Smart TV eats up too much bandwidth say KT Corp

South Korea has a 96% hook up to high-speed broadband and two of the world’s biggest Smart TV makers in Samsung and LG Electronics.

The TV manufacturers are pinning high hopes on internet connected TVs which let viewers to access streaming video, social networking, online games and music. Unfortunately Smart TV viewing eats up a lot of bandwidth useage.

Kim Hyo-sil  the vice president of KT’s smart network policy task force was quoted as saying “KT Corps decision was to protect a majority of Internet users and also prevent smart TVs from distorting the market system.”

Smart TV watchers who are using KT’s high-end Internet cannot use the Internet via their TV’s Web browser as well as services like video on demand and games starting Friday.

Another official said “Compared to conventional PCs, smart TVs, equipped with high-definition 3D viewing quality, cause heavy data traffic. If the fast adoption of smart TVs continues, there is also possibility of network blackout.”

KT Corp said ” if smart TVs dominate the network, the data speed of other Internet users could get 265 times slower to the extent that Web surfing is almost impossible.”

In a report published last year, KT predicted that the number of smart TVs could more than triple by 2013 while the nation’s data traffic could increase about four times overall. Currently, the sales of smart TVs are estimated at about 1 million units in Korea. Of them, some 100,000 TV sets are believed to have offered smart TV features.

Koreas telecom companies KT, SK Broadband and LG Uplus have continued related discussions with TV makers, including Samsung, LG, Sony and Apple, over the past year. The electronics companies showed little interest.

Another KT official said “In order to solve the fundamental issues, TV makers should pay proper costs for their network use like other Internet-based telephony operators and IPTV providers.”

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Paul McCartney gets with the streaming vibe

Mr McCartney has had a busy week ahead of him, and in the midst of it, he will be performing songs from his new album, they will be stream from the concert for all to hear via iTunes.

On Thursday, the Beatle star will play songs from his new album titled “Kisses on the Bottom“, being released Tuesday February 7 (in the U.S.) and Monday in other parts of the world. The performance will take place at Capitol Records, where Kisses was recorded.

Paul McCartney will also be getting his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday. Macca will be honored at a Friday gala as the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year and play on the 54^th Annual Grammy Awards telecast on Sunday.

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Control hotel TV with an app

The app runs on the iPad, iPhone and android devices. Besides turning into a TV remote, the app also controls on-demand content and pay-per-view movies (which can be paid direct from the phone). The app will also give hotel and local information, directions and other useful information.

You may ask, why would anyone want an app when the hotel has a perfectly good TV remote? Well apart from hygene purposes and dead batteries, the app does extra stuff and even lets you turn off the TV whilst out of the room.

Speaking about the app in a press release, Derek S. White, President of Interactive & Media Networks for LodgeNet said, “With 75% of travelers carrying smartphones today, mobile devices have significantly changed how travelers behave and what they expect from hotels, airlines and every supplier within the travel eco-system.”

He continued, “The LodgeNet Mobile App was developed to be fun, fast and very easy to use so that travelers can customize their hotel and travel experience in everything from the movies they watch, to the restaurants they dine in, to the hotel services and local entertainment options they choose – all managed and controlled through their own mobile device.”

Currently around 2,000 hotels around the US can make use of the app, and to keep it family friendly, it will not carry any adult content. So users will still have a need for the hotel remote then.

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Roku 2 XS comes to UK

The best selling Roku LT and Roku 2 XS set-top boxes will be launched with a number of streaming services, including the newly launched Netflix UK.

The entry level Roku LT comes in 720p HD whilst the Roku 2 XS gives full 1080p HD video. Both connect via Wi-Fi and the XS comes with an Ethernet port, USB. The XS comes with a motion-controlled bluetooth game remote and support for games such as Angry Birds as well.

Once connected the players give viewers access to a number of free and paid channels that include on-demand films. Roku say they have around 40 channels on launch that include live sports, games, news and entertainment.

Content will come from MLB.TV, Ultimate Fighting organisation, Classical TV, Tuneln, WSJ Live, FoxNews,  Facebook and Flickr. UK viewers will also get the Crackle streaming service and Sony movies.

Roku have also promised buyers that they will be announcing “major content” partners for the UK and Ireland in time for the launch day of January 27.

