So, unlike the FilmOn AIR tuner or the Elgato EyeTV, each of which can tune into free-to-air TV using a tuner physically connected to the device, each Aereo subscriber gets their own tiny antenna in one of the company’s centers. Those antennas can pick up HD-quality transmissions, assuming they’re available, and offer content from over twenty channels including shows from ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

Aereo Official Intro:

Your individual tuner streams the channel to an HTML5 app, which can be used in desktop browsers, on phones and tablets, and even on some smart TVs. The company expects its subscribers may still want to sign up to on-demand services like Netflix and Hulu Plus, but even with those fees included it still undercuts traditional cable.

However Aereo may face legal headaches from broadcasters over how, exactly, it’s using TV signals. The company isn’t simply offering a tuner, one lawyer told the LATimes, but is modifying the signal to suit distribution to phones, tablets and computers. That could see it fall foul of copyright laws, though no broadcaster has officially commented as yet.

The city-by-city roll out is a byproduct of the antenna cluster architecture, and Aereo isn’t saying when it might expand outside of NYC.

“How much would you be willing to pay for the ability to record 300hrs of TV?” the Boxee survey asked, offering a choice of $5 per month, $10 per month, $15 per month or “Not interested” as possible responses.

Currently, the $49 Live TV adapter allows Boxee Box owners to tune in to free-to-air TV broadcasts and watch them in real-time. However, while there’s an SD card slot and external drive support on the Boxee Box, the tuner dongle doesn’t permit recording of content; instead, viewers are expected to use streaming catch-up services, such as Hulu and Netflix, if they missed the show first time round.

The Boxee team said it was evaluating the possibility of DVR features and that, if it proved viable, would have more to announce later in the year. It seems a free upgrade to do that isn’t the company’s priority, though, which could come as a frustration to owners of the STB.

The tipster isn’t the only one, either. Best Buy online shows the Apple TV as not available for shipping, as is also the case at Target; Walmart has removed the Apple TV from its online store completely. It’s a similar story at other online retailers, with only existing stock left on-hand in stores seemingly available.

International sales also seem limited, with retailers in the UK and Germany also showing either no supplies or small numbers. Apple’s own online store does still have stock, however.

It’s possible a new Apple TV could debut at Apple’s well-rumored early March event, so far expected to see the third-gen iPad get its official launch. However, Apple has slotted previous Apple TV refreshes as the “One other thing” in other events, so a shared spotlight for the third-gen variant isn’t beyond the realm of possibility.

Exactly what specifications the new Apple TV might bring is generally unclear. Mentions of the new set-top box in iOS 5.1 betas suggest it will come with Bluetooth 4.0, a low power version of the short-range wireless technology, though most users are hoping for 1080/60p Full HD support; the current model is limited to 720p. iOS app support would also be a sensible addition – the current model is capable of it, though not officially – to better compete with Google TV.

There’s also a “From TV” channel for content pulled from broadcast. Each channel gets a new-style page, with easier access to playlists and individual videos. It’s also possible to subscribe to channels with a single click, while pressing up or down on your remote scrolls through related videos or other titles from the same user.

Mid-playback, meanwhile, scrolling up or down shifts through the video information dialog, overlaid on top of the clip. This supports the usual thumbs up/thumbs down rating system, along with add-to-playlist and the comments dialog; that’s when having a QWERTY remote like those supplied with the second-gen Sony Google TV hardware would come in handy.

Overall, the app is meant to be faster and less glitchy, both of which are vital is Google is to corner the smart TV market in 2012. The new YouTube app is a free download for Google TV users.

Luckily, though, I accessed my favorite shows on my DVR and TiVo. Whenever I had a chance to check out an episode, I did. And when I realized that what I was watching was really not worth it, I deleted it and moved on. Best of all, I didn’t have to watch a single commercial.

[Image credit: Leo Reynolds]

My DVR experience over the last several weeks has solidified my belief that a world without the DVR is one that I don’t want to live in. In fact, I think it would be a crying shame if we were forced to go back to a time when the DVR wouldn’t be available.

I realize that there are many people that don’t have DVRs and they’re just fine without them. They sit down at a specified time each night to watch their favorite shows, and they might even enjoy watching commercials. It’s a ritual of sorts that they’ve grown comfortable with. And it’s something that those people wouldn’t want to lose.

But I have a different take on it. I’m one of those people that can’t stand online ads, commercials, or any other advertising initiative that distracts me from what I’m trying to enjoy. So, when I have the chance to skip commercials, I can’t wait to take advantage.

There’s also the issue of watching all the many shows I want to to watch. At any given time, I might have two or three shows on that I would really like to watch. Rather than pick one, DVRs afford me the opportunity to not miss either show. It’s a great option that I think far too many people look past when they’re deciding against buying a TiVo or paying just a few bucks a month for their cable company-provided DVR.

Of course, I realize I’m not covering new ground by saying DVRs are a fine option for the living room. And I’m sure the vast majority of you out there agree with everything I’m saying. But I wonder — given TiVo’s history and the sub-par quality of standard DVRs — if enough people see value in them. TiVos aren’t exactly flying off store shelves, and I’m still shocked by the number of people in my life who aren’t using DVRs — and see no reason to do so.

There appears to be a divide among those who are DVR owners and those who are not. One group couldn’t live without DVRs, and another can’t see a reason to live with them. Whereas some say they’re worth the cost, others say that they aren’t. And although there are some folks who say DVRs give us more time to do other, healthier things in our lives, like read a book or take a walk, detractors say they keep us tied to our couch.

So, what’s the truth? At the end of the day, it all depends on the individual. But as far as I’m concerned, DVRs offer a host of benefits — and very little, if any, downside.

If you’ll take a look at that faithful post from last week, you’ll find that we had NFC devices, Wifi, and Android tablets and smartphones blasting forth with controls for the whole home. What we’re seeing here instead is a tip that says this Entertainment System will be, at least in part, just for media streaming. The tip coming through today says that Google would have people download digital media “such as music” and stream it to Google-made speakers as well as other web-connected devices in their homes.

