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What’s the angle of new O.C. wireless prepaid startup?

November 16th, 2009, 3:18 pm by

Simple Mobile, a new wireless prepaid company launches Nov. 2009.New company alert: Startup Simple Mobile in Orange County officially launched its prepaid wireless service today claiming to “revolutionize the unlimited prepaid wireless market.”

It comes from Clay Berryhill, a former exec of defunct Amp’d Mobile, Sprint and Verizon Wireless, according to a note I got with the press release announcing the company’s launch. Berryhill has been working on Simple for two years in Laguna Beach. The company’s privacy page alludes to Irvine as being the home base.

From Simple Mobile’s press release (I’m waiting for the company to respond to questions), the new company does several things differently:

  • Encourages customers to bring their own phone — over 180 are approved (MetroPCS also offers this service for $40)
  • Offers GSM service, which is the same technology used by AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile customers (Sprint and Verizon Wireless use CDMA)
  • Offers standard prepaid service that includes “no minimum term lengths in contracts, no credit checks, no hidden fees…”

So … is Simple really revolutionary? That’s quite a claim, Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Cell phones • • • • • • • | 8 Comments »

Western Digital HD gadget gets more web TV to home’s HDTV

October 13th, 2009, 8:25 am by

UPDATE, 11:52 a.m.: Western Digital confirms its new media player won’t play videos from Hulu or Netflix either. Also, more pics, see below.

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Western Digital WD TV LiveLake Forest hard drive maker takes another stab at the TV market with today’s release of the WD TV Live HD media player.

There’s a major upgrade on the new player: It can stream YouTube videos, Flickr slide shows or other high-definition Internet content on a home’s big-screen TV.

While such media-sharing devices have been around for years, the Western Digital gadget is built for 1080p HD video. Last year’s model was novel and worked well, but in order to play HD video, users had to transfer videos to a USB key or external drive and then plug it into the gadget.

The new gadget still resembles a miniature “MyBook,” the company’s line of external PC hard drives that look like black books. It’s very small — about 4-by-5 inches and 1.5-inches thick — so it’s pretty unobtrusive. It connects straight into a big TV via the HDMI port (an RCA jack and other components are also available).

Western Digital WD TV Live

Western Digital WD TV LiveMore people are discovering free videos online, not just with YouTube, but sites like Hulu.com, Fancast.com, Joost.com and Veoh.com that offer full-length TV shows and movies. But few devices allow access to everything available.

Western Digital’s is no different. The press release mentions that the Western Digital device allows access to YouTube, Flickr and Pandora. However, in the product specifications, the media player “Does not support protected premium content such as movies or music from the iTunes Store, Cinema Now, Movielink, Amazon Unbox, and Vongo.” No mention of Netflix Streaming either.

UPDATE, 11:52 a.m.: Western Digital confirms this won’t play videos from Hulu either or Netflix. Here are some images of what the software looks like on the TV. Click to enlarge:

Western Digital's new WD TV Live screenshot of slide show with audio in the background. Western Digital's new WD TV Live screenshot showing Internet radio Pandora.

I’m hoping to test this out soon to get a good feel of what it really can and can’t do. The WD TV Live HD is available at the company’s store for $149.99.

Earlier on TV gadgets:

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Posted in: Gadgets • Video & TV • • • • • • • • • | 19 Comments »

How Vizio got to produce and co-own Fox Sports’ new TV show

October 2nd, 2009, 8:25 am by

Vizio Pro-Files, a new Fox Sports TV showThis is a follow up to “New Fox Sports TV show produced by … Irvine HDTV maker?” which is about ”Vizio Pro-Files,” a new Fox Sports TV show  produced in part by Irvine-based Vizio.

Obviously, it’s a change in strategy for the company, which has done a few TV commercials (featuring San Diego Charger LaDanian Tomlinson), but mostly relied on retailers, like Costco, and the cardboard box the TV comes in to spread the world about its products.

“Vizio Pro-Files,” which debuts at 11 p.m. Friday night, mentions the company at the beginning and end and that appears to be it.

In between, host Laura Okmin hangs out with today’s football’s stars, exploring their lives off the field. While I thought this would just be a 30-minute TV commercial for Vizio, the first episode has less product placement than a Hollywood movie.  The Vizio logo and its TVs are used in the show’s introduction and ending.

