Apple's Mac App Store Launches January 6th

Apple announced their controversial Mac App Store will go live January 6th. The new store is designed to give Mac users a "one stop shop" for all their Mac applications.  This is similar to Apple's iOS App Store with the exception users can still install software from other sources.  For their efforts, Apple is retaining 30% of all revenue from the store.

Apple Releases iTunes 10.1 Update

Today, Apple released the iTunes 10.1 update that will allow users to sync their iOS 4.2 devices to iTunes.  Apple is expected to release iOS 4.2 for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch early next wee


The update adds the below features:

• Use AirPlay to instantly and wirelessly stream videos from iTunes to the all-new Apple TV. 


• Sync with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 4.2. 


• Provides a number of important stability and performance improvements

Final Major Network Blocks Google TV

Fox has become the latest to join in on blocking access to Google TV.  Every major U.S. TV network has blocked Google TV from accessing content on their websites and on their partner sites Hulu and PlayOn.  Users and TV providers will be locked in a game of cat and mouse finding ways to get around this blackout.  Until this dispute is resolved, Google TV will not be able to gain mass acceptance.

TV Networks Blocking Web Content To Google TV

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that television networks ABC, CBS, and NBC are blocking content to Google TV.  The networks have content that is viewable on the web and some mobile devices, but they are reluctant to allow people to integrate the web content with traditional TV viewing.  The dispute centers around the network's ability to monetize their web content.  Currently, broadcast TV generates more revenue that web-based content, so the networks do not want to cannibalize broadcast TV viewers.

iLife 11 & MacBook Air Hinted On Apple's Discussion Forums

There are multiple reports that Apple prematurely added categories, for products being announced today, in their support forums.  The new categories represent the pieces of iLife '11 with a rumored new product labeled "Reserved 10 20".  It has been rumored that Apple will replace iDVD with a new product.  Since there is not a category reserved for iDVD '11, there is a good chance iDVD will be possibly replaced with a new digital publishing application.  One other category labeled "MBA (Need official name)"  may represent a re-branding of the MacBook Air line.

• Category 277 - Reserved 10 20


• Category 278 - iMovie '11


• Category 279 - GarageBand '11


• Category 280 - iPhoto '11


• Category 281 - MBA (Need official name) 

Digital Copy Room will have complete coverage of today's announcements.

Sony Unveils Their Google TV Lineup

Sony has unveiled their Google TV offerings dubbed "Sony Internet TV". Sony has two approaches delivering Google TV to consumers.  The first approach is the integrated experience with four sizes of TVs, 24", 32", 40", and 46".  The second approach is in a Blu-ray player with integrated Google TV.  This device may be a good fit for consumers wanting physical and streaming content.  Both the integrated TV and Blu-ray player come with an awful looking remote that reminds me of a Brother P-Touch labeler.  As with the Logitech unit, consumers may want to wait for more devices to come to market.

Suggested Retail Prices:

• 24" Integrated TV $599


• 32" Integrated TV $799


• 40" Integrated TV $999


• 46" Integrated TV $1399


• Blu-ray player $399

Logitech Revue Now Available For Preorder

Logitech has unveiled their first Google TV product, the Revue and I can't stop looking at the price tag.  The Revue will set you back a whopping $299!  This is triple the cost of the high-end Roku and Apple TV boxes and twice the amount of the best WDTV box.  Let's see what we get for this price.

Specs:

• 2 USB 2.0 ports


• HDMI in & out ports


• Wireless: 802.11a/b/g/n


• Ethernet 10/100 Base-T


• Android or iOS remote app


• Keyboard controlled with integrated remote, compact keyboard and touchpad


• IR mini blaster


• HDMI cable


• Additional accessories available

This all of information we could find published by Logitech. If you are interested in Google TV, you may want to wait until more vendors release devices.

Windows Phone Launch Event Scheduled For October 11th

Microsoft has scheduled the worldwide launch event for Windows Phone 7.  The event will be held next Monday, October 11, 2010 at the NYC Microsoft Technology Center from 3 pm - 4:30 pm.  T-Mobile will also be there showing off some of the new hardware.

Marvell Announces 1.5Ghz Tri-Core Mobile Processor

Marvell has announced a killer new mobile processor for smartphones and tablets.  The Armada 628 tri-core processor runs at 1.5Ghz and is capable of delivering 3D 1080p video streams.  Sample processors are now available for hardware manufactures.  

Some of the key features include:

• Tri-core processor (1.5Ghz for 1st 2 cores, 624Mhz) for 3rd


• 1 MB level 2 cache


• ARM processor based


• 1080p dual stream 3D @ 30 FPS


• Multiple display support


• USB 3.0 & HDMI support 

Press Release

Samsung Intercept Coming To Virgin Mobile

File this under "it's about time!"  Virgin Mobile has announced that the Android based Samsung Intercept is coming soon.  This is great news for anyone wanting a smartphone without an expensive 2 year contract. Details have not been announced yet, but DCR will be following this story closely; stay tuned!

Netflix Streaming Coming To Canada?

The Hollywood Reporter claims that Netflix will announce access to their streaming service tomorrow.  This would be the company's first market outside the United States.  The rumor states there are no current plans for mail order DVDs.  

Apple In Negotiations With Publishers To Launch A Digital Newsstand

Bloomberg reports Apple is in talks with publishers to create a digital newsstand.  The newsstand will be separate from Apple's iBooks and App Stores.  This new store will allow users to subscribe to magazines and newspapers instead of buying 1 issue at a time on the App Store.  Publishers rumored to be in talks with Apple include Time Warner Inc., Conde Nast, Hearst Corp, and News Corp.  Details are still being negotiated, but revenue splitting is probably the biggest topic.

