No Longer Dominating Its Market, TiVo Plots a Software Comeback

No Longer Dominating Its Market, TiVo Plots a Software Comeback

TiVo has become the Kleenex of the TV world — a once dominant brand that’s become a generic commodity. Yes, we still call recording a TV show “TiVoing.” But as cable and satellite companies started offering their own DVRs and …

Microsoft reportedly developing set-top box

Microsoft is in the process of developing a set-top box, according to sources who spoke with The Wall Street Journal. The device is said to be “simple” and made to stream video and similar other functions, perhaps similar to the Roku set-top box. While there are said to be prototypes already in creation, there’s no info on whether the set-top box will ever hit shelves.

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The set-top box is said to have been designed several times by now, and the latest ones that made it into prototype mode reportedly have support for Kinect, enabling voice and motion control of the system. The device would, in addition, work in conjunction with Microsoft’s other devices and offerings, such as the Xbox and mobile Windows devices.

The sources went on to say that work is being done on the development side to make it simple for developers to create content for the device, including having instructed its development teams to create programs with Microsoft-created coding standards. The goal, says the sources, is for developers to have a simple way to write software for use across the company’s many devices.

Such a rumor comes at a time when Microsoft is readying the launch of the next-generation Xbox, the same thing Sony is doing, with the PlayStation 4 slated to go on sale in time for the holidays. As we’ve previously noted, however, the consoles present a bit of uncertainty, with some feeling that they might not live up to expectations. Microsoft declined commenting on the rumor.

[via Wall Street Journal]


Microsoft reportedly developing set-top box is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

This Is the Set-Top Box Amazon Should Make

This Is the Set-Top Box Amazon Should Make

It looks like Amazon is getting ready to enter the set-top box market. If so, the online retailer needs to go big or go home, because the competition is simply too intense for anything less than amazing.

Amazon In Your Living Room: Company Is Reportedly Launching Its Own TV Set-Top Box This Fall

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According to a report from Bloomberg Businessweek, e-commerce behemoth Amazon is preparing to launch a set-top box this fall, in hopes that you’ll consume all of your content through its spin on the now-common device. The company is already working hard to push its Kindle line to consumers, and this box would be for people who don’t want to deal with the fanciness of Apple products, the gaming nature of Microsoft’s XBox, the half-baked Google TV or the little engine that could, Roku.

Yes, this is a crowded market, but Amazon has something that these other companies don’t have, which is warehouses full of things to sell to people while they watch TV. I imagine that you’ll be able to shop as you would online or on your mobile device, right on your TV set. That means that the temptation to pick up that new TV, while you’re watching your old crappy one, could overcome you during a show. One button click and a new TV could be on the way.

Think of it as Home Shopping 2.0. With some interesting programming to watch, of course.

Instead of acquiring a smaller company that already has its own product in the wild, Amazon has decided to build this in-house, under its Lab126 umbrella in Cupertino.

Amazon has been building up its content viewers by bundling it with Amazon Prime shipping for free, trying to entice anyone who is already spending regular money with them to try other things out. What shipping has to do with free movies and TV, I don’t know, but customers seem to be happy with it thus far.

Reasons for doing a set-top box are obvious, with its original content being the most popular on the platform since it launched. As Amazon finds its way to more niche shows that it can present exclusively, the reasons to grab an Amazon-branded device for your TV makes more sense. In the same way that Apple leverages each of its devices to sell new ones, Amazon is learning how it’s done. It also doesn’t help that it has millions of shoppers visiting its site daily looking for new things.

Some could say that Amazon is late to the game, but I see Jeff Bezos and company taking smart, calculated steps to capitalize on mistakes made by others, much like it did with the Kindle, staying close to a purer paperback-esque reading experience.

[Photo credit: Flickr]

Amazon Expected To Release Set-Top Box For Streaming Videos

Amazon Expected To Release Set Top Box For Streaming Videos

Amazon has already single-handedly shaken up the tablet market with its Kindle, and it looks like the company may be looking for expand its consumer electronics presence by planning to introduce a set-top box some time later this year.

According to people with knowledge of the matter speaking with Bloomberg, Amazon’s set-top box will connect to a person’s television to provide access to Amazon’s video services, one of which will certainly include the Amazon Video on Demand store and Instant Video service. The product’s development is being handled by Amazon’s Cupertino-based Lab126 division with Cisco’s former vice president of emerging products Malachy Moynihan leading the project. (more…)

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Amazon TV set-top box rumored to be in the works

Amazon has been investing a lot of its resources into the TV business. Just a few days ago, it launched 14 new original series, with their pilot episodes being available for free for any user. Now it looks like Amazon will be diving even deeper into the TV business by releasing a TV set-top box in the future. According to Business Week’s sources, Amazon will be introducing its very own set-top box come this fall.

Amazon TV set-top box rumored to be in the works

The set-top box will be deeply integrated with Amazon’s video selection, including its Instant Video service, and its collection of other video on-demand products. It will do wonders in getting Amazon more business for its Instant Video service as well as getting more viewers for its original series. It would also help it compete against other video-streaming services, like Netflix.

