Sony's 2013 HDTVs start shipping, quantum dots are on the way

We got a peek at Sony's 2013 HDTV lineup during CES in January, and now the company has announced they're starting to roll out and confirmed official pricing. The new sets add features like NFC, MHL and Miracast support to certain models, while the top of the line W900A is its first to use Quantum Dot technology in combination with edge LED lighting. Sony's brought back its old Triluminos brand name for the technology, which it claims provides a wider color gamut while keeping prices quite a bit lower than its last TVs to rock the tag, the now-retiredXBR8 series.

There's no word on the XBR series, but in the lower W- and R- lines the KDL-W900A is the only one with Triluminos. It also brings an extra long internal speaker duct for improved sound and standard NFC remote, and the 55-inch model will carry an MSRP of $3,299. The step down W802A version keeps MHL standard, has the NFC remote as an option and comes in 55- and 47-inch versions that start at $1,799. The 32-inch W650A will ship for $799. The R-Series dodges some of the higher end features, but some still include 3D, WiFi, RVU and the Sony Entertainment Network suite of apps including Netflix, Hulu Plus and more. The R550A has all that and is available in 70-, 60- and 50-inch versions that start at $1,399. Hit the source link for info on more models, or just keep an eye out on (digital) store shelves as these leak into retail.

[Source: Engadget]

Netflix Gets Social With Facebook Integration

Netflix has announced integration with Facebook that will now make it possible to get social recommendations of what you should watch next.

At long last you can see what your Facebook friends are watching on Netflix, and, in turn, you can share with them what you have enjoyed from the streaming service. Once you’ve connected the accounts the information from your friends will be shown in social rows of recommendations and is restricted only to the items that they have rated four or five stars.

Netflix has done some very smart things with this integration to make sure you have as much control as possible. For instance, the information will only appear in Netflix and not on Facebook unless you specifically tell it to do so. Additionally this isn’t an all-or-nothing scenario as you can choose to hide your guilty pleasure programming from the process, and even go back and make sure to do the same with items you have watched and rated before this was integrated. Feel free to keep watching the complete run of Basketball Wives while only sharing your love of Fellini films.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Rovio Angry Birds Cartoon Series Launching on March 16

Own a copy of Angry Birds? Then you’ll be able to tune in to a new cartoon series that will launch through the game beginning on the weekend of March 16 – March 17. Rovio announced the news on Monday, and said that the “dedicated channel” will be available inside of Rovio’s published games as well as on other connected devices, such as Smart TVs. Rovio said the new cartoons will also air on TV networks around the globe.

“We’ve long wanted to tell our fans the story of the Angry Birds and the Bad Piggies, to introduce their personalities and their world in detail.” said Rovio CEO Mikael Hed. “We’re delighted to introduce all this through our new channel, with easy and instant access to the stories in the palm of your hand. With over 1.7 billion downloads, we can reach a far wider and more engaged global audience than traditional distribution would allow.”

So how can you tune in? Easy. Update the game on March 17 (or tune into one of the networks showing the cartoon on March 16) and then open the application on your smart device and simply tap the icon representing the new video channel. Hopefully the cartoon is as addicting as the games.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

LG 55-inch OLED TV launching in July, costs £10,000

I know we've heard about LG's 55-inch OLED TV set before, but it's so far failed to make it to shop shelves. Well now comes word it'll land here in the UK in July, exclusively for sale from Harrods. And the price? Glad you asked. It'll set you back a cool £10,000.

Recession? What recession?

We saw the LG OLED 55EM970V a while ago, and a limited number went up for pre-order last summer for £8,000. Converting the price from South Korean won, we were expecting to have to shell out £6,300 when it went on sale properly, so the £10,000 price tag is a bit of a kicker. Still, I'm sure you can find an extra four grand knocking around somewhere. Have you checked down the back of the sofa?

Us Brits will be second only to LG's native South Korea to be able to buy the set. Andrew Mackay, UK commercial director of home entertainment and home appliances, said in a statement: "Following the LG launch and supply to the Korean market earlier in the year, the UK is proud to be the next market to launch LG OLED TV, as this innovative and premium model launches first in Europe to UK consumers."

The set is certainly a looker. OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) TVs make for much truer black levels, because they don't have backlights. Each pixel makes its own light instead, meaning blacks look black, instead of grey, as on some sets. The TV is also ridiculously slim, at just 4mm. That's almost half the thickness of an iPhone 5, on a TV with a 55-inch screen. Madness.

The only catch is the price. OLED sets will come down eventually -- Sony's first effort was just 11-inches across, and was crazily expensive. If you do invest in LG's 55-incher, do us a favour and send us some snaps. Then we can all imagine what it must be like to have it in the lounge.