The Roku players have been a big success in the US and they recently announced the launch of an internet TV stick that transforms standard TV sets into smart TVs.

Clive Hudson, Roku’s European VP and general manager said, “Roku launched the first ever streaming player to deliver Netflix to consumers in the US and now we are among the first to bring Netflix to residents of the UK and Ireland,”

“In addition to Netflix, we are launching with a variety of entertainment channels and look forward to expanding our content selection in the same way that we have in the US where we have more than 400 channels today.”

Visit Roku UK for more information.

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The idea of the set is that consumers will buy it once, and then instead of purchasing a new TV when better features are out, simply replace the ‘system-on-chip’ in a slot in the back of their Samsung set, with the company claiming that they will release new ‘features and functionality’ chips every year.

The smart-TV portion of their set is to be produced by Google, with the Google TV software the operating system for the connected features, continuing the partnership between the two companies.

The company claimed that the set could bring about: ”…a new era of entertainment by placing TV at the centre of the home ecosystem and breaking down boundaries between connected devices.”

Other features planned for the set include HD cameras and microphones to allow for voice and motion-control of the product (seemingly beating Apple’s plans for a similar system), whilst showing off their new ‘post-minimalist design’ of an ‘ultra-slim’ TV set.

Robert King, consumer electronics head at Samsung UK & Ireland, said of the new set: “The TV is the heart of our homes and is the central device that connects our family at the end of a long day. For Samsung, this means providing the future of Smart TV now through new TVs that recognise and respond to you, connect your family in and out of the home, and offer amazing new content options personalised to your lifestyle and needs. Our research shows that consumer interest in Smart TV is at 81% so to extend the new TV experience and equip families with future technologies, Samsung has created the ability to scale up your TV each year, ensuring the best ‘new TV’ experience for years to come.”

In other news, Samsung claim to be close to reaching a milestone of 20 million global TV app downloads (of over 1,400 different apps), with the number on track to be passed by the end of the month. The apps are notable for the dual-core processors in Samsung’s smart TV products that allow it to play an app and TV footage simultaneously.

Other reveals from Samsung so far at CES 2012 also include a 55-inch ‘Super OLED’  TV resolution, which offers a more vivid picture whilst combined with their new ‘ultra-thin’ sets. With three days of activity still to come from this year’s CES, will Samsung have any more big announcements up their sleeve, or will another company take the limelight?

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Vizio Google TV Stream Player

Although the jury is out on the new Google TV2.0 platform, the new streaming box runs on the software and promises streaming TV along with online content and apps. The Stream Player runs on the Google Chrome browser and can connect to any TV via HDMI.

Speaking in a press release, Vizio said that the,

New stream player turns any HDTV into an enhanced smart TV with access to countless entertainment content and online services as well as powerful search and web browsing capabilities – Part of the VIZIO Internet Apps Plus ecosystem, the new VIZIO Stream Player incorporates the power of the latest Google TV in combination with premium setup experience and included Bluetooth universal remote with touchpad control – Integrated app and TV watching experience let users multitask seamlessly and access photos, audio and video stored on networked computers, hard drives and smart phones.

Vizio also revealed their Google TV televisions for release in 2012. The range consists of the 42 inch R3D420VS, the 47 inch R3D470VS, the 55 inch R3D550VS and the 65 inch R3D650VS.

The connected TV’s and smart box come with a cool double-sided Bluetooth remote that has a touchpad on one side and a QWERTY keyboard on the other.

The companies said they will begin taking preorders for the product sometime this spring. Pricing was not announced.

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3DGO 3D TV on Demand

The service will run as an app on connected 3DTV sets that support Sensio Hi-Fi 3D technology. Content wise, Sensio say they will be offering a range of programming from top movies to documentaries. The service will not be subscription based but users will pay rental fees that are said to be comparable to existing market costs.

Speaking about the service, Nicholas Routhier, president and CEO of Sensio said, “We know customers want more 3D content and easy/convenient access to it. This is exactly why we are launching 3DGO!. For the first time, consumers will get an easy access to the largest on demand 3D dedicated library directly from their 3DTV. 3DGO! is the simplest way to make a good use of any 3D TV.”

3DTV is not having the success expected by manufacturers and has not sold as many units as expected. In fact, the not so fancied connected TV is outselling 3DTV by a margin of two to one according to Parks Associates.