At the moment I’m sure you’re aware that the Android Market already does offer music downloads as well as video rentals – this could be a slight expansion of that and a whole new application suite made for this set of Google-made hardware pieces. The difference here between what we’ve heard before and what this tipster is saying is that there will indeed be one device to focus on: a new entertainment device which “may possible” stream music as well as other digital media, this device set to be revealed late inside 2012.

Will this finally be Google’s big dip into the hardware business? Let it be so!

[via WSJ]

As we’ve heard previously, the Apple television – or “Apple iTV” as it has been unofficially dubbed – will use the personal digital assistant voice technology debuted on the iPhone 4S to cut through complex remote controls and on-screen menus. An integrated camera, meanwhile, would track hand gestures for non-verbal control, and an on-screen keyboard could be used for more complex text entry.

Exactly how Apple will blend together on-demand and live content without making navigation overly difficult is unknown, though Steve Jobs was keen to tell his biographer that he had “finally cracked” the issue.

Earlier this week, meanwhile, it was confirmed that Apple is using complex audio DSP from specialists Audience, baked into the Apple A5 chipset found in the iPhone 4S. That technology models the human hearing system, allowing the iPhone to differentiate from user commands and ambient noise with the smartphone at arm’s length. Apple is also a licensee of Audience’s third-gen DSP, though technical details are in short supply; still, any Siri-based television would need to be able to track voice commands from across the living room, without being distracted by extraneous sounds, which would seem to mandate the audio system.

[via Engadget]

Exactly what content will be available to stream is unclear; currently content owners prefer traditional DVD and Blu-ray rentals and sales for newer media, leaving subscription-based streaming to pick up movies and TV shows later on in the lifecycle. Verizon and Redbox describe the IPTV aspect as including “expanded content offerings” suggesting back catalog shows and older films, though that’s not yet confirmed.

Still, with Verizon involved, streaming direct to phones and tablets looks like a given. Whether the carrier will also release mobile apps for devices on other networks is a good question; not doing so might encourage would-be streaming subscribers to also ink an agreement on Verizon’s network for their next phone or tablet, but it could also work to limit its appeal.

Verizon will own 65-percent of the new venture, with Redbox picking up the remaining 35-percent. The two companies say they’ll announce more pricing details, as well as branding, closer to the point of launch, which is in the second half of the year.

My issues with motion gaming have prompted me to turn my back on the Wii. In fact, I haven’t even seen my Wii in well over a year, since it’s been sitting in my closet with the rest of the obsolete and boring consoles I’ve bought over the years.

[Image credit: Cha già José]

Sony’s PlayStation Move is similarly useless to me. The wands add no value to my gaming experience and as far as I’m concerned, should be relegated to the junk heap in the PlayStation 4.

And now, we move to the Kinect. I’ve said here before that while the Kinect comes with a really cool technology, I’m not a fan of the peripheral. I do, however, acknowledge — like the Wii — that there are some people out there that see some value in a product like the Kinect.

But what saddens me is that Microsoft’s motion-gaming peripheral is, well, the next big thing in gaming.

Microsoft is doubling down on the Kinect. A software development kit that allows PC software developers to take advantage of the device’s technology is in the wild, and there is a very good chance that it might also become the go-to device for laptops.

In the beginning, that might mean PC gaming will be enhanced, but I can also see the device becoming a useful accessory for those developing other programs across a wide array of industries, including medical, manufacturing, and retail.

But it’s that gaming element that keeps holding me up.

According to the latest rumors, it’s possible Microsoft will launch the Xbox 720 with a Kinect camera built into the console. What’s more, there is some speculation that Sony might try to find a way to come close to matching the Kinect’s controller-less functionality.

Add that to the fact that the Kinect is selling exceedingly well and it quickly becomes clear that it could very well be Microsoft’s ticket to gaming dominance in the coming years.

I hate to say it, but the Microsoft Kinect is the next big thing in gaming. It’s already changed how console makers think, and it’s well on its way to transforming Windows PCs. But it’s the fact that it might play an even greater role in the next generation that’s enough to make me cringe.

Just when I hoped you would be out of my life, Kinect, you’ve found a way to become a part of it for the next several years.

Maybe it’s a good thing I own a Mac, eh?

Announced back at CES 2012 in January, Vizio initially promised three CinemaWide models. In addition to the 58-incher, there’s also to be a smaller, 50-inch XVT3D500CM and a huge 71-inch XVT3D710CM. All three will offer smart TV functionality, including streaming content from Hulu Plus and Netflix, using either wired ethernet or integrated WiFi b/g/n connectivity.

There’s also a Bluetooth remote control, complete with a built-in QWERTY keyboard for easier searching. Users can watch a regular 16:9 aspect widescreen TV show as well as browse through smart TV apps simultaneously, thanks to the wider LCD panel.

Interestingly, Vizio has also created its own technology for sending 21:9 aspect content over a regular HDMI cable. That’s despite the CEO being midway through developing an updated standard which would do just that; “we really wanted to lead that change” Vizio VP of product management John Schindler said of the homegrown tech.

Hirai says that corporate structure is what has kept Sony from capitalizing on product innovations, and in fact has kept the company trapped in the past. “We really need to buckle down and be realistic,” he told the newspaper. “I don’t think everybody is on board, but I think people are coming around to the idea.”

To deliver on that, Hirai will use the same strategy that worked so well in Sony’s gaming division. The exec turned the PlayStation around from $2bn losses to profit in just four years, though mediocre sales of the PS3 had a detrimental effect on fiscal Q3 2011 results.

