Posted on Jul 10, 2009 by emily at 7:55 am
LOS GATOS, Calif., July 9 — Netflix, Inc., (NASDAQ: NFLX) the world’s largest online movie rental service, today announced a partnership with Sony Electronics that will enable Netflix subscribers to instantly watch movies streamed from Netflix on Sony’s BRAVIA Internet Video-capable HDTVs and on previous BRAVIA models compatible with Sony’s BRAVIA Internet video link module.
In the fall, Netflix members on an unlimited plan can use the Sony BRAVIA Internet Video-capable HDTVs to instantly watch more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix.
Sony is the latest consumer electronics (CE) company to partner with Netflix. Other CE companies partnering with Netflix are Microsoft (with the Xbox360), LG Electronics, Roku, Samsung, TiVo and VIZIO.
Netflix members pay as little as $8.99 a month for unlimited streaming from a library of more than 12,000 choices and unlimited DVDs by mail from a library of more than 100,000 DVD titles in more than 200 genres.
“Sony has been a world leader in consumer electronics for decades,” said Netflix Chief Executive Officer Reed Hastings. “We are proud to include Sony Electronics among our CE partners who continue to provide new and exciting ways for Netflix members to instantly watch movies and TV episodes in their living rooms on their TVs.”
About Netflix, Inc.
Netflix, Inc. is the world’s largest online movie rental service, with more than ten million subscribers. For one low monthly price, Netflix members can get DVDs delivered to their homes and can instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and PCs, all in unlimited amounts. Members can choose from over 100,000 DVD titles and a growing library of more than 12,000 choices that can be watched instantly. There are never any due dates or late fees. DVDs are delivered free to members by first class mail, with a postage-paid return envelope, from 58 distribution centers. More than 97 percent of Netflix members live in areas that generally receive shipments in one business day. Netflix is also partnering with leading consumer electronics companies to offer a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes to members’ TVs from Netflix. For more information, visit http://www.netflix.com/.
SOURCE: Netflix, Inc.
Web site: http://www.netflix.com/
Posted on Jul 8, 2009 by emily at 12:26 pm
Google is developing an operating system for PCs, in a direct challenge to market leader Microsoft and its Windows system.
Excerpts from Google’s blog post are below. Click here to read Google’s official post.
Google said netbooks with Chrome OS could be on sale by the middle of 2010.
“Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS,” the firm said in its official blog.
“We’re designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you on to the web in a few seconds,” said the blog post written by Sundar Pichai, vice-president of product management, and Google’s engineering director Linus Upson.
“We are completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don’t have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates.
“It should just work,” said Google.
The announcement could dramatically change the market for operating systems, especially for Microsoft, the biggest player with around 90% share.
Posted on Nov 17, 2008 by Sam Costello at 2:05 am
Microsoft’s Surface – the really cool touch- and device-aware tabletop computer – has previously only been available to limited groups: casinos, cell phone stores, and so forth. Now, though, Microsoft may be considering bringing out a consumer version of the potentially revolutionary information appliance. Microsoft is conducting consumer research about a product that it’s code-named “Oahu,” which it describes as:
a flat screen that sits horizontally like a table top. You can interact with Oahu by touching the screen, instead of using a mouse, and more than one person can interact with Oahu at the same time. You and others can move objects on the screen with your hands and touch icons to open up programs, games, or music. People using the device can also use their fingertips to expand and shrink objects on the screen. The screen recognizes people’s hand movements and touches and reacts accordingly. You can bring up an on-screen keyboard to input information. Oahu also works with other devices (such as digital cameras, cell phones, and MP3 players) by getting information from or sending information to them.
Sure sounds like Surface to me. The price they’re testing is US$1499.
All just market research right now, but obviously Microsoft is considering spreading Surface far and wide, which could make our present look a whole lot more like a science fiction future.
Posted on Aug 1, 2008 by Sam Costello at 2:12 am
At the big gaming industry tradeshow E3 late last month, both Sony and Microsoft unveiled new strategies to add additional multimedia content to their gaming consoles – the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, respectively.
The centerpiece of both announcements was the addition of streaming movies to the devices, in the form of both rentals and purchases for Playstation owners and Netflix streaming from Xbox 360 users.
The announcements were further evidence of the increasing convergence between video game consoles and the home entertainment system. As features like movie delivery become more well-entrenched on these kinds of systems, expect to see the offerings expanded. For instance, it seems likely that video game entertainment systems could add features like those offered by FrameChannel: for instance, Nintendo’s Wii already offers a web-connected photo channel.
Posted on Jun 27, 2008 by Sam Costello at 2:14 am
No doubt sensing a growing market, Microsoft recently announced the availability of Windows Embedded NavReady 2009, a new version of the Windows operating systems for embedded devices designed specifically for use in Personal Navigation Devices (PNDs), such as GPSes.
The new NavReady 2009 OS is designed to facilitate easy wireless connections between cell phones, computers, PNDs, and the Internet. It offers features including:
- Live Search – designed to provide Internet-based searches for points of interest
- Bluetooth Support — to enable wireless connections for features such as phone book access and hands-free use
- MSN Direct — integration with the MSN Direct service, which can provide real-time content such as gas prices and traffic information
- Windows SideShow — support for the desktop gizmos/widgets debuted in Windows Vista.
With a dedicated OS from a major developer, and support for Windows SideShow, the possibilities for using PNDs as a platform for deploying applications is expanded. Now software developers can create applications for these devices that will expand their functionality. Gas prices and traffic reports are of course one set of applications, though others, such as photo slideshows, sports scores, or personal photos displayed when the PND is not in use also seem likely.
Posted on Jun 16, 2008 by Sam Costello at 2:43 am
I wrote a few months ago about a device called the MEDIVista, an LCD screen for hospital rooms that allows patients to watch TV, surf the web, and make phone calls. I’ve also written about the integration of web-connected videogame systems and photo slideshow programs like the Wii Photo channel.
Now, Microsoft is partnering with Champions in Courage, a non-profit that supports children and families with life-threatening illnesses, to bring Xbox 360 consoles to children’s hospitals. The kiosks will be pre-loaded with games, TV shows, movies, and a connection to the Xbox Live network gaming system.
Though I’m not aware of a photo slideshow system like FrameChannel that’s available for the Xbox right now, it would be a natural extension of the Xbox’s web capabilities to add a photo program that would allow the kids using them to see their favorite photos, and pictures of their family and pets, while in the hospital.
