Lenovo has decided to launch its first smart TV in China with the support from DTS. The new Lenovo 55-inch K91 smart TV features DTS 2.0 + Digital Out technology and the latest Android operating system, allowing consumers to access their favorite songs and videos, share files between connected devices, and control the TV via their tablet and smartphone.
US based Video-on-Demand provider Netflix has launched its VOD subscription service in the UK and Ireland. For has little has GB£ 5.99 (US$ 9.25) in the UK and €6.99 in Ireland, subscribers get instant and unlimited access to a broad range of films and TV programmes. Partners for the service include Sony, Viacom, BBC, Disney UK and Ireland, Channel4’s 4oD, Lionsgate UK and many more.
With the run up to CES 2012, Control4 has launched a home control app for Android-based smartphones and tablets. The new App. extends the flexibility of the Control4 home control platform, to provide control over security systems, lighting, music and video using Android. MyHome for Android has been added to Control4’s MyHome for iPad and iPhone, giving the customer to option to use which ever device they choose to use.
If you are a Cox Communications customer you can now enjoy your favorite videos and television from your iPad tablet. The new ‘Cox TV Connect’ application is available from the Apple App Store at no extra cost. TV Connect offers a flexible interface where users can view and browse the user guide at the same time and select a full-screen viewing option once a program has been selected.
Trident Microsystems, today unveils the world's first integrated 240 Hz digital TV SoC (System-on-Chip) for Android-Based smart televisions. The chip is due for commercial release in the first quarter of 2012, will help digital televisions to offer a more immersive entertainment experience. The new solution comes with an HDMI 1.4a receiver and high speed ADCs to support up to 1080p digital and analog video inputs integrated.
Just a week after Google introduced the Android@Home initiative, South Korea’s Conspin has release a new Android 2.1 remote for the connected home enthusiast. The Andi-One allows you to install up to 50 remote controls; smart touch on its 3.5” TFT LCD screen and Wi-Fi, IR and RF communication.
The Andi-One is accompanied by a cradle that allows it to connect to other appliances in your home. There is a 3W, 2 channel stereo speakers; HDMI output port; DC port and Ethernet port, along with volume controls.
Having Android in our home appliances has been in development for some time, by the MIPs Android Community. However, this week at the Google IO developers conference in San Francisco they announced the Google@Home initiative, which means Google has put its force behind putting the Android platform into our everyday appliances.
As part of their intelligent home solution, Bang & Olufsen has release an Android version of their BeoLink Software for Mobile devices. Bang & Olufsen customers now have two options – iPhone release last year and now Android. With the new Android app you can access both your home automation and video equipment via the Bang & Olufsen masterlink gateway.
Rovi is to license its connected platform to Consumer Electronic (CE) manufacturers to integrate it into their devices. According to the ITVT website the pre-ported solution is expected to be available to CE manufacturers later this quarter. Android devices with the pre-ported app will enable users to share and stream their content from these devices to other connected devices in the home such as connected TV's, network-attached storage (NAS) devices, Windows 7 PC's, set-top boxes and DVR's, throughout the home.
Qualcomm’s recently release media shifting platform Skifta, has become the first software platform to be certified by the Digital Living Networking Alliance (DLNA) under its new software certification program. Now, users with compatible DLNA devices can shift their contents to wherever they are more comfortable enjoying it. Skifta – beta currently available at the Android Marketplace as a free download for smartphones running Android version 2.2 and higher.