“I thought turning around the PlayStation business was going to be the toughest challenge of my career, but I guess not. It’s one issue after another. I feel like ‘Holy s—, now what?” Kazuo Hirai, CEO and President, Sony

“User experience” not just solid hardware is the way forward for Sony, the new CEO believes. His predecessor, Howard Stringer – who will take position as chair of the Sony board later this year – set out plans for a “four screen” strategy last year, integrating TV, PC, tablet and smartphone in an overall ecosystem; however, that means Hirai has to persuade would-be customers to buy not just one Sony device, but four of them.

“We can’t just continue to be a great purveyor of hardware products,” Hirai concludes, “even though some people expect us to do that.”

That’s quite a few theater tickets-worth, though you do at least get the reassurance that if you’re sitting on gum it’s probably your own. The extra-wide panel obviously comes into its own when you’re watching cinema-cut content, though it also makes navigating through smart TV menus more straightforward: you can have a Full HD picture on-screen at the same time as a browser bar.

The panel itself uses edge LED lighting and has a 120Hz refresh rate and 400 nits brightness. It includes passive 3D and 32 zones of Smart Dimming, along with picture-in-picture and various SRS pseudo-surround sound. Connectivity includes five HDMI ports, one component, one composite and one VGA, along with an antenna socket, two USB 2.0 and an ethernet port.

There’s also WiFi 802.11n dual-band and Bluetooth, with a bundled Bluetooth remote that includes a keyboard. Still no word on when the CinemaWide TV will launch.

[Thanks Andrew!]

The leak, Munster reckons, is ”continued evidence that Apple is exploring production of a television,” something the analyst has been talking about since 2010. All signs point to a potential 2012 release, Munster predicts, with the Apple television believed to use the Siri voice control system that debuted on the iPhone 4S.

Siri integration – using natural voice commands to find shows and streaming content, rather than a traditional remote – is supposedly a dead cert in what insiders described as a “guaranteed product” late in 2011. Screen sizes of 42- and 50-inches have also been suggested, although other sources claim Apple will test the market with TV-enabled iMacs initially.

As for content, Apple obviously has its iTunes catalog and various streaming services such as Netflix, but there has also been talk of deals with content owners for custom packages of shows and channels exclusively for Apple smart TV owners. “Since we know Apple is exploring television hardware,” Munster says, “we are therefore led to conclude that the company is exploring a solution for live TV, and this solution could be one that has not yet been taken mainstream.”

[via Apple Insider]

Hirai’s promotion has led to a small bout of executive shuffles. Most notable is the company’s new Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President Tadashi Saito, who until now has been President of Sony’s Semiconductor Business Group and Deputy President of the Professional, Device & Solutions Group. Although little has been said about overall strategy – Sony will likely outline more on its approach on Thursday, when it reveals its latest financial results – the promotion of a chipset exec likely recognizes the increasing “smart” potential of home entertainment devices like TVs.

“We can more rapidly and more widely offer consumers smartphones, laptops, tablets and televisions that seamlessly connect with one another and open up new worlds of online entertainment” Stringer said of the four-screen strategy back in October 2011. “This includes Sony’s own acclaimed network services, like the PlayStation Network and Sony Entertainment Network.”

Hirai’s big decision is exactly how closed an ecosystem Sony can afford to push. Apple’s approach – with iTunes, the iPod, iPhone, iPad and the App Store – has arguably worked because of the brand’s unique cachet with iOS. Sony, meanwhile, has struggled in the Android marketplace with its tablets, while Sony Ericsson has lingered behind Samsung and HTC in Android smartphones. The company’s TV business is also in trouble – a fourth year of losses for Sony, fueled by its underperforming TV division, is expected to be confirmed on Thursday – and it lacks the exclusivity of OS X or the cheap prices of Dell, HP, Acer and ASUS in computers.

If Sony goes for broad appeal – hoping to be at least one or two of the screens in front of non-Apple adopters, and adopting open standards like DLNA for content streaming – then it opens itself to rivals not only stepping into its ecosystem but doing better than it can. If the company takes the opposite approach, mimics Apple with proprietary systems, then it runs the risk of not finding enough buyers willing to splurge on an all Sony setup. The obvious halfway measure would be some degree of generic features with an exclusive subset solely for Sony devices, though that would require a careful balancing act.

It’s that balancing act that Stringer and the Sony Board apparently believes Hirai is capable of. Sony’s shares have plummeted in recent years, while those of its Cupertino rival has skyrocketed; the new CEO has plenty of work to do to convince not only buyers but investors that Sony has the ability – and he himself the vision – to deliver the compelling Apple alternative that has so far been conspicuous by its absence.

“Kaz is a globally focused executive for whom technology and the cloud are familiar territory, content is highly valued, and digital transformation is second nature” Stringer said of his replacement. “I believe his tough-mindedness and leadership skills will be of great benefit to the company and its customers in the months and years ahead.”

Stringer and the Sony board had begun the search for replacement leaders back in 2009, and Hirai had been an early standout candidate. Hirai has been leading Sony’s Consumer Products & Services Group, encompassing the firm’s TV, home video, home audio, digital imaging, PC, gaming, and mobile products, along with networked services.

“The path we must take is clear: to drive the growth of our core electronics businesses – primarily digital imaging, smart mobile and game; to turn around the television business; and to accelerate the innovation that enables us to create new business domains” Hirai said in a statement. The foundations are now firmly in place for the new management team and me to fully leverage Sony’s diverse electronics product portfolio, in conjunction with our rich entertainment assets and growing array of networked services, to engage with our customers around the world in new and exciting ways.”

A cornerstone of those “exciting ways” will be Sony’s four-screen strategy, pulling together the quartet of displays users spend most time looking at – TV, computer, tablet and smartphone – into an interlinked environment of information, entertainment and content creation. That strategy will be accelerated now that Sony has sole ownership of its smartphone business, the final “screen” of the four.