Jason Maciel, Vizio’s director of marketing, said this wasn’t a new show Fox Sports created and then shopped around for a sponsor. It started with Vizio. Actually, Okmin approached Vizio and the two worked on it together to pitch it to Fox.

“We were initially approached by Laura Okmin and LO Productions (co-producers of the show), who presented us with the concept for the program. Laura helped us to reach out to FSN; she has a long -standing relationship with Fox and is a sideline reporter for several NFL games for them,” he said.

Here’s my Q&A with Maciel:
Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Video & TV • • • • • • • • • • • | Comments Off

New Fox Sports TV show produced by … Irvine HDTV maker?

September 30th, 2009, 3:20 pm by

Vizio Pro-Files TV show, now on Fox Sports Net.Vizio, best known for selling big HDTVs for less than the competition, is jumping into TV show production.

The Irvine company is executive producer for ”VIZIO PRO-FILES,” a  new show on Fox Sports Net hosted by Fox Sports broadcaster Laura Okmin.

The 30-minute show debuts Friday at 11 p.m. on all Fox Sports Network stations. The first episode features Green Bay starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who replaced Brett Favre. Each episode will re-air at 6 and 11 p.m. Tuesdays,  9:30 p.m. Thursdays and at 3:30 p.m. Fridays.

Upcoming profiles will include Brian Urlacher, LaDainian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, Larry Fitzgerald, Chris Henry and Tony Dungy.

But is this just a big commercial for Vizio? Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Video & TV • • • • • • • • • • | Comments Off

Broadcom plus Microsoft means better AT&T U-verse TV

September 11th, 2009, 12:00 pm by

Microsoft Mediaroom

Correction, added Oct. 8, 2009: Since this was an interview conducted over e-mail, some quotes were attributed incorrectly. Corrected story is below.
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News that Irvine chipmaker Broadcom Corp. unleashed a new chip – the Broadcom 7405 – may make your eyes glaze. But if you’re totally into TV, Broadcom’s contribution could help you get more out of your paid TV service.

The new chip powers second-generation Microsoft Mediaroom set-top boxes. In Orange County, AT&T U-verse is the only company offering Microsoft’s software to power its set-top boxes.

If AT&T integrates the chip into the second  generation boxes, subscribers can look forward to “substantial increase in performance,” according to Broadcom (this statement was previously attributed to Microsoft).

“The Broadcom 7405 is the first second generation (system on a chip, or SoCs) being deployed…,” said Steve Koepp, Microsoft’s senior manager, business development of TV, video and music business, in an e-mail. “As mentioned in the releases, this is important as it is enabling choice … which drives competition.”

Here’s a more technical take on Microsoft and Broadcom’s chip from EETimes Europe: “Broadcom touts MS Mediaroom certification at IBC”

The new chip also improves integration of Internet services so we may see Facebook, Twitter and other Internet applications show up on Mediaroom-friendly boxes.

I’m not a U-verse TV customer because it’s not available in my city and I’m unfamiliar with the specific features on the system. Existing U-verse customers can help verify what is already available. According to Microsoft, these are some features offered with the current Microsoft Mediaroom technology:

  • Microsoft Mediaroom offers six-screen TV viewing.Anytime Recording: Rewind or restart a show currently airing that you didn’t record. Also, you can scroll backwards in the Guide to watch a previously aired show through the video on demand library.
  • Anywhere Recording: Extends DVR capabilities to all TVs in the house so every show recorded can be accessed by connected TVs. (U-verse currently offers this multi-room DVR.)
  • Remote recording: Set your DVR to record from any PC or mobile phone (currently offered by U-verse).
  • Multiview: Watch up to six different channels at one time (see image on right).
  • Media Sharing: Built-in ability to access photos, music from computers or other devices on the home network.

More TV news:


Check out the Gadgetress Guide to local TV services

Posted in: Internet • Video & TV • • • • • • • • • • • | 3 Comments »

Toshiba becomes very last company to offer Blu-ray player

September 3rd, 2009, 2:55 pm by

After killing off its beloved but unpopular HD DVD technology last year, Toshiba has finally come out with its first Blu-ray Disc player.