[Source: CNET]

YouTube for iOS Updates Adds Send to TV Functionality

YouTube for iOS received a small upgrade this week that essentially turns a user’s device into a controller. Basically, users can now pick which video to watch from within the YouTube appand it’ll start playing through either a Smart TV, Xbox or PS3.

It’s almost like AirPlay; to see how it works, YouTube has a page setup that you can interact with. When you start playing a YouTube video on your device, a small TV icon will appear. Tap on that, and it’ll beam to your TV and resume playing there. From your device you can do things like play or pause, rewind or fast-forward, choose a different video and toggle between your phone and TV.

Additionally, other users can join in with their iOS device to create a playlist of Kid President videos to watch.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Tesco Clubcard TV has free on-demand telly, sign-in wobbles

The fun of shopping at Tesco no longer has to end when you leave the supermarket -- now you can immerse yourself in Tesco all through the evening, with the company's new streaming service, Clubcard TV.

The service is free for anyone who possesses a Tesco Clubcard (if you don't have one, it's free to sign up), and puts a slew of movies and TV shows at your on-demand disposal, at the impressive price of precisely zero pounds. Batman, Goodness Gracious Me and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps are among the available programmes, the Telegraph reports.

The service is very similar to rivals such as Netflix or Lovefilm Instant, except for the lack of a monthly subscription fee, and the promise of more horse meat. You select what you want to watch, and the programme or film is streamed via your broadband connection.

At the moment the service seems limited to in-browser streaming, though as Tesco's promo video cheerily informs us, you can hook your computer up to your telly using an HDMI cable.

Teething woes

Signing up for the service appears to be borked at present, with three Clubcard-clutching CNET members unable to proceed past the Clubcard number entry page, which sees the site demanding a 'Privilege Card number'.

Privilege Cards are something given to staff once they've worked with the company for six months, so perhaps the service has been tested internally, and the supermarket forgot to turn off the Privilege Card number requirement.

Rival £6-per-month service Netflix recently launched its homemade House of Cards series, starring Kevin Spacey. Sainsburys, meanwhile, already has its own video-streaming service.

[Source: CNET]

YouTube channel coming to on demand Freesat party in March

Google's signed a deal to bring YouTube to Freesat, liberating users of the subscription-less service from the tyranny of needing an additional device. The BBC / ITV joint venture already has 60-odd channels and has now sold over 3 million boxes to 1.7 million viewers, who will be able to access the official YouTube addition through the main programming guide by the end of March. While details are scant, it'll presumably join ITV's player and the BBC iPlayer in the on-demand channel list, which require a compatible Freesat box (see coverage link below) and an internet connection. We're not sure how it'll look in the final guide, but the fanciful image above shows our best guess.

[Source: Engadget]

BBC iPlayer to stream shows ahead of broadcast

The BBC is looking at debuting some of its programming over iPlayer before it airs on television. The projected yearlong trial will test a variety of programs, Radio Times reports, but the BBC hasn't specified whether that will include established series or new ones. The BBC says there were more than 187 million requests for content through iPlayer last month and is hoping it will be a boost in overall viewing figures.

The BBC's first attempts in streaming online-only content includes the pilot of the BBC Three comedy Impractical Jokers. Prior to the first part ofDoctor Who series 7 airing in August 2012, the five-episode prequel "Pond Life" also was made available online-only. "Pond Life" also appeared on the BBC's YouTube channel at the same time it appeared in iPlayer. The first part currently has more than 1 million views just through YouTube.

[Source: TUAW]

4oD Android app finally arrives, streaming limited to Wi-Fi

Channel 4 has finally brought a dedicated 4oD app to Android, a whole 16 months after making its grand debut on iOS.

The app is extremely similar to the iPhone version, and lets you locate and stream programmes from Channel 4's hoard of shows, including but not limited to, The Undateables, 8 out of 10 Cats, How I Met Your Mother, Utopia (above) and Black Mirror.

You also get access to older shows like Black Books or Brass Eye (yes, the list was alphabetical, what of it?), so you should find plenty to keep you entertained.

Like the iOS version however, the app won't let you stream video over 3G, instead limiting you to viewing over a Wi-Fi connection, like the one you probably have at home. Where you probably also have a telly. Hmm.

There's no live TV, or the ability to download shows and watch them offline, both of which are present in the BBC's iPlayer app. Channel 4 has promised that those features will be coming to both iOS and Android in early 2013, so stay tuned for an update.

The app will work on "most Android devices running version 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and above," Channel 4 says, and is apparently optimised for popular 'droid devices like the Nexus 7,Nexus 4 and Samsung Galaxy S3.

