Showing posts with label 3DTV. Show all posts

WiFi in TVs is a Revolution

WiFi in TVs is a Revolution

Today at the All Things Digital Conference, Reed Hastings, the CEO of Netflix, said "WiFi TV is a Revolution." Watch the video below and fast forward to 6:55 into the video to hear the visionary statement. This statement struck a chord with me and if you have not been enlightened to the benefits of having a networked enabled TV, then you are missing out!

All HDTV's today have the capability to connect to your router WiFi or Ethernet cable to download movies or stream content from companies like Netflix and Pandora. Its a tremendous innovation that cable companies have been resisting for years because it disintermediates their programming agendas and control of what your eyeballs watch. The only hope for cable companies to survive in the content business is to maintain their monopoly licensees on live sports programming. Personalized content is the next big thing on the web and Pandora and Netflix are driving it.

There are many technical benefits to having a WiFi enabled TV, which include software upgrades and access to any content anywhere on the web. Boxee, Google TV, and Apple TV have been early pioneers at helping you aggregate and watch content through specialized boxes. However, the reality is TV manufacturers like Samsung are leading the way to home-viewing innovation. It took almost a decade for IPTV to arrive thanks to an innovative company from Korea called Samsung which is paving the way to the future.

One snafu that Netflix is starting to deal with is the broadband carriers starting to impose data caps on customers in order to protect their expensive cable programming subscriptions the consumers are starting to bypass. In order to help avoid breaking bandwidth caps starting to get imposed by broadband ISPs, Netflix is letting U.S. customers adjust their bit rate and video streaming quality settings. Netflix is already allowing customers to manage the bit rate in Canada.

Related Stories:
How to Improved Home WiFi Signal
Why Pandora Could Be The Next Google
Walt to FCC: Cable Companies Have Been Screwing Their Consumers For Years
10 Reasons to Cut your Cable TV Cord
ESPN & NFL Saves Cable Subscribers

Who Really Cares About 3D on iPad?

iPad 3 Has 3D and Who Cares?

It has been reported that the iPad 3 will have 3D but does it make any sense? I have 2 3D TV's in my home and I love them for sports. However, I would never buy a 3D tablet and think it's useless? What is Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL), Sharp, and Lenovo (PINK: LNVGY) thinking? 3D requires a large screen and a dark room. There really isn't anything appealing about watching a 3D movie on a tablet or iPad in my view. However, I would appreciate hearing any opinions otherwise below.

The third-generation iPad, commonly known as the iPad 3, which was released by Apple in 2012, does not have 3D display technology. The iPad 3 features a high-resolution Retina display, but it does not support stereoscopic 3D visuals.

Apple has not incorporated 3D display technology into any of its iPad models thus far. If you're specifically looking for a tablet with 3D capabilities, you may need to explore other brands or models that offer such features. However, it's important to note that 3D functionality in consumer electronics has become less prevalent in recent years, as the demand for 3D has decreased.

Verizon FiOS ESPN 3D for Masters NFL NBA

Watching Golf in 3D is Awesome

Finally an answer to my question, "When Are 3D Channels Coming to Verizon FiOS?" Verizon FiOS is getting ESPN 3D on Verizon FiOS TV begging April 5 just in time for the Masters on Tuesday, April 5. Finally, sports fans will be able to watch the Masters Golf Tournament and the NBA playoffs on the 3D TV they might have purchased in the last few years. ESPN 3D is the first 3D network that will be viewable for FiOS TV customers who have 3D television sets and 3D glasses on HD set-top boxes. The new channel will be included at no extra charge for FiOS TV customers who subscribe to the Ultimate HD package or on its own for $9.99 per month. What other cable networks that have 3D channels? Here is a list of other 3D channels.

3D channels were introduced in the late 2000s and early 2010s, aiming to provide a three-dimensional viewing experience for television content. However, due to various factors, including limited consumer demand and production challenges, many 3D channels have ceased their operations or reduced their offerings.

One of the major reasons for the decline of 3D channels was the lack of widespread adoption by consumers. While 3D movies gained some popularity in theaters, the demand for 3D content at home did not reach the same level. Many viewers found the use of special glasses uncomfortable or cumbersome, and the limited availability of 3D content further contributed to the diminished interest.

As a result, several broadcasters and cable/satellite providers gradually discontinued their 3D channels. Instead, they shifted their focus to other technologies and content formats that gained more popularity, such as high-definition (HD) and Ultra HD (4K) programming. These formats offered improved picture quality without the need for specialized glasses.

