Cloud-based movie locker system UltraViolet has yet to significantly gain traction with consumers.
“The reasons are varied: UV-compatible movies have trickled out; the number of UV-compatible sites and devices are few,” reports CNET.
“A much-heralded relationship between UV and Walmart, which agreed to store movies in customers’ UV lockers provided they haul their DVD or Blu-ray discs and pay as much as $5 a disc, was a non-starter for many,” adds the post.
However, early adopters are now ramping up initiatives involving UV-enabled films.
Paramount Pictures, Barnes & Noble and 20th Century Fox have expanded their UV libraries through rights deals and service launches to target consumers looking for low-cost alternatives to DVDs and early access to new releases.
Paramount has signed a deal with Flixster, B&N launched Nook Video, and last month Fox announced it will offer Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus” online three weeks before it’s available via disc or VOD.
“Let’s hope the other studios follow Fox’s lead,” comments CNET. “Consumers want earlier access to new releases, they want lower prices, and they don’t want them tied to DVDs.”
Best Buy’s Geek Squad is expanding to offer its tech-support service on eBay while also running a pilot program at 28 Target stores in Denver and one in Minneapolis.
The 24/7 Geek Squad support offered on eBay includes service plans that cost $30 for three months and $50 for six months.
Expanding the Geek Squad, the struggling electronics chain’s best-known brand, “fits with their strategy to deliver a connected experience to consumers,” explains NPD Group analyst Stephen Baker. “They’re trying to make Geek Squad a ubiquitous, stand-alone brand that stands for great help around your technical problems.”
Customer service is a major strategy in Best Buy’s plans to revive sales and better compete with rivals such as Amazon.
“Best Buy boosted U.S. revenue from services 6 percent in the quarter ended August 4 as comparable-store sales sank 3.2 percent, the eighth decline in the past nine quarters,” reports Bloomberg.
The company also plans to close 50 big-box stores and open smaller shops that offer primarily mobile phones, e-readers and tablets. Best Buy has experienced strong sales in those categories while TV and PC purchases have declined.
“Geek Squad was founded 18 years ago by Robert Stephens, who rode around Minneapolis on his bicycle, helping people with technology problems,” notes Bloomberg. “He sold the company to Best Buy in 2002, when he had 65 agents. He still serves as a consultant to the retailer.”
LG Electronics will announce a Google Nexus smartphone at the end of October with a modified version of the South Korean phone maker’s Optimus G handset.
The new phone is expected to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, a 1,280 x 768 HD IPS display and an 8-megapixel camera. The companies have yet to name the device.
“A Nexus phone could do wonders for LG’s reputation, particularly in the U.S., where the company has struggled to make a name for itself with its smartphones,” reports CNET. “The Nexus devices are used to showcase the latest version of Android, in this case Android 4.2, and often generate buzz in the Android community for the device and handset manufacturer.”
LG may not be the only company to launch a Nexus phone as multiple handset manufacturers will reportedly also have the opportunity.
Samsung built the Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus smartphones, Asus helped with the Nexus 7 tablet and HTC built the original Nexus One.
“The move could be a way to give some of the other handset players a leg up and earlier access to the latest iteration of Android. While Samsung has been tremendously successful with its Galaxy franchise, and its flagship Galaxy S3 in particular, the rest of the Android pack hasn’t fared as well,” suggests CNET.
Acer’s new Iconia W700 Windows 8-powered tablet — featuring an Intel Core processor — will sell for $799 when it goes on sale the end of this month.
The W700 will feature an 11.6-inch screen with 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution. The tablet is a mere 0.5-inches thick and weighs only 1.04 kilograms. Acer sees it as a replacement device for traditional laptops.
The tablet is expected to compete with the new Microsoft Surface, which will feature an Intel Core processor and Windows 8 Pro. Asustek is also expected to launch a Windows 8 tablet with a Core processor.
In related tablet news, Reuters reports that Sony has recalled its Xperia tablet one month after its launch due to potential water damage that can be caused by gaps between the screen and the case. The Android tablet was originally touted as being water resistant.
“So far [Sony] has shipped around 100,000 of the devices,” notes the post. “The company said it will fix any of the tablets sold and expects the cost of the recall to have no significant impact on earnings.”
