NTCA's The New Edge » Android

Russian Company Rolls Out Android STB

Steve Fravel — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:30:23 +0000

Moscow electronics firm NetUp is reporting that it will begin offering television sets with built in Android-based set-top boxes (STBs). NetUp says the integrated STB will allow for a complete viewing experience, including use of the electronic program guide, VoD trick-play, interactive features along with Web surfing, social networking, gaming, Skype and access to more than a thousand other Android apps.

NetUp is currently only offering the Android integration as part of either a 32-inch or 50-inch TV.

Considering the market place and the need for cable cards and All-Vid devices, it would be interesting to know if NetUp is considering taking this to the next level and creating both outboard STBs, web-video convergence devices and cable cards.

Google TV Take 2

Steve Fravel — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:55:22 +0000

Google released the long-awaited update to Google TV this week. After nearly a year waiting, with many thinking that Google TV had probably died as a viable long-term product, the Android Honeycomb software appears to be only slightly better in version 2 than the original release.

In an online article published by CNET, lab testers report “playing” with the Sony NSZ-GT1, a Blu Ray player outfitted with the Google TV software and controller. Their verdict is not terrific, but leaves room to speculate that a future version may be better, or that other hardware like the Logitech Revue may offer a slightly different outcome.

What seems clear is that the Google TV experience, while forward thinking, is still very much a work in progress.

VOTW: Amazon to Launch Netflix-Like Book Service?

Jesse Ward — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 22:12:28 +0000

And last but not least, our video of the week (VOTW): today’s CNet roundup. HP launches the TopShot LaserJet Pro printer that can scan 3D objects, Netflix finally arrives on most Android phones — stating that 82% of Android users can now watch Netflix movies on their devices — and Amazon.com is rumored to be in talks with major publishers to launch a Netflix-like service for books.

My Lowes

Josh Seidemann — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:24:56 +0000

Responding to Home Depot’s provision of Motorola handheld devices to employees, Lowes is set to issue 42,000 Apple iPhones to its retail staff. Bloomberg news reports the provision of about 25 iPhones per store will supplement the introduction of “MyLowes,” an online tool that will enable customers to access everything from user’s manuals to paint formulas. According to reports, Lowes also plans to add WiFi to in-store locations in order to enable customers to use their smartphones.

The handheld battles are not limited to home improvement stores: the Sun Sentinel reported in August that Urban Outfitters, Macy’s and Nordstrom have joined the ranks of retail stores that are outfitting clerks with handheld devices that enable employees to complete sales from any point in the store (presumably, these are limited to credit or debit card sales), including the provision of a printed receipt. One industry analyst estimated that one-quarter of all retail “check-out” terminals shipped in 2010 used some form of wireless connectivity.

The use of mobile devices for retail applications is not a new idea: in 2007, Motorola sponsored “Creating Differentiating Retail Experiences: Mobile Technology in the Hands of the Consumer.” Although that paper focused on applications involving the customers’ devices, the new Lowes initiative illustrates those same features can benefit store employees, as well. In addition to providing supplemental product information and guidance, the mobile devices can resolve such mundane issues as missing price tags. Writes Edward Moyer of CNet, “If this keeps up, we may never again hear the words ‘price check’ ringing out of a PA system. Another precious cultural artifact lost to new technology.”

Apps Seemingly Everywhere for TV

Steve Fravel — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:25:12 +0000

Many video providers are creating apps for the iPad.

Dish Network is “slinging” content to mobile devices such as the Apple iPad. Time Warner Cable is also developing a prototype application for the iPad. AT&T U-verse is making content available to smartphones. Verizon is developing a video application for devices than run Google’s Android operating system too. It seems like every distributor has or will have a means of making video content available to mobile devices.

Filling the “three screens” with content seems to be well on the way. Consumers will have many different choices for providers that can send content to whatever device is convenient, when it is convenient for the consumer to watch it. Is this a good thing, bad thing or just another part of the digital metamorphosis?

Mobility with the capability of effectively expanding the options for communications and entertainment is efficient.

Good or bad? Time will tell.

For more, see this Wall Street Journal article.

Motorola and Verizon Partner on Tablet for FiOS TV

Jesse Ward — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:48:28 +0000

Motorola is collaborating with Verizon on an Android-based digital tablet device that will allow users to watch FiOS television on it, according to a report in the Financial Times that has been widely quoted in other tech media outlets.

The device is said to have a 10-inch screen and is expected to closely tie to Verizon’s FiOS digital pay-TV service. It could launch as early as this fall in the United States.

Motorola, who also supplies set-top boxes for Verizon, hopes that by working with a TV provider “it will not be seen as upsetting the lucrative business of pay TV,” according to the Times article.

The tablet’s planned integration with TV is a key competitive advantage against rival developers. Motorola hopes to compete head-on with Apple’s iPad by addressing perceived weaknesses in Apple’s product and offering additional features, including support for Adobe Flash, rear- and front-facing cameras for video calling, and built-in mobile hotspot capability.

For more, read the Financial Times article.

