by Phillip Swann on September 1, 2010
Samsung is trying to do to the HDTV what Apple has done to mobile devices such as the iPhone. But do people want to surf the Net and make phone calls on their televisions?
Samsung thinks so. The TV maker yesterday held a coming out party for its plan to add content apps to televisions and other TV-related devices such as Blu-ray players.
Inviting developers to attend the first 'Free the TV Developer Day' in San Jose, Samsung hopes that the TV will become a 'Smart TV,' enabling viewers to perform a variety of tasks in addition to simply watching programming. (Other TV makers are developing their own versions of the Smart TV.)
"2010 is a momentous year for the television industry and for transforming the viewing experience of people worldwide," Samsung said in a statement. "To vitalize the Smart TV market, it is crucial to provide quality local content tailored to consumers of different countries."
Samsung says it now offers more than 200 applications in close to 120 countries including such popular iPhone and iPad apps as Pandora, Twitter, Google Maps. Select new Samsung HDTVs also come with Hulu Plus, ESPN Next Level and Skype.
See Swanni's commentary below:
http://www.tvpredictions.com/samsung090110.htm
by Phillip Swann on August 30, 2010
Time Warner and Disney have reached an agreement to enable the cable operator to keep carrying ABC and ESPN, the New York Post reports.
The agreement comes less than two weeks before the NFL season (ESPN has the broadcast rights to Monday Night Football) and less than a month before the start of ABC's new fall season.
The two sides have been bickering in public over the new carriage agreement. If a new agreement was not reached by September 1, Time Warner subscribers could have lost the SD and HD signals to the Disney-owned channels.
Read more:
http://www.tvpredictions.com/twdisney083010.htm
by Phillip Swann on August 27, 2010
Blockbuster has told the studios that it plans to declare bankruptcy next month, reports The Los Angeles Times.
The move, which has been expected, will be designed to keep the video retailer in business. The bankruptcy will focus on allowing Blockbuster to restructure $1 billion in debt.
However, the Times reports that Blockbuster will likely close between 500 to 800 stores during the bankruptcy process, which could take up to five months.
Blockbuster has already closed hundreds of stores in the past year or two to streamline operations and reduce debt.
Read more here:
http://www.tvpredictions.com/blockbuster082710.htm