While it's possible that some 3D channels may still be available in certain regions or through specialized providers, the overall availability of 3D channels has significantly declined in recent years. The emphasis has shifted towards other technologies and content formats that offer enhanced viewing experiences.

Where Did ESPN 3D Go?

Watching the National Championship game with a 3D TV in my home and I can't watch it in 3D. When are the Verizon FiOS 3D channels coming? I am tired of waiting for the 3D content after paying a premium for a new 3D TV from Samsung earlier this year from Best Buy. Verizon FiOS was heavily promoting the content at CES in Las Vegas as well but yet they have nothing but marketing hype to back it up.

ESPN 3D - DirecTV Channel 106 & Time Warner Channel 1306

N3D - Direct TV 103 - New content as it becomes available from CBS, Fox & NBC

On Demand 3D - DirecTV Channel 105

Pay Per View 3D - DirecTV Channel 104

Where Did The 3D Channels Go?

Where are the 3D channels consumers were promised this year on cable TV? Cable subscribers of Verizon FiOS, Cablevision, Cox, Time Warner, Comcast, and AT&T U-verse are still waiting patiently for their channels. According to this blog, Direct TV has 4 3D channels, Time Warner has ESPN 3D while the other cable operators have 0. HDTV's success can be attributed to content and now 3D could draw the same road map. It is likely that nearly 1 million 3D TVs have been sold in the US and the number is growing by 50% per year and Samsung owns the majority of this market share.

ESPN broadcasted 3D programming on a dedicated channel for the World Cup Soccer but that is about it for content. Comcast subscribers were able to see the Masters golf Tournament in 3D. I will admit that some sports are better than others for watching in 3D and stadium events might not be that compelling unless you are watching a camera from the sideline. 3D content is still lacking and ESPN will likely be the driver of more sports programming content with hopefully some more NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and college football games. Why isn't Fox carrying the Super Bowl at Cowboy Stadium in 3D? Golf to me is one of the greatest 3D viewing experiences having viewed the Maui open on a DVD at the store.

Sony, Discovery, and IMAX announced a 3D venture for programming this week to launch the first 24/7, fully programmed 3D television network in the U.S. Content includes a collection of 3D content including natural history, documentary, action/adventure, hard travel, history, hyper-reality, concerts, movies, scripted series and more. So why isn't Samsung sponsoring more sporting events to get more people interested in buying 3D HD TVs?

Must Have Consumer Electronics for 2011

Survey Conducted by SmartBrief.com

What will be the must-have electronics in 2011?

Tablet 46.42%

Streaming video box or app 19.89%

Smartphone 10.88%

Not sure 10.08%

3DTV 9.02%

E-reader 3.71%

Primary reason for to connecting device to WiFi or 4G?

find exact content 41.47%

no more wires in living room 20.74%

cheap content 18.89%

its new 14.75%

Google TV Sony Logitech Demo at Best Buy

Google TV Logitech, Sony Blue-Ray are on display at Best Buy showing off the capabilities on Sony TVs. I really like the concept and the fact you can use your TV display to surf the internet and watch YouTube vides but its not compelling enough for me to buy. Sony was the first manufacturer to jump onto the tidal wave of Google Internet TV and now indications are that Samsung will be the second. I just purchased a Samsung 3D TV and love the idea of having applications directly on the TV and having a display directly connected to the internet. Its great to see technology finally trying to disrupt cable monopolies who control video content distribution.

The capabilities on display at Best Buy demonstrates some nice functionality but nothing too complicated that couldn't be accomplished in a applications similar to Pandora or Hulu. However, I really don't want to have another device like a Logitech keyword to do it. I would prefer having the capability to control the Google TV app with my laptop or iPad that is directly connected through my wireless network to the TV. That is the holy grail of being able to use a huge plasma, LCD or LED to surf the internet. Let's hope that some is working on it because I don't see lots of consumers buying this product in its current form.

10 Reasons to Cut your Cable TV Cord

There really is not much of a reason to keep paying your cable TV company they're $200 per month for programming when you can start using these ten technology innovations. The CEO of Netflix, Reed Hastings is delusional if he thinks Netflix is not causing consumers to cut the cord. Most of these disruptive devices, software, and innovations finally allow consumers to download and video programming on demand. On-demand programming is simply watching what you want when you want it. No longer will you have to stumble through horrible menus on your DVR to find programming when you can simply download it with your high-speed broadband connection. Some of these electronics might event be nice gift ideas for the Christmas Holiday.

