feature Google TV, a 1080p image with CCFL backlight, and built-in Wi-Fi.
Sony just announced its Internet TV line, which is powered by Google TV. The line includes four HDTVs and a Blu-ray player.
If you or your client is in the market for either, you can completely bypass Logitech's Revue set-top box because Google TV's goodness is baked right in.
"Sony Internet TV is the world's first HDTV that combines the big-screen impact of television and full Internet search to deliver an unrivaled entertainment experience," said Mike Abary, senior VP for Sony's Home Division. "Finally, you can seamlessly search your favorite TV programs and websites on the same screen, at the same time."
That multitasking can be accomplished through a feature called Dual View. This allows viewers to Tweet, check scores, or find related web content, all while watching TV. Out of the box, each product will include content from CNBC, Napster, NBA, Netflix, Pandora, Twitter, YouTube, and Sony's own Video On Demand powered by Qriocity. Starting in 2011, more options can added via the Android Market.
To control that on-screen web experience, each HDTV comes with a hand-held RF QWERTY keypad remote, which has its own optical mouse. Viewers can also control Sony Internet TV products via select mobile devices, such as an Android phone. The app for that will be available through the Android Market later this fall.
Sony's Google TV products include four HDTVs and one Blu-ray player.
Sony's 24-inch NSX-24GT1 will feature Google TV, a 1080p image with CCFL backlight, and built-in Wi-Fi.
Sony just announced its Internet TV line, which is powered by Google TV. The line includes four HDTVs and a Blu-ray player.
If you or your client is in the market for either, you can completely bypass Logitech's Revue set-top box because Google TV's goodness is baked right in.
"Sony Internet TV is the world's first HDTV that combines the big-screen impact of television and full Internet search to deliver an unrivaled entertainment experience," said Mike Abary, senior VP for Sony's Home Division. "Finally, you can seamlessly search your favorite TV programs and websites on the same screen, at the same time."
That multitasking can be accomplished through a feature called Dual View. This allows viewers to Tweet, check scores, or find related web content, all while watching TV. Out of the box, each product will include content from CNBC, Napster, NBA, Netflix, Pandora, Twitter, YouTube, and Sony's own Video On Demand powered by Qriocity. Starting in 2011, more options can added via the Android Market.
To control that on-screen web experience, each HDTV comes with a hand-held RF QWERTY keypad remote, which has its own optical mouse. Viewers can also control Sony Internet TV products via select mobile devices, such as an Android phone. The app for that will be available through the Android Market later this fall.
The cream of the crop is the 46-inch NSX-46GT1, which has an MSRP of $1,399.99. A 40-inch NSX-40GT1 will sell for $999.99. The 32-inch NSX-32GT1 will be $799.99, with the 24-inch NSX-24GT1 coming in around $599.99. All four models will start selling this month.
The three larger models feature Edge LED backlight, while the 24-incher has CCFL backlight. Other features on each HDTV include: 1080p imageIntel processingBuilt-in Wi-Fi4 HDMI inputs4 USB inputs
Sony is also packing Google TV access into the NSZ-GT1 Blu-ray player, which is very similar to each of the HDTVs with the ability to search across TV and the web for content. It has the Dual View feature, built-in Wi-Fi, and the RF QWERTY keypad remote. Users can download apps directly to the player starting in 2011, or link it to mobile phones later this fall. The device has one HDMI input, one HDMI output and four USB inputs. Expect the NSZ-GT1 to start selling this month for $399.99.
The cream of the crop is the 46-inch NSX-46GT1, which has an MSRP of $1,399.99. A 40-inch NSX-40GT1 will sell for $999.99. The 32-inch NSX-32GT1 will be $799.99, with the 24-inch NSX-24GT1 coming in around $599.99. All four models will start selling this month.
The three larger models feature Edge LED backlight, while the 24-incher has CCFL backlight. Other features on each HDTV include:
- 1080p image
- Intel processing
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- 4 HDMI inputs
- 4 USB inputs
Sony is also packing Google TV access into the NSZ-GT1 Blu-ray player, which is very similar to each of the HDTVs with the ability to search across TV and the web for content. It has the Dual View feature, built-in Wi-Fi, and the RF QWERTY keypad remote. Users can download apps directly to the player starting in 2011, or link it to mobile phones later this fall. The device has one HDMI input, one HDMI output and four USB inputs. Expect the NSZ-GT1 to start selling this month for $399.99.
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Google TV will be out in September Or maybe not |
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THE TOP EXECUTIVE at Intel has added to the confusion over when Google TV will launch.
Not quite as DOA as Apple TV, which can't even cope with full HD, Google TV is now set for launch in October in the US but could be delayed until next year in the UK.
According to the Telegraph, Google CEO Eric Schmidt gave these dates during his keynote speech to the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin. We reported in May that Google TV was due to roll out in the US this September and later elsewhere, but that date has already been pushed back. This is primarily because Google has got to line up myriad hardware partners like Sony and Logitech to get it off the ground.
Originally announced in May, Google TV has shedloads of hardware companies involved its production because it's relying on vendors to embed the technology in their TVs and set top boxes. It is also depending on Chipzilla to supply enough Atom chips to go around.
But it looks like Schmidt hadn't kept Intel in the loop on date announcements so Google and Chipzilla's timelines don't quite match. According to the Wall Street Journal, Intel's CEO Paul Otellini has pinned the Google TV release date as September for the US.
"Google TV starts shipping this month. Here is a market where we're out front. There are a lot of people. The initial guys [supplying devices] are Sony and Logitech, but there are many, many companies behind that," said Otellini.
What makes this even more embarrassing is that both Schmidt and Otellini made their respective announcements on the same day. So which is it, guys?