Microsoft Holds Windows 7 Parade / iPhone & Blackberry Funeral

neowin.net reports Microsoft celebrated the RTM version of Windows Phone 7 by holding a funeral parade for the iPhone and Blackberry.  The funeral took place on Microsoft's Redmond campus with the Windows Phone 7 team claiming the new operating system will bury the competition.

Interestingly, there was no mention of Google Android at this event.  Does Microsoft see Android as insignificate and not a credible competitor?  The real answer is Microsoft is probably afraid to poke the soon to be top dog of smart phones.  Since their OS has not shipped yet, why not make fun of the future 2nd and 3rd place phones first!

Samsung Announces Orion, A9 Based ARM Processor

Samsung issued a press release outlining Orion, their new dual core A9 ARM based processor.  With this design, we may finally start seeing GPS in devices such as the iPod Touch and iPad.  Hopefully, we will see multiple Android based tablets with the Orion processor.

Main Features

• 1GHz dual core ARM A9 based 45nm chip


• GPS embedded in chip


• Video encode / decode 30fps @1080p


• Can support up to 3 displays


• General availability 1st half of 2011

Press Release (via Engadget)

MPEG LA Makes H.264 Royalty Free For End Users

In a move that should help HTML 5 adaption, MPEG LA has decided to allow H.264 video playback to be royalty free.  H.264 is one of the proposed specs for HTML 5 video for streaming online content.  Unfortunately, for-profit content providers will still need to pay licensing fees to use this technology. 

 

Press Release: 

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:

Tom O’Reilly MPEG LA, LLC Tel: 303.200.1710 Fax: 301.986.8575 toreilly@mpegla.com

MPEG LA’s AVC License Will Not Charge Royalties for Internet Video that is Free to End Users through Life of License

(DENVER, CO, US – 26 August 2010) – MPEG LA announced today that its AVC Patent Portfolio License will continue not to charge royalties for Internet Video that is free to end users (known as “Internet Broadcast AVC Video”) during the entire life of this License. MPEG LA previously announced it would not charge royalties for such video through December 31, 2015 (seehttp://www.mpegla.com/Lists/MPEG%20LA%20News%20List/Attachments/226/n-10-02-02.pdf), and today’s announcement makes clear that royalties will continue not to be charged for such video beyond that time. Products and services other than Internet Broadcast AVC Video continue to be royalty-bearing.

MPEG LA's AVC Patent Portfolio License provides access to essential patent rights for theAVC/H.264 (MPEG-4 Part 10) digital video coding standard. In addition to Internet Broadcast AVCVideo, MPEG LA’s AVC Patent Portfolio License provides coverage for devices that decode and encode AVC video, AVC video sold to end users for a fee on a title or subscription basis and free television video services. AVC video is used in set-top boxes, media player and other personal computer software, mobile devices including telephones and mobile television receivers, Blu-rayDiscTM players and recorders, Blu-ray video optical discs, game machines, personal media player devices and still and video cameras.

For more information about MPEG LA’s AVC License or to request a copy of the License, please visit http://www.mpegla.com/main/programs/AVC/Pages/Intro.aspx .

webOS Tablet Coming Early 2011

Pre|Central reports that during HP's conference call, HP responded to a question asking if tablets are impacting the sales of netbooks.  For the first time, HP confirmed that they will be shipping a webOS based tablet in early 2011.  webOS is the platform that HP acquired when they purchased Palm.

Magazine Subscriptions Come To The iPad

Apple and Time Inc. have agreed to allow print subscribers free access to the iPad version of People Magazine, according to a report from CNNMoney.  Other Time Inc. magazines such as Time, Sports Illustrated, and Fortune are expected to adopt the same model within the next 30 days.  

With this new policy change, expect other publishers to ask for the same deal from Apple.  Hopefully, subscriptions for all magazines will be available on the iPad very soon.

Chrome OS Based Tablet Coming November 26th?

 

In a report from the downloadsquad, Google is apparently building a Chrome OS based tablet.  The tablet is rumored to be built by HTC, the same company that built the Android based smartphone, the Nexus One.  Additionally, the tablet is expected to be heavily subsidized by Verizon, which would make the initial purchase price cheaper than the iPad (not counting the monthly data service).  Downloadsquad's source did not provide any specs for the tablet.  The reported ship date is Black Friday 2010. 

Google Having Trouble Selling GoogleTV To Media Companies?

Extra Extra..... From the land of dinosaur media companies, Google having trouble selling the idea of GoogleTV!

We knew it would be difficult to negotiate content deals for GoogleTV.  The Wall Street Journal is reporting media companies are worried about cannibalizing the traditional broadcast model with online video.  Media companies are concerned because they currently earn less money with online advertising.  In addition, GoogleTV would enable more competition for content displayed on TVs.

I believe all video will be web based someday. Content owners that adapt to this new business model early will be in a better position to compete in this market.

Oracle Files Patent and Copyright Infringement Complaint Against Google

Oracle has filed a complaint against Google for copyright and patient infringement in the development of the Android operating system.

"In developing Android, Google knowingly, directly and repeatedly infringed Oracle's Java-related intellectual property. This lawsuit seeks appropriate remedies for their infringement," said Oracle spokesperson Karen Tillman.

Oracle acquired Java when they purchased Sun Microsystems in April 2009.