FOX Launches Digital Syndication Network for App Partners

FOX has announced a new syndication network that will allow second screen TV apps including Shazam, Viggle, ConnecTV and Dijit’s NextGuide to link with its sync-to-broadcast content, currently accessible via FOX NOW apps. The network will also allow FOX to syndicate content to smart TVs and service providers interested in enhancing audience engagement. Additional partners are expected to be announced soon. Continue reading FOX Launches Digital Syndication Network for App Partners

Samsung to Launch TV Discovery for Video, Live Television

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

Deezer Expands Global Music Streaming with Smart TV Deals

The streaming music service Deezer has announced partnerships with Samsung, Toshiba and LG that could possibly make the Deezer app available to some 600 million people across more than 150 countries. However, the deals are limited in scope since Deezer will initially only be available on Samsung smart TV models produced from 2011 (Europe only) and LG models from 2011 (worldwide). Deezer does not have a deal in place for the U.S. Continue reading Deezer Expands Global Music Streaming with Smart TV Deals

Rapid7 Uncovers Shocking Flaws in Universal Plug and Play

Computer security firm Rapid7 has discovered and outlined three sets of security flaws in Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), a component that allows devices to connect and communicate on networks. “The flaws would allow hackers to steal passwords and documents or take remote control of webcams, printers, security systems, and other devices that are connected to the Internet,” reports Wired. Continue reading Rapid7 Uncovers Shocking Flaws in Universal Plug and Play

Smartphone as Magic Wand: Your Remote Control for Everything

Electronic devices and household appliances are going mobile in increasing numbers. And your smartphone is about to go along for the ride. In fact, your smartphone is about to conduct the ride. “In the age of the connected home, your mobile devices are becoming the central command, the brains, if you will, of the entire smarthome experience,” writes Wired. Continue reading Smartphone as Magic Wand: Your Remote Control for Everything

Evolution Kit: Samsung to Provide Smart TV Software Updates

Samsung unveiled its new Smart TV Evolution Kit at CES, which will bring software updates to older Samsung Smart TVs including improvements to CPU, GPU, and other software features. Samsung knows rapidly advancing technology can in some cases act as a sales deterrent, and hopes the Evolution Kit will convince consumers to invest in current Smart TVs by promising technology updates to keep the functionality from becoming stale. Continue reading Evolution Kit: Samsung to Provide Smart TV Software Updates

CES 2013: Samsung Launches Ultra HDTVs as Part of New Lineup

Samsung is previewing 85-inch and 110-inch Ultra HD LED TVs; a new flagship Smart TV, the F8000 LED with quad-core processor; and a 55-inch OLED TV with Multi-View feature. The company is also extending its “Smart” capabilities including voice recognition and introducing its 2013 Evolution Kit to bring new features to existing Samsung displays without requiring a new television. Continue reading CES 2013: Samsung Launches Ultra HDTVs as Part of New Lineup

CES 2013: LG Unveils Theater-Like 100-inch Hecto Laser TV

LG is going big with its new 100-inch class “Hecto” Laser TV, equipped with both smart TV and digital TV capabilities. Launching at CES this week, the 1080p projection system offers an in-home theater-like experience, easily controlled via the company’s Magic Remote, which utilizes voice, gesture, point and wheel control modes. LG’s Laser TV allows users to place the lens just 22-inches from the screen, while providing full HD resolution and 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. Continue reading CES 2013: LG Unveils Theater-Like 100-inch Hecto Laser TV

CES 2013: Smart TV Alliance Announces 5 New Members and SDK

Smart TV Alliance announced on Sunday that five new members have joined to help develop and launch smart TV applications and services. The new members include manufacturers Panasonic, ABOX42 and TechniSat, and solution providers IBM and Specific Media. Additionally, the organization announced a new software development kit designed to optimize the smart TV experience with 3D video, high quality video and audio, updated DRM and more. Continue reading CES 2013: Smart TV Alliance Announces 5 New Members and SDK

CES 2013: LG to Unveil Seven Google TV Models

LG has confirmed it will launch new Google TV offerings at CES next week, including 42-, 57-, 50-, 55- and 60-inch models from the upcoming GA6400 series, and 47- and 55-inch Cinema Screen panels from the new GA7900 series. Features include: Magic Qwerty Remote, natural language recognition via a built-in microphone, and built-in Google search functions. An updated Home Dashboard offers convenient access to content from HBO Go, YouTube and other apps. Continue reading CES 2013: LG to Unveil Seven Google TV Models