By Spencer Dalziel |
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iPort's In-Wall Dock is ‘Made for iPad’ |
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iPort, the inventor of the world’s first in-wall system for the Apple iPod, will immediately begin shipping the CM-IW2000 (CM2000) Control Mount for iPad, after being officially licensed by Apple.
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An exploded view diagram of iPort's new CM-IW2000
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“We are extremely proud to be licensed by Apple for Made For iPad,” said Ari Supran, CEO of Dana Innovations, parent company of iPort, Sonance, and TRUFIG. “The evolution of Apple products into engaging user interfaces for an incredible range of Apps and for home automation control is a tremendous opportunity for our industry. iPort is providing electronic system contractors with profitable business solutions for integration of Apple products.”
The CM2000 allows an Apple iPad to be used as an in-wall touch panel, providing continuous charging of the iPad and connection via Wi-Fi.
The new product secures the iPad into the wall with a bezel and mounting frame, which is held magnetically to the metal wall box.
The iPad home button remains accessible while its power button is replicated on the outer edge of the CM2000 frame.
A power connection is made via Cat-5 cable running from the CM2000 through the wall to a single-gang power connection wall plate, which supports connection to the included power supply.
Contact Link Your House for more information on Design and Integration using Crestron or Elan G to control your home.
http://www.linkyourhouse.com/contact-us
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3DTV2010: 3D Is Ready For Primetime |
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WHILE THE LONG-TERM business potential for stereoscopic 3D high-definition television remains unclear, the necessary production, transmission and display technology to bring 3D HD programming to market this year is already in place. 3D’s biggest stumbling block in 2010 will likely be educating consumers about the technology and demonstrating it effectively at retail stores.
That was the central message from 3DTV2010, a wideranging, half-day conference held in New York last week produced by B&C, Multichannel News, TWICE, Videography, DV Magazine and TV Technology. The conference drew more than 300 executives from the consumer electronics, pay-TV, production and professional vendor communities.
Executives from satellite operator DirecTV and cable giant Comcast said their existing HD set-tops and transmission infrastructure can deliver 3D images to new 3D sets today. Production veterans from the NBA, CBS and ESPN said that early 3D broadcasts have taught them how to balance the desire for a dynamic 3D effect with the need to show important game action; they are now exploring how to share 2D camera positions with 3D productions as a way to keep costs in check. And 3ality Digital Systems CEO Steve Schklair described how his company’s specialized 3D camera rigs, which have supported NFL and NHL productions in the U.S., are now being used regularly in the U.K. and India after his company provides initial training.
“Right now, the biggest obstacle in the industry is education, both on the consumer and professional sides,” Schklair said.
For 3D HD proponents, the overall picture must be reassuring, given that commercial 3D HD will officially launch in the U.S. in less than two weeks, when the ESPN 3D channel begins its coverage of the FIFA World Cup on June 11 with a match between South Africa and Mexico.
ESPN 3D will show some 25 World Cup matches in 3D in its first month and will likely air a total of 100 3D events in its first year, more than its plan of 85 events, according to Sean Bratches, ESPN’s executive VP of sales and marketing. Bratches, who was interviewed by Multichannel News Editor in- Chief Mark Robichaux in a keynote session, said that 3D represents an opportunity to better serve the sports fan, just like HD back in 2003.
“It seems to be a technology that’s on the move, and it’s an opportunity to serve our core constituency,” he said.
But with carriage already lined up on DirecTV and Comcast that will reach more than 40 million homes, at launch ESPN 3D is well ahead of ESPN’s first HD channel, which initially secured carriage with a handful of small cable operators. “Significantly more homes will have access to ESPN 3D than HD [at launch],” Bratches said.
Driving development
ESPN has been driving much of 3D’s development on the production side over the past two years, producing a series of test broadcasts with 3D specialist PACE and creating a dedicated lab in Orlando, Fla. Bratches said the network planned to test a range of vendors’ equipment late last week with semi-pro football players at a stadium in East Hartford, Conn. ESPN has just fi nished shooting its first “This Is SportsCenter” promotional spot in 3D and will only be accepting 3D commercials for the new network; sponsor Sony will have a 3D spot ready to go for the World Cup.
But Bratches noted that running 3D spots on ESPN 3D is “preaching to the converted,” and pointed out that the much larger advertising opportunity is in running commercials for 3D sets on its 2D networks, which the sports giant is already doing. He added that consumer awareness of 3D is probably better than it was for HD at a similar point in that technology’s life cycle, and predicted that by 2019, 3D penetration will still lag HD but will be somewhat ahead of DVR penetration.
3D is still in its “very early days,” said Mike Vitelli, president of Americas for Best Buy, and so far there has been little product in the market. Vitelli, who was interviewed by TWICE Editor-in-Chief Steve Smith in another keynote session, said that the response of consumers to early in-store demonstrations has been good, though he didn’t disclose any sales fi gures for 3D sets.
“We’re pleased,” Vitelli said. “Consumers are experiencing the technology, enjoying it and purchasing it.”
But there is still a good deal of consumer confusion over 3D, Vitelli cautioned. One misperception is that 3D HD-capable sets can be used only to watch 3D when in fact they are top-of-the-line HD sets with a bevy of extra features, 3D being just one of them. He said that “3D-ready” branding, which is already being used on some Blu-ray players, should help solve that problem.
Vitelli also predicted that there will be a wave of customer complaints as consumers attempt to take active-shutter glasses configured for their particular set and use them to watch 3D on another manufacturer’s set in a friend’s home.
“You bring your glasses and they’re not the right ones, it’s not good,” Vitelli said. “I know where that phone call is going. It’s not going to be anybody here [referring to the programmers and operators in the room]. We’re going to get that call.”
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