The OnLive cloud gaming service enables users to play a huge selection of console-quality games on devices like tablets and PCs. Now, select Google TV devices like media streaming boxes, Blu-ray players and TVs will be able to play games via OnLive without having to use a gaming console.

“OnLive brings to Google TV users instant on-demand gameplay from a rapidly growing library of the latest high-performance console-class titles, as well exclusive social features such as worldwide massive spectating and Brag Clip videos with full group voice and text chat,” Google announced on Wednesday during the CES 2012 event. “The OnLive Viewer, enabling OnLive social features, is available immediately on all Google TV devices currently in the market and is compatible with standard Google TV remote controls as well as the OnLive Wireless Controller and standard USB game controllers.”

The full version of OnLive and the OnLive wireless controller will work on current and future offerings of Google TV. The OnLive desktop service, which was just announced recently, will also be available in the device. The desktop service delivers a seamless PC desktop, allowing sharing of videos and photos, business presentations and other media applications possible.

This move by both companies will finally offer consumers a better deal than other Internet TV platforms. With the integration of a powerful gaming machine to Google’s TV service, it will give it the edge it needs to stay ahead.

via: Time

Google TV announces its partnership with OnLive is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

Right now, no technical specs have been released for the two, but both the NSZ-GS7 media player and the NSZ-GP9 Blu-ray player looks great. Aside from its design, both devices will support 3D TVs and features voice and gesture control, in addition to its new remote control keyboard and Google apps.

Both models have support for content streaming from tablets and smartphones, and they have tighter integration with Sony Entertainment Network. Also, having been built on Google TV 2.0 with Android Market support, users will have access to apps like Netflix, Pandora and HBO Go.

“We’re excited about our strong partnership with Sony on Google TV” said Google TV’s Vice Presideng of Product Management Mario Queiroz. “Consumers have reacted very positively to the Google TV software update of last October, and we are looking forward to bringing new devices of different form factors to consumers in multiple countries in 2012.”

Queiroz said that both the NSZ-GP9 Blu-ray disc player and the NSZ-GS7 Network Media player devices will have a North American, European and UK release dates of “early summer 2012.”

via: Tech Radar

Sony announces second-gen Google TV devices is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

Apple is also said to be negotiating deals with content providers. One of the reported roadblocks is providers are unwilling to cut a deal with Apple for the company to offer first-tier programs on iTunes. Many are speculating that these providers fear that Apple might take control of the TV sector as it did with the smartphone market. CBS President and CEO Les Moonves even said that he declined a deal for the Apple iTV.

Even Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, said that he anticipates the company to jump into the TV business. “I do expect Apple to make an attempt, since I expect the living room to remain a center for family entertainment, and that touches on all areas of consumer products that Apple is already making,” he said.

Apple is reported to be prototyping a TV set based on Siri and iOS. It is said to be compatible with Airplay and iCloud, and also provides DVR functionality.

Earlier this week, word of an Apple Media event in New York got out and some speculate that it could be some kind of announcement for iCloud and iTunes. Will they also announce the new iTV then?

via: Cnet

Is Apple going to launch a 50-inch iTV soon? is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

That’s why the time is ripe to weigh up the versatility of the iPad, against the visual vastness of the latest Smart TVs.

iPad 2

The versatility and portable nature of the iPad 2 makes it ideal for watching on the move, but did you know that, thanks to two new features – Airplay and HD Mirroring, you can also partner it up to your TV at home?

Airplay allows you to broadcast films and movies from your iPad directly to your TV in high definition. It even works with your iPhone and will be enhanced with the expected launch of Netflix in the UK next year – a service already popular in the States which allows you to stream a wide range movies and TV shows over the internet, on–demand.

To stream wirelessly you’ll need Apple TV – a clever little box that sits under your TV and connects with the other devices in your home. Alternatively, you can connect your iPad directly with a cable and an adaptor, sold separately by Apple. This allows for video mirroring – seeing on your television exactly what is on your iPad screen, simultaneously.

Whilst having two screens on irritates some people, the feature is ideal for jazzing up presentations with interactive apps, websites or music. It’s also great for using as a jukebox, and watching your favourite movies and shows on holiday or on a television away from home.