Dish Network has dropped its plan to convert Blockbuster into a streaming service and use the chain’s stores to sell mobile devices, according to Dish founder and chairman Charlie Ergen. The company, which acquired the video-rental chain out of bankruptcy in April 2011 for $320 million, plans to close more underperforming Blockbuster stores.
However, some of the stores still turn a profit renting DVDs in rural regions. About 900 stores remained open in the U.S. as of August after Dish shuttered some 500 locations.
Ergen’s streaming plans changed when the regulatory approval process for radio wave licenses was dragged out.
“Ergen’s airwaves, which Dish agreed last year to purchase from DBSD North America Inc. and TerreStar Networks Inc. for about $3 billion, require new handset devices with a chip that links the satellite spectrum to terrestrial towers,” reports Bloomberg. “The government’s delay has caused Ergen to change his mind about selling those products in Blockbuster stores.”
Also not satisfied that Netflix will iron out an efficient business model with content providers, Dish no longer plans to use Blockbuster as a competing DVD-by-mail or streaming service. Dish had also considered working with Redbox, but those plans deteriorated when Verizon announced its partnership with Coinstar.
Dish launched Blockbuster@Home for renting DVDs and games, streaming movies to PCs and accessing more than 3,000 titles via TV. The company still has plans for Blockbuster, although they have not been made clear.
“Worst case, we’ll take our money after having wasted some time, not much money, and life goes on,” Ergen said.
Independent filmmakers that face competition from big budget Hollywood productions are increasingly turning to video-on-demand to augment — and in some cases, to exceed — theater revenues and reach a larger audience.
For example, the indie comedy “Bachelorette” recently earned a paltry $418,000 in theaters, but $5.5 million in VOD rentals. Other VOD hits include “Arbitrage” with Richard Gere and last year’s “Margin Call.”
According to some estimates, the number of movies that will simultaneously be released in theaters and VOD will grow 30 percent in 2012. The number had already doubled from 2009 to 2011.
“It has become harder to generate revenue from independent movies [in theaters] and VOD is our next best option,” says Kevin Iwashina, managing partner of film production and sales company Preferred Content. “This is how we’re putting a Band-Aid on our business.”
“Many filmmakers remain skeptical that VOD can bring them the same prestige, not to mention profits, as the big screen, where quality movies have always premiered,” notes the Los Angeles Times.
There is a perception by some that movies made for on-demand distribution are not of the same quality as theatrical releases. Also, most filmmakers do not intend for their movies to be viewed on a small screen.
“There are definitely still people who resist and say the only kind of deal they will do is a traditional release,” suggests Jason Janego, co-president of the Weinstein Co. unit Radius-TWC, that specializes in multi-platform releases. “We hope more people will become open-minded and realize the potential.”
It is no secret that the current presidential campaigns are leaning on social media more so than any other time in history. However, in addition to the obvious choices of Facebook and Twitter, the Obama and Romney campaigns are posting quirky clips to Tumblr and other sites in the hope of attracting younger voters.
“They are taking to fields of online battle that might seem obscure to the non-Internet-obsessed — sharing song playlists on Spotify, adding frosted pumpkin bread recipes to Pinterest and posting the candidates’ moments at home with the children on Instagram,” notes The New York Times.
The efforts are designed to reach younger voters who do not necessarily read the newspaper or watch TV, but spend much of their media time on the social Web. In the case of Tumblr, the interaction typically involves remixed photos, looping animated GIFs and funny videos.
“To remind Tumblr users about the first presidential debate… Obama’s team used an obscure clip of Lindsay Lohan saying ‘It’s October 3’ in the comedy ‘Mean Girls,'” explains the article. “And on Twitter, Mitt Romney’s bodyguard posted a picture of the candidate’s family playing Jenga before the debate.”
“The more people who interact with Mitt, the more likely he is to win,” suggests Zachary Moffatt, digital director for the Romney campaign. “Social extends and amplifies that.”
“It’s about authentic, two-way communication,” says Adam Fetcher, deputy press secretary for the Obama campaign. “Social media is a natural extension of our massive grass-roots organization.”
