Intel and Yahoo! are looking at new ways to bring Internet content and services to the television environment with the announcement of the new “Widget Channel”. The Widget Channel is a television application framework powered by the Yahoo! Widget Engine, and optimized for TV and related CE (Consumer Electronics) devices utilizing the Intel Architecture platform. Developers using the Widget Channel framework can utilize standard web programming languages and technologies to create widgets that bring together television content with interactive Internet-based services from a variety of sources. Yahoo! also plans on releasing their own branded TV Widgets that utilize their own services.

It sounds nice but how does this really pan out? The basic idea is as follows - developers create TV-based Internet applications in the form of widgets (powered by Yahoo! Widgets). These widgets then run on Intel architecture devices.. ah but what kind of devices are these? Since we’re talking about the television market, they have to be either HDTV sets, or set-top boxes (or perhaps standalone CE portable devices some day). This is why Intel is in the picture - they’ve been trying to break into the consumer electronics market and the Widget Channel is the perfect opportunity to do so.

Now why would Yahoo! want to be in this picture? Once software developers are on-board with their TV Widgets and set-top boxes get distributed to the masses, Yahoo! can 1) spread their influence via Internet services and 2) generate additional revenues through advertising - this time via televised content. Consider the possibilities of Internet based advertising delivered alongside television content!

The key to making this all pan out will be the hardware manufacturers of CE devices - the folks who manufacture HDTV sets, set-top boxes, and portable consumer electronics. If there’s wide-spread adoption, then Yahoo! and Intel could be on to something. If no one bites, then well.. this one will just drift off into space.

The two companies plan on releasing a software development kit to developers, advertisers/publishers, as well as hardware manufacturers of TVs and consumer electronics. The Widget Channel will also include a Widget Gallery where developers can publish their TV widgets across multiple devices.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Intel, Yahoo!, TV Widgets, Widget Channel

AOC has introduced their new Envision Series of HDTV LCD TV sets including three new models - the 19 inch L19W861, the 26 inch L26W861, and the 32 inch L32W861. The three HDTV sets are designed for consumers looking to add HD displays in places other than the living room. Here are the specs and features of the three new displays:

The L19W861:

• Designed for smaller spaces
• Can be used as an HD PC monitor
• 1440 x 900
• 300 cd/m2 Brightness
• 3000:1 contrast ratio
• 5 ms response time
• VESA wall mountable
• HDMI video input
• PC input with audio
• Digital ATSC and Clear QAM tuner
• Swivel Base
• Price at $299

The L26W861:

• 1366 x 768
• HDMI video input
• PC input with audio
• Digital ATSC and Clear QAM tuner
• Swivel Base
• Price at $499

The L32W861:

• 1366 x 768
• 500 cd/m2 Brightness
• 4500:1 Contrast Ratio
• 8ms Response Time
• 2 HDMI video inputs
• PC input with audio
• Digital ATSC and Clear QAM tuner
• Swivel Base
• Price at $599

Technorati Tags: AOC Envision, L19W861, L26W861, L32W861

Sharp has announced three new models to their large-screen SB series of LCD HDTV sets. The new SB models are LC-52SB55U, LC-46SB54U and LC-42SB45U which cover 52 inch, 46 inch, and 42 inch screen size class units (actual diagonal sizes are 52 1/32″, 45 63/64 and 42 1/64″ respectively).

All three new displays feature:

• Full HD (1920 x 1080)
• Glossy piano-black bezels
• 6ms pixel response times
• Wide viewing angles
• Built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners
• Four HDMI connectors on the LC-52SB55U, two connectors on the LC-46SB54U and three on the LC-42SB45U
• Two HD component terminals
• Dedicated PC input

As for pricing and availability:

• The LC-52SB55U is available now for an MSRP of $2,299.99
• The LC-46SB54U is available now for an MSRP of $1,699.99
• The LC-42SB45U will be available in September for an MSRP of $1,399.99

Technorati Tags: Sharp, LC-52SB55U, LC-46SB54U, LC-42SB45U, HDTV

Samsung keeps churning out new LCD HDTV sets - this time it’s the new Series 9 LED LCD’s which is Samsung’s second generation LCD HDTV to feature Samsung’s LED SmartLighting technology. The new Series 9 is now Samsung’s flagship LCD TV featuring Touch of Color bezel design, Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology, 1,000,000 dynamic contrast ratio,  and full HD 1080p pictures.

