Google TV speculations
Ars technica reports on speculations that Google might be launching a television-oriented service soon.
The rumors started when Google posted job ads for “an Interactive TV Product Manager in Mountain View, as well as Software Engineers with experience in ‘emerging TV standards’ and ‘deploying robust, high-volume applications for consumer devices’” in both their Mountain View and London offices.
While Google denies that they are working on a television project, the company is definitely interested in expanding out of Internet advertising into more traditional markets. So far, their efforts have met with limited success. Google attempted to sell advertising in magazines, but after six months the results were incredibly lackluster, with 8 out of 10 participating advertisers saying they probably wouldn’t buy print ads through Google again.
Google has conquered the Internet akin to how Microsoft has been dominant in the personal computer space. Soon enough, Microsoft and other media giants such as Sony would be invading our living rooms through their multimedia machines masquerading as gaming consoles. Is TV part of Google’s planned business model in the near future?
Judging from what they were looking for in their staffing requirements–an “interactive TV Product Manager”–they’re likely to venture into IPTV, or at least IP-based distribution of video content. Yes, they have Google Video, but it’s not that good a service, and with no solid distribution system to speak of. But if Google can establish a worldwide video-distribution mechanism, and find a viable business model for the service, they have themselves a solid new source of fresh revenue that would easily complement their AdSense and AdWords business. Imagine contextual advertising consisting not only of text and images, but of video!
IPTV has great promise in the UK
Television-via-Internet, or IPTV, is bound to be successful in the UK, according to research firm GfK NOP. That is, if the content and broadband providers get to market the service well. Among 1,600 broadband users surveyed, one third responded they would be interested in IPTV services, which is good enough, considering an approximately 60% broadband penetration rate in the UK.
However, acceptance of such services would depend on price. For instance, the maximum monthly fee consumers are willing to shell out is £25. Also, acceptance of IPTV will not only be dependent on price. The service must be as easy to use as free, satellite or cable TV as well. Users expect a level of usability and ease-of-use that won’t require computer or technological know-how. Moreover, the selection of content has to be compelling enough for users to subscribe, especially considering the added subscription costs.
It is key … that pricing, usability and marketing strategies are at the centre of this emerging market in order to ensure it doesn’t become yet another over-hyped technology which fails to reach its potential.
HDTV to take off in the next 12 months - people likely to upgrade
A survey conducted by Continental Research on Digital TV uptake has determined that in the next 12 months, 800,000 to a million adults are likely to purchase high-definition-enabled television sets. According to the research, 56% of the respondents were aware of HDTV. Of these, 2% already have HD-enabled sets and services, while about 40% are interested in the technology, possibly purchasing equipment of their own very soon.
Most of the respondents–at 71%–were interested in getting HDTV because of the promise of clearer and crisper imagery. Majority, though, were not aware that one needs HD-enabled televisions to view high definition content.
UK’s Sky to start installing high-def set-top boxes
UK’s Sky TV will start installing HD set-top boxes to its clients in preparation for its launch of its high defenition TV offerings this May. So far, seven channels will be broadcast in high definition, including movie and sports channels. Some existing channels will also have high-def versions aside from regular definition.
Customers will pay £299 for the Sky HD box and a monthly subscription of £10 in addition to their Sky digital subscription, currently between £15 and £42.50 a month.
Cheap HD-ready TV from Evesham
Just when you thought high-def meant sky-high prices, British online retailer Evesham comes up with an affordable wide-screen HD-ready LCD TV line. Among the attractive models within the sub-£1,000 price point is the 32-inch V32EMRO-ZE3, retailing at £749 (approximately US$ 1,300).
Don’t expect much, though. The V32EMRO-ZE3 can only support up to a Wide-XGA resolution of 1366 x 786. But the set supports HDMI 1.0 and HDCP 1.1 x1 input, as well as analog RGB from a computer (great for use in presentations as an alternative to LCD projectors).
If you’re on a tight budget, then this might be a good set to start with. If the price isn’t attractive enough, you’d be glad to know the selling price is inclusive of VAT and delivery is free!
New LCoS Projector from Canon
Akihabara News previews Canon’s new LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) projector, presented at PIE 2006 in Japan.