Conversely, unintentional gaffes or well-intended posts or pictures can lead to a negative impact with social media.
After Obama told a crowd “You didn’t build that” while discussing infrastructure, the Romney campaign uploaded photos of hot dog vendors and others with signs that played on the slogan: “I built this.” And Twitter and Tumblr were flooded with parodies of the empty chair used by Clint Eastwood during the Republican convention.
Last year, 3.4 million ultraslim PCs were shipped worldwide. Despite the slow adoption, NPD DisplaySearch predicts that number to dramatically increase to 65 million by 2015 (one-quarter of all mobile PC shipments).
The expected growth of devices including ultrabooks, Apple’s MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with retina display will be sparked by reduced prices and the devices’ similar feel to tablets.
NPD DisplaySearch also predicts that tablet shipments will exceed notebooks by 2016.
“Tablet PCs have offered consumers what they have been requesting from the notebook market for years, instant-on activation, long battery life, and sleeker designs,” notes Richard Shim, senior analyst with NPD DisplaySearch. “These attributes are the basis for enabling greater and easier accessibility to content and services.”
“Ultraslim PCs are the notebook market’s response to tablets and aim to balance performance and convenience,” he says.
Roku and 3M have announced their Streaming Projector — a new Wi-Fi mini projector capable of 60 lumens, that features 800 x 480 pixel resolution and can expand to a 120-inch screen.
“Measuring 7.8 x 7 x 4.5 inches and weighing just a little under 1.5 pounds, the mini-Streaming Projector runs on the Roku Streaming Stick, which contains all your entertainment apps such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, ‘Angry Birds’ and more,” reports Digital Trends.
“You can also access the Channel Store to add more streams, such as CNBC — which will display the live channel as well as stock tickers and news headlines,” adds the post.
A separate $20 remote may appeal to those seeking an intuitive controller with built-in motion sensor (for example, those who want to play “Angry Birds” by projector). And the Streaming Stick is removable for those who want to connect HDMI ports from an Xbox or laptop.
The $300 wireless Streaming Projector has a rechargeable battery and built-in stereo system. It will ship on October 22.
“The entire device is essentially the Roku 2 XS, the company’s top-of-the-line media center, now with a built-in projector capacity,” notes the post.
AT&T announced its plans to carry the Samsung Galaxy Camera, which is expected to be the first combination of point-and-shoot camera and smartphone.
“The Samsung Galaxy Camera is becoming a hotly anticipated item, thanks to its recently announced Dropbox compatibility and next-gen, ultra-connected focus,” reports Digital Trends.
“AT&T announced it will be supporting the 4G (HSPA+, most likely) camera, which will have run Jelly Bean and have access to the full catalog of Google Play apps,” explains the post.
The Galaxy Cam features a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, 1GHz processor, 21x optical zoom and 4.77-inch HD touch display. Expected to launch within the next few weeks, pricing has yet to be announced.
Digital Trends describes the Samsung Smart camera line as “a pleasant surprise” in regards to Wi-Fi connectivity. “Manufacturers have struggled with implementing this feature in an easy-to-use, simple way for users, but it’s something that Samsung has done incredibly well. And we only expect this to be an even more fluid experience with the Galaxy Cam.”
The device “stands a decent shot at cornering the consumer camera market: Wi-Fi enabled point-and-shoots are a hot commodity, and strapping a Galaxy S3 to one only sweetens that deal,” suggests the post. “It’s cutting edge, especially for an industry that’s been remarkably slow to adopt and adapt to mobile technology.”
Nielsen reports that television viewership for Wednesday evening’s presidential debate jumped 28 percent to 67.2 million, compared with the first debate of the 2008 election.
Broadcast networks dominated, with ABC drawing 11.25 million viewers, NBC 11.07 million and CBS 10.58 million.
On cable, Fox News was the leader with 10.42 million viewers (its highest-rated presidential debate ever). CNN was second with 6.05 million total viewers and MSNBC was third with 4.71 million.
In a related story from AllThingsD, online video streaming also attracted viewers: “This year, you definitely didn’t need an old-fangled television to watch the debates, with online offerings ranging from simple videos to live fact-checking and commentary.”