Toshiba launched the 3D HDTV in Japan last November, with limited availability, as the 55X3. The screen itself is a 3850 x 2160 panel – that’s Quad Full High Definition – and uses 240-zone intelligent backlighting. Toshiba has implemented a face tracking system for the glasses-free 3D, using a lenticular sheet placed across the panel, and up to nine viewers are supported simultaneously.

2D to 3D conversion is also possible, though only at 1,280 x 720 resolution. If you’re not interested in 3D, then it’s likely to be the 4k2k resolution that’s most interesting: although projectors supporting that sort of detail are reasonably broadly available, 4k2k TVs are less common.

Still unclear is price. In Japan, the 55X3 comes in at roughly $10,000, which means the set is likely to be similarly expensive when it arrives in North America.

Initially, the Sky IPTV system will offer films from Sky Movies; however, the company expects to expand that to encompass sport and entertainment content soon after launch. Pricing has not been confirmed, though Sky says it will offer both packages – including, say, unlimited access to movies for a monthly fee, and with no minimum contract – and pay-per-view for those only wanting to watch specific content.

The system will include recommendations based on previous viewing habits, and be maintained alongside the existing Sky Go IPTV option for current Sky satellite users.

Those users will soon have access to a new Android app, set to launch in February. Initially available for Samsung’s Galaxy range and HTC devices, the Sky Go Android app will offer streaming access to on-demand movies and other content. Sky also plans to launch a WiFi hotspot roaming agreement for UK Sky Broadband Unlimited customers, offering access to around 10,000 hotspots.

Finally, Sky has revealed plans to offer a fibre broadband option to home users from April. Priced at £20 per month, the package will offer speeds of up to 40 megabits and have no usage caps.

Yesterday, Sky announced it would be adding BBC iPlayer and ITV Player content to its STBs.

Currently, Sky users have access to archived BBC shows like Top Gear and Doctor Who, but they will be joined by ITV content – including Prime Suspect, Lewis and Cold Feet - from tomorrow. Later in the year, BBC iPlayer and ITV Player will be integrated more comprehensively, with on-demand access to streaming catch-up content

Meanwhile, Sky is also removing the limit that insisted users needed to have both Sky satellite and internet services, allowing any broadband connection to serve up the on-demand content to Sky STBs.

Smart TV is expected to be big business this year, with second-gen Google TV hardware launching internationally for the first time, and Apple tipped to release its own range of television sets with integrated Apple TV functionality. Meanwhile, we saw multiple smart TV sets launched at CES earlier this month, integrating on-demand streaming content into TVs themselves.

The first question I ask when I field the question is, “do you own an Xbox 360?”

Time and again, if they say yes, I tell them to skip the Apple TV. If they tell me that they don’t have an Xbox, I’ll tell them that they should buy one if they want to be entertained. Only if they tell me that they have no interest in gaming or don’t want to spend the extra cash to buy the Xbox will I tell them to get their hands on the Apple TV.

Now, I’m sure that there are many Apple fans out there that are appalled by that advice. Those folks use their Apple TVs each and every day, and they’re generally quite pleased with the experience.

However, the more objective among us might quickly determine that when it comes to a full-fledged entertainment experience for the living room, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to choose an Apple TV over a game console, like the Xbox 360.

Let’s face it: the Apple TV is hobbled in many ways. You can’t store content on the device, and the iTunes content library is limited. Plus, I just don’t see what’s so unique about it. The device features Netflix streaming, which is great, but I can find that elsewhere. And although its $99 price tag is great and all, I can get a Blu-ray player, complete with Netflix integration, for about the same price.

The Xbox 360, on the other hand, delivers a far more well-rounded experience. It has Netflix, Hulu Plus, and all the other desirable streaming options consumers expect to find, but it also lets me stream my content to it. Even better, I can play games or pop in a DVD if I so desire.

We also can’t forget about Microsoft’s desire to make the Xbox 360 a more television-focused hub in the living room. Currently, dozens of television content providers have signed up with Microsoft to offer content, and over the next several months, I think we’ll quickly find just how desirable that offering is.

I’m a firm believer in owning the best gadgetry in any market. And although the Apple TV is a solid set-top box that probably bests those from Roku and Boxee, among others, it’s no match for today’s game consoles.

At the end of the day, living room entertainment is about finding products that solve the many needs customers have. The only issue is, the Apple TV doesn’t do that – yet, anyway. The Xbox 360, on the other hand, does.

Remember back when Apple first introduced the Apple TV, and the company said that it was designed to be a hobby device? Well, in 2010, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, after unveiling a new version of the device, said it was no longer a hobby. Now, though, it appears it is again, since Apple’s new CEO Tim Cook said earlier this week that the device is still — wait for it — a hobby.

I’m sure there are some out there that would disagree with Cook and say that the Apple TV is a full-featured device that shouldn’t be classified as a hobby. And I’m sure they might be able to make that argument quite effectively.

But I’m here to tell those folks, and all those that aren’t quite sure if the Apple TV is a hobby or not, that it is, in fact, a hobby.

Luckily, though, I have some solutions for addressing that problem.

First and foremost, Apple should stop playing the streaming-only game with the Apple TV. As much as Apple might not want to admit it, today’s consumers still need local storage. We want to be able to put movies on the device, access games, and have ready access to our content whenever the Internet is down in our homes. The Internet is great and all, but there’s still something to be said for offline access.

What’s more, Apple should be bringing App Store support to the device. Apps have become a key reason we buy iPhones and iPads, and to not have access to it on a device that connects to a television — a place many people are using sub-par applications right now — is a real issue.

That idea dovetails on my next point: if Apple wants to make the Apple TV a serious device, it’ll need to take down Google TV.

At the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month, a host of vendors showed off products featuring Google TV. The service will be bundled in televisions and other products, and most importantly, feature applications people want to use. Call me crazy, but I think Google TV might actually have a shot this year. And if it succeeds, Apple’s hobby will be pushed aside.