According to Business Week, the set-top box project is being led by Cisco’s former VP of Emerging Video Products, Malachy Moynihan, and the product is being built at Amazon’s Lab126 division. Lab126 has several engineers that are experienced in developing TV-related products, including Andy Goodman, who was a top engineer at TiVo and Vudu, and Chris Coley, who used to be a hardware architect at ReplayTV.

The name for the set-top box is still going under consideration, but sources say that it could be dubbed “Kindle TV”. There’s also a good chance that Amazon will include other streaming services onto the set-top box, including Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu, giving customers more options to view their favorite shows, and also giving customers more incentive on purchasing its product. And knowing Amazon, this product will be priced competitively against the other set-top boxes currently on the market.

[via Bloomberg Businessweek]


Amazon TV set-top box rumored to be in the works is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Amazon reportedly introducing set-top box this fall

Will Amazon release a set-top box this year? All the pieces seem to in place certainly, between the retailer’s robust online video offerings both premium and Prime (not to mention a slew of original material), as well as some experience in the hardware department through various Kindle devices. According to Bloomberg Businessweek, the company will be doing just that this fall — that information, incidentally, comes from three anonymous sources. The device is said to let users stream web content to a set, not unlike Apple’s own offering in the space. The site even went so far as suggesting “Kindle TV” as a name, though that seems to be Businessweek‘s own wishful thinking.

Update: We reached out to Amazon and received, not surprisingly, the customary no comment.

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Source: Businessweek

Intel Media VP of Engineering retires shortly before product launch

Intel Media’s Vice President of Engineering, Jim Baldwin, recently left his position at Intel Media, just months before the company is set to debut its Web TV service. An Intel Media spokesperson told GigaOM that “Baldwin left Intel Media to pursue opportunities outside the company.”, however GigaOM discovered through Baldwin’s Linkedin page that he has retired. Losing a key player shortly before its product is set to launch is sure to be unsettling for Intel Media.

Intel Media's VP of Engineering retires shortly before product launch

Intel Media said to GigaOM that Baldwin will be missed, “but we have a very strong engineering organization in place with a deep leadership bench,” that will make up for Baldwin’s absence. Baldwin played a crucial work for Intel Media’s TV project. He was previously a key player in the Microsoft Mediaroom project, where he stayed for 8 years. He worked on several other TV projects including WebTV Plus, Echostar Dishplayer, DirecTV, and Ultimate TV.

Baldwin was instrumental to making Intel’s dream of launching its new Web TV service a reality. Intel Media’s Web TV service will be a subscription service that will allow viewers to watch live TV, video on-demand, and also watch TV shows/movies that the viewer may have missed. Intel Media plans on launching the Web TV service in the U.S. by the end of the year.

Intel Media says that its Web TV service will be a game changer, but it has received some criticism from all around, mainly due to the camera installed on Intel Media’s set-top box. The camera will be used to monitor whether a user is in the room, if the user is paying attention to the TV content, and the age and gender of the user. It will use the data it gathered to play targeted advertisements for the users, as well as offering suggestions on TV shows/movies the viewer(s) may enjoy. Consumers and critics feel that the camera is an invasion of privacy, however, Erik Huggers, Intel Media’s CEO, defends the camera by comparing it to the Kinect devices millions of homes have, which people have no problem using.

[via GigaOM]


Intel Media VP of Engineering retires shortly before product launch is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Apple confirms Wi-Fi issue on some third gen Apple TVs

Apple has officially confirmed that a small number of its third-generation Apple TV set-top boxes are having an issue with Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi issue affecting units lead to the Apple TV being unable to locate a network, unable to join the network, or the device may drop connectivity or only have an intermittent connection. Apple is promising to remedy the situation for affected owners.

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Apple says that it or Apple Authorized Service Providers will replace the affected products for up to two years from the original date of purchase at no cost to the buyer. An Apple certified technician does have to determine that one of the three issues covered is causing the Wi-Fi problems.

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Once the technician determines that the Apple TV is suffering from one of the problems, the unit will be replaced as part of a replacement program Apple has launched. Only specific serial number ranges for the third-generation Apple TV set-top boxes are covered in the replacement program. The serial numbers must have two specific alphanumerical ranges to be covered.

The last four letters of the serial number must be DRHN. The serial number must also have specific third and fourth alphanumeric characters including one of several pairs. The second image above shows eligible third and fourth alphanumeric character pairs.

[via 9to5mac]


Apple confirms Wi-Fi issue on some third gen Apple TVs is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Comcast Encrypting Basic Cable In The Near Future

Comcast Encrypting Basic Cable In The Near Future

The FCC permitted cable providers to encrypt basic cable towards the end of last year and now Comcast has detailed its plans for moving ahead with cable encryption. Those who do not use a CableCard enabled device or a Comcast set-top box will need to install an adapter so that they can keep watching encrypted cable. That is why Comcast has already begun telling its subscribers in some markets that it is going to encrypt cable over the coming months. Boxee TV users will also have an adapter available for them.

The adapter boxes for such customers will be offered free for two years, but they have to be requested during the period in which they’re being offered. Those who receive Medicaid have the option of five years. After the relevant time passes, the boxes will bear a monthly rental fee of $.50. The company has said that it will be rolling out basic cable encryption on a market-by-market basis over the next few months. Comcast says this move will provide greater convenience for their customers and will reduce the need for scheduled in-home appointments.

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