Hasta La Gadget!

Like all-in-one PCs, TV and Twitter? NEC’s new desktop PCs might just hit the spot — if you live in Japan, that is. The company just launched its spring 2013 lineup of Valuestar systems which will be available in two display sizes on February 7th. Valuestar W computers pack a 23-inch screen and Core i7 processor with the 3D-capable VW970/LS costing ¥235,000 ($2,550) and the 2D-only VW770/LS listing for ¥215,000 ($2,330). The Valuestar N series boast a 21.5-inch display and come in three versions: VN770/LS with Core i7 for ¥195,000 ($2,110), VN570/LS with Core i3 for ¥160,000 ($1.740) and the ¥125,000 ($1,360) Celeron 1000M-equipped VN370/LS. While there are no details on RAM or storage options, all PCs run Windows 8 with Office 2013, and feature TV tuners, Blu-Ray drives (DVD on the VN370/LS), DLNA support, Yamaha sound systems, built-in video tutorials and access to music.jp’s service. The 23-inch models provide instant-on TV functionality with three TV tuners (two for recording, one for viewing) while 21.5-inch units include dual TV tuners. NEC offers several ways to control the computer’s TV functionality: via standard remote control, using gestures (except VN370/LS), with a custom smartphone / tablet app and even from Twitter. Yes, you can now DM your Valuestar system (even when it’s turned off) and tell it to record TV — you can also have it monitor Twitter for certain keywords / TV shows and overlay a popularity meter. What could possibly go wrong?

Filed under: Desktops, Home Entertainment, HD

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Via: AV Watch (translated)

Source: NEC

After announcing the pricing and availability of the AT&T Unite LTE hotspot earlier today, the carrier also revealed a streaming and on-demand mobile television app called Mobile TV. The app is basically a new name for AT&T’s previous AT&T U-verse service, so expect a few changes here and there. AT&T has re-branded the service in hopes of improving its overall customer experience. But, it does come with a couple of natty updates. Mobile TV features an enhanced picture quality, especially on LTE. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Rich Notifications And New Messaging Service On Google Chrome OS Leaked, Sony’s Launches K-12 Education Initiative For Teachers And Schools,

Clear your weekend plans, folks. Netflix’s newest original series, House of Cards, is now available to watch. All 13 episodes are live on the Netflix website and can be viewed for free with a Netflix subscription. Each episode is roughly 50 minutes long, giving you almost 11 hours of pure political drama.

This actually isn’t the first original series that Netflix has released. The streaming service launched Lilyhammer a year ago, and the company has plans to release two more original series, a reboot of Arrested Development and Hemlock Grove from Eli Roth, both of which are planned to be released this year.

House of Cards stars Kevin Spacey who plays a “ruthless and cunning” Congressman in Washington. Spacey is an Oscar award winner and starred in numerous blockbusters over the years, including Superman Returns, Pay It Forward, American Beauty, Se7en, and The Usual Suspects. The 13-episode House of Cards series was also produced by David Fincher, who directed a few episodes as well. He’s known for directing Fight Club, Se7en, and The Social Network.

While it’s not Netflix’s first-ever original series, it was no doubt the most difficult that Netflix has done thus far, working with a budget of $100 million throughout the 13 episodes. However, this won’t be the last original series for Netflix. The company plans to pump out at least five new shows per year to outdo HBO.

Netflix House of Cards original series now available is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

British Windows Phone owners won’t have to let their TV viewing habits slip while they’re on the move. TVCatchup has just posted the promised Windows Phone 8 version of its streaming app, giving locals access to live programming from the BBC, ITV and others. OS-specific optimizations aren’t extensive, but they exist — it’s possible to pin a favorite network to the Start screen, and to use voice commands to jump directly to a channel or guide. Viewers just need to hit the Windows Phone Store to stay on top of the latest shows with their Lumias.

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Mobile

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Source: Windows Phone Store

Netflix has some pretty ambitious goals ahead of them. They’re constantly adding new content to their back catalog, and are always on the lookout for more. Plus, they have their first original series, House of Cards, premiering soon, with another original series, Arrested Development, coming later. Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer, says that they want to launch at least five new original shows a year in order to compete with HBO.

GQ posted up a profile of the company, where they talked with Sarandos about the future of Netflix and where its headed. Sarandos has $300 million in his budget that’s set aside for original content, which has already brought in three new original projects: House of Cards, Hemlock Grove, and Arrested Development.

What’s perhaps the most interesting thing that Sarandos said during the interview, was that the goal of Netflix “is to become HBO faster than HBO can become us.” Sarandos says that Netflix is able to pump out original content in a more timely manner since they commit to a full season of a new show, rather than create a pilot and see where it goes from there, a concept that’s rare in the television business.

Netflix’s hefty goal of beating out HBO means that we should be seeing a lot of great stuff from the streaming service this year and beyond, and all that really remains is to see if Netflix customers buy into the new original content, but as long as Netflix doesn’t pull another Quikster, we think they’ll be fine.

[via GQ]

Netflix planning at least five new shows a year to outdo HBO is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.