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Fox Wants Time Warner To Stop Streaming to iPads[teaser] An official cease-and-desist has been sent, but Time Warner isn't stopping. [/teaser] Just a few weeks ago, Time Warner launched an iPad app that allowed customers to stream their content directly to the iPad. There were a few issues at first where channels got taken down, but they went back up shortly after. Time Warner said that the removal of the channels was an issue of functionality, but there's a new problem on the horizon. The folks at Fox don't want their shows streaming to iPads, especially without consent. A cease-and-desist letter has been sent, and the next logical step would be a lawsuit, since Time Warner isn't budging. "The app continues to be available and continues to function the same as the day we launched it," says Time Warner spokesman Alex Dudley. Entertainment lawyer Jonathan Handel says that the issue is really one of advancing technology. "These cases occur under a cloud where contracts were signed in a pre-existing world when new technologies weren’t around yet," he says. "If they had anticipated the new technology and talked about it specifically, you wouldn’t have the problem." Source: Bloomberg (via EngadgetPosted Fri Apr 1, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Panasonic Manufacturing Plants Resume Partial Production[teaser]Things are picking back up for Panasonic's manufacturing plants. [/teaser] The disaster in Japan hit some of Panasonic's manufacturing facilities hard, but production is resuming at three of the company's plants. Both the Yamagata and Utsunomiya factory, which make a range of audio and video products, have resumed partial production according to Twice. They've both been up and running for about a week now. The Fukushima based plant, which makes components and cables for consumer electronics and other products, resumed operations today. Source: TwicePosted Thu Mar 31, 2011 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Marchon3D Testing an In-Theater 3D Glasses Vending Machine[teaser]This move would give customers immediate access to premium glasses. [/teaser] The folks at Marchon3D are working to find a way to better market their 3D eyewear and they've come across an idea that actually seems pretty good. Rather than try and sell 3D glasses in a mall, they'll sell them in the theater. Adult and child sized glasses will be offered through a vending machine set up in the lobbies of movie theaters. Prices will range from $25 up to $80 and you'll be able to buy them with a credit card. "3D has become so pervasive in our culture, and 3D theaters are the most popular venue where we consume 3D content," says Marchon3D President David Johnson. "Having our glasses in-theater with a reputable partner such as UltraStar Cinemas makes perfect sense." The first test will take place in San Diego this June. From there, Marchon3D plans to roll out additional machines. Source: TwicePosted Thu Mar 31, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Crackle Now Streaming Free Movies to PS3, Blu-ray Players and More[teaser]The movie service from Sony offers ad supported flicks for free. [/teaser] If you want to watch films like 'Ghostbusters,' 'The DaVinci Code' and 'A Few Good Men' without shelling out a dime, then you'll be happy to know that Crackle is now available on a wide range of products. Crackle is a free movie service owned and operated by Sony. Instead of paying a rental fee or a subscription, you'll get ads. Not a bad tradeoff, all things considered. The biggest downside to Crackle is that the content is currently only available in standard definition - no HD streaming. If you own a Roku, PS3, or any Bravia Internet Video devices like TVs and Blu-ray players then you can access Crackle now. Google TV owners can hit up Crackle as well, though they've been able to do so since launch. Source: EngadgetPosted Thu Mar 31, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
XpanD, Panasonic and Others Team for a 3D Glasses Standard[teaser]The group is hoping that their standard will be adapted by the CEA, but nothing's official yet. [/teaser] Just a few days ago, the Consumer Electronics Association put out word that it was accepting proposals for a 3D glasses standard. The standard would be adapted by those companies making active shutter glasses and finally put an end to incompatibility. The folks at XpanD have developed their own standard in a partnership with Panasonic and are being joined by companies like Mitsubishi, Philips, Sanyo and Funai. It's a big chunk of the industry, but one that doesn't include Samsung, Sony or Vizio - three of the biggest names in HDTVs. XpanD chief strategy officer Ami Dror knows that clinching a spot as the CEA standard would mean great things for the company. He has high expectations too. "With all these established companies behind it we expect," he says, "or at least hope, this is the technology chosen." Source: TWICEPosted Wed Mar 30, 2011 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Enter The Bonus View's Caption Contest and Win 'Black