Sensio have not given any more details or an indication of which TV sets will run it, but the service is expected to be showcased at the CES show.

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LG betting on Google TV

The company will join Sony, Vizio and Samsung who have both partnered with Google for TV platform. LG have revealed they will LG introduce their Google TV set at the CES show next week in Las Vegas.

Currently the TV operating system only runs on one TV set from Sony. Google TV has thus far been a bit of a lame duck, even managing to wipe millions off Logitech’s profits when they discontinued the Revue box.

The LG Google TV will run alongside the standard LG Smart TV which runs on open web technology and means LG are not putting all their connected TV eggs in one basket.

Speaking in a press release, President and CEO of LG Electronics, Havis Kwon said, “Through Google TV, LG has merged Google’s established Android operating system with LG’s proven 3D and Smart TV technologies, offering consumers a new and enthralling TV experience.”

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Roku streaming just got smaller

The streaming stick is designed to give users the benefits of a Smart connected TV without the worry of the hardware becoming outdated. But users will need a TV that has MHL-enabled HDMI ports. The MHL (Mobile High-definition Link) port is being built into sets from most big manufacturers such as Nokia, Samsung and Sony. The streaming stick will be controllable by the standard TV remote.

The press release from Roku states, “The Roku Streaming Stick is a wireless device about the size of a standard USB flash drive that will plug into a TV to instantly transform it into a Smart TV. The Roku Streaming Stick will feature built-in WiFi, processor, memory and software to deliver Roku’s growing collection of streaming entertainment. With these new Smart TVs, consumers will enjoy a fully integrated high-definition streaming experience. any boxes or cables. It can be controlled by a TV remote and offer most (but not all) of the features that a Roku player can offer.”

The current Roku box gives users around 400 streaming channels and was the first service to offer Netflix. The service also offers other streaming services from Hulu, and Amazon instant video amongst others delivered in HD. The Roku streaming set-top box is set to launch in the UK and Canada this year.

The Streaming Stick is expected to become available later this year and will be sold at Best Buy for between $50-$100 and may also come bundled with the Insgnia Smart TV.

So a good idea as noboby wants more boxes and wires around the TV set. But as the only compatible TV’s need to be MHL equipped, those same TV sets will probably have internet TV options built in anyway.

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Can you handle 2 new iPad's?

Google have always played second fiddle to Apple even though their Android software is in countless smartphones and tablets, but in a recent interview made in Italy, Google exec Eric Schmidt discussed plans to market “a tablet of the highest quality.”

That tablet would be running on the latest incarnation of Android OS which many claim is getting as good as the Apple iOS.

In response a report reaches us that Apple will be launching more in the iPad range in January 2012  at the iWorld event. This is according to sources within Apple’s supply chain partners.

It is said that the new models will be available along with iPad 2, giving an entry level tablet, mid-range and high end version. It is also rumored that the iPad 2 will get a price reduction in the process.

This will leave the iPad 2 in straight competition with the highly rated Amazon kindle Fire in the low end tablet market. Of course this is all rumor and speculation, but you can bet that Google have been beavering away to try and take the market from Apple as tablet’s have proven such a success with the public.

Apple are making no official comments, but next year will be interesting. Maybe as early as January.

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v.1.5 will be the last Boxee software for PC

It seems that the future will be on mobile devices and via connected TV. The company say that the future of digital TV is changing, and of course it is. But it does seem a bit premature to isolate the PC audience as many see the PC as an essential portal into the TV online world.

Speaking about the move, Boxee said in a blog posting:-

“While there are still many users who have computers connected to their TVs, we believe this use case is likely to decline as users find better alternatives. People will continue to watch a lot of video on their computer, but it is more likely to be a laptop than a home-theater PC and probably through a browser rather than downloaded software.”

Boxee see the future of internet TV coming from connected devices and mobile tablets and smartphones. They say:-

“We believe the future of TV will be driven by devices such as the Boxee Box, Connected TVs / Blu-Rays and 2nd screen devices such as tablets and phones.”

So the 1.5 release will be the last version that is available for PC, the Mac and Ubuntu. It can be downloaded via Boxee.tv until the end of January 2012.

