Google Partners with Sony and Intel to Create Google TV

Microsoft and Apple have been trying to get into your living room for years, with a variety of television-oriented products.

Now Google thinks it can succeed where other computer companies have seen only middling success. The company announced a new set-top box platform here Thursday: Google TV will marry television and the web, so users can search and view both TV and web videos with a single click.

Google TV, which is based on Google’s Android operating system, will have access to Flickr, gaming sites such as Club Penguin, and music sites such as Pandora and Rhapsody. It will combine that with a streaming media interface similar to that offered by companies like Boxee and Roku.

"There are three big limitations with the streaming media devices that exist today," said Rishi Chandra, senior product manager at Google, speaking at the company’s developer conference, Google I/O. "They try to dumb down the web for TV. They are all closed. Many of these devices have to choose between TV and the web."

Google has formed partnerships with Sony, Logitech and Intel to create hardware that will run this "smart TV" Android platform.

The Google TV software will be available on TVs, Blu-ray players and set-top boxes through Best Buy in fall this year. It will be independent of the cable service providers. All devices running the Google TV software will have Wi-Fi and ethernet connectivity, a keyboard and a "pointing device" or a mouse.

Google has also partnered with DirecTV to integrate Google TV into DirecTV’s digital video recorders (DVRs).

Google TV can also be controlled using an Android phone as a remote, says Chandra, and the mobile version of the Android market — Google’s marketplace for Android-compatible apps — will be accessible on Google TV.

[via Wired]

Google Partners with Sony and Intel to Create Google TV

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Sony PSP 2 on the Horizon?

Courtesy of VG247, there is a very speculative rumor out that Sony is at work on the sequel to the PlayStation Portable (PSP).

Gaming website MCV reports that it has been informed of a significant increase in Sony marketing spent at two key publishers for Q4 2010. During a time when the PSP is languishing in Western markets, it is being speculated that publishers are laying the ground for an offensive on a brand new addition of Sony's handheld.

Reports from other various sources around the web are reporting that there will be three big changes to the Sony PSP 2, including the addition of two cameras, at least one touchscreen, and there won’t be any physical media, but a 3G wireless connection instead.

Currently in its sixth year of existence, the Sony PSP has remained somewhat the same since its initial release. However, Sony has announced that on June 20th there will finally be a new update available your PSP's operating system which will include the latest security patches, settings, features and other items.

Sony had the wind taken out of its sails just last year with the leak of PSPgo before it could be revealed at its Press Event, but there were loads of schematics and massive amounts of rumbling on the new system long before the Qore episode was purportedly leaked.

Keep in mind that this is all just speculation and MCV notes that there have been no official documents released as of yet, and when contacted, Sony replied that there were "no imminent plans to launch a new PSP".

So, whether the publishers are mistaken, confused, or right on the money is anyone’s guess at this time, and while possibly far-fetched, it's out there now for your consideration. And don't get your hopes up if you're expecting to hear anything about this at E3 next month.

Sony PSP 2 on the Horizon?

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5 Must-Have Accessories for Point-and-Shoot Cameras

Why should DSLR's get to have all the fun? Fill up your camera kit with these neat accessories for compact cameras. [via PC World/Amazon]

1. Polaroid CZA-10011B PoGo Instant Mobile Printer

Polaroid has reinvented instant photography for the digital age with the Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer. Sleek, stylish, and easy to use, the Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer lets you share photos whether you are on vacation or just hanging out with your friends. Bring Polaroid magic from your camera cell phone or digital camera with ZINK Zero Ink Printing Technology from ZINK Imaging. Mobile and easy-to-use, the Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer provides a new, innovative way to share digital photos directly from your camera cell phone or digital camera, instantly.

2. Gary Fong Delta 4 Point & Shoot Flash Diffuser

Point-and-shoot digital cameras have this tiny flash that looks like a mini flashlight when you take photos of your friends. This harsh lighting makes everybody's face look shiny and oily. So, what Gary Fong has done is invented a flat filter wedge that mounts on the telescopic lens of many point and shoot cameras. The diffuser has mini pyramids to further disperse the light. When the light hits the rear of the panel, the tiny pyramids send light all over the place, lighting up the entire wedge, and lighting the ceiling, and the entire room!

3. Cokin G210 Filter Kit, Series A

One of the reasons of Cokin's success is that they are permanently in close contact with both professional and amateur photographers/videographers, so as to listen to their ideas and precise needs. The products launched by Cokin are therefore always perfectly adapted to real needs. This kit consists of a Filter Holder, Gradual Blue B2 Soft, Warming (81EF) and Sunset 1 filters.

4. Samigon Bottle-Top Tripod

Do you enjoy taking photos of friends and family but always find yourself on the wrong side of the camera instead of with them? If you answered yes, then it is time you discovered this ingenious little item that is the answer to all of your problems. The bottle-top pod turns almost any water bottle, soft drink, even beer bottles into an instant tripod! Simply screw the adapter into the tripod thread of your camera, attach the bottle-top pod to the top of your bottle and start including yourself in the picture. The ball head allows you to angle your camera to make the shot just right. Also great for when you're out snapping alone and want to include yourself in the shot.

 5. Sony Party-Shot Personal Photographer

Relax and enjoy the party while the Party-shot personal photographer automatically takes your photos for you. Party-shot works with your TX1 or WX1 Cyber-shot camera's Face Detection and Smile Shutter technologies to automatically take photos at the event. Intelligent composition uses the rule of thirds to compose great shots and motion detection seeks out movement to take the photo at the right moment. It's never been easier to see amazing results of those once in a lifetime candid moments.

5 Must-Have Accessories for Point-and-Shoot Cameras

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Treat Yourself to a Worthy Movie Experience with this Sony Blu-ray Disc Player

Sony's BDP-S360 Blu-ray disc player delivers full high-definition 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema output. It decodes the latest advanced audio codecs, and is capable for BD-Live with your broadband internet connection. Featuring up to 7.1 channels of high-definition sound, it supports Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD audio codecs, and also includes a quick start-up mode which takes just six seconds to begin operating the player from the moment it is turned on. And navigation of the player's menus is a breeze thanks to the icon-based, award winning Xross Media Bar menu system.

Blu-ray disc movies are mastered at 24 frames per second, and most Hollywood movies are shot at 24 frames per second, so it is only fitting that the Sony BDP-S360 Blu-ray disc player can output your films at 1080/24p for a true film-like experience at home. However, for more traditional HDTV sets, Sony Blu-ray disc players can also output at 1080/60p.

Developed for high-definition disc-based media, the Sony BDP-S360 Blu-ray player is compatible with Dolby TrueHD, the next-generation in lossless technology from Dolby. Dolby TrueHD delivers tantalizing sound that is bit-for-bit identical to the studio master, unlocking the true high-definition entertainment experience on next-generation discs. When coupled with high-definition video, Dolby TrueHD offers an unprecedented home theater experience in both sound and picture alike.

In the past, most audio codecs used compression that actually removes some sound data to transmit audio from the disc to the audio circuitry. This means that what you hear is a subset of the original audio. However, newer formats allow the audio to be compressed but not discarded, allowing the original audio to come through once it's been decoded. This player allows you to stream the audio out via HDMI to a capable receiver or through analog 7.1 outputs for maximum compatibility with your high end receiver.


Purchase:

• Sony BDP-S360 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player [$129.99]

Related Products:

• Mediabridge Ultra Series - 6ft High Speed HDMI Cable [$9.99]

Treat Yourself to a Worthy Movie Experience with this Sony Blu-ray Disc Player

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