Hasta La Gadget!

Amazon just announced a trio of Lovefilm deals, including new programming from BBC Worldwide, TV pilots from its own Amazon Studios and Lovefilm Instant HD on Sony Bravia Smart TVs. While the streaming service is already entangled with the Beeb, the deal announced today will include new shows like The Office (UK version), potboiler Jonathan Creek, sci-fi drama Primeval and others. Eleven comedy and kids pilot shows recently announced by Amazon Studios will also come to Instant Video, with execs even saying that viewer response on the platform will determine which shows stay. Finally, Lovefilm announced that it’ll come to internet-connected Sony Bravia TVs in 720P (it’s been in standard def on the platform since 2010), joining the likes of Xbox 360 and other Smart TVs in HD. You should see the extra pixels on your Bravia imminently, but there’s no word on exact arrival dates for BBC or Amazon Studios programming. Check the PR below the fold for a full breakdown.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, Amazon

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It’s safe to say the Android folk account for a pretty good chunk of Foursquare’s hefty user base, so it’s only logical for the social firm to often bring more and more new features to the highly-rated app. As such, today Foursquare announced it has added a few additional tidbits to its Android offering, including a couple which are bound to make it simpler for users of the service to find nearby spots and friends via the application’s main map. What’s more, Foursquare’s moved the “To-Do List” feature over to the app’s left drawer for easier access, while the essential “Check In” button also has a new home on that same side but toward the bottom corner. It’s worth noting that despite the latest version being live right now, Foursquare says these changes will be rolling out “over the next few weeks” — in other words, fret not if you’re not seeing the novelties show up just yet, as they’re sure to be coming very soon.

Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile

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Source: Foursquare Blog, Google Play

While the President is currently giving his State of the Union address (viewable on YouTube here), earlier today he signed an executive order intended to improve the network security of “critical infrastructure.” As noted by The Hill, the order charges the National Institute of Standards and Technology with the task of creating a framework of best practices for operators in industries like transportation, water and health to follow, due in the next 240 days. The Department of Homeland Security is also heading up a voluntary program works with various agencies and industry groups to make sure the policies are actually adopted, and find ways to create incentives for that to happen.

The order has arrived after cybersecurity legislation failed to pass through Congress, and has been rumored heavily throughout the last few weeks. The president called for Congress to pass legislation to prevent cyberattacks during his speech, and this order is reportedly meant as a step in that direction. The Wall Street Journal indicates many businesses want liability protection against attacks in exchange for following the guidelines, which would require approval form Congress in order to happen.

It includes language accounting for privacy concerns as well, with agencies required to look over the potential impact of their work, and release public assessments. The DHS is to report in a year how its work impacts civil liberties and provide recommendations on mitigating such risks. There’s a lot to read through, so you can check out the document itself embedded after the break, or wait for those various agency reports for more updates.

Filed under: Internet, Software

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Source: The Hill, Reuters, Wall Street Journal

The web is defined by the free, open exchange of information, right? Not necessarily. The W3C has decided that it’s “in scope” for its HTML Working Group to explore a specification for the Encrypted Media Extensions framework, which would allow companies to plug in their own copy protection for web content. In other words, the effort would add support for DRM extensions to the web itself, rather than leave it to content plugins like Flash. The W3C’s Philippe Le Hegaret is careful to note that this isn’t an explicit endorsement of EME as it’s suggested, or even the call for consensus on the proposal — there are already concerns that the spec would lead to an abundance of DRM plugins that wouldn’t work in certain browsers or operating systems. However, there’s a chance it may become reality when EME’s backers include content hosts or producers like the BBC, Google, Microsoft and Netflix.

Filed under: Internet, Microsoft, Google

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Via: Wired, Slashdot

Source: W3C

A new group inside Intel has been revealed this week as Intel Media, heading off a set of negotiations with masters of content for an end-game that includes Intel Web TV. With a full Web TV service, Intel will join the ranks with Hulu and Netflix, though it’s unique offering is said this week to be including both live television broadcasts and collections of previously aired TV shows and movies. Netflix and Hulu at the moment offer only previously-aired programs (with some pointed exceptions like Netflix’ own limited series House of Cards).

Intel‘s Erik Huggers spoke up at the D: Dive Into Media conference this Tuesday. As the Corporate Vice President of the new sector, Huggers was able to confirm the news that’s been “tipped” for quite a few weeks on end. Interestingly enough, Huggers assured the public that this new sector was made up of hires from Apple, Netflix, and Google. Quite the triple-snipe, that is.

It was also revealed that Intel would be bringing on a set-top box to compete with the already ripe market. This box and its abilities will be the embodiment of what Huggers said would be Intel’s new mandate: “Build the best Internet television service ever.” Sounds like a mighty big hill to climb – but with their claim to also be “working with the entire industry” to get it all done, we’ll likely see a service and a device by the end of this year.

This is also the timeline delivered by Huggers this week – inside this year, 2013. That’s the expectation, at least, while services are being confirmed between here and there. It’s been promised by Huggers that this system will work with a collection of apps as well as on-demand content and live TV. Nothing like another operating system to get into for developers – but perhaps this is a come-as-you-are type situation. We can only dream!

Intel Web TV service confirmed by VP for 2013 is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
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