According to Samsung, LED SmartLighting with local dimming technology achieves “dramatic contrast levels” and expresses “‘actual black levels’ by completely shutting off a pixel’s light source”. In addition to SmartLighting, the Series 9 displays utilize improved Ultra Clear Panel technology to help eliminate ambient light reflection.

Other specs to these LCD Series 9 displays are as follows:

• Samsung InfoLink RSS service
• Supports MP3, JPEG, Video file formats
• USB 2.0
• Internal memory pre-loaded with content
• Four HDMI-CEC connectors (1 side mounted and three in the rear)
• EnergySaving Mode

The new Series 9 LED LCDs will be available in August in three models - a 46 inch (model LN46A950) and a 55 inch (model LN55A950).

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Samsung LED LCD HDTV, Series 9, LN46A950, LN55A950

Missed this one last week - Samsung introduced its Series 7 Plasma HDTV sets featuring their popular Touch of Color (ToC) bezel design. The new Series 7 sets feature full 1080p picture, 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratios, and Samsung’s Ultra FilterBright technology. The Series 7 also allows users to calibrate the TV for both day-time and night-time viewing to ensure the best possible picture.

Here are the key features of the Series 7 Plasmas from Samsung:

• Touch of Color bezel which infuses a red color into the piano black bezel
• Full HD 1080p support
• Ultra FilterBright anti-glare technology
• DNIe Pro video processing technology
• 18 bit Natural True Color
• One-button on-demand InfoLink RSS feed service with content from USA Today
• Side mounted USB 2.0 port
• WiseLink Pro
• Supports MP3, JPG, XvID, MPEG4 files
• Compatible with DLNA products
• Four HDMI 1.3 inputs

The new Series 7 Plasmas will be available in August in three sizes - 50 inches (model PN50A760), 58 inches (model PN58A760), and 63 inches (model PN63A760).

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Samsung, Series 7 Plasma, Touch of Color (ToC), HDTV

Samsung announced today, three additional models to their “Touch of Color” lineup of desktop monitors - the T220HD, T240HD, and T260HD.  All three monitors utilize Samsung’s dual-injection technology which gives the display’s ruby red bezel that unique transparent look. These new monitors have common features such as a built-in ATSC/QAM TV tuner, front and rear HDMI connections, high contrast ratios, and 16:10 aspect ratios.

The T220HD has the following specs:

• 22 inch widescreen display
• 1680 x 1050 resolution
• 300 cd/m2 brightness
• Dynamic Contrast of 10,000:1
• Dolby Digital Surround Sound
• USB hub
• 2 HDMI connections

The T240HD has the following specs:

• 24 inch widescreen display
• 1920 x 1080 resolution
• 300 cd/m2 brightness
• Dynamic contrast of 10,000:1
• Dolby Digital Surround Sound
• 2 HDMI connections

The T260HD has the following specs:

• 25.5 inch widescreen display
• 1920 x 1200 resolution
• 300 cd/m2 brightness
• Dynamic contrast of 10,000:1
• Dolby Digital Surround Sound
• 2 HDMI connections

The prices for these three new ToC monitors are as follows:

• T220 HD: $429
• T240 HD: $549
• T260 HD: $599

Technorati Tags: Samsung, T220HD, T240HD, T260HD, HDTV displays, LCD displays, Touch of Color, ToC

Samsung’s Touch of Color (ToC) lineup of LCD HDTV sets have been well received over the last year and thus it’s not surprising to see the company add two new models today - the Series 8 850 and the Series 8 860. Both models feature a new slim and narrow frame with a depth of 1.9 inches at its widest with the 850 featuring a rose color and the 860 a deep blue color.

