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2010: The year of 3D
It seems the television will be experiencing some major modifications in the near future. I just wrote about the next generation of TVs being connected to the Internet, which is exciting enough, but today Discovery, Imax, and Sony announced a plan to create a 3D television channel.
With a predicted start date in 2011, the channel will feature all sorts of shows like sports, entertainment, and nature scenes that Discovery is known for. This isn’t the first talk of a 3D station on TVs. Earlier today, ESPN announced their plan to launch “ESPN 3D” in June 2010. That’s only 6 months away! And they have already committed to at least one year of sporting events. The Discovery/Imax/Sony channel will be a 24-hours-a-day channel whereas the ESPN 3D will only show select sporting events that are predetermined.
These companies believe 3D TVs will be the next HDTVs. Consumers are constantly looking for a closer to real picture in high definition and LCD TVs, so 3D televisions make sense. However, the next obstacle will be 3D glasses. Many people believe that with the CES conference starting Thursday, there will be a large focus on the development of 3D glasses. These can’t just be the paper, red and blue glasses that you are given at the beginning of a 3D movie. No, these are going to be the high-end, brand name 3D glasses.
The television has been changing so rapidly, just don’t let it get to be a Fahrenheit 451 thing…
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The Nexus One is Here!
Throw out your ancient phone because the rumors were true! Google’s phone- The Nexus One- was revealed earlier today at the Android Press Event (like we predicted). A great review from TechCrunch gives specifics on how the phone works and why it is already living up to its anticipated reputation. Michael Arlington says this phone is “the fastest and most elegant smartphone on the market today.”
The Nexus One will carry a new version of Android that features 3D capabilities as well as Google Voice. Google Voice allows you to compose a text or email and find a contact just by speaking into the phone. This has to be the most unique feature of the Nexus One, setting it apart from all competitors. Another unique feature is the Live Wallpaper, which is just a moving background for your home screen. Separately, Google also gave a preview of a new 3D Google Earth application for the Android platform.
To buy the phone directly from Google and HTC it will cost you $529 and you can insert your own SIM card. If that option is too pricey, you can buy the phone with a two year T-Mobile contract for only $179. The phone will be available through Verizon and Vodafone this spring.
So far, the phone has received great reviews. For a quick overview of its main features, watch this video. If you have the opportunity to try out the Nexus One, let us know what you think!
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A Televsion Revolution
If you’re thinking about buying a new TV for the living room, don’t do it yet! Hold off for a little while. The New York Times says that 2010 will be the year that Internet connected TVs will take off.
Even though sales of televisions were higher in 2009 than 2008, profit fell due to cut prices. To make up for lost profit, television makers are aiming to incorporate Internet into the next generation of TVs. Imagine Wi-Fi on your TV! Well that’s what the newer, and even slimmer, televisions will be offering.
Internet connected TVs have not yet been a hit with customers probably because a TV with an Internet connection is currently $300 more than the same TV without the connection. However, if competitive brands start to offer these TVs, prices will be driven downward.
As if this were not enough development to completely change the way anyone watches TV, Skype also wants to have an influence. Since Internet connected TVs have not yet been in high demand, applications are very limited. But Skype wants to open the door to video chat via your TV. All it will take is a television connected to the Internet, a special web-cam, and a microphone to create a live chat from the couch. I wonder if the Jetsons even had that luxury…
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Google Phone Release Next Week?
Anticipation of the Google cell phone is almost as bad as the anticipation of the Apple tablet. But at least a few photos and reviews about the Nexus One have leaked into the press, whereas Apple is on lock-down about the tablet.
Google has (probably against its will) given some clues to keep the interest of the public on the Nexus One. What’s the newest piece of information? The New York Times reported today that the Nexus One is likely to be revealed in a press conference on January 5. Yep, one week from today. We predicted that the phone would be available as early as January 2010, so this date is pretty believable.
The phone, built by HTC, will be sold directly to customers through the Internet. However, more recent news reveals that T-Mobile will be the only service to provide contracts and deals on the phone. Basically that means if you buy it from T-Mobile, it will be much more inexpensive than if you bought it directly from Google.
The press conference may not even be intended for the release of the phone, but we sure hope so. I guess all of our questions will be answered next Tuesday.
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Rumors Spread: An Apple Tablet or Another E-Reader...
The much rumored Apple Tablet is starting to shed its “rumor” title for something a little more concrete. When we found out about the tablet back in July, we fell for one rumor that Apple’s new product would be available for the Christmas season. Obviously, that was far from true. New rumors say the tablet won’t be officially revealed until Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in late June of 2010. These same rumors, from TheAppleBlog.Com, also say that the tablet might not be what everyone is expecting. Maybe it won’t be a computer at all. It could take a completely different direction and be an e-reader similar to the Amazon Kindle. Talk about a curve ball.
Through all these rumors, Apple remains nothing short of mysterious. They have not commented at all. Sources other than the ones claiming the tablet is really an e-reader maintain that the tablet will be officially revealed as early as January, despite delays.
TechCrunch did some intense research on the Apple Tablet and found a lot of dead ends. However, when they researched Trademarks on the two possible names (iSlate and iGuide), they found both with Apple written all over them. It is still too early to tell, but it probably means that both will have to do with the tablet, like the tablet name and maybe an external service.
Even though the rumors may not agree on the name or release date or even the general use of the tablet, the overwhelming buzz about Apple’s new product confirms that it is worth talking about.
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The Google Phone
Google’s success in the search engine and browser fields is not enough for the Internet giant. Hoping to compete with Microsoft on a different level, Google has come out with the newest smart phone.
The “Google Phone,” (really named the Nexus One) was confirmed earlier in December when Google let its employees test it out. Apparently Google forgot to give restrictions when loaning out the phone. Pictures of the new phone have already started circulating the Internet, especially via Twitter. The phone is actually being built by HTC and could be out as early as January!
The Nexus One will be an unlocked phone, meaning it can be sold through any service like Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, or AT&T whose exclusivity with Apple is about to run out in June 2010. This could create an advantage or a disadvantage over the competition. By not having a binding contract with one service, sellers will have to really focus on the benefits of the phone when enticing customers. However, it also means the phone won’t have the great deals that places like Verizon can offer. This could make the Nexus One pretty pricey.
It’s always amazing how companies good at one service try to expand their market in another service altogether. First, Google achieved the top spot among search engines, and then they tackled the Browser world, now on to the cellular phone business. Next will probably satellite TV.
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