YouTube’s politics channel carried an array of content from multiple sources and had “millions of live streamed views of the debates, and one of the highest number of concurrent streams ever for a YouTube live stream,” according to a company spokesperson.
Ustream reports 3.5 million views of debate and debate-related videos, while CNN says their debate videos were started about 5 million times with 1.2 million global users viewing live. Streaming was also available from AOL, Hulu, Aereo and others.
Logitech announced it will launch its Harmony Touch remote this month in the U.S. and Europe. Clearly influenced by smartphone design, the device features a 2.4-inch color touchscreen with channel icons.
Instead of surfing through existing channel guides, users simply tap the icon of their desired network to change the channel — and in similar fashion to mobile screens, functions are controlled by swiping, scrolling and tapping.
The screen holds up to 50 channel icons and can display nine at a time. The icons can be positioned based on most watched channels.
Alternate activities can be controlled by the remote as well, such as switching from cable programming to setting up for video game access.
“Consumers that also own the Logitech TV Cam HD will find a Skype function on the Harmony Touch which can be used to place and accept calls, mute the volume during the call or control the camera’s zoom and angle,” notes Digital Trends.
“The Logitech Harmony Touch is compatible with more than 225,000 home-entertainment devices and more than 5,000 brands, and it can control as many as 15 devices,” notes the press release.
The $250 remote is currently available on the Logitech site and will be offered by retailers including Amazon and Best Buy later this month.
Apple has reportedly begun mass production of a smaller tablet, commonly referred to as the iPad Mini in recent press coverage.
According to unnamed executives at component makers, the new tablet will feature a 7.85-inch LCD with lower resolution than the latest 9.7-inch iPad.
The Wall Street Journal reports: “South Korea’s LG Display Co. and Taiwan’s AU Optronics Corp. began mass production of the LCD screens for the new device last month, the people said.”
Last month, AllThingsD reported that Apple has plans to unveil the new tablet in October. The company may need the smaller device to stay competitive.
“Google in July introduced the Nexus 7, with a 7-inch screen and a price of $199,” notes WSJ. “Amazon last month released the latest models of its Kindle Fire tablets, with the entry-level model priced at $159. Apple’s newest iPad, released in March, starts at $499.”
In a related report, Digital Trends suggests the iPad Mini is expected to cost no more than $300 and Apple’s official unveiling may come as soon as October 10.
Facebook is introducing a new tool that lets users boost their visibility by paying a small fee to have their content displayed more prominently on the social network, essentially turning users into micro-advertisers.
Fees will reportedly vary, but Facebook is initially charging $7 to promote users’ content in testing that began Wednesday with a limited number of U.S. users.
Facebook claims the move is not a planned shift from its current free-to-use model, but an addition to its line of premium services. The promoted-posts-for-users feature was initially tested in New Zealand, and the company says it has conducted similar tests in 20 other countries.
“With Facebook’s revenue growth rate showing a sharp slowdown in recent quarters, many analysts and investors believe the company needs to find new ways to make money,” reports Reuters.
“Last week, Facebook unveiled a feature that lets U.S. users buy and send real gifts, such as eyeglasses, pastries and gift cards to their friends,” explains the article. “Initially available to a limited number of users in the United States, Facebook Gifts could signal the company’s intent to play a bigger role in e-commerce.”
Following Facebook’s announcement that it had reached the one billion user milestone, Mark Zuckerberg posted compelling stats to the Facebook Newsroom.
According to the fact sheet, the social network has experienced over 1.13 trillion “likes” (since February 2009), 140.3 billion friend connections and 219 billion photos uploaded.
However, the data excludes deleted photos. “If we wanted to include all photos ever uploaded, the estimate we have is 265 billion,” explains Facebook. “Photo uploading launched fall 2005.”
Additional numbers include 17 billion location-tagged posts (including check-ins) since the feature’s August 2010 launch, and 62.6 million songs have been played 22 billion times since September 2011 (“about 210,000 years of music”).
The median age of registered users has dropped from 26 in 2007 to 22 in 2012. Also, Facebook now has 600 million mobile users.