The key features of the new Series 8 models include the following:

• Full HD support
• 4ms response time
• 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
• Down-firing speakers (10 watts x 2) with integrated woofer
• SRS TruSurround XT
• 4 HDMI ports
• New design that is at most 1.9 inches deep at the widest point
• Utilizes Samsung’s Ultra Clear Panel for better contrast ratios and deeper black levels
• Samsung Wide Color Enhancer 2 for expanded color range
• Auto Motion Plus 120Hz
• InfoLink - one button on-demand InfoLink RSS service with content from USA Today
• Side mounted USB 2.0 port (The Series 8 860 comes with an extra USB 2.0 port)
• WideLink Pro turns television into a jukebox or photo album
• Supports MP3, JPEG, XviD, and MPEG4 files

The Series 8 850 will be available in September in a 46 inch model (LN46A850) and a 52 inch model (LN52A850). The Series 8 860 will also be available in a 46 inch model (LN46A860), and a 52 inch model (LN52A860) in September.

The Series 8 850 46 inch model will go for $2699.99.

The Series 8 850 52 inch model will go for $3399.99

The Series 8 860 46 inch model will go for $2799.99

The Series 8 860 52 inch model will go for $3499.99.

Technorati Tags: Samsung, Touch of Color (ToC), LCD HDTV, Series 8 850, Series 8 860, LN46A850, LN52A850, LN46A860, LN52A860

Our congrats goes out to William Wang, CEO and Founder of VIZIO, for receiving Ernst & Young’s Annual Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 Award in the Orange County/Desert Cities program.  The award “recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptionality in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.” Thanks to low prices, good quality, and distribution channels like Costco and Wal-mart, VIZIO has gone from nothingness to one of the leading brands in the HDTV market. Congrats again!

Technorati Tags: VIZIO, Ernst & Young\'s Annual Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 Award, CEO William Wang

Epson America announced today that the new Ensemble HD Home Cinema System was now shipping to dealers and installers nationwide. The Ensemble HD is a complete home theater solution that comes with all the component necessary to transform any room in your home into a full fledged home theater setup. Features of the Ensemble HD Home Cinema System include the following:

• Choice of Epson PowerLite 3LCD (three-chip) high definition multimedia projector with either true 1080p native resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) or a more affordably priced 720p option
• Unique 100-inch motorized screen that quietly lowers and retracts within the unique front channel ceiling mounted speaker system
• Audio/video controller with integrated upconverting DVD player
• Newly engineered Atlantic Technology speaker system and a proprietary 150-watt subwoofer containing all 5.1 channels of amplification
• Universal remote that controls the entire system including the motorized screen
• Every audio, video and power cable needed to complete the installation while maximizing performance (including HDMI)
• Unique wire management track system that hides all of the included cables from the site of users
• All necessary mounting brackets

There are two packages available for the Ensemble HD Home Cinema System - a 1080p system priced at $6999 and a 720p system priced at $4999.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Epson America, Ensemble HD Home Cinema System

Are you a Panasonic LCD HDTV owner who’s a bit jealous of fellow Panasonic HD plasma owners who have the Plasma Concierge free customer support program? Well there’s no longer a need to be jealous! Panasonic has announced that they’ve extended the free Concierge program to both Panasonic Plasma and LCD HDTV owners and have as such renamed the program the Panasonic VIERA Concierge program.

The VIERA program includes a toll-free customer support line, provides Panasonic HDTV owners with quick access to technical support via the web, phone, or in-home service as well as access to Panasonic’s HDTV loaner program. The HDTV loaner program provides HDTV loaners at no charge to customers who have their plasma or LCD in for repair (a bit like car loaners)

Once you become part of the VIERA Concierge program, you’ll receive a Concierge Benefits Card which provides a customer ID and a dedicated toll-free telephone number.

This move makes complete sense in the big picture as more and more Panasonic customers opt for LCD HDTV sets and not Plasma based sets.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Panasonic LCD, Plasma HDTV, VIERA Concierge Program