DirecTV launches complimentary streaming video service on the iPadBy Samantha HirschSource
Satellite television provider DirecTV came out with an iPad application update yesterday that allows their subscribers to stream movies anywhere at anytime. Although DirecTV implicated the capacity to stream movies last fall, members could only watch the television shows and movies when they were at home, aka connected the same Internet network as their main DirecTV receiver. But, the new application gives subscribers the opportunity to view OnDemand content from a select number of premium movie channels, including HBO and Showtime, as well as DirecTV’s Audience Network.
Although DirecTV has not made an “official” announcement about this new application, the new properties resemble what other TV service providers are doing. As the popularity of streaming video services, such as Netflix is rising, the traditional television providers are “launching their own free streaming services to retain existing subscribers and attract new ones.”
This is important, because creating free streaming services has been extremely effective for the third-largest TV service provider, Dish Network. It has been reported that the Dish Network had a major increase in their subscriber growth for 2011 from mostly “Blockbuster’s DVD-by-mail and streaming video rental service bundles.”
What I found most interesting though, is besides the streaming video function, the DirecTV iPad app also has new social features, including a “social widget that aggregates video watching activity from your Twitter and Facebook friends,”and provides users the capability to check into a show that you’re watching on Twitter via Miso. New Ways to Watch TV and Borrowed Books via Kindle
Customer Using iPad at Apple Store
Article By Louise Henninger DISH Network and Blockbuster are working together to come out with a subscription that offers streaming videos, plus DVDs and games by mail, for rates starting as low as $10 per month. “Streaming service is available via TV or PC, and provides more than 20 additional movie channels as part of the deal. Those who subscribe to the mail-order service can trade their games and DVDs at participating Blockbuster stores.” It seems that they will be creating something similar to Netflix but allow trading. Television will be even easier to access now when it is available through Kindle and Ipads.
Apple Creating a Universal TV Remote Article 1
By Celine Fusella
News that Apple has filed a patent application for a new type of universal remote control seems to reaffirm the buzz that Apple’s next venture is to revamp our television viewing experience to make it more enjoyable. The company is working hard at designing your dream remote control. So how will this new device stand out from all the existing remotes?
Ever experienced those times where attempting to watch a DVD becomes a whole deal? You finally found the TV remote after an elaborate search but can’t locate the DVD’s? Imagine a world where all that would be needed is your iPhone. One of Apple’s in-the-works features is an application that will give you the ability to take a picture of an existing electronic device (such as your television) and send it to iCloud for analysis, which would then determine the type and model of the device you want to control. Potentially, you could take a photo of your existing TV remote, which would be turned into a virtual copy allowing you “to control your current TV with Apple's advanced universal remote and enjoy all of Apple's TV remote features and likely tie-in products and services." Apple’s patent application suggests that this universal remote could be used on various electronic devices such as audio and video equipments and home automations systems like lighting and door locks.
I’m curious to see to what degree Apple is able to make a dent into the TV market and wonder if the company will change the way we approach television. It is also interesting to think of the remarkable flexibility and ease this new type of application could bring to our “electronic” life. Now all you have to do is try not to lose your iPhone!
Samsung Smart TV gives "unprecedented choiceto the consumer”Article
By: Rachel Strasburg
The standards for home televisions have been raised. From picture quality to gadgetry, consumer expectations will never be the same as Samsung pushes ahead with their fifth-generation Smart TV set. Excellent picture quality, stunning design, and easy connectivity and control are boasted to be standards of any Samsung television. Representatives of the company however, project Smart TV to go above and beyond these standard characteristics.
The new TV set includes a dual-core processor that provides computer functionality similar to that of a smartphone. Users will be able to run applications and “navigating tasks.” It also features a noise-canceling microphone and built-in camera. Functions can be accessed via voice activation with commands such “Web Browser.” If remote controls or voice commands aren’t your thing, you can also be access functions through gestures such as a wave of your hand or pointing at the screen.
Smart TV’s built-in camera is also equipped with “face-recognition software, allowing you to create and access separate user settings as well as Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts.” Another unique quality of the Samsung Smart TV is “AllShare Play,” which allows users to connect and use their smartphone or tablet device with the TV. The 3D capable TV sets also include video quality enhancements for sites such YouTube and Hulu that seeks to maintain a clear image despite massive resizing.