4G Wireless/ Mobile TV

Apps Stores

iPad & Galaxy Tablets

Google Voice, Skype & VoIP

Cable TV operators like Comcast, Cox, Cablevision & Time Warner should be very scared of the newest trend and latest quarter of losing cable TV subscribers for the first time. It's not because of the recession as many cigar-smoking executives would want you to believe. It's because these "fat cats" have not done anything to innovate in the last ten years and would rather send dividend checks to shareholders than improving your cable TV set-top box. Cable operators have been screwing their customers for years and the FCC has done nothing about it. I believed for a few years that cable companies were going to win the wireless home race because of their connections into the home. In my opinion, they have failed to execute a wireless phone marketing strategy against their competition AT&T U-Verse, Verizon Fios, Sprint & T-Mobile.

According to an AP, article companies are losing customers in droves and recorded the first quarterly loss of 216,000 subscribers. We expect this trend to continue for the coming years and cable companies are going to have to think of other tricks like 3D channels and sports TV programming to keep their subscribers happy. Who knows free mobile TV could be in our near future.

ESPN & NFL Saves Cable Subscribers

The Only Thing Keeping Cable TV Subscribers Paying

ESPN, NFL & NBA might have the most content leverage television business these days. Every person I ask today says they are watching less network TV these days and if they do it's likely a PGA Golf, NFL football, NBA basketball, NHL hockey or MLB baseball game. The second I ask is if you could dump your $200 per month cable TV bill, would you? Some say yes if they are not sports fans and others who are sports fans say they can't give it up. However, they say if the content was available over the internet like MLB.com they might consider it. The cable companies know this and this is one of the reasons they are not rushing to put their programming online or make sports content "on-demand". One other thing that are keeping cable customers tied is the upcoming promise of 3D TV Channels. If you haven't watched the Hawaiian Open in 3D at Best Buy or Fry's on their demonstration LCD or Plasma TV's you will want one immediately.

No matter how much content you consume on TV your cable bill is still this same each month. So if you are a grandmother in Iowa who watches very little sports programming you are subsidizing this network because you have to each month. U.S. consumers pay around $70 billion each year to cable and satellite companies to watch movies and TV shows on big screens in their living rooms. This is probably about 75% too high and it's likely only a $25 billion dollar business if people truly paid what they used.

I would like to see the NHL adopt similar a similar strategy to MLB and allow fans to watch games over the internet and on-demand via Google TV or Boxee. I think it also makes a lot of sense for these cable companies to piece mail the content you watch but this will not happen until there is a groundswell adoption of Google TV, Xbox or Boxee. The FCC is corrupt and just a bunch of industry puppets who work for the networks so they will never do anything. The NAB will do everything in their power as well to sue anyone who distributes their content illegally as well. Hopefully, a better World is coming where content is king and not programming.

Google TV Will Disrupt the Cable Distribution Monopoly

It's great to see networks like Fox starting to pull their programming from Google TV. This only means one thing! Networks who believe in programming and cable companies who believe in paid distribution feel threatened. Google TV is a disruptive technology platform that seeks to destroy a monopolistic distribution model of content and companies like Comcast denies Google TV as a competitor. The cable distribution monopoly and give consumers what they want. Programming is about to become a thing of the past as more and more consumers just consume what they want when they want. Not only do they select their programming on-demand but they are not doing it on multiple devices like the iPhone, iPad and Android. Cable operators have leverage because they are in the broadband access business and starting to get into the wireless broadband access business. The only thing I think that will begin to protect their business in the short term is to emphasize 3D TV channels which provide a tremendously cool viewing experience (only at night).

For the longest time cable companies like Comcast, Cablevision, Cox, Time Warner have made most of their money charging networks carriage rights. The FCC knows consumers are getting screwed and has not disrupted this shady business practice and networks have been getting away with it making money hand over fist. Well, this is all about to change if you can now consumer your programming directly over the internet. You don't need a cable line any longer when you can download the programming over your neighbors shared WiFi network or your wireless carrier 4G, LTE or Wimax network. The chart below shows you how the cable companies are losing leverage for the distribution of their content. They used to own almost 50% of the channels and now they own only 15% as the number of channels have increased and the content has become more specialized. Great examples of this include the NBA, NFL and MLB who have started their own networks and don't rely on CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox for all of their content distribution.