Finally, Apple needs to realize that gaming is an integral component in the success or failure of set-top boxes today. Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 are popular not only for their gaming, but for their additional content. Apple has all that additional content, but lacks the gaming.

Luckily for Apple, it wouldn’t necessarily need to go too far with bringing gaming to the Apple TV. I don’t think the mainstream consumer wants Modern Warfare 3-like graphics on an Apple TV, and would instead be content with playing the casual titles they already access on their iPhones and iPads. Even better, the iPhone and iPad could be used as a controller, which means Apple wouldn’t need to invest in additional accessories.

It’s about time Apple removes the Apple TV from the hobby box and brings it into the living room to be a serious competitor to all the other solutions out there. By doing so, Apple could go a long way in proving it has what it takes to be successful in yet another market.

“Our Apple TV product is doing quite well… but in the scheme of things, we still classify Apple TV as a hobby” Tim Cook said during the post-results financial call yesterday. “We continue to add things to it. If you’re using the latest one – I don’t know about you, but I can’t live without it.”

Problem is, Apple is doing very well at making sure a whole lot of people can live without Apple TV. With a record quarter in revenues under its belt, it’s hard to call any aspect of the company’s performance an actual failure, but when you contrast 1.4m Apple TV sales with 37m iPhones or 15.4m iPods – even 5.2m Macs – it’s clear to see which was the under-performer.

Apple’s strength has always been at the meeting point of hardware and software: doing “magical” things that make everyone else look mundane. The Apple TV is certainly capable of such “magic”, but it’s not Apple doing it. HTML5 gaming, running iOS apps, even becoming a 1080p media center… the Apple TV has done it all, but only at the hands of the third-party developer community.

It could have been very different. Apple’s gaming ambitions for the Apple TV have been well-discussed; the company already has a broad portfolio of third-party titles, sufficient processing power inside the STB, and the ideal controllers in the iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. With iOS at its core, Apple could’ve easily opened up a pared-down App Store with a selection of flagship titles.

For a moment, with the first generation of the Google TV being such a wretched let-down, it looked like Apple had the perfect opportunity to show us what smart TV should be like. Just as the iPhone made us look at smartphones differently, the iPod encapsulated the simplicity of the ideal PMP, and the iPad shaped the consumer tablet market, Apple TV had the chance to beat Google to the market with app support and show couch potatoes what they were missing because of their dumb TVs.

That opportunity is fast expiring. Google’s second-generation of Google TV may not be perfect but it will be cheap and ubiquitous: shifting to ARM processors from Intel’s comparatively expensive platform opens the door to a huge range of low-cost smart TV devices building on the open-source OS. And it really can be cheap; only this week Raspberry Pi was talking about how its $25 computer has better graphics abilities than an iPhone 4S or NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 chipset. Slap it in an enclosure, get it online and you’ve got a 1080p-capable streaming, gaming powerhouse that’s legitimately interesting while Apple TV remains a yawnfest.

Meanwhile, Google’s Eric Schmidt predicting Google TV will be on the majority of new TVs by this coming summer is looking a lot more practical. Smart TV was big news at CES this month, and there’s a solid chance that the chipsets OEMs like Samsung, LG and others have picked for their home-grown internet connected sets would be just as happy running Google’s software as they are proprietary platforms.

Apple isn’t out of the game, but it’s squandering more opportunities than rivals would get away with. On that it gets a pass-card of sorts, based on previous form. Still, continuing to treat smart TV as a hobby is a surefire way to miss out on a key element of the smart home ecosystem. Tim Cook may be content to tinker, but Apple TV eventually needs to step up and earn its keep.

Filtering has also been tweaked, with more granularity over relevancy, length, credits, copyright license and other aspects. Like Flickr already does for photos, Vimeo will also allow viewers to only see results that are subject to Creative Commons licenses.

As for privacy, Vimeo says video stats and individual users’ “your activity” feeds can now be kept private, and the ability to block other users has been added. Multiple uploads can be started simultaneously, with mid-upload alerts if Vimeo figures out there’s a potential problem, saving time and frustration.

Vimeo will preview the new design over the next few weeks, with a closed beta for specially selected users. That will soon open up to general availability, however.

Unfortunately, there’s no DVR/PVR support, so live TV really is live; you can’t even pause a live show and resume later on, as you can on a TiVo or other DVR. However, you do get social networking integration into the channel guide, with indications of what your friends are watching, and a new Facebook Timeline app for Boxee can automatically share your viewing habits on your wall.

It’s also possible to customize the channels, removing those you might never watch, renaming them if they’re less than intuitive, and reorganizing them so that flicking between favorites is more straightforward. The unified interface, meanwhile, blends together live and on-demand content – similar to how Google TV approaches viewing – and can jump between a broadcast show and other episodes if they’re available online.

Boxee Live TV comes with a new version of the Boxee Box OS, v1.5, with a new UI, boosted search, better filtering in the streamlined library view, integration with Rotten Tomatoes reviews, and control over social account integration. The update will be pushed out automatically to owners over the next 72 hours, though you can force an update by selecting Settings > System > Check for new version of Boxee.

The Boxee team says they’re looking into the feasibility of adding DVR support in a future update, and will have more details later in the year. The Boxee Live TV tuner is $49 in the US and Canada.

Regardless, I now have HBO Go. And after using it for the past several days for more hours than I’d like to count, I can say now, with certainty, that HBO Go has a strong chance of becoming the next Netflix.

Now, I’ll freely admit that there are some major differences between HBO Go and Netflix, the most notable being that HBO’s service only offers its own content. What’s more, it’s only available to HBO subscribers, which could stunt its growth a bit.

But beyond that, I’m seeing nothing but good things from HBO Go. The service works exceptionally well, and offers all the episodes of all the shows the network has aired in recent years. What’s more, it also includes movies, documentaries, and HBO’s stellar sports series, making it the complete package, in my book.