Beyond the fancy functions and hot new gadgets added to Smart TV, Samsung also improved the new generations picture contrast quality. “Micro Dimming Pro” and “Micro Dimming Ultimate,” are said to “provide richly textured colors and mind-boggling sharpness.”
While many of these new features sound—to put it casually—pretty awesome, some have serious concerns surrounding the camera and microphone functionality. It was reported that security breaches and web hackers have already exploited the weak spots in the new technology and some consumers may be weary of bringing the new TV into their homes for fear of unknown surveillance. Although I see the potential for Smart TV as the future of television, I honestly believe I would be more freaked than fascinated if my TV started recognizing me every time I plopped down in front of it.
How will OTT affect traditional pay-TV providers?
Article By: Kailey Aleto
"New low-cost offerings will boost pay services as viewers adjust to regularly renting or subscribing to content," as told by Bill Patrizio from the Media Guardian professional. "There have been rapid advancements in technology coupled with growing consumer demand and expectation are driving intense competition between new entrants and traditional TV platforms as they battle for the consumer's wallet." Patrizio claims that in the near future the traditional business models that have "dominated the TV industry" will be undergoing a significant amount of changes. The pay-TV market is becoming extremely complex because of the partnerships forming between OTT(over-the-top) service providers and networks. VIrgin Media's CEO has set the record straight by announcing that "UK cable network would welcome both Netflix and LoveFilm as a part of its Tivo-based next generation TV platform." Coincidentally, Netflix's chief executive has also reportedly met with US cable companies to "negotiate the addition of Netflix to cable offerings through set-top boxes". This kind of partnership would rival premium networks like Time Warner's HBO. What consumers can expect from this new relationship is a growth in new, low-cost offerings that will boost the penetration of pay services as viewers become accustomed to regularly renting or subscribing to content (Patrizio)."The race is most definitely on to find models that can deliver revenues and satisfy consumers by providing content in the format and at the price that users want." The true question is: who will win and find it first?
DirecTV launches complimentary streaming video service on the iPad By Samantha HirschSource
Satellite television provider DirecTV came out with an iPad application update yesterday that allows their subscribers to stream movies anywhere at anytime. Although DirecTV implicated the capacity to stream movies last fall, members could only watch the television shows and movies when they were at home, aka connected the same Internet network as their main DirecTV receiver. But, the new application gives subscribers the opportunity to view OnDemand content from a select number of premium movie channels, including HBO and Showtime, as well as DirecTV’s Audience Network.
Although DirecTV has not made an “official” announcement about this new application, the new properties resemble what other TV service providers are doing. As the popularity of streaming video services, such as Netflix is rising, the traditional television providers are “launching their own free streaming services to retain existing subscribers and attract new ones.”
This is important, because creating free streaming services has been extremely effective for the third-largest TV service provider, Dish Network. It has been reported that the Dish Network had a major increase in their subscriber growth for 2011 from mostly “Blockbuster’s DVD-by-mail and streaming video rental service bundles.”
What I found most interesting though, is besides the streaming video function, the DirecTV iPad app also has new social features, including a “social widget that aggregates video watching activity from your Twitter and Facebook friends,”and provides users the capability to check into a show that you’re watching on Twitter via Miso.
New Ways to Watch TV and Borrowed Books via Kindle
Article
By Louise Henninger
DISH Network and Blockbuster are working together to come out with a subscription that offers streaming videos, plus DVDs and games by mail, for rates starting as low as $10 per month. “Streaming service is available via TV or PC, and provides more than 20 additional movie channels as part of the deal. Those who subscribe to the mail-order service can trade their games and DVDs at participating Blockbuster stores.” It seems that they will be creating something similar to Netflix but allow trading. Television will be even easier to access now when it is available through Kindle and Ipads.
Apple Creating a Universal TV Remote
Article 1
By Celine Fusella
News that Apple has filed a patent application for a new type of universal remote control seems to reaffirm the buzz that Apple’s next venture is to revamp our television viewing experience to make it more enjoyable. The company is working hard at designing your dream remote control. So how will this new device stand out from all the existing remotes?