Internet TVs

With so much interactive potential in your pocket, television manufacturers are stepping up their game to enhance your living room experience. Thanks to LED TVs, which offer superior contrast and efficient energy use, televisions now have bigger screens and better colours than ever. 3D TV also offers the most immersive entertainment experience to be had at home, as well as enhancing games and apps.

Indeed, apps are another way manufacturers are utilising the broadband connectivity to deliver more content to your box. Samsung are undoubtedly ahead of the game in this arena: Their 3D TVs and LED TVs come loaded with applications which give you access to lots of online content, including Vimeo, Youtube and iPlayer, as well as interactive features such as Skype and Twitter.  These TVs can also be connected to your home wireless internet.

LG are also getting on the app game, having recently brought out their MUSEUM, an app which brings over 600,000 artworks into your living room with stunning clarity. You can even connect one of their 3D camera phones to watch your own 3D videos on the big screen.

So, if you spend lots of time with friends and family, love cinematic entertainment in superb quality and can’t get enough of the latest blockbusters, opt for a smart, connected LED TV.

If you’re a workaholic, always on the move and want to able to quickly see clips, videos, photos and documents on your large screen at a glance, an iPad 2 may be the gadget for you.

iPad 2 or Smart TV? is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

A number of reports say that people from the Cupertino tech giant have been holding meetings with media executives, sharing the company’s vision for the television’s future. Reports also say that Apple is open to the possibility of storing TV content in the iCloud.

In meetings with media executives, Apple executives, including SVP Eddie Cue, was said to have outlined ways that the company’s technology could recognize users via tablets, phones and TVs. In one meeting, it was reported that TVs that respond to users’ movements and voices were described by Apple. It noted that such technology, which will take longer to develop, may enable users to use their voice to change channels or search for shows.

“The TV device Apple is working on would use a version of Apple’s wireless-streaming technology AirPlay to allow users to control it from iPhones and iPads, according to people briefed on the matter,” read the report by the Wall Street Journal. “When the company plans to start selling such a device and whether it would receive traditional broadcast or cable signals remains unclear, said these people, who say Apple may change its plans.”

If Apple pushes through with its iTV device, it would mean that the company’s ambition has matured from being just a hobby. In September 2010, Apple launched its Apple TV set top box, with Steve Jobs calling it one of his hobbies. In December of the same year, the company said that it has sold 1 million Apple TV units.

via: Gizmodo

Apple talking to media execs about future TV plans is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

Sony sold almost 50 percent of its stake to Samsung for £602 million ($940 million), subject to a final agreement, the company said Monday. The joint venture, which is called S-LCD, was set up in April 2004 in Tanjeong, South Korea.

The sale of the stake allows Sony CEO Howard Stringer to let go of the responsibility of manufacturing LCD panels amid losses in the TV market, where Samsung is the world’s leader.

“In terms of direction it is a positive for Sony. But if they are making a loss on the sale, one could ask why they didn’t make this decision sooner,” said Mito Securities analyst Keita Wakabayashi. “Their biggest problem is that they are not making a profit even though they don’t have many plants.”

Sony is aiming to secure a steady and flexible supply of display panels from Samsung without being responsible for the costs of manufacturing. This would give Samsung the ability to take control of S-LCD.

The deal means that the South Korean company has taken over Sony as the top company in consumer electronics. Samsung earned $14 billion in its latest full financial year, on sales of Over $134 billion, while Sony has lost $3 billion.

Does this mean that Sony will focus more on its other products like the PlayStation?

via: The Guardian

Sony sells around 50% stake in joint LCD panel venture is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

According to Japanese news site Macotakara.com, the two companies have done shipping the new LCD displays to Apple Inc. The site cites “sources within Apple’s Far Eastern supply chain” as the news source.

If these reports are true, it would be a step further to confirming that a new iOS device, possibly the iPhone 5 or 6, will sport a 4-inch display, which was expected by most people to be introduced in the release of the iPhone 4S.

