According to The Verge, the new Philips DesignLine HD LED TV is among the most striking televisions designed of late. Manufacturer TP Vision crafted the impressive, sleek set out of a single sheet of glass, meaning there’s no base stand or ‘chin’ to be seen. Available in 46- and 55-inch configurations, the DesignLine is intended to be simply leaned against a wall, with its weight enough to keep it standing securely. Continue reading Philips Unveils DesignLine HDTV with Sheet of Glass Design

LodgeNet, which provides television services to hotels, has revamped its video-on-demand and Internet programs after claiming bankruptcy. Hotel video-on-demand programs have been shifting as an increasing amount of travelers have started bringing their entertainment with them. Hotels are now trying to find new ways to keep cable and Internet packages without losing profits and customers. Continue reading Shift to Mobile Devices Makes Hotels Rethink Entertainment

Facebook has unveiled its Home suite of apps and home screen replacement for Android phones. Engadget reviews the new UI featured on the HTC First smartphone. Home essentially serves as a skinned version of Android OS that offers deeper Facebook integration than the social network’s normal app. It behaves as the phone’s launcher, so instead of a regular lock screen, users will see the Cover Feed, which emphasizes updates from people instead of apps. Continue reading Facebook Home Replaces App Icons with Social Launcher

A fast-growing variety of free messaging apps — including WhatsApp, WeChat, Line and KakaoTalk — are now commonly used by hundreds of millions of people around the world. The apps are causing concern for an array of tech companies since communication via free messaging does not benefit mobile carriers or phone makers financially. Use of the messaging apps can also reduce time spent on conversational channels such as social networks. Continue reading Free Messaging Apps Impact Facebook and Mobile Carriers

Eye-tracking technology is on the rise. Previously found mostly in the healthcare industry as aids for those with impaired mobility, it is now being incorporated into mass market consumer electronics for gaming and everyday tasks. While touchscreens have helped curb the need for some clunky hardware extras, eye-tracking technology could be the next step in finally weaning the PC off the keyboard and mouse. Continue reading Eye-Tracking Technology Coming to Mobile Devices and PCs

About 10 years ago, a battle for control of the living room experience began to play out between various consumer electronics companies. That battle has since given way to a full-blown war for the consumer involving tech giants like Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Samsung and LG. According to P.J. McNealy, founder of Digital World Research, the key to winning is control of the user interface on connected screens. Continue reading CE Companies Should Focus on Compelling User Interface

Samsung unveiled the new fourth generation flagship Galaxy S 4 at its Unpacked event in New York last week. Features of the new Android 4.2.2 phone include a screen that can be used when wearing gloves, improved camera capabilities with autofocus and no shutter lag, larger screen size, improved battery life and a slimmer yet stronger form factor. The Galaxy S 4 also touts smart features based on eye-tracking technology. Continue reading Samsung Unveils New Android-Powered Galaxy S 4 Phone

Among the most talked-about things at this year’s South by Southwest conference are a camera that automatically takes photos every 30 seconds, a new gaming console and a gadget that allows people to control their computers and other devices by waving their hands. It is estimated that at least two-dozen panels, talks and presentations at this year’s SXSW involve a new device or gadget. Continue reading Hardware, Gadgets Outpacing Software at SXSW this Year

A Chinese government research institute has accused Google of using its Android mobile OS dominance to discriminate against local companies. The report suggests that China is too reliant on the platform and Google has delayed sharing code in recent versions of Android. This serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions between China and Google, after the tech giant said it would not comply with Chinese Internet restrictions three years ago. Continue reading Commercial Discrimination: China Critical of Android OS

Based on numbers from mobile ad network Jumptap, which covers 134 million mobile users in the U.S. and 206 million mobile users worldwide, tablets accounted for 18 percent of all traffic on its network — compared to 78 percent for smartphones and 4 percent for feature phones. With the data from Jumptap’s most recent monthly report and its latest projections, tablets are set to continue this upward trend at a rapid pace. Continue reading Consumers Increasingly Turn to Tablets for Mobile Content

Samsung’s Galaxy S IV smartphone will be introduced this month and has an exciting new software element to showcase: eye scrolling. The phone tracks a user’s eyes to determine where to scroll, according to one Samsung employee. For example, when users read articles and their eyes reach the bottom of a page, the software will scroll down to reveal any additional paragraphs. Continue reading New Samsung Galaxy Smartphone to Feature Eye Tracking

Samsung Electronics has another target in its ever-growing sights: the BlackBerry. Until recently, Samsung has marketed its smartphones very successfully to consumers worldwide, but never to businesses. That’s been changing over the past year, as the South Korean manufacturer has been beefing up the Google Android software that runs its phones, in an effort to give businesses a phone with increased security. Continue reading Samsung Preps Android to Take On BlackBerry in Enterprise

Samsung and Google continue to compete with Apple’s dominance in the smartphone market. Samsung’s influence is growing — the South Korean company now sells a total of 40 percent of all gadgets using Google’s Android software — and Google is worried that Samsung might flex its muscle to renegotiate its arrangement and adversely affect Google’s successful mobile-ad business. Continue reading Will Samsung Hurt Google Mobile Ad Biz with Android Lead?

Samsung’s new TV Discovery service will enable viewers to search for and watch live TV, on-demand video and online videos from outlets such as YouTube. The company plans to unveil the new platform at Mobile World Congress this week in Barcelona. TV Discovery will work on Samsung’s line of smart TVs and its mobile devices. The service will learn user preferences and give recommendations based on each user’s viewing history and interests. Continue reading Samsung to Launch TV Discovery for Video, Live Television

David Eun, executive vice president of Samsung’s Open Innovation Center, took the stage at the D:Dive Into Media conference this week. “Given the media/content focus of the event, the conversation between Eun and host Kara Swisher revolved almost entirely around Samsung’s role in the world of content, production, connectedness and distribution,” writes Engadget. Eun also confirmed that Samsung is opening two new Innovation Centers. Continue reading Samsung Looks To a Future of Both Hardware and Software