Would it be nice to have content from other services? Sure. But you know what? HBO’s series lineup is so good, I don’t quite miss access to, say, “The Office” or “How I Met Your Mother.” I’m more than content watching “The Sopranos,” “Entourage,” or “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

In the coming years, I think HBO, with the right strategy, could make its service far better than Netflix. Time Warner has strong ties with Hollywood studios, automatically putting it ahead of the game against Netflix. And if it can start bringing the service to more devices, including game consoles and set-top boxes — its Achilles heel right now — I could see HBO Go’s adoption skyrocketing.

Whereas Netflix has quickly become a TV-focused service that comes with outdated movies for everyone else, HBO Go has the potential to become the go-to place for movie content. With the right content deals, I just don’t see any way Time Warner won’t be able to add many more films to the service to round out what is already a content-heavy solution.

So, I see nothing but potential for HBO Go. I was skeptical of its value initially, but after getting to try the service out, it’s clear now that my concerns were unwarranted. Are there limitations to its focus that could hold it back from realizing its full potential? Sure. Might HBO try to stick with its current business model and fail to achieve the kind of results it could? Of course.

But if the company plays its cards right, I think there’s a real chance HBO Go becomes a better — and more-desired — destination than Netflix.

But it wasn’t just LG. Vizio showed off an ultra-widescreen set that many film buffs were happy to see, and the sheer number of Smart TVs featuring built-in apps, integration with DVRs, and countless other features was dizzying. There were even the giant televisions on display for those who have large rooms and want to impress friends.

Check our all the CES 2012 Smart TVs here

All that has made me wonder: how will Apple, a company that is reportedly working on a new television to best them all, actually achieve its goal of changing customer perceptions about TVs?

The way I see it, just about every company is providing what Apple will reportedly offer in its own HDTVs. We already have extremely well-designed sets, thin televisions that look like a picture frame hanging on the wall, and TVs featuring all the apps you would seemingly want. What’s more, they all come in at prices that, if history is to be our guide, Apple likely won’t even come close to matching.

Furthermore, I just don’t see any technologies out there that Apple could stake claim to. If the company offers up an OLED set, LG will respond with one of its own. If it only sells 4K televisions, the competition will have already put some out.

Unfortunately for Apple, the television market might be one place where it really was too late to the game.

Looking back, being late to the game is something that Apple hasn’t suffered all that often. In fact, its most successful products, the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad, helped set off entire new product ideas. In the television space, however, there’s little chance of the iPhone maker having a chance to do that.

Of course, there will undoubtedly be Apple apologists that disagree. They’ll argue that Apple’s integration of the App Store and iCloud will be enough for the company to attract customers away from competing sets. They’ll also say that Apple’s branding always wins out.

Admittedly, it’s hard to argue with that. And even if Apple launches a television with technologies we’ve already seen, there’s a good chance the set will still sell well.

But I think it’s time we all acknowledge that Apple isn’t the only company in the industry that has, or is willing to, take chances. Some of the top TV vendors in the world are quite Apple-like in their product presentations. And this year, I think we’re going to see that quite clearly.

Watch out, Apple. You might just have more TV competition than you think.

The exact nature of the Kinect media box’s connectivity is apparently yet to be finalized, but coax or an optical output for audio is also a possibility. Integrated WiFi would get the STB online, though there’s no word on wired ethernet as on the Xbox 360.

Navigation, unsurprisingly, would rely on voice commands and gestures, the Kinect tracking technology used to move viewers through menus and options. However the Xbox Companion app released recently for Windows Phone handsets would also be compatible. Unknown is whether existing Xbox 360 gamepads could be connected, or indeed if Microsoft will bundle a traditional remote for those turned off by voice/gesture and without a Windows Phone device.

Microsoft is supposedly aiming for a sub-$200 price tag, or more likely in the region of $150, to better compete with rival smart TV boxes such as the new breed of Google TV hardware. Previous rumors have also suggested the software company is shopping for an ex-TV exec who could help it create unique shows and other content.

Talk of a two-pronged next-gen Xbox attack was rumored back in November, and these new leaks seem to fit in with talk last year. Casual gaming, such as Fruit Ninja Kinect, would be supported on this STB Xbox version, though serious gamers would be expected to pick up the true next-gen console for more immersive play.

LG unveiled a Google TV-powered range of HDTVs at CES this week, using the same Honeycomb-based v2 iteration of the platform that has already been pushed out to existing Logitech and Sony hardware. However, this new arrangement would give LG privileged access to Google’s third-gen version, which is expected to be released by the end of 2012.

Although Android is open-source, and manufacturers have broad scope to modify and implement the OS as they see fit, Google has used the Nexus program to lead vendors in the direction it sees best for the platform. The original, HTC-made Nexus One kick-started faster processors and bigger, better displays, while the Samsung Nexus S introduced NFC. Most recently, the Galaxy Nexus has pushed screen resolution and debuted Ice Cream Sandwich.

Having seen a shaky start, Google TV could potentially be brought back on track with a flagship device to help Google outline the hardware possibilities of the platform alongside the software. No timescale for the LG set’s release has been indicated, and indeed a spokesperson for the manufacturer said no decision on the partnership has been made; Google declined to comment.

It’s possible that Google’s third-gen TV version could be based on Ice Cream Sandwich, the platform that the company expects to run on both smartphones and tablets and streamline app development for each. Lenovo revealed an ICS-based set this week, the K91 smart TV, though it uses a custom UI rather than Google TV.

Hulu isn’t naming names, but it’s clear the company thinks it has the edge on streaming rivals. “Our model [of free and paid upselling] allows us to profitably pay content owners approximately 50% more in content licensing fees per subscriber when compared to other similarly priced online subscription services” it claims, announcing that it expects to spend around half a billion dollars on content deals this year.

However, 2011 will also go down as the year when Hulu failed to ink a deal, with its owners decided to drop attempts to sell the company after one by one big-name potential bidders dropped out. Instead, Hulu is said to be considering an IPO.

