• MetroCast deploys Cedar Point’s Safari
By Traci Patterson
MetroCast has deployed Cedar Point’s Safari C³ Multimedia Switching System for the delivery of VoIP services as part of MetroCast’s triple-play offering in Mississippi.
Cedar Point is the exclusive switching vendor throughout the MetroCast service footprint, according to the company.
MetroCast recently entered the Mississippi market through an acquisition and is planning to install a fiber optic network to bridge north and south Mississippi.
• Adobe, Broadcom hook up to bring Flash to TVs
By Mike Robuck
Adobe and Broadcom Corp. today announced the integration of Adobe’s Flash Platform into Broadcom’s latest digital television and set-top box system-on-a-chip (SoC) platforms.
The collaboration paves the way for Flash-based entertainment offerings that allow viewers more options for accessing Web content on their TVs. Today’s announcement follows on the heels of a similar agreement yesterday between Adobe Systems and Intel (story here).
The technology partnership between Broadcom and Adobe was designed to further accelerate the transition to high-definition (HD) Web-based video on TVs.
• Alpha’s next-gen IP STB to debut at CES
By Traci Patterson
Alpha Networks has introduced its next-generation IP STB, the AST-1105, featuring a software-customizable platform to meet the needs of value-added resellers and telcos.
The AST-1105 is pre-integrated with a selection of middleware, CA and DRM systems, VOD servers and embedded browsers that offer flexibility for custom designs, the company said. In addition, the IP STB is built with in-house DLNA 1.5 software stack and is extendable to support hybrid DVB-T/S/C STB.
Alpha’s AST-1105 IP STB will be on display this week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
• Xobni receives funding from new investor Cisco
By Traci Patterson
Xobni has closed a $7 million B round of funding that includes participation from new investor Cisco Systems, as well as from Xobni’s existing investors – Khosla Ventures, First Round Capital, Baseline Ventures and Atomico.
Xobni is a San Francisco-based start-up that shifts the focus of e-mail from one-by-one messages to organized relationships. Xobni offers search and organization capabilities for the Outlook inbox.
Xobni launched to private beta in September 2007 and opened to the public in May 2008.
The company’s publicly available software has been downloaded more than 1.5 million times.
• Amazon VOD content moves to Roku
By Traci Patterson
Amazon.com will offer customers the ability to instantly purchase, rent and watch digital movies and TV episodes from its video service, Amazon Video On Demand, via the Roku Digital Video Player.
Beginning in early 2009, the Roku Player, which currently supports only the Netflix service, will offer access to Amazon Video On Demand’s more than 40,000 commercial-free movies and television shows, the company said.
“With the subscription-free $99 Roku Player that connects to any TV, customers can now choose and watch their favorite new-release movie instantly and access all of their titles from their video library,” said Roy Price, director of Amazon Video On Demand. “Amazon Video On Demand’s large selection makes the Roku Player the perfect choice for hassle-free on-demand movie and TV entertainment.”
• Consumer Reports touts fiber bundle
By Traci Patterson
According to Consumer Reports’ latest survey (available here), consumers who are looking to cut costs without sacrificing their satisfaction with their TV, Internet and phone services should bundle up with AT&T and Verizon.
The magazine’s latest survey of major telecom providers and bundled services, featured in the February issue, found that AT&T – with U-verse – and Verizon – with FiOS – were “the most consistently satisfying providers for their Internet, television and telephone services.”
In areas where telco-delivered service is not available, a highly rated cable company is the next-best choice, according to the survey. And better cable companies include Cox Communications, Cablevision, Bright House Networks and WideOpenWest. The third option is a satellite service, and Consumer Reports suggests opting for a bundle that includes DirecTV.
More Broadband Direct:
• TWC, CBS, Showtime ink retransmission agreement
• Feds start wait list for DTV converter box coupons
• Even in recession, CES to have stuff worth seeing
• Motorola bows new home networking device, rechargeable remote
• 2Wire picks Broadcom’s SoC solution for MediaPoint
• ActiveVideo Networks, blip.tv team up to bring Web shows to TVs
• Ohio company chosen for Ala. broadband project
