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Android TV – The future

By Cheryl | Posted in Android, Entertainment, Twitter at 12 | October 20, 2010 – 12:10 pm

android tvUnknown Swedish television manufacturer, People of Lava, is set to release the first TV fully integrated with Google’s Android system. The HDTV will be available in three sizes, 42in, 47in and 52in, and will start at a rather steep price of £2,000.

The company has said they want to transform the TV in to an interactive and user-focused experience and after viewing the pictures, it looks like they have done just that.

Home screen
When the TV is first turned on, the home screen will be visible, complete with clock, calendar, and weather widgets. The second screen comes complete with web browser, YouTube, Google Calendar, Settings and People of Lava App Store. This is not customisable at the moment, aside from the ability to download another skin, but the company are open the suggestions for future improvement.

People of Lava App Store
One of the downsides to the TV is that it comes complete with its own app store rather than connecting to the Google Android Marketplace. This is due to the fact that Google Android Marketplace won’t be available for TV until after the release of this set.

Google Chrome
The TV comes complete with Google Chrome and will have the addition of Flash once the TV is updated to Android 2.2. The company has stated that updates for the TV will run a couple of versions behind Google’s latest release but they would offer any new updates when available. Once the addition of Flash is complete, the TV will support iPlayer and other such on-demand tv services.

The Apps
Like I mentioned before, the TV comes with its own marketplace, which is a bit of a let down as there are only around 30 apps currently available (Facebook, Twitter and email all included). The company have said they will be working on this up to the launch but have pointed out that users will still be able to access the official Google Android Store via the built-in web browser, which makes things a little better.

The TV comes with some apps already installed, included Google Maps and YouTube. The Google Maps app is impressive, especially on such a large screen, with a sleek, quick zoom & scroll around the map. The YouTube app is also useful, with a similar interface to the original website, giving you the ability to view, sort and search for videos.

Who’s next?
Samsung are reportedly looking at this technology with views to it being incorporated in to future sets. If the People of Lava release is a success, you can be sure that many other companies, including Samsung, will be vying for a piece of the market.

Competition
With Google TV and now Android phones, Apple looks like they are up against it with their own offering, Apple TV. Apple has already reduced the price after sub-par sales, and it’s looking likely that Google will rein the TV world for a while.

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Home Cinema system, to buy or not to buy?

By Jemma | Posted in Entertainment, Twitter at 12 | September 15, 2010 – 11:36 am

More and more Brits are swapping their cinema tickets for a home cinema system, saving them money by choosing to have the cinema experience at home.

But why?

The main reason for this is obviously the expense of going to the cinema, it can cost up to £11 per person to see the latest flick and that’s not including the popcorn, sweets, drinks etc.

Another factor is comfort. Cinemas can be made to get as many seats as possible rammed into one space meaning elbows here, heads there, it can be very annoying. But when you’re at home you don’t need to worry about any of that and you can relax in your own surroundings.

No interruptions, no distractions and most of all no hole in your pocket.

But are we losing out on the whole experience of the cinema? For a lot of people the answer would be no.

Home cinema systems are becoming more and more popular with Argos seeing a 45% increase year on year for them.

A buyer at Argos, Lee Tinsley said “Families are now able to watch blockbuster releases at the quality that they would expect at the cinema and at a record speed of conversion to DVD.”

Will home cinema become the next big thing? Sounds good to me…

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3D Movies

By Jemma | Posted in 3D, Twitter at 12 | September 2, 2010 – 11:58 am

CinemaThe first big Hollywood 3D movie was back in 1953 when ‘The Man in the Dark’ was released.

It was apparently an underwhelming experience and wasn’t a great movie, but that 57 years ago so just how have things changed?

When Avatar hit our screens in December 2009 it had amazing reviews and for some it was the beginning of an epic genre of film making. Since then it seems as though every film coming out is in 3D but is the craze losing the interest of people?

Research shows signs that the 3D is struggling to keep up the numbers and after the Box Office breaker Avatar hit revenue high of 71% in 2009, films like Piranha featuring a certain Miss Kelly Brook have failed to generate the same hype and have recently struggled to pass production budgets.

Of course it’s unfair to compare these movies and the next ‘big thing’ could be just round the corner while turning the fortunes of 3D movie makers around.

There are also issues about 3D movies not having enough content or enough of a storyline, some people are scared that the younger generation will be losing out on amazing story lines and will not want to watch anything but 3D.

Is 3D just a reoccurring theme that will eventually fade away and come back again in 10 – 20 years and try again? Who knows, only time will tell…

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