OnLive, the start-up whose technology streams video games over an Internet connection, is expanding its service to tablets and mobile devices. OnLive said Thursday that it will now stream console-quality games on tablets and phones using a mobile application. Users could already stream such high-end video games using OnLive’s “microconsole,” a cassette-tape sized gadget. The […]
Telecommunications
Microsoft launches Xbox app for iOS
Microsoft yesterday launched Xbox Live apps for both Windows Phone 7 (WP7) and Apple’s iPhone. While the WP7 app has more features, including the ability to control an Xbox directly from a user’s phone, the Apple version, which includes apps for the iPhone and iPad, comes off pretty slick, as well. My Xbox Live is […]
In the media: Verizon down with OTT
Verizon Communications is working on an over-the-top service that would stream movies and TV shows to customers outside of its FiOS video service footprint. While all is cozy between Bright House Networks, Time Warner Cable, Comcast and Verizon Wireless with last week’s $3.6 billion spectrum deal and agreement to resell each other’s services, Verizon’s OTT […]
Qualcomm paints HomePlug green
Qualcomm Atheros is sampling a green version of its HomePlug PHY circuitry aimed at supporting applications such as plug-in electrical vehicles, smart energy, Smart Grid and remote monitoring applications. HomePlug Green PHY is interoperable with the IEEE 1901/HomePlug AV powerline networking protocol, but it swaps the greater-than-200-Mbps rate of the HomePlug AV protocol for low-energy, […]
Copps sets departure date; nominee vote pending
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps formally announced his retirement on Tuesday just days before a key Senate vote for two nominees to the agency. The departure of the 71-year-old Democrat, which had been expected, takes effect Jan. 1, unless the Senate confirms his replacement or adjourns before then. The Senate Commerce Committee is set to vote […]
AT&T hits bottom in consumer survey
For the second year in a row, AT&T finds itself at the bottom of Consumer Reports’ annual survey that measures consumer satisfaction with wireless carriers. Meanwhile, a relatively little-known provider called Consumer Cellular topped the ratings. Of the four major wireless carriers, Verizon Wireless again scored the highest in this year’s ratings, followed closely by […]
Humbled Netflix CEO still thinking, talking big
To hear Netflix CEO Reed Hastings tell it, the bone-headed decisions that have dragged down the Internet’s leading video subscription service during the past five months eventually will be forgotten like a bad movie made by a great film director. Shaking off the stigma of a massive flop won’t be easy, a challenge Hastings acknowledged […]
Cablemas phasing out VOD for streaming
Last May, Cablemas bought more than a quarter million hybrid set-tops. The other shoe just dropped: Cablemas is going to phase out its traditional video-on-demand (VOD) system for a quarter of its TV subscribers in favor of a broadband-based streaming service managed by Avail-TVN. Avail-TVN said it will stream on-demand content from studios, networks and […]
Shaw bows Wi-Fi trials in 3 cities
Today, Shaw Communications launched the trial of its Wi-Fi network for customers in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. Shaw said the hotspots in those cities included malls, restaurants and fitness facilities. In addition, hundreds of access points will be added in the coming months, with thousands of locations being activated across the Shaw footprint in the […]
NXP adds integrated gateway tuner
NXP Semiconductors announced a silicon tuner that can handle any terrestrial TV signal anywhere in the world, as well as cable TV reception. The device has significance for gateway manufacturers, allowing them to use a single chip for different gateways aimed at multiple worldwide markets, while simultaneously supporting OEM price flexibility by supporting a variable […]