VUDU has announced that the new 2.0 interface is going out today to most VUDU-enabled HDTVs and Blu-Ray players, as well as PS3 and Boxee Box users. The updated interface speeds access to movies as well as introducing recommendations based on viewing history; in an imminent update, PS3 users will also be able to navigate the UI via their Move controller.
There’s also a social feed and enhanced search functionality, and VUDU is using a cloud-based system that should make future updates to the interface more immediate. Those with VIZIO TVs and Samsung devices should eventually get the new 2.0 interface, with VUDU saying it expects the update to roll out to those TVs and devices soon.
Google appears to be paving the way for the Android Market’s debut on Google TV, updating the app store submissions system to advise developers that touchscreen use in their software will now be treated as a “filtering” feature. Developer Al Sutton spotted that android.hardware.touchscreen access in an APK is now flagged up, a differentiator which will likely be used to prevent touch-dependent apps from being offered to Google TV users.
That’s important, since touchscreen-dependent apps might not work so well on hardware like Logitech’s Revue. The STB comes with a wireless keyboard complete with an integrated trackpad for navigation, which should cater for most apps, but anything more touch complex might not make for an especially usable setup.
Google hasn’t confirmed an exact launch date for the Android Market on Google TV, though the features page does suggest it should arrive in early 2011.
Boxee has added VUDU support to the Boxee Box by D-Link, as promised, with US users of the streaming media cube now able to access rented and purchased content. The Boxee STB supports VUDU’s HDX format, for 24fps 1080p HD with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound.
Netflix support, meanwhile, is coming later this month, and there’s a full list of bugfixes and enhancements below. You can either wait for your Boxee Box to update automatically, or you can trigger the firmware update via the settings page.
Enhancements:
Settings to control de-interlacing and video filters configuration
Support for language selection in subtitle/audio
Forced subtitle automatic selection during MKV file playback
An option to ignore the prefix in the sort order for movies/albums/artists which start with ‘The’ and ‘A’ (big one!)
Enhancements to Browser performance
Browser opens in lower resolution to allow easier reading of text
Browser is zoomed into Video by default for non auto full screen websites
Direct launch of website when defining full URL in the search bar
Preselecting the current chapter when opening chapter selector for MKV/BluRay
Bug Fixes:
HTTPS support for the browser
4:3 Videos Stretched to 16:9
MKV Chapter Time is Displayed Incorrectly
Audio dropouts in DTS-HD audio
Improved WTV support
3gp playback errors
Improve BluRay titles loading time
Allow larger subtitles time offsets
Audio re-buffering when entering commercials in TV episodes.
Viewing “Info Menu” while watching 24hz videos cause temp reversion back 60hz
With playlist over 999 items, track numbers overlap repeat icon in OSD
TV Shows no longer show as watched and can’t set to watched/unwatched
Crash at manual resolve if the user rapidly presses the menu/back button whilst the OS tries to apply details to files in a folder
When choosing from search suggestion list -> update the search editbox
Embedded fonts ignored on MKV playback with embedded SSA/ASS subtitles
SSA/ASS Subtitles position and font
Overlapping text when network settings changed
Empty state for App Favorites appearing for empty third-party repository
Crashing while resolving metadata for movies from UPNP
Listview mode is not preserved when returning from an artist selection
In certain cases video freezes when selecting play after pausing
Playing a video and after several times of pausing and skipping the video freezes and audio continues
Boxee remembers wrong PGS subtitle track in MKV file after leaving and then resuming playback
All subtitles (PGS) appears as ‘unknown’ for some BluRay titles
Crash when attempting to identify media via UPNP
Some .mkv and .m4v files with 2.35:1 AR are playing back vertically stretched to 1.78:1
Hang and video freezes or black screen when Pause Resume and or seeking FF/RWD during playback
Hang on WMV Stream Seeking
Crashed on shutdown and restarted automatically
Scrolling in Files Browse list results in partial control of Files menu and also crash
SMB credentials are not saved on reboot
When deleting an item from the watch later list the focus location of the last item is not remembered
Music tracks which are longer than an hour appears as “01:00:…” on the OSD
Rear channels on AAC 5.1 are not played properly w/ LPCM 5.1 out
Prompting user for credentials that are not used in accessing shares
Can’t access network share due to Window Live on Windows 7
large flash videos stop playback when reaching Boxee file system limit
Reconnecting to disconnected shares disables selection in the Movies database view
Subtitles is disabled in the playback OSD for local content
No video only audio while playing certain m4v files
Flash video audio drops out for long length online videos
Disconnects from OSX SMB sources
Occasional loss of focus on main menu
Unidentified files in File Source with “Movies” in path name are being identified as a title called ”Movies”
Crashed on shutdown and restarted automatically
Scrolling in Files Browse list results in partial control of Files menu and also crash
Opera has announced that its browser will be making an appearance on future Sony BRAVIA HDTVs and Blu-ray players, allowing the network-connected hardware to browse the full internet. The partnership will also mean that future Sony kit will support emerging online standards, including HTML5, HbbTV and OIPF.