The news has not gone down well with the PC community that supported and promoted the service from it’s early days though. A quick look at the blog posting comments shows some real anger as hundreds of loyal users show their reaction to the news.

Comments include, “And that’s the end of Boxee.” , “Thanks for keeping your promise, but I will not support a company that drops the community which gave it their support first.” , “Not impressed boxee. Another startup that was dedicated to the community has taken to making a quick penny by selling their devices. As a boxee user for years now, I am disappointed with this news.”

The good news for PC owners is that the Boxee software is open source and a modification of the XBMC media player. USers can download and modify the source code for the Boxee software release up to v. 1.5.

So the chances are that the software will continue to be developed, just not by Boxee.

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The new tizi Remote app lets users make use of the iPhone 4S and lets users change and browse channels, pause and rewind live TV etc., but it also makes use of Siri functionality.

Using the Apple iPhone 4S app and using the power of your voice, viewers can change channels and do other voice controlled tomfoolery.

Voice control is starting to make appearances in the TV market with LG launching a voice controlled version of their magic remote.

The system is not available in the US at this time, you need a new iPad and a new iPhone to use it too, which narrows down the market for this system.

And many people may question why you would need a remote to control an iPad that is in your hands at the time your watching it!

But it is interesting to see more manufacturers make use of voice control which looks to be the next big development in TV control. The app can be downloaded free from the Apple iTunes App Store right now.

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WD has also announced the streaming movie service VUDU, as well as several other new sports and entertainment services to the WD TV Live™ and WD TV Live Hub™ media players. These new services complement the current content offerings from Netflix^®, Hulu Plus™, Blockbuster^®, CinemaNow^®, Spotify^™, Pandora^®, YouTube^®, Facebook^® and many others. In addition to VUDU, the new services include SnagFilms, XOS College Sports, SEC Digital Network, Comedy Time and Watch Mojo.

Improved Navigation with WD TV Remote

The new WD TV Remote app improves the navigation experience for WD TV Live and WD TV Live Hub users, providing all the features of the standard WD TV remote control along with several advanced features, including a gesture pad to help navigate menu screens and services with intuitive touch gestures, as well as QWERTY keyboard support for text entry and search functionality. A favourites screen provides quick access to entertainment services on the WD TV. WD TV Remote connects over the home wireless network and can work with multiple WD TV media players in the home. Additionally, WD TV Remote is available in multiple languages, including English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Japanese, Korean, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Russian, and Portuguese.

“WD TV personalises the entertainment experience for consumers better than any other digital media player,” said Chris Bull, director of marketing for WD’s Connected Home Solutions group. “Whether it is photos or movies on your PC, Mac^®, tablet, smartphone, personal cloud drive such as the My Book^® Live, or one of our exciting entertainment services such as VUDU, WD TV media players enable anyone in the family to easily enjoy a custom entertainment experience with their favourite movies, TV shows, music and photos.”

New Services[1]

• · VUDU – WD TV (USA only) customers now have access to VUDU’s large HD library of movies and TV titles instantly on their home entertainment systems. WD supports the HDX™ video format that features 1080p Full HD video and rich Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 audio, allowing users to enjoy a cinema-like experience at home with the hottest new releases available on-demand without any subscription fees or late fees. Upon VUDU registration on their device WD TV media player users will receive a $4.99 USD credit towards VUDU movie rentals, which are available to rent starting at just $2 USD for two nights.
• · SnagFilms – Available world-wide, customers now have on-demand access to SnagFilms’ broad collection of full-length independent films, free of charge, in genres such as documentary, comedy, drama, family friendly and pop culture.
• · XOS College Sports – Available world-wide, this free service offers the largest digital library of college sports video, including more than 75 years of current and classic college sports action.
• · SEC Digital Network – Available world-wide, on demand access is available for current season and classic Southeastern Conference games, videos, interviews and more. This service includes more than 1,000 hours of original and exclusive video.
• · Comedy Time – Available in the world-wide, this free service includes a broad library of short-form comedy video programming.
• · Watch Mojo – Available world-wide, customers now have free access to Watch Mojo’s professionally-produced premium videos in categories such as Comedy, Education, Fashion, Food, Health & Fitness, Music, Politics, Technology and Video Games.