Meanwhile, comScore claims Netflix users are spending twice as much time watching that streaming service instead of Hulu Plus. In November 2011, Netflix users apparently viewed a billion minutes, while Hulu viewers together racked up 480 million minutes.

Riding high on Android and with its expertise in search, Google should’ve swept the board when it first turned its hand to smart TV. Instead, Google TV was lambasted for its confusing interface, patchy functionality and ever-changing line up of content (made unpredictable by Google’s apparent refusal to pay for licensing deals but instead attempting to harness free online streams). With the second-gen system now ready for prime time, the search giant has managed to coax some big names back onboard, as well as tease gamers with the promise of OnLive for console-quality play without any extra hardware beyond a wireless controller.

Samsung, Sony, LG and Vizio were all expected to bring Google TV powered sets to the show, and all but Samsung delivered. LG spared us the heavy-duty specs, only saying that its two Google TV sets would drop later this year and use a homegrown quadcore ARM chipset. Like Vizio, which announced the R-Series of Google TVs, LG has reskinned the core Google UI to suit its own interface styling. Vizio also had two set-top boxes, one adding a Blu-ray drive, the VAP430 and VBR430, which promise to make Google TV more affordable.

Sony, meanwhile, took another approach, not bothering with fully-integrated Google TV HDTVs but instead looking to two new set-top boxes instead. It’s possible the company learned the hard way from its first-gen Google TV sets, though the new Network Media Player NSZ-GS7 and Blu-ray Disc Player NSZ-GP9 are arguably more useful given there are plenty of people content with their existing TV but still wanting a smart upgrade.

Finally, Marvell brought along its ARMADA 1500 chipset and a reference design Google TV STB to demonstrate it. The company is pushing the design to its hardware partners, along with a useful upscaling addition that promises to make lower-res content and UI look better on a 1080p Full HD display.

As for Samsung, it stuck with its homegrown smart TV platform for CES, though reiterated its support for Google TV and promised that “a forthcoming offering will deliver an entirely distinct experience in the category” later in 2012. That’s not to say its hardware this week has been underwhelming, however. Our playtime with Samsung’s 60-inch smart TV – which packs Kinect-style motion and voice control – suggested the non-traditional navigation may be gimmicky but the core software is very strong, while integrated DIRECTV support and the potential for hardware upgrades along the line shows services aren’t being left behind either.

LG may have had Google TVs to show off, but it also pushed ahead with its own platform, and some models ramped up the extras to stand out of the crowd. The Cinema Screen 3D HDTVs, for instance, can use their 3D screen technology for dual-view gaming, each player getting their own full-screen view simultaneously.

Vizio, too, used its own VIA smart TV software on some of its other models, echoing Philips’ push for true theater-aspect 21:9 screens with the new XVT CinemaWide line-up. You’ll need a big living room to accommodate them – and Vizio will need more luck than Philips, which eventually axed its range – but if you’re a keen movie buff they might be a solid alternative to a projector.

Lenovo isn’t a name generally associated with TV, so the company’s K91 entrant to the home entertainment segment came as something of a surprise. Headed to Lenovo’s home territory China first, but with broader international availability expected after that, the K91 actually runs Android but Ice Cream Sandwich rather than Google TV (v.2 of which is based on 3.x Honeycomb) and has a custom UI to suit sofa-bound users.

Finally, Canonical is hoping the hunger for Linux-based smart TV platforms will see its own embedded Ubuntu system picks up steam. We were impressed by the performance on the Ubuntu TV the team had prepared for CES, though Canonical wouldn’t say much on the “multiple manufactures” apparently in talks about using the system. It’ll go head to head with Google’s renewed Google TV drive, that’s for sure, and the search giant’s known brand and significantly improved second-gen software could prove difficult to beat.

Convinced by Smart TV? Considering buying one of these sets, or holding out for more new hardware later in the year? Let us know in the comments!

TiVo’s DVR service offers users four ways to access content, including traditional live TV, recorded TV, video-on-demand, and other internet-delivered content, such as through Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu Plus. This latest study found that only 38 percent of viewing via TiVo is live. Of the TiVo users that also use the internet content services, such as Netflix, only 27 percent of viewing was of live TV.

The company’s audience research unit tracks anonymous usage across 2 million TiVo DVR devices on a second-by-second basis. An obvious trend is that for videos, users generally prefer on-demand, whether its recorded or delivered via broadband. Although the study doesn’t take into account the viewers not using a TiVo DVR, it does show a major shift in the way we watch television that will require the TV industry to adjust how it delivers ads and distributes its programming.

[via Hollywood Reporter]

Back in December, Microsoft had detailed its Xbox LIVE roadmap, revealing an impressive list of upcoming content partners. There were also talks about incorporating Microsoft’s Kinect voice and motion control capabilities into its TV service for navigating channels.

Rumors suggested that Microsoft had more ambitious plans to completely replace cable TV for consumers and offer paid subscription packages similar to Netflix. But unlike Netflix, Microsoft wanted to also offer current shows and live networks on its service, which meant much higher licensing costs.

“They built Microsoft TV, they demoed it for us, they asked for rate cards but then said ‘ooh ah, that’s expensive,’” said one senior media exec involved in the discussions. Media sources say that the plan is being scaled back, but Microsoft is still working closely with TV companies and seeking content partners to extend its current Xbox LIVE service.

The app will use the Universal OnLive Wireless Controller announced last week, hooking up to the TV or Google TV STB directly. The first 30 minutes of most of OnLive’s 200 games will apparently be free to try, with per-title purchases supported after that; alternatively, there’ll be the subscription-based OnLive PlayPack Bundle for unlimited access to more than 140 of the cloud-based games.

Vizio will be showing off a playable version of OnLive on Google TV as part of its V.I.A. Plus smart TV system at CES 2012 this week, and you can bet we’ll be headed over to see if we can take part in some cloud gaming fun today. The app is expected to be preloaded onto future Google TV sets and adapters.