Sony has not confirmed which HDTVs and Blu-ray decks will get the Opera browser, but it seems the company isn’t content to settle on Google TV for its smart TV line-up.
Press Release:
Opera chosen by Sony for LCD television and Blu-ray Disc players
Oslo, Norway, and Tokyo, Japan, January 19, 2011
Opera Software today announced to deliver its world-class browser on Sony BRAVIA televisions and Blu-ray Disc (TM) players. Opera aims to deliver more “lean-forward”, interactive components to connected home users by offering Opera’s solution to Sony’s state-of-the-art devices.
The Opera Devices Software Developer Kit (SDK) is the cross-platform, standards-based backbone of Opera for connected TVs and Blu-ray Disc players. As a robust, open platform for creating web-standards-based solutions, Opera Devices SDK forms the ideal foundation for developing full web browsers and user interfaces. Opera brings customization and ease of content distribution to global markets by enabling the delivery of web applications, widgets, full web browsing and emerging standards such as HTML5, HbbTV and OIPF.
Previously, consumers were required to have multiple devices to surf the Internet while watching television. As more connected home electronics devices arrive in living rooms, Internet use is changing. The Internet is becoming more closely connected with people’s everyday life, such as the ability to enjoy video on-demand services on television, exchange opinions with friends through social networks about the program they are watching, and buy online directly from their televisions the items seen on TV dramas.
“The Web as we know it is evolving, and we are committed to making it more accessible across diverse devices,” said Christen Krogh, Chief Development Officer, Opera Software. “Our ability to address key hybrid broadcast-broadband initiatives in numerous markets makes us a natural fit with Sony. By delivering both a global viewpoint and the necessary technology, we are able to stay on the cutting edge of the industry.”
About Opera Software ASA
Opera Software ASA has redefined web browsing for PCs, mobile phones and other networked devices. Opera’s cross-platform web-browser technology is renowned for its performance, standards compliance and small size, while giving users a faster, safer and more dynamic online experience. Opera Software is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with offices around the world. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. Learn more about Opera at http://www.opera.com/.
The proposed purchase of NBC by Comcast has been one that’s stirred the pot for a little while now. With Comcast suggesting that they “could” offer low-cost Internet connectivity to families that fit the profile necessary, as long as the deal was pushed through. Hulu’s exclusivity of some content was even talked about being overlooked entirely, making sure that NBC Universal programming was available to any online video provider. It’s just been revealed that the deal has been approved by the FCC, but the details are still missing.
The purchase of NBC Universal by Comcast has been approved by the FCC, in a 4-to-1 vote. The details of what’s to come next are still being ironed out we imagine, and therefore haven’t been made public quite yet. Commissioner Michael Copps was the only one to vote no on the proposed purchase.
Details of the proceeding are expected to be released soon. However, the Justice Department still needs to put their two cents in on the deal. They are expected to look at the FCC approval next week.
Lenovo has established a new product group to head tablet and smartphone development, the Lenovo mobile internet and digital home division, which will also look at web-connected home electronics including smart TVs. According to SeattlePI, the new division will be led by former Lenovo product group exec Liu Jun.
His previous role will be taken by Peter Hortensius, who previously was chief of the Think product group. Hortensius claims that the new division is part of an attempt by Lenovo to take smart TVs, smartphones and tablets seriously and with a clear focus at senior management level, given that they are “different enough from PCs” to be worth concentrating on individually.
“This is definitely going to be a very important year in tablets,” Hortensius predicted, going on to suggest that the first tablets US customers should expect to see will come from Lenovo’s business unit. The company re-announced the LePad slate and dock at CES 2011 earlier this month.
