In a move that will surprise few, Google has purchased YouTube for $1.65 billion in a stock-for-stock transaction. However, the statement announcing the acquisition made it clear that the video sharing website will continue to operate independently.
“The YouTube team has built an exciting and powerful media platform that complements Google’s mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful,” said Eric Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer of Google. “Our companies share similar values; we both always put our users first and are committed to innovating to improve their experience. Together, we are natural partners to offer a compelling media entertainment service to users, content owners and advertisers.”
The question naturally arises as to how Google will integrate YouTube into its search results and whether the company was purchased as a revenue generator in its own right, or as a conduit into its millions of users, its technology, or its video library. Crucially the statement makes mention of Google’s massive advertiser base, suggesting that it has plans to improve on the monetization of its new toy.
There will be no job losses from YouTube in the immediate future.
October 9th, 2006
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has revealed which three movies in its stable will be the first to get the 50GB Blu-Ray treatment, promising increased bonus features and interactivity.’Click’ will hit the shelves on November 14, with ‘The Ballad of Ricky Bobby’ and ‘Blackhawk Down’ following on December 12. ‘Blackhawk will be the first title to feature Sony’s new ‘Blu-Wizard’ playlist technology, which lets viewers customize the way they watch special features.
All three titles were authored by the Sony Pictures Digital Authoring Center and manufactured by Sony.
“As consumers make the leap to Blu-ray’s incredible high-definition picture and cinema quality audio, they want access to a diverse selection of content packed with added-value features and reference titles,” said David Bishop, president of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
Only two other studios have announced a 50GB disc. 20th Century Fox is releasing ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ on November 14, and Lionsgate is preparing ‘The Descent’ for a December release.
October 9th, 2006
In an unusual move, Nintendo has launched its DS Browser in Europe, while continuing to neglect the USA.
The DS Browser, developed by Opera, has been available in Japan for half a year. It comes in the form of a cartridge that plugs into the DS. There are two varieties - one for the standard DS and one for DS Lite.
Nintendo claims that any web page can be displayed, although there is no Flash capability yet. Pages can be viewed in a single column, spreading across both screens, or in ‘DS mode’ where the entire page is shown on the bottom screen, with a zoomed-in section on the top.
The Opera Browser for the DS and DS Lite is priced at £29.99 (about $56) in the UK and across Europe at €39.99 (around $50).
October 9th, 2006
Three new Pioneer Elite PureVision plasma televisions introduced today send a clear message to consumers that the time is right to purchase one of the most technologically advanced plasmas available on the market. The new Elite 42” PRO-940HD, 50” PRO-1140HD and 60” PRO-1540HD televisions incorporate the latest innovations in proprietary plasma technologies that deliver brighter, sharper and richer images unmatched in the industry.
Several Pioneer exclusive technologies work in tandem to give consumers an unparalleled picture and home theatre experience. Newly designed glass and the First Surface PRO Color Filter improve picture contrast and provide greater detail in darker scenes, resulting in a purer more accurate picture on screen. A Redesigned Deep Encased Cell Structure and improved red and blue phosphor technology improve overall brightness, while a Crystal Emissive Layer bonded directly to the plasma glass is responsible for improved panel efficiency and better contrast.
The new Elite models are the first Pioneer plasmas to incorporate an exclusive home networking program, Home Media Gallery™ that easily connects to an existing home network via Ethernet or USB. This feature provides users direct access to movies, music and photos stored on a networked PC or any other DLNA compliant device for immediate viewing on the plasma in stunning HD quality.
“Pioneer has combined the latest cutting edge plasma technologies with sleek cosmetics to bring a true theatre experience into the consumer’s home.” said Paul Meyhoefer, vice president of displays for Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “With nearly ten years of plasma engineering firsts, these Elite plasmas are another example of best-in-class picture, engineering excellence and performance you won’t find anywhere else.”
PLASMA, A HOME THEATRE MASTERPIECE
Plasma technology is at the forefront in providing significant benefits over less accomplished display technologies. Plasma televisions are the ideal choice for discerning consumers displaying true to life color, the widest viewing angles (without color shift or distortion) and the ability to provide virtually no motion blur during fast action scenes. Pioneer continues to create technology that makes a difference, upping the ante with each new model of plasma introduced and incorporating more industry first features and benefits than its competitors.
For ease of use, Pioneer plasmas offer TV Guide™ OnScreen® electronic program guides with eight days of programming. The televisions have dual standard definition (NTSC) and a single high definition (ATSC) tuner built in. They are Digital Cable Ready (DCR) and include a CableCARD™ slot for standard and high definition broadcasts. Dual independent HDMI connectivity rounds off a stellar host of standard input and output options, for seamless connection to practically any source or signal.
Pioneer Elite televisions offer the option of ISF calibration. This feature allows consumers to have a trained professional finely tune their plasma adjusting color, brightness and contrast all to the specific tastes of the owner and the room in which it resides. Settings include two additional viewing modes for both day and night viewing.
Audio is equally important to the ultimate high definition experience. A fully integrated one-body design on the 42” plasma and side-mounted, detachable speakers on the 50” and 60” televisions use SRS(WOW)™ technology, which includes SRS Surround, TruBass® and Focus™ for superior audio quality. SRS (WOW) offers a trio of surround sound modes and with an additional sub-woofer connection the home theatre experience is complete.
Sixty thousand hours (20 years at 8 hours per day) is an approximate time for the display panel to reach half of its original luminescence. This approximation may vary depending on source and type of content, settings, environment and use. This approximation does not provide or imply any warranty beyond the manufacturer’s standard limited warranty.
The full Pioneer line of Elite plasmas (PRO-940HD, PRO-1140HD and PRO-1540HD) are now available and shipping for suggested prices of $3,500, $5,000 and $7,500 respectively.
Pioneer’s Home Entertainment Division is a leading marketer of plasma televisions and monitors, Blu-ray Disc, DVD players and DVD recorders, A/V receivers, speakers and other audio and video accessories. Its focus is on the development of new digital technologies including Digital Network Entertainment. The company markets its products under the Pioneer and Elite brand names. When purchased from an authorized dealer, consumers receive a limited warranty for one year with Pioneer products and two years with Elite products.
October 9th, 2006