The app gets around the thorny issue of recent Android gadgets having trouble running Flash. If you've got an older Android gadget (as many people do), then your only hope for now is to use the in-browser viewer, which you can find here.

The app has frustrated some early downloaders, with some complaining about only being able to view video over Wi-Fi, glitches spoiling their fun, or an inability to make the app play via a TV. "'Video not available. Please try later' on every single video," one review reads. "'Makes no sense... one star until it works properly," says another.

[Source: CNET]

RIM Reveals BlackBerry 10 Movie, TV and Music Partners

RIM will reveal the final version of BlackBerry 10 on Wednesday and it’s already starting to provide new details on what to expect. The company on Monday revealed its music, TV and movie partners for BlackBerry World, the firm’s new ecosystem that includes apps, videos, music and more.

On the movie front, you can expect films from: 20^th Century Fox, Entertainment One (eOne), Lionsgate, MGM, National Film Board of Canada, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (U.S.), Starz Digital Media, STUDIOCANAL, The Walt Disney Studios, Universal Pictures (U.K.) and Warner Bros.

TV shows will be available from: ABC Studios, BBC Worldwide, CBC/Radio-Canada, CBS, DHX Media, ITV, National Geographic, NBCUniversal (U.K.), Nelvana, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (U.S.), Starz Digital Media, Twentieth Century Fox Television, Univision Communications Inc. and Warner Bros. Unfortunately it looks like shows from HBO and Showtime are off the list for now.

Finally, music will be available from “all major and independent” record labels, including: 4AD Records, Domino Recording Company, finetunes, Matador Records, [PIAS] Entertainment Group, Rough Trade Records, Sony Music Entertainment, The Orchard, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, XL Recordings and Zebralution.

RIM’s music store will only be available in 18 countries at launch and videos will only be available for purchase or rent in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Be sure to check out our in-depth video of BlackBerry 10 for a closer look at what to expect.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Japan to start 4K broadcasts next year

As if KFC for Christmas dinner isn't reason enough to move to Japan, how about TV shows in Ultra High Definition? Well there's not long to wait, as broadcasts in the format will start in Japan next year -- that's two years ahead of schedule, proving it's not just the trains that run on time over there.

Reuters reports the Japanese government will launch the world-first service in July 2014, which is just in time for the World Cup final in Brazil. Which sounds like pretty nice timing to me.

Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun is the one bringing news of the government's plans. 

Ultra High Definition -- previously known as 4K -- has four times the resolution of HD. So expect some pretty stonking visuals. The likes of Sony, Panasonic et al were in attendance at CES, showing off their 4K sets, and some are on sale in the UK now. Though you'll need quite a trust fund to afford one. And like all emerging technologies, there's a dearth of content to watch on it at the moment. So you could end up with a very expensive dust-gatherer.

The format isn't just for tellies. Panasonic has lifted the lid on a 20-inch Windows 8 tablet that's Ultra High Definition. It'll be a tool for creative professionals like photographers and artists, and blew our socks off at CES.

And if you think that's impressive, Japanese companies are already developing 8K TVs, with -- you guessed it -- eight times as many pixels as High Definition. The Ministry of Internal Affairs plans to launch test broadcasts using this format in 2016, which is again two years ahead of schedule. I know technology moves quickly, but this is ridiculous. Buy a 4K telly in 2014, and it'll be out of date in two years.

[Source: CNET]

Doctor Who returns 30 March ahead of 50th birthday special

The Doctor is back in the house this Easter. Doctor Who returns to our screens on Saturday 30 March, in the lead-up to the programme's historic 50th anniversary this year.

The TARDIS returns on the bank holiday weekend, so we can watch the Doctor's latest adventure while stuffing our faces with Easter eggs and not worrying about work.

There are eight episodes, once again starring Matt Smith as the bow-tied Time Lord, and featuring Jenna-Louise Coleman as mysterious new companion Clara.

Apparently this is the second half of season seven, even though it's six whole months since the first half of series seven ended. Honestly, when did this this mid-season break business become a thing? 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, which first materialised on British tellies on 23 November 1963. To celebrate, the BBC is planning a birthday bonanza of Who-themed hullabaloo. Each month sees a screening of classic episodes from each Doctor at the BFI and the programme gets back to its educational roots in a partnership with the Science Museum. There will also be commemorative Royal Mail stamps in March.

A series of documentaries fill follow series seven, including a one-hour 50th anniversary special -- presumably on the anniversary itself, which handily falls on a Saturday, and is heavily rumoured to feature the return of every Doctor -- as well as An Adventure in Time and Space, a 90-minute drama about the genesis of the show written by Mark Gatiss.

[Source: CNET]