I Think the Droid X Launched Today

Kevin McGuire — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:52:19 +0000

Believe it or not, the Droid X launched today, but the lack of coverage had me wondering if I had my dates confused. You’ll remember that when the iPhone4 reception debacle was first heating up, they took out an ad which fed on those frustrations, stating:

“And most importantly, it comes with a double antenna design. The kind that allows you to hold the phone any way you like and use it just about anywhere to make crystal clear calls.”

Yes, it appeared that Verizon, Google and Motorola were going to monopolize on this infrequent misstep by Apple. But July 15 is here and who’s dominating the media? Why, Apple, of course. A Google search for “Droid X” brings up a paltry 900 or so news articles, while a search for “iPhone4″ yields nearly 5,000. Even CNN.com’s home page has a poll asking users if Apple should recall the iPhone4, and nothing about the Droid. Prominent tech blogs have more coverage on the upcoming press conference than they do on the Droid (Gizmodo has a decent Droid Xreview if you are so inclined).

They say there is no such thing as bad publicity, and while Apple may argue, their issues have overshadowed the launch of a worthy competitor. Perhaps it was by design, and tomorrow they’ll announce free bumpers and a $20 iTunes credit for everyone — knowing that the cost to keep all eyes on them was worth every penny. But just in case, I’m going to stock up on duct tape.

Dell Mini 5

Kevin McGuire — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:36:29 +0000

Given some of the recent announcements, I have to think that computer and gadget manufacturers have been “holding back.” They’ve been waiting for some sign that consumers are ready to spend again before they release all of their top secret things they’ve been working on for the past year (or so). Or more plausibly, they’ve been waiting on the competition.

While discussed at CES, we now can see the Dell Mini 5 in action (sort of). And not to be outdone by the man in the black turtleneck and jeans, we get to see the brief glimpse from none other than Michael Dell himself. Video after the jump.

Techcrunch says the Mini 5 is a “1GHz Snapdragon-powered netpad … running Android 1.6 with 5 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 3G mobile.” It also suggests that the selling price may be north of $1k.

Now, surely this is a grand marketing scheme. Michael Dell can’t believe that the thing will sell for that much, especially with the price tag on the iPhone, iPad and other similar devices. But if you say it will be $1k, and it ends up being say$500 (and I’m guessing less after mobile carrier’s subsidy), it seems like a steal. Or maybe Dell is trying to be more like another company who’s pricing suggests they are pretty proud of their products.

Regardless, we’ll soon find out as the video suggests it will be coming “in a few months.”

No related posts.

Report: Google to Sell Android Smartphone to Public

Jesse Ward — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:16:57 +0000

Google plans to begin selling an Android-based smartphone directly to consumers as early as next month, according to published reports in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.

Sources familiar with the matter say the phone will be based on GSM technology, and that the device, manufactured by the Taiwanese company HTC, is thinner than Apple’s iPhone, with a slightly larger touch screen. It is named Nexus One, according to various reports and digital traces that the phones have been leaving on Web sites.

The move is reportedly designed to offer Google the flexibility to distribute its own voice and data services without adhering to typical carrier restrictions.

Needless to say, if the rumor comes to fruition it could shake up the fundamentals of the cellphone market in the United States, where most phones are sold and subsidized by an individual wireless carrier, and designed to work only on its network.

Google confirmed Saturday that it is trialing a new mobile product: “We recently came up with the concept of a mobile lab, which is a device that combines innovative hardware from a partner with software that runs on Android to experiment with new mobile features and capabilities, and we shared this device with Google employees across the globe,” writes Google product management vice president Mario Queiroz on the Official Google Mobile Blog. “This means they get to test out a new technology and help improve it.”

The New York Times has the full story.
Google’s blog mentions the trial.
Engadget has photos of the device.

Verizon Wireless Partners with Google

Jesse Ward — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:32:48 +0000

A year after Google introduced its Android operating system on T-Mobile, the smallest of the major wireless carriers in the United States, it announced a deal to offer handsets with Verizon Wireless, the nation’s largest carrier.

Verizon Wireless and Google plan to co-develop several Android-based devices that will be pre-loaded with applications from both parties, as well as third-party developers. The manufacturers have yet to be announced, but one is expected to be made by Motorola.

Verizon expects to introduce two Android phones this year. In addition, Verizon and Google said they would work together along with manufacturers to design handsets specifically for Verizon’s network.

Of note, when asked Verizon said that it will allow the controversial Google Voice application on its mobile platform.

The partnership between these two industry heavyweights is notable since the two disagree in a number of key areas. Google is a proponent of the FCC’s current push to impose net neutrality guidelines, while Verizon opposes additional regulation, especially in the wireless marketplace. Further, Google supported the commission’s efforts to impose open-access stipulations on the C-Block in last year’s 700 MHz spectrum auction, which Verizon Wireless argued against.

In related news, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Dell plans to introduce an Adroid-based smartphone on the AT&T network. This would be Dell’s first move into the U.S. cellular market. If the rumor is true, all four major U.S. cellular networks would carry phones using Google’s Android operating system.

View Verizon’s release.