Price and Availability

The VUDU, SnagFilms, XOS College Sports, SEC Digital Network, Comedy Time and Watch Mojo services are now available on WD TV Live and WD TV Live Hub media players, which are available at select UK retailers and online at www.wdstore.co.uk starting at £99.99 MSRP.

WD TV Remote is currently available as a free download from the iTunes^® Store and we anticipate will be available on the Android Market soon.

About WD

WD, one of the storage industry’s pioneers and long-time leaders, provides products and services for people and organisations that collect, manage and use digital information. The company designs and produces reliable, high-performance hard drives and solid state drives that keep users’ data accessible and secure from loss. Its advanced technologies are configured into applications for client and enterprise computing, embedded systems and consumer electronics, as well as its own consumer storage and home entertainment products.

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Apple stand alone TV closer to becoming a reality

The new Apple connected TV set is rumoured to be using a revolutionary TV control system with Siri voice recognition and possibly motion controls a’la Kinect.

The WSJ reports that Apple Senior vice president Eddy Cue is spearheading the project, and has been holding meetings with high ranking media execs discussing “their vision for the future of TV”.

Apple are said to be keen to create a synergy between a customers phone, tablet and TV, allowing streaming content to start on a users television set and be transferred to smartphone or tablet as they move around. The new Apple TV will derive content from the web solely and be based in the iCloud.

It is thought that the new TV will encompass all the existing Apple technology from the Siri voice control to the Apple TV set-top device. Apple are said to be keen on using gestures and voice for control, allowing viewers to find and change channel by voice and changing volume with a flick of the wrist.

Unfortunately we are no nearer to finding out any more hardware details, and they were reportedly very “vague” about giving any juicy info away. But according to Steve Jobs, writing in his biography that he had, “finally cracked it”. He said that the connected TV would sync with other Apple devices, and would, “have the simplest user interface you could imagine.”

Apple would be wise to pursue a connected TV, as they currently sell the number one connected device in the Apple TV box, which has said to have sold over a million units.

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Amazon Kindle product vice-president Dave Limp has said that the product, released as a direct competitor to Apple’s iPad, has now been the best-selling item on Amazon’s US website 11 weeks in a row (including pre-orders), with millions of copies sold since launching in September.

Limp said of the current success for the device: “Kindle Fire is the most successful product we’ve ever launched – it’s the bestselling product across all of Amazon for 11 straight weeks, we’ve already sold millions of units, and we’re building millions more to meet the high demand. In fact, demand is accelerating – Kindle Fire sales increased week over week for each of the past three weeks. People are buying Kindle Fire because it’s a simple, fully-integrated service that makes it easy to do the things they love – watch movies, read books and magazines, listen to music, download apps, play games and surf the web.”

While Amazon had been quiet on exact sales figures in the past, it has now been revealed that the Kindle Fire has sold over a million copies in each of the past three weeks, with the low price (in comparison to other tablet computers) thought to be the main drawing point towards it being a high-selling product in the run-up to Christmas.

First announced in the US on 28 September (and released on 15 November), the Kindle Fire seems to have gone from strength to strength, and with such high figures, it is likely that they will soon launch the product in other countries, with plans in place already for a second edition, as well as a proposed Kindle smartphone. While they may see it to be a costly exercise, will Amazon’s risky efforts be rewarded with a strong foothold in the market?

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Control Roku with your iPhone

Using the Roku for iPhone remote app users can organize channels, get an instant replay, and if your lucky enough to have more than one Roku then the app can switch between them.Other functions include skip, play, instant replay and a store tab which lets users visit the channel store.

The Roku device is a set-top box that can stream internet video including movies and TV shows onto the television set and can launch channels which include Netflix, Hulu and Amazon.

Roku recently launched the LT streaming device and have announced plans to launch in the UK and Canada early next year. The iPhone has plenty of other remote apps for online TV systems such as Google TV.

The free app for iPhone can be obtained from the App Store now.

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Apple TV rules the connected market

The small in size and small in price ($99) device from Apple has (according to Strategy Analytics), managed to achieve over 4 million sales out of the nearly 12 million devices out there. Currently only about 8% of US households are connected, but that number is expected to explode in 2012.

Great results for a company whom the Apple TV box was famously considered just a ‘hobby’ product, as it gives Apple a 32% share of the connected TV market making them the unlikely leader.