NPD Study: Consumers Slow to Adopt Apps on Smart TVs

Research organization NPD estimates that approximately 25 million U.S. households currently have smart TVs. While nearly six out of 10 owners are using their smart TVs to watch over-the-top video services such as Netflix and Hulu Plus, and roughly 15 percent are accessing music services like Pandora, the majority of Americans are not utilizing applications beyond streaming video and music. The latest NPD Connected Intelligence Application & Convergence report suggests the Internet connected HDTV screen has yet to reach beyond its TV-centric heritage. Continue reading NPD Study: Consumers Slow to Adopt Apps on Smart TVs

CES 2013: LG to Push Cloud and Second Screens in Las Vegas

In a five-minute video interview with Beet.TV, Matthew Durgin, director of Smart TV Partnerships at LG, discusses the LG Cloud designed for interaction with LG Smart TVs, the emergence of second screen apps and new content partnerships for the company’s two-screen API. The API allows users to manage and interact with programming on their televisions using an app on their tablet or smartphone. LG has been making the two-screen solution available to some of its content partners who have been implementing it to enable surfing content on a smaller screen and then pushing the content to the main screen. Continue reading CES 2013: LG to Push Cloud and Second Screens in Las Vegas

Survey Suggests U.S. Consumers Interested in Rumored Apple iTV

Morgan Stanley’s Katy Huberty issued findings this week regarding the much anticipated and perhaps never-to-be-realized “iTV.” Huberty surveyed 1,568 heads of households in the U.S., asking about smart TV habits. According to her results, 18 percent of those surveyed own smart TVs and 11 percent said they would be “extremely interested” in buying an Apple-branded TV. That percentage translates to 13 million units in the U.S. alone.

Those who already own Apple products were four times more interested in buying an iTV than those without. Perhaps most notable: “46 percent of respondents were willing to pay over $1,000 for an iTV and 10 percent were willing to pay over $2,000. On average, respondents were willing to pony up $1,060, a 20 percent premium over the the average $884 they paid for their current TV set.”

“Bottom line: iTV represents a $13 billion opportunity that could add $4.50 to Apple’s EPS,” suggests Fortune.

Huberty notes three potential “go-to market” strategies: 1) Apple becoming a virtual cable service provider; 2) Apple partnering with pay TV carriers and replacing their set-top box; or 3) Apple bundling its TV with its own digital media receiver.

“Because Apple’s biggest media-device successes (iPod, iPhone, iPad) have been end-to-end solutions — including hardware, operating system and the packaging and distribution of content — Huberty favors the third option,” notes the article.

FAVI Ships SmartStick: All-in-One Smart TV, Home Theater and PC

FAVI Entertainment recently announced it is shipping its plug-and-play SmartStick HDTV enhancer, which it claims is “your Smart TV, Home Theater and PC all rolled into one.”

“Like Roku’s Streaming Stick, it’s a media player that’s been squeezed into a dongle-sized form-factor, running Android 4.1 and packing apps like Netflix along with the Plex media server, a full Web browser and DNLA,” reports Engadget.

The SmartStick streams media through the television’s HDMI port and connects to additional devices wirelessly. “You can even add a $40 wireless keyboard to avoid the usual finger calisthenics,” notes the post.

According to the press release, the device offers apps such as Netflix, HBO Go, Epix, Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and others. The 4GB device is priced at $50, while an 8GB version costs $80.

“Included with the SmartStick is the Plex app where you can wirelessly deliver videos, documents, music, images, movies directly to your SmartStick enabled television making your TV a hub of entertainment — no subscription needed,” according to the release.

Strategic News: Mark Anderson Delivers 10 Predictions for 2013

Forbes provides an overview of the latest computing and telecommunications predictions for 2013 from tech guru Mark Anderson, as published in his Strategic News Service newsletter.

1) Tablets or “CarryAlongs” will become the dominant segment of computing devices.

2) Intel will fade into obscurity as Qualcomm and ARM take over computing, dominating the production of mobile chips.

3) Most U.S. homes will have Internet-enabled TVs, and other developed nations will follow suit as bandwidth improves.

4) The LTE vs. fiber battle will determine carriers’ business model for the years to come. “Customers choosing broadband LTE in DSL-served regions will be paying more and getting more; but those choosing LTE in fiber-served regions will be paying more for wireless broadband but getting less.”

5) Google will become the next Apple. “Google’s efforts in email, video, smartphones, maps, and driverless cars open up new long-term expansion paths, with more to follow.”

6) The driverless car will work toward ubiquity as countries pass laws to allow it and major brands work on developing new features.

7) e-Books will substantially outpace paperback sales in 2013 and will eventually dominate the market.

8) “Enterprise IT struggles to achieve very modest gains, with executive purchase decisions captured between large cash holdings, increased Asian competition, and their own poorly performing customers.”

9) “‘Hacktivist’ efforts acquire an important and permanent role in political transparency.”

10) Supply chain security will determine global technology purchases. “Recognition that today’s supply chains are virtually all compromised will lead to plant relocations and a new set of business opportunities for onshore component makers.”