Also, Sharp Corp. was reportedly tapped by Apple Inc. to manufacture the displays of Apple TVs (or iTVs). The website added that Sharp will also make displays for the next-generation iPhone and iPad. The displays will support Sharp’s production capacity for IGZO LCD panels, which will allow both iPad and iPhone to have improved battery performance and thinner designs.

“The IGZO (indium, gallium, zinc) technology is perfect in that it offers near-OLED power consumption while having a lower cost and thinness that is only 25 percent greater than OLED, based on our checks,” said Peter Misek an analyst from Jeffries.

All of the above remain unconfirmed and should only be considered speculation until a statement from the company is released.

via: Apple Insider

Apple getting 4-inch display orders from Sony and Hitachi is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

Admit it; playing video games is more fun when you brag about something, especially when playing against your friends online. Whether you’re on a killing frenzy on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 or failing to stop the enemy on Uncharted 3, it is fun to watch replays of your best (or worst) moments. If only it is that easy to capture game-winning moments and upload it online.

Now, digital entertainment company Roxio has announced the availability of the Roxio Game Capture. The Roxio Game Capture is a software and hardware solution that allows the capture of gameplay videos from a user’s Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 consoles.

With the Roxio Game Capture device, players can play 1080p games on their TVs, while recording 480p resolution videos to their PCs. Captured videos can be saved as AVI, WMV, DivX and MP4 files, making it easy to upload to video sharing sites such as YouTube or Vimeo. Players can also take screenshots of their games and save them as JPG, TIFF, BMP, PNG or GIF files.

The portable USB device includes component video and stereo audio inputs, and ships with RCA audio, USB and component cables. It also ships with an easy-to-use video editor that will enable users to turn raw footage to action packed videos with added transition effects, commentary, music tracks, and text.

The Roxio PC Game Capture enables users to capture PC gaming moments in real-time without having to install additional hardware. Just like Roxio Game Capture, it can record standard definition videos and save screenshots.

Roxio PC Game Capture supports OpenGL- and DirectX 8 to 10-based games.

The Roxio Game Capture for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is available for a suggested retail price of £79.99, while Roxio PC Game Capture has a suggested retail price of £39.99.

You can visit the official Roxio Game Capture page for more information.

Sponsored Post

Capture game-winning moments with the Roxio Game Capture is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

As Apple is now shifting display orders for its iPad and iPhones from Sharp Corp., they may also pick the Japanese electronics giant to make TV displays, according to Jeffries & Co. analyst Peter Misek. The analyst wrote his research based on his last visit to the country, talking to manufacturing executives.

“It’s a huge deal for Sharp because they spent significant amounts of capital to try and expand capacity and upgrade their facilities,” he said in an interview. “It gives Apple a partner that they can control manufacturing and secure supply at a lower price.”

The analyst said that Sharp is currently working on retooling a factory in Sakai to make amorphous TFT-LCD displays for what he call the “iTV.” If the commercial production starts in February, we could see the new Apple TV by the middle of next year, or before the company hosts its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).

What the TV can do and the form it will take still remains a mystery. He noted that other TV manufacturers have begun searching for what the new Apple TV will be and what it can do. The analyst added that mainstream manufacturers of TV sets are likely to be around 6 to 12 months behind “in a best-case scenario.”

Any guesses on what the Apple TV can do?

via: Electric Pig

Apple taps Sharp to make displays for Apple TVs is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The report said that Siri is the main feature of the TV set. Before he passed away, Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs told biographer Walter Isaacson that he finally cracked the TV. A television set that features Siri will make controls simple and intuitive. Thanks the new feature, Bilton said that users can now talk to their TV sets, which will then respond to their commands.

The article also stated that the company is still a long way to complete the project, as it does not have expertise in making thin television sets.

“The company also needs to wait until the cost of large displays falls,” the report read. “Although some 42-inch LCD televisions from mainstream consumer electronics companies can cost as little as $500, the Apple television would include computer electronics and other technology that may make the price uncompetitive.”

Last Monday, Bloomber reported that Apple Vice President Jeff Rubin, the man who helped build the iPod and iTunes, is heading the company’s efforts to build a connected TV. The device is expected to see the light of day in 2013.

via: NY Times

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