Wi3 in partnership with Entropic Communications as developed the Wi3Port, a digital home Powerline Ethernet solution that allows you to connect your home devices via Wi-Fi, Wired and Wideband. Debuted at CES, the solution is a combination of the Wi-Fi Direct specification, the MoCA IPTV/Smart TV standard enclosed in their in-wall wallport patented design. According to Wi3, the Wi3Port is a truly built-in network solution for in home media streaming and digital file transfers.

Sony has announced that they will be integrating the Opera browser into their Bravia television and Sony Blu-ray players.  Earlier this month, at CES Sony demonstrated a new range of Blu-ray players that they will be rolling throughout this quarter. The integration of Opera on the television will give users a more intuitive user interface from the television and a platform that is more web friendly.

Enabling India to implement the Smart Grid and embrace renewable energy is at the top of the agenda at the upcoming Smart Energy India conference and exhibition which takes place in New Delhi from 1-2 February.  Some of India’s most respected power professionals as well as global metering technology experts are meeting in what is considered the country’s top smart grid forum.

Mercom Capital Group, a global clean energy market intelligence, consulting and communications firm, today released 2010 merger and acquisition (M&A) and funding activity for the cleantech sectors of solar, smart grid and wind.

Sensus and PECO, an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation, have finalized a contract for the purchase and deployment of the Sensus FlexNet(TM) Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) communications network and smart meters. The smart grid program will allow PECO to effectively enable outage management, distribution automation and voltage monitoring applications in a program that is expected to encompass more than 1.6 million electric customers.

Tendril, a leading energy management technology provider, has added Brent Hodges to its management team as General Manager, Australia. Hodges, who will be based in Melbourne, Australia, will be responsible for driving the company’s sales, marketing, business development and overall strategic direction in Australia as well as the Asia-Pacific region.

The Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative (SGCC), an independent non-profit group working to foster mutual understanding between industry and consumers regarding the creation of a next-generation energy infrastructure, today announced the appointment of Patty Durand as its full-time executive director. In a long-planned transition, a former Georgia Institute of Technology Smart Grid and Energy Research leader will take over from Jesse Berst, Managing Director of GlobalSmartEnergy (GSE), an internationally recognized research and consulting firm, who has acted as the organization’s interim executive director since its inception.

A CES this month LG demonstrated its THINQ Line of smart home appliances; they are smart grid aware, offer smart diagnosis, food management, smart access and smart adapt.  The LG THINQ range which includes refrigerators, ovens, washing machines and robotic vacuum cleaners allow homeowners to manage them through a smart Network.  They also help users to make smart decisions about energy use when they to use these THINQ appliances.

Sony has introduced a new range of Blu-ray players and Blu-ray Disc Home theater systems for 2011. There are four standalone Blu-ray Disc players (BDP-S780, BDP-S580, BDP-S480, and BDP-S380) and three home theater systems (BDV-E780W, BDV-E580, and BDV-E280). Both ranges of systems are designed with the latest connected solution to allow access to the latest in online entertainment and in home connectivity. They have also introduced a 5.1 channel audio system to complement the Blu-ray player and home theater system.

APX Alarm Security Solutions, one of the nation’s largest security and home services companies, has announced the acquisition of Meter Solutions, an independent installation provider of smart meter technologies and solutions. The acquisition broadens APX’s focus on providing smart grid and energy management solutions for consumers.