Tag Archives: connected tv

Open webOS-powered HDTVs said to be on the way from… LG?

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If you were wondering what was next for webOS now that it's gone all open source on us, webOS Nation chimes in with word that Gram is working with LG to bring it to connected HDTVs. Several names from the HP / Gram team are dropped as being involved in the effort, which reportedly was under way even before HP revealed it would spin the project off as an independent. Of course, when we actually saw Open webOS 1.0 it was already stretching to fill the space of an HP TouchSmart computer screen (project architect Steve Winston specifically mentioned hotel kiosks as a possibility, a market LG is all over) so it makes sense that larger displays have been a target. With LG supposedly both looking to replace its existing NetCast smart TV platform and unhappy with Google TV based on its rate of adoption and Google's terms, engineers have been working to port the software to its dual-core L9 chipset. In the past LG has pursued voice and motion control, the aforementioned Google TV integration and even Plex support to make its smart TVs more appealing, and has founded the Smart TV Alliance for cross platform apps. We only have to wait until CES 2013 to see if webOS is next up to power its efforts, stay tuned.

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Open webOS-powered HDTVs said to be on the way from... LG? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Oct 2012 02:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Simple.TV finally starts shipping to backers, latecomers can still order for $149 and up

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SimpleTV finally starts shipping to backers, latecomers can still order for $149 and up

The Kickstarter success known as Simple.TV had let it be known that units would start showing up at backers' doorsteps around October 10th-15th, and now those who happily invested on the project will be pleased to know the company's doing just as it promised. Meanwhile, folks who were late to the Kickstarter shindig can still grab a simplified video streamer for themselves via the outfit's site, where a Simple.TV Limited, Premier and Lifetime can be found for $149, $199 and $299, respectively. In case you need a quick refresh, the Simple.TV puck will let users watch and record live TV, which can then be easily streamed to a variety of devices -- including, as you can see above, an iPad, Mac or PC as well as Roku boxes. You'll find more info on what bundle is best suited for you at the source link below.

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Simple.TV finally starts shipping to backers, latecomers can still order for $149 and up originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Simple.TV clarifies shipping dates, tells backers units will start arriving October 10th

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SimpleTV clarifies shipping dates, tells backers units will start arriving October 10th

According to Simple.TV, there have been articles circulating around the interwebs that may have caused confusion amongst parties interested about the shipping dates of its facile white puck. So, in order to induce some clarity, the folks behind the project have posted a Kickstarter update to let its backers know their Simple.TVs will be arriving soon enough -- somewhere between October 10th and 15th, to be precise. On the other hand, Simple.TV is also set to start taking pre-orders on its website tomorrow from people who missed out on the crowd-funded party, with these particular units estimated to ship "within 20 days" after the order has been placed. The good news is we're only a couple of weeks away from its long-overdue arrival; in the meantime, however, don't forget we have our own hands-on for you to graciously pore over.

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Simple.TV clarifies shipping dates, tells backers units will start arriving October 10th originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 19:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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7digital named European music partner for Toshiba connected TVs

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7digital named European music partner for Toshiba connected TVs

Media provider 7digital has mostly been making news on the Windows front recently, making its music offerings available for Windows Phone earlier this year and serving up 20 million tracks through its preview version for Windows 8. Now the digital media company is branching out to Toshiba televisions as well, inking a deal to be the European music partner for the Toshiba Places platform. The agreement, which represents 7digital's first foray into the connected TV market, will allow consumers with a Toshiba Places account to browse through the content provider's music catalogue, create playlists and stream music directly through the television. The company says the feature should be compatible with televisions equipped with Toshiba Places since May 2011. Five countries -- the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain -- are slated to get first crack when the service goes live in Europe in September. For more details about the service, feel free to peruse the company PR after the break.

Continue reading 7digital named European music partner for Toshiba connected TVs

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7digital named European music partner for Toshiba connected TVs originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Sep 2012 03:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG’s Smart TV alliance grows, promises first cross-platform HDTV apps in September

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LG's Smart TV alliance grows, promises first crossplatform HDTV apps in September

The Smart TV Alliance consisting of LG and TP Vision (Philips) is still hammering away at its dream of platform-independent Smart TV apps, and as IFA 2012 gets under way it has a few new announcements. After promising Japanese manufacturers would join back in June it has welcomed Toshiba to the fold, as well as other supporters like Qaulcomm, Mstar, Onigo and YuMe. At IFA 2012, LG is showing off the first apps built to the original SDK 1.0 spec built by Accuweather, Eurosport, online music channel Vilanoise and others. It's not stopping there however, as the SDK 2.0 we'd heard about is still due before 2012 is out, and has been built to take advantage of the new more powerful SoCs that companies like Qualcomm (the S4 family) and Mstar can provide to HDTV manufacturers.

