Hasta La Gadget!

Facebook has begun integrating OpenTable and Rovi TV guide information to its mobile Pages so users can now book a reservation and check out what’s coming on TV right within the social networking app. For the former, there’ll be a Reservations prompt located in the restaurant’s Facebook Page, underneath the address and hours of operation. Simply pick the desired date, time and party size, and you can book a table in seconds. The Rovi integration, on the other hand, provides information on upcoming episodes of your favorite TV shows so you’ll know exactly when and which channel it’ll be on. The OpenTable and Rovi integrations are live right now on the mobile web as well as in the latest iOS app update, which also lets you tap and search for hashtags. iOS users can go ahead and get it from the source link below, while Android users will have to sit tight for now.

Filed under: Mobile

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Via: TechCrunch

Source: Facebook (App Store)

The company with so much love it changed its name to fool its fans is at it again, this time killing the signal that provides guide data directly to many televisions and set-top boxes. You see, before changing its name from Macrovision, Rovi acquired Gemstar-TV guide in 2008 — which was probably most well known for the integrated program guide common in higher end TVs throughout the last decade. While most people just use the guide offered on their provider’s set-top, this guide is for those who actually use the clear-QAM or over-the-air tuner in their TV. The way it worked is that manufacturers baked the software into the TV, which would then tune into a local affiliate’s broadcast of a week’s worth of guide data. The setup successfully made it through the digital transition — minus the truckloads of analog-only TVs ceasing to work along the way — as new TVs featured a digital version of the service, as well as some digital converters, like the DTVpal DVR.

Continue reading Rovi is shutting down its OTA TV guide service without notice

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Twice, AVS Forum

Beloved UK supermarket Sainsbury’s is making a big push into digital media, after snapping up e-book retailer Anobii and music company Global Media Vault, it’s now partnering with Rovi for a digital video service. Launching later in the year, it’ll offer video-on-demand and downloadable copies of “major” film and TV titles, available the same time the discs are available in store. It’ll initially be limited to computers, before rolling out to Smart TVs, connected Blu-Ray players, smartphones and consoles. The only question we have is if we’ll be able to collect Nectar Points on our purchases — if so, we’re sold.

Continue reading Sainsbury’s pairs up with Rovi for video service, stays ahead of the techie curve

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet

Sainsbury’s pairs up with Rovi for video service, stays ahead of the techie curve originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, here we are with news that both Rovi and Internet search giant Google have signed a multi-year patent licensing agreement between one another. Just what kind of implications does this agreement have? It will offer a license under Rovi’s interactive program guide patent portfolio for set-top boxes, in addition to online and mobile platforms.

Samir Armaly, EVP, Worldwide Intellectual Property & Licensing, Rovi, said, “Our agreement with Google continues the growth and relevance of our patent licensing program for not only traditional platforms, but also new media experiences across multiple screen. We are pleased that the relevance of our intellectual property in this space continues to be recognized by leading companies such as Google.”

Let us see what happens from this time forth after the agreement has been signed. Only time will tell.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Android secret codes revealed, Google introduces new rules to tackle rogue Android app issue,