Up Close: TiVo adds video transfers from the PC
Although TiVo didn't have any new hardware to show off at CES, the company was demoing its upcoming video features, which include the ability to transfer downloaded content from a PC to the TiVo. This means TiVo users can subscribe to video podcasts or download DivX movies and have them sync automatically to the device for watching on the TV.
First up, TiVo will release a new TiVo Desktop client -- version 2.6 -- in March to enable the functionality. Beta testing is expected to begin in February. TiVo Desktop will transcode the video into the MPEG-2 format used by the set-top box. High-definition content is fully supported.
Up Close: LG's Viewty phone
Mirroring the device's global popularity, LG's Viewty (LG-KU990) camera phone seems to be a hot item in the Korean manufacturer's booth at CES today.
The five-megapixel handset was reported by LG at the end of 2007 to be selling approximately 6,300 units daily in Europe, a number far higher than its most successful prior models.
Up Close: Panasonic's 150-inch display
While last year's CES had multiple electronics makers touting the world's largest display, Panasonic took no chances this year, showcasing a 150-inch plasma TV. The screen has been the talk of the show, measuring 11 feet long with a resolution of 2000x4000 pixels. Although it's just a prototype, the television highlights the ability for manufacturers to build bigger screens at lower prices.
Origami Project resuscitated with new software version
Even though the platform has seemingly been forgotten by many in the media after lots of initial buzz, Microsoft is still pressing ahead in the UMPC space.
At CES, the Redmond company is showing off Origami Experience 2.0, its upgrade to the original UMPC experience. While details of the full platform are not yet being released, the company is offering a sneak peek of four applications to be included.
Dueling quadruple-play architectures at CES
Scott Fulton, BetaNews: One of the major trends we're following all this week at CES concerns connectivity: Specifically, how all these wired services are supposed to make it to the gateway of your home or office, and who will be the ones who get it there? In the wired fiberoptic service arena (as opposed to wireless), there are two principal rollout architectures, dealing with whether the line to your house gets replaced with fiberoptic or gets left as copper.
There was news on both fronts at CES this morning, and our Sharon Fisher has more about it.
What is Microsoft planning with Fast's 'behavioral' search technology?
In a teleconference held today to discuss its $1.2 billion acquisition bid for Norwegian-based Fast Search & Transfer, Microsoft spelled out how Fast's technology will fill out its existing enterprise search capabilities.
Yet Microsoft appeared to skirt questions from the press and analysts around how the technology might also be used in Web search applications such as online advertising.
Imeem pens deal to bring MTV content to its service
Clips and television episodes from the Viacom division's broad lineup of cable networks will start to appear on imeem in February.
MTV Networks will be the first media company to strike such a deal with the social media provider. Among the cable channels included would be Comedy Central, MTV, Logo, VH1, Spike, and others, as well as content from its online media properties.
100 million copies sold, but Vista mostly absent at CES
Ahead of Bill Gates' keynote Sunday night, Microsoft said that 100 million copies of Vista have been sold, but the new OS has little presence here at CES.
In a meeting with BetaNews Monday, Aaron Coldiron, senior marketing manager for Windows Vista, acknowledged that Microsoft has done little to offer a compelling story for its flagship operating system, but promised changes were afoot.
Microsoft stands behind HD DVD for Xbox 360
Microsoft's director of global marketing for the Xbox 360, Albert Penello, told BetaNews this morning that the company will continue to push an HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360, but acknowledged the external nature would enable it to ship a Blu-ray drive if Sony's format became the new high-definition standard.
Penello also said that despite the rumors, Microsoft has never planned to ship an Xbox console with an integrated HD DVD drive, but the decision has nothing to do with the uncertainty in the format war. Because neither standard was finalized when the Xbox 360 shipped, Microsoft opted to use DVDs.
Update: Paramount denies plans to drop HD DVD
Paramount has officially denied rumors that it will break its exclusivity with HD DVD and switch to Blu-ray. The studio said in a statement that its current plan is to continue supporting the format.
The Financial Times claimed that Paramount will use a "get-out clause" in its exclusivity agreement with HD DVD to follow Warner in jumping ship to Blu-ray. The paper cited "people familiar with the situation," and offered little evidence.
LG spiffs up its dual-format DVD computer drive
The Korean electronics maker debuted the second iteration of its external drive that can read both next generation formats, and write to Blu-ray discs.
Still missing is any kind of capability to write to HD DVD, which the previous model also lacked. But speeds writing to Blu-ray have increased. The drive can read and write to the format at 6x speed versus 2x, although read speeds to HD DVD remain at 3x.
Vonage tries again with VoIP device strategy
Although its first attempt has so far generally failed to attract consumers interest, the VoIP provider is announcing 'MyVonage,' an effort to promote devices, services, and features that allow the customer to choose how he uses the service.
The first of these devices and services launched under the initiative Monday at CES in Las Vegas was the V-Portal, a digital voice adapter and router with an LCD display, and Contact Book, a software platform that would allow customers to better manage their service.
The Hague blocks Dutch gov't attempt to levy MP3 sales
The Dutch equivalent of the RIAA lost its bid to put a tax on MP3 players Tuesday, as The Hague said it would not remove a government block on any further taxes.
Norma had sought to have a ban on further taxes on MP3 players lifted, however the courts said it had not seen enough evidence that the group was managing an already existing tax on blank CDs and DVDs.
New Panasonic VIERA HDTV will have YouTube button on its remote
If you're tired of watching out-of-focus YouTube videos on your computer screen, now you'll be able to watch out-of-focus YouTube videos on your TV.
Matsushita's Panasonic unit is working with Google to develop high-definition televisions that let you browse and view videos from YouTube and photos from Picasa Web Albums. Google will set up servers for the purpose and the remotes for the TVs will have YouTube and Picasa buttons.
HD VMD: The third format that would not die
Just when you thought the high-def format war was over, the red-laser high-def format HD VMD pops up once again, like a third-tier political candidate, to start it up all anew.
New Medium Enterprises used the backdrop of CES 2008 to announce that its HD VMD players would be shipping into the US market. Unlike Blu-ray and HD DVD, this format uses the old red-laser technology found in standard DVD to produce a high definition picture.
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