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Kinect HD set-top box tipped for Xbox LIVE TV plans

Chris Davies, Jan 13th 2012 Discuss [6]

Microsoft’s Xbox TV plans continue to trickle out, with talk of a Kinect-based set-top box for 2012 that would offer streaming multimedia content with a voice and motion controlled UI and sub-$200 price tag. Variously codenamed “Live Xbox”, “Kinect Box” and “Kinect HD”, the new STB will resemble a low-profile version of the existing Kinect, The Daily‘s sources suggest, with a larger base to accommodate power, HDMI and USB ports. Availability has been “pushed back” it’s said, from an original early-2012 window, though it should arrive prior to the next-gen “Xbox 720.”

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LG “Nexus” Google TV tipped

Chris Davies, Jan 13th 2012 Discuss [1]

LG and Google are collaborating on what could become the first Nexus Google TV, sources inside the project claim, with the search company considering giving its Korean partner early access to a future version of the smart TV software. The deal would follow the pattern already set with HTC and Samsung on the Nexus range of smartphones, two insiders tell Bloomberg, with LG’s TV being positioned as the flagship Google TV device and an example for other manufacturers to follow.

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Hulu: We’ll spend $500m on content in 2012

Chris Davies, Jan 13th 2012 Discuss [0]

More than 1.5m users now subscribe to Hulu's premium streaming service, with Hulu Plus sign-ups in 2011 double the daily rate of 2010. Part of that may well be down to Hulu keeping its best - and the most - content for paying subscribers, however, with free-to-stream Hulu content growing 40-percent year on year, while paid Hulu Plus content more than doubled. Read The Full Story

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CES 2012 Smart TV Round-Up

Chris Davies, Jan 12th 2012 Discuss [1]

If ultrabooks and smartphones led the charge for your credit card in mobile gadgetry at CES 2012 this week, Smart TV did the same for living room scale tech. Google TV made its new strike on the market, having rallied for a second scuffle after its embarrassing first-gen flop, while homegrown smart TV systems did their level best to compete. All that was wrapped up with oversized LCD and plasma panels or in slick set-top boxes, with the promise of a world of video-on-demand, cloud-gaming and more just waiting at the end of your broadband pipe. Confusing times, perhaps, but not if you head on through to the SlashGear Smart TV round-up!

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TiVo reveals DVR viewership surpasses live TV

Rue Liu, Jan 11th 2012 Discuss [3]

TiVo has released its latest audience research, revealing that viewership of recorded TV programs and internet-delivered content has surpassed live TV viewership. With all the new options of on-demand video content and services that let you watch what you want when you want, it's not too surprising. Read The Full Story

Microsoft’s online TV subscription plan on hold

Rue Liu, Jan 11th 2012 Discuss [2]

Microsoft's plans to attack cable TV with its own online TV subscription service may be on hold, according to sources familiar with the situation. According to Reuters, Microsoft has been in intense discussions with media companies, seeking potential program partners for over a year and hoping to launch its subscription service within the next few months. However, those plans are now on hold due to high licensing costs. Read The Full Story

OnLive reveals Google TV cloud-gaming app incoming

Chris Davies, Jan 11th 2012 Discuss [0]

OnLive has announcedi a new cloud gaming app for Google TV, effectively bringing console-class games to the smart TV platform. Initially starting with an OnLive Viewer app for Google TV, allowing you to spectate in ongoing games and take advantage of the social interaction features, a full version supporting gameplay is in the pipeline. Read The Full Story

B&O PLAY launches: “Affordable” audio-video brand

Chris Davies, Jan 10th 2012 Discuss [0]

Bang & Olufsen has launched B&O PLAY, a new brand of more affordable audio-video products that promise the Danish company's customary style and build quality but at a price that won't shatter your wallet. Exactly how affordable the new range will be hasn't been detailed - B&O only says "more accessible levels" - but as well as showing up in the company's own stores the products will be featured in select Apple stores together with online. Read The Full Story

B&O BeoVision 12-65 plasma TV and BeoLab 12 speakers debut

Chris Davies, Jan 10th 2012 Discuss [0]

Bang & Olufsen has launched a new 65-inch plasma TV, the B&O BeoVision 12-65, along with a set of minimalist wall-mounted speakers, the B&O BeoLab 12. The BeoVision 12-65 uses an ultra slim NeoPDP panel and some clever optical trickery consisting of flexed metal strips to make the set look even narrower; it runs at Full HD, and has an integrated center-channel speaker for use with surround sound setups. Read The Full Story

Roku LT and Roku 2 XS launch in UK

Chris Davies, Jan 10th 2012 Discuss [1]

Roku has launched two of its streaming set-top boxes in the UK, following Netflix's UK launch yesterday, offering a straightforward way to access the on-demand service. The Roku LT and the Roku 2 XS each support RCA and HDMI connections to your TV along with WiFi for your network - the Roku 2 XS adds a wired ethernet port too - and offer Netflix along with Crackle, Facebook, Flickr and more. Read The Full Story

Pure Contour 200i Air iPhone speaker-dock packs AirPlay

Chris Davies, Jan 10th 2012 Discuss [1]

WiFi radio manufacturer Pure has launched the Pure Contour 200i Air, a AirPlay-enabled iPhone/iPod speaker dock supporting local and streaming media playback. The semi-circular speaker includes a 36W RMS digital amplifier and has twin passive bass ports to try to muster some low-end grunt. Read The Full Story

Vizio VAP430 STB and VBR430 Blu-ray pack Google TV

Chris Davies, Jan 10th 2012 Discuss [0]

Vizio isn't just leaving Google TV to its R-Series 3D TVs: the company also has a compact Google TV STB, the Vizio VAP430, and a version with integrated Blu-ray, the VBR430. Designed to add smart TV functionality to a regular TV, details on the VAP430 and VBR430 are scant but we do know they will run Vizio's skinned Google TV experience, Vizio Internet Apps Plus. Read The Full Story