Swan' on Blu-ray![teaser]Isn’t it about time for another contest? The crew at The Bonus View agrees, so they're giving away two copies of 'Black Swan' on Blu-ray![/teaser] How do you win? That’s simple. They’re doing this as another photo caption contest. The caption can either be a made-up line of dialogue or something that describes the image accompanying this story. All you need to do is come up with a funny or clever caption for the image accompanying this story, then post it in the comments on the blog. The winner will be chosen using The Bonus View crew's own subjective discretion based on whichever response they enjoy the most. They have two copies of the Blu-ray to give away. Entries are limited to 10 captions per person. That should give you plenty of opportunity to craft a good submission, but will also help us to avoid any potential appearance of awarding prizes based on volume rather than quality. Go to The Bonus View to read all the details and submit your entry! Good luck!Posted Wed Mar 30, 2011 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
Philips TV Business Will Lose As Much as $169 Million[teaser]Things are looking bad for Philips, but those in charge say that they'll be taking clear action.[/teaser] Philips is one of very few European TV companies, but things aren't looking good for the brand. The company is set to announce losses of up to $165 million dollars this year - matching the losses made last year. Gerard Kleisterlee has been the CEO of Philips for the last ten years, but he'll be stepping down this week. Frans van Houten will be taking his place and "taking clear steps" to improve the business. Television sales make up around a third of the revenue generated by the consumer lifestyle division at Philips, so while a loss in the TV division isn't the end of the world it's still a very big part of the business. Yearly, that's over four billion dollars. Source: BloombergPosted Wed Mar 30, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Canada Expands Streaming Selection and Implements User-Set Limits[teaser]Now that more content is available, Netflix wants to make sure you don't exceed your ISP's bandwidth cap. [/teaser] It's been a big week for our Canadian friends, at least in terms of Netflix streaming. First off, the service has signed an agreement with Paramount Pictures that allows Netflix to stream all of the studio's first-run movies. The deal adds quite a few classics and some new titles like 'Iron Man 2.' That's not all. Netflix has also unveiled a new option for Canadian customers that allows them to limit the amount of data used by streaming videos. Now you can set the kind of quality you want and the amount of data that Netflix uses to send it. It may not seem like a big deal to those living in the US, but Canadians have been hammered recently by some very strict bandwidth caps - as low as 100GB for a month. The new change allows Canadian Netflix subscribers to enjoy their content while staying well under their monthly limit. Source: Netflix BlogPosted Wed Mar 30, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Vizio Prices Its Passive 3D TVs[teaser]They come in at surprisingly low prices, with even the 47 inch model at under $1,000. [/teaser] When 3D televisions first hit the market and people complained about the cost of active shutter glasses, companies said that the alternative - televisions that use the same glasses we wear in theaters - would be too expensive. Vizio busts that myth with its new line of Cinema 3D TVs. The cheapest of the new 3D sets may actually ship for less than $500. Vizio's 32 inch model has an MSRP of $549, which could easily turn into a shelf price of $499. Those "3D TVs are too expensive" excuses are out the window. All of Vizio's new 3D sets come have Wi-Fi connectivity built right in so you can access Netflix, Vudu, Hulu Plus and more. They boast a trio of HDMI inputs, a two sided remote with a QWERTY keyboard on back and two pairs of 3D glasses. Vizio hasn't announced a release date yet. Source: EngadgetPosted Tue Mar 29, 2011 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Onkyo Launches a Network Receiver and CD Player[teaser]The company hopes to make "the stereo" relevant again. [/teaser] Not too long ago, before music was listened to on MP3 players, phones, and laptops, a stereo system was an essential. Onkyo's new receiver aims to bring those days back by allowing you to play back songs from just about any source you have. The TX-8050 boasts a USB port on the front panel for MP3 players, an Ethernet jack that will let you stream music from the net or from your home network, and an Onkyo Universal Port for peripherals like iPod docks and HD Radio tuners. It also has a phono input and both analog and digital inputs for CD players, like the new C-7030. Onkyo's new player offers a high precision clock, Onkyo's VLSC to reduce noise and a custom built EI transformer. The TX-8050 and C-7030 will be available in April. You'll be paying $399 for the receiver and $249 for the CD player. Source: OnkyoPosted Tue Mar 29, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by:
