Currently viewing the tag: "FCC"
In light of the FCC ruling on net neutrality earlier this week, we revisited the ongoing saga that is the Comcast-NBC merger and what it may mean for Google TV. Part of the original conditions proposed by the FCC is that if the merger is to take place, Comcast would have to make Internet content more available. Well, the FCC has formally announced the rules they are imposing, and it looks like that little clause is still in there.
Per the rules by the FCC, Comcast would have to make any NBC content available to competitors, which includes Internet streaming, “at reasonable, nondiscriminatory terms.” Comcast will also be unable to give their streams a priority over others or to interfere with rival Internet traffic. The verbiage is still a touch vague, so we will have to wait until the deal goes through to fully understand the implications. It seems like the day is drawing near, so stay tuned.
[via Engadget]
About a month ago we brought up the ongoing saga that is the merger between Comcast and NBC, and whether or not the recently imposed FCC net neutrality rules would force the new joint venture to unblock Google TV devices from accessing NBC’s web content. According to The New York Times, approval talks are now delaying the merger until sometime in early 2011, leaving us to wonder what the final outcome will be.
Part of the terms and conditions of the merger are that the FCC will require Comcast to make Internet content more available, which could extend to Google TV devices. Comcast and NBC have been battling this issue for months, stating that the FCC has been vague about what constitutes an Internet company. Given the fact that the full outcome of yesterday’s ruling have yet to be revealed to the public, something tells me we wont have an answer until the merger actually happens and a formal announcement is made. We’ll be watching this one closely, so stay tuned.
[via NYT]
It’s been a while since we’ve heard any talk about the proposed merger between Comcast and NBC, and the latest news involves Google TV to some extent. Part of the terms of the merger are that the FCC will require Comcast to provide more content to Internet companies, which could include Apple TV and Google TV. In a recent filing with the FCC, Comcast and NBC said the following regarding online distribution:
“The program access rules were designed to regulate traditional linear delivery of video programming, a market with an established business model. In the nascent, rapidly-evolving online video market where there is no established business model, it would be difficult as a practical matter to compare distributors for purposes of determining whether a programmer had unreasonably discriminated against a distributor.”
We’re already pretty familiar with the internals of the Logitech Revue, thanks in large part to the FCC photos we brought you back in July. Well, there are some even better shots available now over at ifixit, along with a step by step breakdown of what’s inside.
The site gives the Revue a repairability rating of 8 out of 10, with 10 being the easiest to repair. They site the following reasons for this grade:
- Opening the case is super-simple — only 4 screws and a bunch of clips stand in your way.
- Only standard Phillips screws are used.
- Daughterboard connectors easily disconnect from the motherboard sockets.
- The fan is very easy to replace, should it ever fail.
- If you have to replace anything on the motherboard, you have to replace the entire board.
There is some really great information to be had, so I encourage you to click on the source link below to check out all of these great photos, and the corresponding descriptions.
[via ifixit] Continue reading »
Source: AdNews
Ok, we know the image is a little silly, but the long weekend is upon us, so we don’t mind. It’s being reported that Google TV is headed down under, with Sony launching its Google TV powered Internet TV in Australia. The move comes in coordination with Google, Intel, and Sony’s Australia division, although no indication has been given about price or a release date.
Australians will be able to enjoy free-to-air content integrated with internet content, via both a stand-alone model, as well as a set-top-box style device. This could perhaps come in the form of that mysterious Sony Internet TV box which passed through the FCC back in June.
Be sure to check back later for more details as they become available. Continue reading »
Source: Ars Technia
Earlier this week we wrote about Google writing the FCC in support of AllVid, a universal adaptor which would become a hub between standard television signals and any device capable of video playback. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has spoken out against the idea, or at least Google’s particular vision of how it would function. Hollywood’s fear is that the adaptor, which would allow users to search and playback content stored across any device, would spark a wave of increased piracy given the resulting ease of viewing downloaded content. While the MPAA did not mention Google or Google TV specifically in its filing, the timing indicates a direct response to Google’s letter of support. The argument from Hollywood is somewhat reasonable, stating the concept would “lend the illusion of legitimacy to illegitimate online sources.” However, with much of Hollywood’s content already available for free from sites such as Hulu and Netflix, perhaps this is a sign that the industry needs to fully embrace the Web with ad supported streaming of all major network programming. Some have even said the current state of video has grown too complex for a simple device like AllVid to work effectively. In any case, the MPAA should perhaps be focusing on what it can do within their business to reduce piracy, instead of worrying what everyone else is doing.
Source: eWeek
With the Fall release of Google TV drawing near, Google has made the FCC aware of its support for a universal adapter for TVs and related devices. This adapter, known as AllVid, is an IP gateway adapter which aims to make searching for broadcast and online video stored on multiple devices easier and faster. Richard Whitt, Google’s Media and Telecom Counsel, stated in the letter to the FCC that although technological barriers for this type of search are few in number, the act itself remains difficult to achieve with ease.
“Generally, there are few technical impediments today to building a search index that combines both broadcast and Internet content, so that users can search for accurate and up-to-date information about the availability of video across different platforms.”
Whitt identified the lack of a simple, easy to use adaptor available at major retail outlets as the main source of this problem. Such a device would separate the home network from the actual devices, acting as a gateway to the content stored across multiple media platforms. He blames the absence of standards and the fragmented nature of these devices for the lack of cohesion.
Google is calling for the FCC to impose one set of standards for the handling of the vast datastream. This proposition is not entirely farfetched, given the widespread popularity of digital and fiber-optic television. Such a standard would mean less hassle for manufactures, and a much easier user experience.
It is unclear at this time whether AllVid will come with, or be built into, the various Google TV devices landing on the market this Fall. More information will likely become available when release dates are announced.
Every Sunday, we recap the most important news of the week for those of you who need to play catch up. For all you soccer (or football, whichever word tickles your fancy) fans out there, the World Cup has officially ended. Now it’s time for you to check out some of the news you may have missed while you were catching all the action. This week, the big news was certainly the announcement of YouTube Leanback, which offers a continuous playback of videos based on search terms. Also high up on the list are the official photos and documents from the Logitech Revue’s FCC inspection. Here is the full list of stories featured this week:
In case you need more Apple TV rumors, here is another one
Study shows surfing and viewing simultaneously is on the rise
YouTube gears up for TV with Leanback, could see bright future with Google TV
Android 2.2 JavaScript speed tests are good news for Google TV
The Wall Street Journal discusses Google TV
Logitech Revue gets a little FCC treatment [photo gallery]
Source: FCC | via: Engadget
The FCC has released its official files on the Logitech Revue, including some great internal shots. From the pictures, we now know the model number is D-R0001, the motherboard is made by Gigabyte, and that it unfortunately uses an external power supply. Continue reading after the break for the full photo gallery, and be sure to check out those official FCC files if you want to get the skinny on all the technical details.
Source: AndroidGuys
Images have surfaced of what appears to be a new Sony device undergoing FCC inspection. The unit, dubbed NSZ-GT1 in the official FCC documents, is being described as an “Internet TV Box,” which sounds awfully similar to “Sony Internet TV,” which is integrated with Google TV. Built by Foxconn, the box measures 25 x 33-cm and has 802.11n/g/b built in. No official details have been released by Sony at this point, so a release date is currently unknown. See below for more FCC images of the device.
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