Why All Android Phones Are Not The Same

Android is a unique mobile phone operating system that any handset maker can use and modify. It has allowed manufacturers like HTC, Motorola, Sony, LG & Samsung to create a whole range of smartphones that run on its platform. However, consumers can also get very confused when shopping for these new phones and cannot assume that all phones that have Android are created equal. Unfortunately, I have learned firsthand that a phone with the Android OS doesn't automatically have all features I love. As an example here are 10 reasons why I may be returning my Samsung Vibrant for a G2 phone and both have the Android operating system.

Despite the Samsung Vibrant having a large beautiful screen and very fast processor, the phone has some software and ergonomic issues that I could not get fully comfortable with. The Vibrant is tremendously light, great media features and feels much better than the iPhone 4 but ultimately I think I am such a heavy Google user that I need the tightest integration with Google apps and therefore G2 is probably the best phone for me.

1. The GPS and interaction with Google Maps is not good. Not sure if it is a hardware or software issue and had a difficult time finding my location and using navigation. The G1 did not have this problem.

2. I don't like the hassle of a 2 step process of hitting the power button and swiping the screen up to use the phone when its dormant. Don't know how to remove or modify this process that seems necessary.

3. The lack of tight integration with Google Calendar and Maps creates some extra steps when using the phone. The lack of IM, Call and Email integration doesn't not make communicating with people as easy as the G1 and assume G2.

4. The Samsung Vibrant HD video and camera features were very nice and probably the think I liked the most about the phone. However, some of the navigation features within the media Gallery and integration with Picasa where not straight forward and kind of clunky. Each time my phone starts up it has to search for media files.

5. Holding the phone with one hand is not as easy as the G1 or G2 and requires an extra hand sometimes for touching areas on the screen. A long thumb is necessary for users to get comfortable with one hand.

6. Battery life was not very good and seems to only last about 6 hours without needed a long charge especially on WiFi. The G1 seemed to charge quickly and last a lot longer and and hope the G2 does the same.

7. Playing Avatar or videos from my phone on the TV through the Samsung Allshare App on my home FiOS network was kind of a scam. Pictures worked great but playing videos did not work and got bogged down by the file size. Plus Avatar was not available in 3D. I hope the G2 has a networking feature like this or an app available soon.

8. I loved the amount of space available on the device but I felt like a lot of the apps that were preloaded seem to interfere with the apps I downloaded. TeleNav, MediaHub, GoGo, MobiTV, ThinkFree office, Visual Voicemail, Amazon MP3. Its not clear how to keep these apps dormant on the device so they don't load on startup.

9. I never felt like I was running out of memory but Advanced Task Killer kept killing 10 to 15 apps every hour. This lack of app loading control is not something I like. The G1 did not have this problem.

10. I kind of miss using the trackball and keyboard to navigate around the screen to links and type. It's useful when trying to click on links and edit text. However, I think the Swipe feature for one-handed typing is awesome!

Hopefully, these 30-day return policies stay valid for carriers who sell Android phones. These features have not been differentiated very well by the carriers and the salespeople are not very knowledgeable about the differences I mentioned above.

Android Phones: Samsung Vibrant vs HTC G2

When are Verizon FiOS 3D Channels Coming?

Verizon FiOS TV customers are waiting patiently for their 3D channels and programming as the NFL 2010 Football season is now in session. But who has 3D channels? Watching sports on a 3D TV is pretty close to being at the stadium or on the golf course. Seeing the depth gives you a whole new perspective of what the athletes and fans at the stadium are seeing. It's a brand new experience is quite similar to what HD was back in early 2000. Many executives downplayed the significance of HDTV back then and continue to do the same with 3D. However, I think 3D is going to revolutionize TV once again just like HD. It is impossible these days to watch any programming in a regular TV format or analog.

I had my first 3D aha moment at Best Buy the other day while shopping for a new Samsung 3D plasma TV. I was watching the Maui Open Golf Tournament on tape with 3D glasses and was absolutely amazed at the different viewing experiences it provides. I thought I was actually on the green with the golfer reading the put while looking at the ocean in the background. Then watching the golf ball come off the tee and travel down the fairway was incredible. I was sold and in the process of purchasing 2 3D TVs for my house.