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.
Microsoft buys troubled "Fast" search engine firm for Web ad serving
In the midst of the world's CES frenzy, Microsoft today announced plans to acquire Fast Search & Transfer, a financially and legally troubled Norwegian-based software firm offering highly regarded search software for online ad serving.
The move could give Microsoft a leg up against its competitors in the online advertising space. Fast stock is traded in the Oslo Stock Exchange, where Microsoft has placed a bid for 19 Norwegian kroner per share -- what Microsoft calls a 42% premium over yesterday's closing price.
Sony division to enable downloads in DivX format
Sharon Fisher, BetaNews Senior CES Analyst: On top of yesterday's news, DivX has now announced a partnership with Sony that will let retailers offer Sony Pictures Television titles for secure download in DivX format on DivX Certified consumer electronics devices.
The companies did not say whether it would be all titles, when they would be available, or which retailers might participate. Sony Pictures Television produces shows such as Cashmere Mafia, Dawson's Creek, Days of Our Lives, Wheel of Fortune, and The Shield.
Sling Media expands into social networking, cable modems
Sharon Fisher, BetaNews Senior CES Analyst: Sling Media Inc., which announced its Clip+Sling service at last year's CES, is demonstrating it at this year's.
Similarly to YouTube, Clip+Sling lets users share clips of shows from their Slingbox systems. The Slingbox is a device that lets users remotely view their cable, satellite, or personal video recorder (PVR) programming from an Internet-enabled computer with a broadband Internet connection, known as "placeshifting."
Apple rolls out double-quad-core Mac Pro, Xserve
The company introduced a version of its top-of-the-line desktop that is twice as fast as its predecessor, as well as a server that will offer a similar performance boost.
The Mac Pro would now feature eight processing cores consisting of two quad-core Xeons, and the Xserve would offer a similar option. The standard configuration of the desktop system would start at $2,799, while the servers would begin at $2,999.
Warner: Rising gas prices drove its Blu-ray decision
Scott Fulton, BetaNews: In one of the stranger explanations provided thus far, for a format war that has already seen a treasure trove of awkward moments, a key Warner Bros. executive late yesterday blamed the state of the US economy for having driven its decision to back out of the HD DVD group and publish high-def movies on Blu-ray exclusively, as first published by Reuters.
Kevin Tsujihara, President, Warner Bros. Entertainment Group: We've typically been recession proof. But the thing that we saw in the fourth quarter...was gas prices beginning to affect sales. And since we're considered an impulse purchase, it's beginning to impact us."
Comcast to announce all-on-demand service this morning
Scott Fulton, BetaNews: During his keynote address later this morning at CES 2008, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts is slated to introduce a venerable onslaught of brands to the public at large, at least one of which could have a significant and perhaps historic impact on cable television service.
For now, the big announcement is being referred to as "Project Infinity," and it involves nothing short of the deprogramming of the programs it offers from all its content providers.
Sprint hangs on to Xohm WiMAX
In an attempt to put aside speculation that it might sell its Xohm WiMAX service, Sprint dutifully but formally reminded everyone this morning that it's proceeding with its plans for a soft launch in Chicago, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.
Furthermore, the company expects to expand the service later this year, though it didn't say where or when.
Hollywood insiders' panel praises Apple, iTunes, debates business model
At CES 2008 Monday afternoon, Variety Magazine hosted a panel discussion and Q&A session with representatives from some of today's biggest content providers. Their discussion was the future of content delivery, and the big question was this: How will you make money from it?
Featured on the panel were Albert Cheng, executive vice president of digital media for Disney/ABC TV group; Dan Fawcett, President of Fox Entertainment Group's Digital Media arm; newly-inaugurated president of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution Thomas Gewecke; and Tom Lesinski, president of Paramount Pictures Digital Entertainment. The panel was moderated by Variety's president and publisher Charlie Koones.
The HD DVD booth at CES: A somber sight
The atmosphere at the HD DVD booth Monday at CES was anything but enthusiastic. Demonstrators forced smiles while politely answering questions from visitors, but their attempts to mask the appearance of utter defeat at the hands of an ally proved challenging.
After last week's announcement from Warner Bros. that it would use Blu-ray as its exclusive content medium come next May, and the HD DVD Promotions Group's subsequent and prompt cancellation of all one-on-one meetings with the press, it's hard to ignore the message the HD DVD Group is sending to the general public. The format war is far from over, however.
Intel CEO looks toward a connected future
Scott Fulton, BetaNews: Moore's Law continues to mandate that the transitor must be shrunken, as Intel CEO Paul Otellini repeated today during his evening keynote speech at CES. But had it not been for the high-k-plus-metal-gate refinement process that Intel unveiled almost a year ago, Otellini said, Moore's Law could have been stopped dead in its tracks.
Paul Otellini, CEO, Intel: Ten years ago, our scientists identified a major problem in shrinking transistors. As we made the transistors smaller, we found that they leaked more current, they created heat and power consumption problems at the die level and at the device level. Moore's Law might have come to an end by now.
Yahoo unveils modular Go 3.0 mobile homepage to combat Google
Scott Fulton, BetaNews: Google's introduction a few months ago of its Android open operating environment for cellular phones introduced a measure of disparity between it and Yahoo. Yahoo's reformation strategy up to that point was based on paring its failing entertainment ventures and focusing on search, responsive content, and its advertising platform.
In order to equalize its standing, Yahoo needed a way to present the mobile part of its platform as a kind of open service unto itself.
Intel keynote includes first live virtual concert
Late '90s rockers Smashmouth became the first band ever to perform live from multiple locations using a P2P hookup, involving Intel hardware and some intriguing software from its partners.
In a keynote focused on the potential value of a "personal Internet" and thusly connected devices, the second half of Intel CEO Paul Otellini's speech at CES on Monday evening showed off some of those possibilities, with the help of a well-connected group of musicians.
Warner Bros. says it fulfilled obligations to Toshiba, HD DVD
Following the Blu-ray press conference Monday afternoon, BetaNews briefly spoke with Warner Bros. President Ron Sanders about the studio's decision to go Blu-ray and a potential lawsuit from Toshiba.
BetaNews: Warner Bros. is involved in the DVD Forum and was involved in the development of HD DVD. You also were one of the first studios to utilize Microsoft's VC1 codec. Toshiba has hinted that you may have violated contractual obligations to them over HD DVD. Are you concerned they might file a lawsuit over this? Do you have a contract in place to support HD DVD?
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