First out of the gate from the new B&O PLAY range is the Beolit 12, an AirPlay compatible portable speaker. That, as B&O is keen to point out, bears all the hallmarks of the company’s design language and obsessive attention to detail, like a precisely punctuated speaker grill and streamlined aesthetic, but at perhaps a tenth of the price of some of the other speakers produced.

Of course, when you’re dealing with B&O, “a tenth” is still a considerable amount. The Beolit 12, for instance, will be $799 when it hits the US next month. The company says it’s the first of several new products set to debut over the rest of 2012.

Inside is a 4 x 80W ICEpower amp for the midrange and 1 x 40W for the treble, along with an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust screen brightness. Interestingly, there’s no other mounting option beyond on the wall: B&O has even integrated the mount into the plasma set itself.

As for the BeoLab 12 speakers, they use B&O’s own Acoustic Lens Technology to project sound 180-degrees. They use a 3/4-inch Acoustic Lens for the treble, a 2-inch midrange and two 6.5-inch flat CosCone woofers for the lower frequencies, angled in towardsthe wall. There’s also a 2-inch aluminum cone to help the Acoustic Lens system do its magic.

An ICEpower class D amp provides a total of 480W – twin 160W for the bass, 80W for the mids and 80W for the treble – and the system can adapt to the room, the wall and, indeed, whether you place the BeoLab 12′s with the cones at the top or the bottom.

No word on pricing, but the BeoVision 12-65 will arrive in March and the BeoLab 12 speakers in the spring. Expect them both to be expensive.

The entry-level Roku LT supports up to 720p, while the Roku 2 XS increases that to 1080p Full HD.  The Roku 2 XS also comes with casual games support, including Angry Birds, with a bundled motion-controlled game remote, hooked up via Bluetooth, and a MicroSD slot for additional game storage. It also includes a USB port for playing music, videos and photos off of a USB drive.

The Roku LT and the Roku 2 XS are available for pre-order now, priced at £49.99 and £99.99 respectively; they’ll begin shipping at the end of the month. Netflix will set you back £5.99 per month for unlimited streaming access.

Connectivity includes both WiFi and ethernet, and there’s a digital audio output socket to hook up a separate amp system along with an analog input for non-Apple PMPs. On the front is an iPhone/iPod touch/iPod dock for local playback, or alternatively you can stream using AirPlay from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or iTunes on a PC or Mac.

Two way sync means you can use the volume controls on the Contour 200i Air itself to adjust the settings on your Apple device, and Pure throws in a remote control as well. The company also offers the Pure Lounge app, to tune in to internet radio through your iOS device, as a free download from the App Store.

The Pure Contour 200i Air will go on sale in March 2012 for $329.

That means streaming media from companies like Hulu and Netflix, RSS and social networking integration for Facebook and Twitter, and games and other titles from the Android Market. Vizio throws in a Bluetooth universal remote with an integrated touchpad – it also has a QWERTY keyboard on the back, as with the version supplied with the smart TVs – and there’s integrated WiFi to get online.

HDMI pass-through and Bluetooth round out the key specs, though of course the VBR370 is a fully-featured Blu-ray player in its own right, too. Vizio hasn’t talked pricing or availability, beyond the fact that both will go on sale this year.

The XVT3D710CM has Vizio’s “TruLED” backlighting, while the rest of the CinemaWide line-up has Razor LED side-lighting. Rather than the Google TV integration that the R-Series gets, the new extra-wide sets will instead use Vizio’s own VIA smart TV system with Yahoo! apps. All have integrated WiFi-n, however, and a Bluetooth QWERTY keyboard for control and navigation.

Like Philips’ Cinema 21:9 sets, however, it’s theater-style entertainment at home that Vizio is particularly pushing. The 21:9 aspect means full-width cinema content can be shown with minimal black bars, though of course it’s not much use for streamed or broadcast content (unless you want the picture to be stretched).

No word on pricing or availability at this stage.

All four sets run at 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution, with 5.5ms response times. The 42-, 47- and 55-inch models have 240Hz refresh rates, while the 65-incher scales that back to 120Hz; each gets edge-lit LED backlighting and Smart Dimming. Ports across the line-up include four HDMI 1.4 inputs, one component/composite, one RF antenna, two USB and a PC input, along with optical and stereo audio outputs. WiFi b/g/n is built in, along with Bluetooth.

The 42- and 47-inch models have twin 10W stereo, while the two larger sets step up to 15W. There’s SRS StudioSound HD support across the range, though you’ll obviously get better results if you hook up a home theater surround sound system.

Vizio’s Theater 3D system uses passive, battery-free glasses, which the company reckons result in a picture up to twice as bright as active-shutter systems. Up to four pairs are included in the box, and further sets are promised to be inexpensive.

Google TV is also found on Vizio’s new 65-inch M3D650SV. No word on pricing for any of the new models at this stage.

Skifta has already proved popular on Android devices, a free app for controlling streaming music around multiple networked devices and your phone or tablet itself. The app works both as the gateway to a Sonos-style multi-room setup based on broadly-adopted DLNA standards, and as the universal remote for that system.

With the debut of the Skifta Platform, however, the app will grow into a companion product line, with Qualcomm Atheros wireless chipsets at its heart, or so the company hopes. Qualcomm won’t actually be making the Sonos-rivaling kit, relying on manufacturing partners to do that. Instead, it’s preparing modules for stereos, STBs and other devices that they can pretty much drop straight in. Known specs at this point include WiFi, ethernet and powerline connectivity.

As well as streaming music, the Skifta “channels” also deliver wireless Facebook Photos, Picasa, Flickr, Photobucket, Soma.fm, ShoutCast, Revision 3, TED Talks and other content. The first modules of the Skifta Platform are expected to be available in the first half of this year.