Currently viewers have a choice between buying an internet ready TV set or getting connected using a Blu-ray player or set-top box. A smart TV box offers a very inexpensive taste of online TV on the big screen. Once connected, users can get access to streaming movies and TV shows and download apps, widgets and games to their TV set.

The famous hobby quote that keeps getting repeated came courtesy of Apple’s chief operating officer,  Tim Cook who said at a Goldman Sachs conference in San Francisco in Feb 2010 that the Apple TV project was “still a hobby,” that occupied a small space in a market that. He did redeem himself somewhat though when he added, they would keep their irons in the fire because “our gut tells us there’s something there.”

The Apple TV device had a re-designed last year making available more streaming options and removing the old harddrive thereby reducing the cost. Other than iTunes downloads, Apple TV also has several third-party streaming apps such as Netflix and YouTube.

It has also been rumored that Apple will launch a dedicated internet connected HDTV set in 2012, which may or may not make the Apple TV device redundant. But the smart money is on Apple keeping both products.

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Xbox Live TV getting original content?

The news reported by Bloomberg says that the computer giant have been attempting to recruit The previous chairman of NBC, Jeff Gaspin and head of west coast operations for NBC, Marc Graboff.

Microsoft have made no secret that they wish to turn the Xbox 360 consoleinto an entertainment hub and already have a number of streaming services available including Hulu Plus, Netflix, Youtube, ESPN, Xfinity Fios and EPIX amongst others.

Other streaming channels coming December/early 2012 on the Xbox Live service include BBC iPlayer, Crackle, MSNBC.com, TMZ, and UFC, CinemaNow, HBO GO, Xfinity from Comcast.

Microsoft are no stranger to the idea of making original video content. Back in 2006 it launched MSN Originals, supplying exclusive video content for MSN. It was though a short lived affair.

Microsoft are aware that consoles are the most popular streaming device aand are following in the footsteps of Netflix and Hulu, who are looking at producing content rather than paying the ever increasing prices for streaming rights.

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Will Google TV be powering your next TV Set?

A pretty big claim considering the platform is seen by many as a failure, even after a major software upgrade was introduced, Logitech stopped producing it’s Google powered Revue set-top box back in November after slashing the price from $300 to $99.

The move saw Logitech lose $100 million and left CEO Guerrino De Luca calling it, “a mistake of implementation of a gigantic nature”. Although he appears to have had a change of stance now saying the company will sit “on the bench” whilst improvements are made.

Google (along with many other big companies) are predicting an explosing in the smart TV market, although Samsung, Sony and LG have been producing smart connected TV sets for some time, many predict that next year it will become standard for every TV set sold.

Google will of course face plenty of competition from the TV manufacturers themselves who have existing TV platform s in place, and other big names such as Apple who are said to be on the verge of launching a connected TV next year. And former CEO Steve Jobs revealed in his autobiography that he had cracked how to create a remote-less connected TV.

So with all the different platforms and competition, it does seem a little far fetched to announce that most TV’s will have Google running them, but Schmidt is not backward at coming forward to ‘big up’ his products.

He also claimed last Wednesday that the Android OS is ahead of the Apple OS in the smartphone market. One thing is for sure though, smart TV sets will be everywhere next year and viewers are probably unconcerned as to which software is running under the hood, so long as the connected TV does what they want.

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Fetch TV brings cheap TV on-demand to connected TV

The Fetch TV app lets viewers of Smart Viera TV’s and (early next year) Samsung Smart TV’s to watch TV content and video on demand such as movies from major studios and specialist TV channels.

The programming can be supplied on a pay-as-you-view basis or there are micro-subscription options for unlimited viewings from just £1.99 (€2.30) monthly.

Fetch TV could be accessed previously via the Freeview set-top digital TV box, allowing users to receive all standard definition Freeview channels, and giving access to online content including the BBC iPlayer and Sky Go directly to your TV set. But it will now be rolled out to a range of smart TV sets next year.

With an onslaught of services coming to the UK next year including Netflix and the fact that many devices can receive catch-up TV, we are not sure how many viewers will be flocking to Fetch.

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Sony Bravia gets more goodies in TV update

The Youtube HD update has come, because say Sony, “Watching the latest Internet sensation on a smartphone or laptop simply doesn’t come close to the big screen experience.”