Ever experienced those times where attempting to watch a DVD becomes a whole deal? You finally found the TV remote after an elaborate search but can’t locate the DVD’s? Imagine a world where all that would be needed is your iPhone. One of Apple’s in-the-works features is an application that will give you the ability to take a picture of an existing electronic device (such as your television) and send it to iCloud for analysis, which would then determine the type and model of the device you want to control. Potentially, you could take a photo of your existing TV remote, which would be turned into a virtual copy allowing you “to control your current TV with Apple's advanced universal remote and enjoy all of Apple's TV remote features and likely tie-in products and services." Apple’s patent application suggests that this universal remote could be used on various electronic devices such as audio and video equipments and home automations systems like lighting and door locks.
I’m curious to see to what degree Apple is able to make a dent into the TV market and wonder if the company will change the way we approach television. It is also interesting to think of the remarkable flexibility and ease this new type of application could bring to our “electronic” life. Now all you have to do is try not to lose your iPhone!
Samsung Smart TV gives "unprecedented choiceto the consumer”Article
By: Rachel Strasburg
The standards for home televisions have been raised. From picture quality to gadgetry, consumer expectations will never be the same as Samsung pushes ahead with their fifth-generation Smart TV set. Excellent picture quality, stunning design, and easy connectivity and control are boasted to be standards of any Samsung television. Representatives of the company however, project Smart TV to go above and beyond these standard characteristics.
The new TV set includes a dual-core processor that provides computer functionality similar to that of a smartphone. Users will be able to run applications and “navigating tasks.” It also features a noise-canceling microphone and built-in camera. Functions can be accessed via voice activation with commands such “Web Browser.” If remote controls or voice commands aren’t your thing, you can also be access functions through gestures such as a wave of your hand or pointing at the screen.
Smart TV’s built-in camera is also equipped with “face-recognition software, allowing you to create and access separate user settings as well as Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts.” Another unique quality of the Samsung Smart TV is “AllShare Play,” which allows users to connect and use their smartphone or tablet device with the TV. The 3D capable TV sets also include video quality enhancements for sites such YouTube and Hulu that seeks to maintain a clear image despite massive resizing.
Beyond the fancy functions and hot new gadgets added to Smart TV, Samsung also improved the new generations picture contrast quality. “Micro Dimming Pro” and “Micro Dimming Ultimate,” are said to “provide richly textured colors and mind-boggling sharpness.”
While many of these new features sound—to put it casually—pretty awesome, some have serious concerns surrounding the camera and microphone functionality. It was reported that security breaches and web hackers have already exploited the weak spots in the new technology and some consumers may be weary of bringing the new TV into their homes for fear of unknown surveillance. Although I see the potential for Smart TV as the future of television, I honestly believe I would be more freaked than fascinated if my TV started recognizing me every time I plopped down in front of it.
How will OTT affect traditional pay-TV providers?
Article
By: Kailey Aleto
"New low-cost offerings will boost pay services as viewers adjust to regularly renting or subscribing to content," as told by Bill Patrizio from the Media Guardian professional. "There have been rapid advancements in technology coupled with growing consumer demand and expectation are driving intense competition between new entrants and traditional TV platforms as they battle for the consumer's wallet." Patrizio claims that in the near future the traditional business models that have "dominated the TV industry" will be undergoing a significant amount of changes. The pay-TV market is becoming extremely complex because of the partnerships forming between OTT(over-the-top) service providers and networks. VIrgin Media's CEO has set the record straight by announcing that "UK cable network would welcome both Netflix and LoveFilm as a part of its Tivo-based next generation TV platform." Coincidentally, Netflix's chief executive has also reportedly met with US cable companies to "negotiate the addition of Netflix to cable offerings through set-top boxes". This kind of partnership would rival premium networks like Time Warner's HBO. What consumers can expect from this new relationship is a growth in new, low-cost offerings that will boost the penetration of pay services as viewers become accustomed to regularly renting or subscribing to content (Patrizio)."The race is most definitely on to find models that can deliver revenues and satisfy consumers by providing content in the format and at the price that users want." The true question is: who will win and find it first?