Samsung has announced that it has passed the 2m downloads milestone for its Smart TV App Store, proving that you don’t need to be Apple or have Google TV onboard to be successful in home entertainment software. The news comes 53 days after Samsung confirmed it had seen 1m downloads, a figure that took 268 days to reach.
Currently there are around 380 apps available for Samsung’s homegrown range of Smart TVs, out of which 259 are free and the remainder paid. Among the line-up are Netflix, Lovefilm, Twitter and other streaming media apps, though developers also offer games and news updates.
Samsung is predicting 12m sales of own-brand Smart TV sets in 2011, and similarly healthy adoption of the companion app store. No word on the possibility of Google TV Samsung hardware, as was rumored prior to CES 2011 earlier this month.
TiVo has released its TiVo Premiere for iPad remote control app, a free download [iTunes link] which turns your iOS slate into not only a remote but an EPG guide and recording management station. The app also packs integration with Facebook and Twitter, for easier commenting on broadcast shows.
Both one-off and season pass recording scheduling is possible, as is managing the to-do list. Users can also review their recorded content and remotely begin playback from the iPad, while keeping the currently-showing program full-screen on their TV.
If you’ve a Netflix or Amazon Video on Demand account, you can also browse those streaming services from the iPad as well. You’ll need a a TiVo Premiere or TiVo Premiere XL box, as well as an iPad obviously, in order to make use of the free app.
Cable has come to Roku, though don’t expect content miracles; as of today, WealthTV is available on the set-top streamer. Priced at $2.99 per month, the streaming cable channel includes world travel, cars, food, fashion, news and movie programming, together with an on-demand catalog.
Roku has already announced that its users watch around 10hrs of streaming content per week, and this appears to have been the motivating factor for the privately-owned WealthTV channel. New content was one of Roku’s pushes for 2011, and we’re guessing this is only the first stage in that expansion.
Press Release:
WealthTV Enriches Roku Users
WealthTV deploys its 24/7 ‘Cable’ Feed Over-the-Top on Roku
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — WealthTV, the premier luxury lifestyle and entertainment network, today announced that its 24/7 linear high definition feed, along with numerous video on demand titles, is now available on the award-winning Roku streaming player. The launch of WealthTV’s service marks the first deployment of a broadcast quality, high definition national cable network delivered over-the-top to Roku users on a 24/7 live streaming basis. WealthTV’s live streaming feed gives Roku viewers a “cable-like” watching experience that is augmented by a robust on-demand library of content as well. Roku users can now enjoy a wide range of programming offered by WealthTV including world travel, outrageous cars, culinary delights, top fashion, international news, movies and much more.
“WealthTV fans that can’t get our network from their local video provider can now enjoy our vicarious living programming lineup via Roku,” said Robert Herring, Sr., founder and CEO of WealthTV. “We’ve received a large volume of consumer requests to expand our distribution to connected devices and this deployment will let us gauge the acceptability and viability of alternative distribution methods for our traditional cable feed.”
“WealthTV delivers not only highly entertaining content, but also incredible HD picture quality,” stated Anthony Wood, founder and CEO of Roku, Inc. “With Roku surpassing one million units sold last year and with Roku customers averaging over 11 hours of programming on Roku a week, it’s logical for national programming services to make their content lineup available to our growing user base.”
WealthTV’s family-friendly, educational programming lineup allows Roku users to vicariously live in the lap of luxury from the comfort of their living room. The service, which rolled out on Roku at a price point of $2.99 per month on a subscription basis, allows Roku users to experience the American Dream for less than a dime a day. WealthTV launched its high definition programming services in June of 2004 making it one of the oldest high definition national programmer networks.
Netflix has removed the “Add to DVD Queue” option from streaming devices, meaning subscribers can no longer request physical rentals from the streaming side of the service. According to product management director Jamie Odell, the change has been implemented so that Netflix “can concentrate on offering you the titles that are available to watch instantly”; however, users are vocal in their complaints about the UI alteration.
The change marks another step in Netflix’s ongoing transition from physical to streaming delivery, and many subscribers have accused the company of wanting to put another block in the way of opting for DVDs rather than the relatively limited streamed content. Back in November 2010 Netflix introduced a new, cheaper streaming-only plan for $7.99 per month, but simultaneously increased the prices of many of its DVD plans; at the time, CEO Reed Hastings described the Netflix as “primarily a streaming video company.”