No model number nor price yet announced, though. The projector looks cool, though, with a resolution of 1400 x 1050, brightness of 3,500 lumens and contrast ratio of 2000:1. High-def fans might want to watch out for the eventual release of this new model.
Limit your kids’ TV time with BOB
Here’s something I’d like to have at home: BOB, the set-top device that lets you lock and limit television usage.
BOB helps parents manage the time their children use in-home media. BOB works with televisions, game consoles, and even computers. A parent is able to set the amount of time their child can use a media device during the week – a specific allotment geared to an individual child’s viewing habits. For example, a parent could give a child 10 hours of television per week. After the 10 hours of viewing has been accrued, BOB turns off the television. Simple.
That’s great. You can basically control how long your kids can watch in a day, or in a week. What’s better is that you can even set the times you’d rather not have the set turned on (say, you only let them watch during weekday afternoons and weekends all day).
If you have several kids, you can set each of them up with their own accounts so you can track and limit their usage. Of course, they can always circumvent this if they watch the same shows together. But still, it’s an effective means to limit television consumption among those whom you’d rather have their time spent on more pressing matters, like schoolwork and chores!
Many newer television sets have some locking features built-in, but I haven’t seen any that have a feature set as extensive as BOB’s. One thing though: with the way today’s kids are getting tech savvy, you’d wonder how long it would take before a 12-year old can crack or circumvent the security in these devices.
BOB has no pricing nor availability information yet, but you can get in touch with the creators for more inquiries or reservations.
Sharp announces Aquos P-70 series for the UK market
Sharp has announced the release of three new models in its Aquos P-series LCD line intended for the UK market, which uses the PAL-type broadcast signal.
The 26-inch Aquos LC-26P70E, 32-inch LC-32P70E and 37-inch LC-37P70E are specifically designed for the UK PAL broadcast signal, and are said to perfectly reproduce the broadcast, with the LCD panels’ 960 x 540 resolution (in contrast, the NTSC signal popular in other markets uses a 640×400 resolution).
The P70 Series panels incorporate Sharp’s unique Advanced Super View (ASV) technology to enhance picture quality further, with brightness at 450cd/m2. A viewing angle of 170 degrees, both horizontally and vertically, ensures a perfect picture on screen – wherever the viewer is sitting. In addition, Advanced Optical Picture Control (OPC) automatically adjusts the brightness of the picture to take account of the ambient light in the room.
BBC to broadcast World Cup in high definition
BBC has announced it will broadcast certain shows, mostly sports events, in high definition starting mid-May of 2006.
The trial run of the service will include the BBC’s share of World Cup matches and key Wimbledon ties in June.
The corporation is trying out HDTV for up to a year, starting in mid-May.
HDTV would only be available to cable and satellite subscribers, and not free TV, due to limited airspace, though.
Humax LGB40TPVR 40″ LCD with PVR
Here’s a little (big) something for your eyes: the Humax LGB40TPVR 40″ HD Ready IDTV LCD TV With Built In Hard Drive (now that’s a mouthful, too).
Doesn’t the model number say it all? The Humax features a built-in 40 Gigabyte hard drive and personal video recorder (PVR) that lets you record up to 44 hours of video, which you can then subsequently transfer onto your computer (say, for burning to DVDs). Price is a modest £ 1,625 or an equivalent of US$ 2,650. These big guys aren’t being retailed in the US at present, though.
Features include the following:
- 16:9 Wide Digital & Analog PVR LCD TV
- Analog and DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) receptions
- Digital 2 Tuner PVR (Personal Video Recorder)
- Built-in 40GB HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
- USB port connection capability with external HDD
- Interactive communication via MHEG middleware
- PIP (Picture in Picture) / DS (Dual Screen) functions
- Virtual surround audio: multi-functional SRS TruSurroundXT
- Common Interface slot
- VESA standard wall mounting support (not including bracket)
- WXGA video resolution support (1366*768)
- Brightness: 500 cd/㎡
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Main RCU & Sub RCU (Support Remote Control for Children and the elderly, in addition to the Multi-functional main remote)