The update comes with some more goodies as well. Viewers can view Facebook videos on your smart television and get a real-time Twitter feed scrolling ticker-tape style at the bottom of the TV screen.

Another key feature is the ability for non-Sony laptops running windows 7 to fling web content to the Bravia TV. Sony said, “You can already use your smartphone or Vaio keyboard to control your TV and surf the web – and now you can use other laptops too. From typing a web address to searching for information about the latest movies, it makes entering text on-screen even easier than using your TV remote.”

Also of interest is a Shazam type from song-identifying Track ID technology to recognise song titles and artist names played on the TV content or during ad breaks. The free update from Sony is only available for Bravia TV sets from the 2011 range though, if you have an older set, your out of luck.

You can grab the update tnow using your internet-connected TV, or via the USB port.

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Watch slung content on Boxee

The new Slingplayer app will let Boxee users control any digital cable box, satellite receiver, or DVR that is connected to their Slingbox Solo or PRO-HD.the venerable box which hooks up to your cable-TV connection and reroutes the video feed across the Internet.

The critical acclaimed Boxee hardware already gives users access to online streaming from Netflix, Vudu and will play almost any file from the home network in HD.

The good news is that you can stream your video and premium content anywhere you are, in what Boxee call “cord shaving,” but you will need both a Boxee box which is’nt cheap at around $199 plus a Slingbox for a similar amount. And not forgetting the cable or satellite subscription too.

Although the app came at a cost for the smartphone and tablets versions, the Boxee Box app is free.

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Samsung now claim to be in ‘last-stage’ talks with Google on the product, although details of what the TV will contain are currently unconfirmed, although the two companies will carry experience into the deal, having previously worked together on mobile phone products, as well as planning ’companions’ (set-top-box and Blu-ray player), designed specifically for Google’s range of TV’s.

Whatever is included on the new version, Google will be hoping that it is a vast improvement on their first attempt at creating a connected home viewing experience, with the first edition of ‘Google TV’, which has been widely regarded as a disappointment by customers and critics alike. The company themselves agreed, stating last month: ”The initial version of Google TV wasn’t perfect, but launching it gave us the opportunity to learn. These are still early days, and we’re working hard to move forward with each update.”

Yoon-Boo Keun, the president of Samsung’s TV division, said of the developments with Google: “We are in our final stages of talks with Google over releasing our version of a Google TV. The product will be revealed next year for sure but not at the CES in January, although we would probably be able to comment on the release date in Las Vegas.”

While Google are a huge name in the online search industry, have they left it too late to make a big impact with online TV’s?

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Roku coming to Canada and UK

The Roku streaming media players which sell in the US for around $60, offer over 300 channels of video, music and gaming. The boxes stream Netflix, HBO and Hulu Plus amongst other online services, and will also support regional channels in the country of use says CEO Anthony Wood.

He said, “This year has been one of many accomplishments for Roku in the US and now we’re looking forward to kicking off 2012 by expanding to Europe and Canada to give consumers the best in streaming entertainment–a natural evolution for Roku.”

The news comes hot on the heels of Netflix’s European expansion plans, and increases the competition in that area as more US companies compete in this market. Roku announced earlier this year that there were over a million boxes in use and more than 15 million channel downloads.

More details on on models to be launched and pricing structure will be revealed nearer launch date.

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Netflix app specially made for Android tablets

The update that has been released runs on all Android powered tablets, which includes the hot new tablets from Amazon (Kindle Fire), and from Barnes & Noble (the Nook Tablet). And Android owners can boast about it to their iPad owning friends, because they get the update first.

The all new interface is a big change from the phone version, showing movies and TV shows as thumbnails and displaying, “twice as many movies and TV shows as before” according to the Netflix blog announcement. Categories are now scrollable as well, making the app a better looking beast than the phone version.

The app has been optimized for touch-screen tablets allowing users to swipe through titles and categories. By Clicking a movie thumbnail, you can get more details and a description plus add to your queue or watch it instantly. In other words it is easier and better to watch Netflix on Android tablets.

Netflix have not explained why Android tablets got the app before iPad, but it may be that the Kindle Fire(which comes with Netflix built-in), has a much slicker Amazon streaming service that is competing with them. And iPad owners, dont worry. The new version is coming to iPad soon.

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