Continue reading LG's Smart TV alliance grows, promises first cross-platform HDTV apps in September

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LG's Smart TV alliance grows, promises first cross-platform HDTV apps in September originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 23:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hisense building budget-friendly Google TV set-top box, will put Android in your living room for under $100

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Hisense building budgetfriendly Google TV settop box, will put Android in your living room for under $100Looks like consumers are about to get another option in their search for an affordable connected TV solution: Hisense is building its own Google TV set-top box. The product doesn't have a price -- let alone a name -- but will sell for under $100 when it hits shelves later this year. "Hisense adds even more innovation to the growing list of Google TV-powered devices available around the world." Says Google TV partner manager Mickey Kim. "We're working closely with partners like Hisense to bring services from Google and multiple other providers to your TV with an experience tailored for the living room." Details are scarce, but the outfit promises to reveal more at IFA next week. Can't wait? Check out Vizio's Co-Star.

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Hisense building budget-friendly Google TV set-top box, will put Android in your living room for under $100 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Aug 2012 03:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tencent and TCL unveil Ice Screen: a 26-inch Android-based smart TV

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Tencent and TCL unveil Ice Screen: a 26-inch Android-based smart TV

Chinese web titan Tencent and TCL Multimedia have torn the wraps off the Ice Screen, a jointly developed 26-inch smart TV with a 1,366 x 768 display that allows users to browse the web, access videos, music and games through QQ services. Under the hood, the Android-powered television houses a dual-core Cortex A9 1GHz processor, a Mali 400 GPU, 4GB of RAM and support for a memory card of up to 32GB in size. An IR remote and an app for devices sporting version 2.2 or higher of Google's OS can be used to control the tube, which can sit horizontally or vertically in its stand. On the connectivity front, the panel packs Wi-Fi, a pair of USB ports, HDMI and a 3.5mm headphone jack. You can plunk down ¥1,999 (roughly $315) for an online pre-order before its September 3rd launch. More details await in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Tencent and TCL unveil Ice Screen: a 26-inch Android-based smart TV

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Tencent and TCL unveil Ice Screen: a 26-inch Android-based smart TV originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TVSync API unveiled, helps devs build second-screen and smart TV apps

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TVSync API unveiled, helps devs build second-screen and smart TV apps

Second screen apps seem to be all the rage as of late, and Vobile's freshly announced TVSync API platform can help developers ride that wave of popularity. Compatible with iOS and Android devices, PCs and some smart TVs, the API can be leveraged to supplement what's on the silver screen with relevant content ranging from polls to products. Apps developed with the interface can trigger what's displayed on the companion screen at just the right moment by analyzing audio, video, or both. For instance, a recipe featured on a celebrity chef's program could be pushed to your slate as soon as it's first mentioned. Yearning to code an app of your own with the tech? Visit the source to request beta access to TVSync or look below for the full press release.

Continue reading TVSync API unveiled, helps devs build second-screen and smart TV apps

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TVSync API unveiled, helps devs build second-screen and smart TV apps originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 05:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AOL HD connected TV app is now AOL On for Samsung, Roku and Sony; TiVo coming soon

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AOL HD connected TV app is now AOL On for Samsung, Roku and Sony, TiVo coming soon

Last summer the AOL HD app launched on the Boxee, Roku, Yahoo Connected TV and DivX platforms, and now it's moving to 2.0 as well as changing names, to AOL On. Rolling out now to the Samsung Smart TV, Roku, and Sony platforms, with TiVo Premiere DVR access due "in the coming weeks" after a beta test ends, it's a free ad-supported app that pulls from a library of 380,000 or so videos, including some from Engadget (you may have noticed the logo in the corner). v2.0 brings a refreshed UI and videos from not only AOL sites like this one, Moviefone and TechCrunch, but also other sources like Reuters, AP, CNET and BBC. We gave the new channel a shot on Roku and were able to browse around easily enough although the most recent episode of The Engadget Show hadn't popped up yet -- we'll get someone on that. There's another screenshot and press release after the break, or you can just check the channel store of your nearest set-top box or connected HDTV to see if it's popped up there yet.

Continue reading AOL HD connected TV app is now AOL On for Samsung, Roku and Sony; TiVo coming soon

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AOL HD connected TV app is now AOL On for Samsung, Roku and Sony; TiVo coming soon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 04:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FiOS TV app for Samsung HDTVs and Blu-ray players available with 26 live channels (video)

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FiOS TV app for Samsung HDTVs and Bluray players available with 26 live channels video

While we saw cable and IPTV providers promising pay-TV channels without a box (at least in that room) at CES 2012 we were skeptical, since we've been burned before, but now Verizon FiOS TV has followed up the launch of its app on Xbox 360 by quietly releasing the version for Samsung's Smart TVs and Blu-ray players. Like the Xbox 360 app of course, you will need to already be a Verizon FiOS TV customer, so if it's not in your area you're still out of luck. One of our readers noticed the app pop up on his 2011 model Samsung HDTV, and Verizon just posted a quick video trailer (embedded after the break) previewing the app's ability to tune into 26 live channels, as well as FlexView video on-demand content. Tipster ProphetBeal noted the channel changes seemed quicker than on the Xbox 360 app, although they were otherwise very similar. There's a few more screens awaiting you at the source link, as well as a list of compatible devices.

[Thanks, ProphetBeal]

Continue reading FiOS TV app for Samsung HDTVs and Blu-ray players available with 26 live channels (video)

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FiOS TV app for Samsung HDTVs and Blu-ray players available with 26 live channels (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 12:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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