Hasta La Gadget!

It’s safe to say that Q3 2011 probably won’t be remembered as Cablevision‘s finest. According to the provider’s latest earnings report, profits declined by a full 65 percent over the year, with net income plunging to $39.3 million this quarter, compared with the $112.1 million it raked in during the third quarter of 2010. The company also reported a loss of 19,000 video subscribers during Q3, though it added 17,000 broadband customers and 38,000 telephone subscribers. Total customers, however, declined by 15,000 over the past three months. Revenue, meanwhile, increased by eight percent to $1.7 billion, though the New York-area operator lost about $16 million to Hurricane Irene — not to mention all those legal fees. Smell that? That’s a big platter of PR, sitting right there after the break.

Continue reading Cablevision reports Q3 earnings, sees profit fall by 65 percent, drop in video subscribers

Cablevision reports Q3 earnings, sees profit fall by 65 percent, drop in video subscribers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don’t expect Comcast to stop its Xfinity VOD streaming to the living room rollout with just the Xbox 360 this Christmas, as executive Sam Schwartz promised during a CTAM panel that it plans to develop apps for the PS3, Wii, Roku and other connected TV platforms. Multichannel News reports it doesn’t plan to roll out streaming to as many platforms as Netflix, so we’ll have to wait and see where this initial venture into IPTV stops. Think big cable is scared of over the top services? Maybe not yet, since Comcast claims Netflix subscribers tend to be the most voracious users of its VOD. Also in Comcast’s future is its completely revamped Xcalibur guide software with internet and social media tie-ins (check out our early sneak peek here), which Schwartz reiterated would be available nationwide at some point next year.

Comcast promises Xfinity VOD streaming on more devices, new Xcalibur guide in 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comcast has been talking about adding live TV streaming to its Xfinity TV tablet apps for a while, but now this screenshot of a product page from MacRumors indicates it could be launching very soon. It requires an AnyPlay box — a Comcast brand name for the Motorola Televation cable TV-to-IPTV box shown off in June and previously a portable DVR concept from Panasonic — that will allow viewing over the local network on compatible devices, including iPads, Android tablets and the like. There’s also been recent rumors of Microsoft seeking a tie-in to bring live streams from Comcast to its Xbox 360, which could be eventually be enabled by a device and service like this. According to the page, it includes access to “most” channels, and can register up to ten tablets, but only allows for viewing on one at a time. Time Warner and Cablevision have already rolled out live TV streaming on their tablet apps, we’ll see if this in-home Slingbox-approach can avoid their licensing issues.

Comcast close to releasing AnyPlay box for in-home live TV streaming to tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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See that faint silhouette lurking on the horizon? That’d be a wave of white space internet, and it’s inching ever closer to the US. On Wednesday, the FCC confirmed that it will begin testing a new database that will enable gadgets to operate on white space airwaves, nearly a year after first ratifying its “super WiFi” initiative. The Spectrum Bridge database, as outlined last year, will map out all channels that aren’t being used by radio or TV services, thereby preventing broadband devices from interfering with broadcasts. The system will be tested over a 45-day period beginning on September 19th and ending on November 2nd, in order to make sure that it correctly distinguishes available channels from those currently in use. Cable operators and wireless mic users are invited to register with the database to test its accuracy, but this trial period could easily be extended if the Commission determines that further tests are in order. And, though there’s still no indication that unlicensed broadband devices will be hitting the market anytime soon, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski seems confident that this white space spectrum could drastically change the industry. “Unleashing white spaces spectrum will enable a new wave of wireless innovation,” Genachowski explained. “It has the potential to exceed the billions of dollars in economic benefit from WiFi, the last significant release of unlicensed spectrum, and drive private investment and job creation.” You can read the FCC’s full public notice, after the break.

Continue reading FCC to test white space database at its own pace

FCC to test white space database at its own pace originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Want to get content from your Samsung Galaxy S II to your HDTV, but don’t want to shell out for the fancy new Toshiba Regza? Shortly after yesterday’s announcement of the Australia-only WL800A, Kanex unveiled its $29 adapter, letting users connect their MHL-capable handsets to HDTVs via the HDMI port. The adapter is available now — full PR after the break.

Continue reading Kanex’s MHL HDMI adapter brings your smartphone content to an HDTV near you

Kanex’s MHL HDMI adapter brings your smartphone content to an HDTV near you originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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