Microsoft finally announced that it will launch the Xbox One on November 22nd in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, UK, and the USA. The company had previously delayed the launch of the new system in eight European nations, and for those countries the device will be available in early 2014. The console launches just after the PlayStation 4 in the US, but a week before it debuts in Europe. It will be interesting to watch the inevitable showdown between the two consoles for the Black Friday and Christmas shopping seasons.
Tag: sony
Sony & Viacom Reach Internet TV Deal
Viacom has tentatively agreed to let its popular cable channels be carried by Sony’s new Internet TV service, according to an article in the New York Times. The deal – between a major programmer and a technology company – is one of the first of its kind, and is a reaction to consumer attention shifting online. That said, the paid package will likely be bundled in the same way as TV so the online streaming won’t be too much of a gamechanger in the end. Intel and Google are reportedly working on similar services, but for now it looks like Sony and Viacom are leading the charge.
Sony & Disney Begin Streaming Movies Still In Theaters
In a bold attempt to undercut piracy around the world, as well as retain command over their film brand images Disney and Sony began testing a new on-demand service in South Korea that offers movies to rent whilst still in theaters. Films such as Django Unchained, Wreck-It Ralph, and Brave have all been made available as part of the program. Such experiments have been met with derision and inter-company political skirmishes in the past, but the companies now recognize that times are changing, and new methods of content delivery are necessary for a changing digital world.
Early Details On The PlayStation 4
Sony’s press conference revealed some interesting details regarding the PlayStation 4 which should drop holiday season. The flagship gaming console will have second screen integration with the PS Vita which acts as a controller. Additionally, there will be social features allowing users to share their gameplay via Ustream and Facebook which could be very interesting for gaming brands looking to grow community.
2009, the dawn of the connected TV?
Broadcom announced this month that LG Electronics had selected its BCM3549 Media SoC (System on a Chip) as the core for its new line of connected HDTVs. The new LG models will feature their Netcast Entertainment Access which provides viewers access to broadband content and services including Netflix and media widgets right through the TV screen.
This announcement further supports the prediction that 2009 will see the dawn of the Connected TV. Although, to be fair, Sony has had a broadband TV solution since 2007 through their Bravia Internet Video Link. The BIVL, which provides a wide variety of hyper-syndicated & premium content to certain Bravia models, is a small broadband-connected device that connects to the back of the set. This year Sony is scheduled to begin shipping the Bravia XBR9 and Z-Series which have the BIVL module integrated in the TV. Continue reading “2009, the dawn of the connected TV?”
Hottest trends in gaming
Here are continued impressions from E3. They are, as promised, thoughts on Sony offerings and the larger gaming trends.
Sony: I got a “hands-on” with the new PSP Go. I think this device is less a competitor to the Nintendo DSi, and much more of a competitor to the iPod Touch. The device centers on the concept of digital distribution for games and video – no more UMD disks. Getting rid of a disk drive has certainly made the device more portable, but it still doesn’t seem as pocket friendly as the iPod. The ability to leverage a control pad is great, as are the tie-ins between the PS3 and the PSP devices, but I see the device as primarily appealing to the existing PSP owners, much as the DSi has been an upgrade to the Nintendo DS. Continue reading “Hottest trends in gaming”
Casu-core?
Popcap, the casual game maker with hits such as Bejeweled or Peggle, seems to be everywhere. This appearance is actually not an illusion. They really are everywhere. Originally, I was just going to mention the news that Popcap has made a deal with Sony to syndicate five of their titles to the Playstation Network on the PS3 for $9.99 each.
Then another article caught my eye. Apparently, Popcap had been pushing their retail presence over 2008, and while the larger PC gaming retail sales were down 14 percent, Popcap’s retail sales were up 85 percent. Continue reading “Casu-core?”
Jeopardy Live gets it right
I stopped by Sony’s Jeopardy booth at CES to check out the Jeopardy Live mobile game.
Jeopardy Live is a mobile application that allows users at home to play along with the nightly Jeopardy broadcast. Users download and configure the application based on local broadcast service and HD or standard viewing. When the game is launched syncs with the show, fires each question at the mobile user as the contestants select the category and clue. Continue reading “Jeopardy Live gets it right”
CES 2009: Living television
While the Internet is all a buzz with the recently expanded Netflix partnerships, it’s interesting to note that it may be the OEM’s who are opening the door to how television and content are experienced in the home. On the floor of the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show, more then ever before we are seeing the aggregation of technology and content solutions convening together to create “living devices.” Continue reading “CES 2009: Living television”
Top 10 reasons CES matters
The Lab team is heading to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week to roam the showrooms and take part in the massive gadget brain-exchange. We’ll be blogging live through the weekend–and here are 10 reasons you should stay tuned:
1. It’s like Paris’ Ready-to-Wear event of the year–but instead showcasing gadgets in Vegas. While there will be far more geeky men than hot models in pretty get-ups (I’ve already heard that a fellow digerati femme was one of only 10 women on her plane to Vegas), this is the place to look for what technologies and consumer electronics are coming down the line in ’09. THIS is the place where dreams are made, battles are won, hearts are broken. Okay, perhaps I’m pushing it. But, if you have any desire to keep abreast with technology, stay tuned (preferably here) for all the latest and greatest advances in consumer tech.
2. We might finally learn if this is the year the Internet will kill the TV star. (Check out the WSJ’s round up of reasons how it might). It likely won’t–but this year even a scaled back CES promises some amazing new solutions for watching video and TV via the Internet including two of my favorite new devices: New player ZeeVee is presenting their ZvBox which turns computers into an HDTV channel on your TV set; WhereverTV allows consumers to watch hundreds of international television shows on your television via the Internet (sign me up!)
Stay with me, I’ve got 8 more reasons CES is THE consumer event of the year: Continue reading “Top 10 reasons CES matters”