The company announced the BDX2000 today making Toshiba the very last company to jump into Blu-ray camp. Well, Toshiba at least has got to be the last major consumer electronics company to support the technology.

Toshiba's first Blu-ray player, BDX2000.

Toshiba, which has its computer division in Irvine, made a major push for the HD DVD format in 2006 and 2007 before giving up in February 2008. At the time, the company said it had no plans to support the competing Blu-ray technology or offer it in its computers.

But after 18 months, Blu-ray is apparently unavoidable. Blu-ray players are sold everywhere, including Wal-Mart. Every new movie is offered in this format. And even companies like low-priced TV maker Vizio sell a Blu-ray player.

How could Toshiba not support Blu-ray? Well, it does now.

The company’s new Blu-ray player has many of the usual features, including BD Live, which allows viewers to do stuff like chat about the same movie with others online. There’s also an SD card slot to share music and photos. Also, if you are using this with a Toshiba REGZA TV, the two can use the same remote control. The BDX2000 will be available in November for $249.99.

The press release announcing the new player manages to avoid any mention of its HD DVD interlude. But it does mention the technology: “This product does not play HD DVD discs.” Darn!

While there are reports that Toshiba is bringing Blu-ray to its laptops, the technology is still snubbed on the company’s web site. No laptops include the drive and it’s not offered as an add-on accessory. In fact, the site doesn’t even appear to mention Blu-ray at all:

Blu-ray still MIA on Toshiba's PC web site.

At least for now. We’ll probably hear from the computer folks any day now.

Earlier on Blu-ray:

Posted in: Computers • Video & TV • • • • • • • • • | 6 Comments »

Vizio’s Internet TV delayed till December

August 25th, 2009, 1:57 am by

Vizio's Internet TV, the VIA, works just fine months before its November 2009 launch.

If you’ve put off the purchase of an HDTV this long, here’s one reason to wait until December: The VIA Internet TV from Vizio, the Irvine TV company that became the nation’s biggest seller of LCD TVs this year.

The Vizio Internet Apps TV will let people watch TV and check Facebook status, tweet on Twitter or order a Netflix movie. It was supposed to go on sale this summer but Vizio wanted to add more content so it delayed the launch till just before Christmas.

Watch the Vizio slide showRisky? Yes. Retailers like to get the goods in stores well before shoppers start thinking about the holiday. But Vizio says it wanted to make sure there was enough content to entice the consumer.

“We want to make sure that we bring features to market that are important to the consumer,” said John Schindler, vice president of product planning.

Vizio has announced several partners including Accedo Broadband, Amazon Video On Demand, Blockbuster On Demand, Flickr, Netflix, Pandora and Rhapsody. More recently, Vizio added eBay, Facebook, Radiotime, Revision 3, Rallypoint Sports, Showtime TV, Twitter and Vudu.

The 55-inch VIA will be an LED TV with Web access (Wi-Fi and Ethernet), a USB port, 240 hertz and a Bluetooth remote with slide-out QWERTY keyboard for $2,199. Price and launch date are moving targets. When I first heard of this set at January’s Consumer Electronics Show, Vizio priced the TV at $1,999.

But don’t expect to be able to surf all of your favorite Web sites. The TV doesn’t offer full browsing — something Vizio felt was better left to a computer.

“This is a garden environment,” Schindler said. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Video & TV • • • • • • • • • • • • | 6 Comments »

SleeSpot: Toshiba laptop and HDTV bundle for $650

August 21st, 2009, 4:20 pm by

SLEEspot: Gadgetress intern Sandra Lee spots a tech deal daily.This month, Gadgetress’ summer intern Sandra Lee is posting a tech bargain, tip or fun fact every day at 4 p.m. Short, sweet and simple: It’s the SleeSpot!

Attention college students! This is your chance to save some huge cash. Best Buy is offering an exclusive package where two very important college necessities can be bought together for less.  The Toshiba 26-inch LCD HDTV and Toshiba Satellite Laptop can be purchased together for $649.98, a $230 savings.~ Sandra Lee

Got a tip for the SLEEspot? Tell me about it at slee@ocregister.com or Tweet me @sleespot.
Past SleeSpots:

Posted in: Computers • Video & TV • • • • • • | 1 Comment »

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