One-Blue Signs Two New Licensees – One-Blue administers the licensing program for patents essential to Blu-ray discs. Prime Disc Marketing of Hong Kong and Bestdisc Technology of Taiwan are the new licensees. By signing the BD ROM Disc License Agreements each will have company access to important patents from leading licensors. The licenses cover both hardware and software products including Blu-ray disc, DVD and CD essential patents.
LG to Add 3doo Service to Their 3DTVs – LG Electronics will be pre-installing the 3doo app in its line of LG Cinema 3D TVS worldwide starting next month. 3doo delivers a growing library of free 3D videos and soon will include 3D live events and paid on-demand 3D content. Panasonic already installed the platform on its 2012 Viera 3D TVs in North America and Europe.
Vevo Expands in Europe – Vevo, an online music service competing with Spotify, has launched in Spain, Italy and France, bringing their service to ten countries, including the U.S. A joint venture of Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Abu Dhabi Media, Vevo uses AT&T for branding and marketing assistance. It is available thru both Android and iOS-supported apps for smartphones and tablets, and in the coming weeks will also be connected to the XBox and mobile Web.
Lowe’s to Offer Home Control System to More Stores – Lowe’s says it will roll out its Iris wireless home-control and monitoring system to all of its 1750 stores by the end of next year. The inexpensive systems range from $179 to $299 but don’t control AV. They are do-it-yourself self-monitored home-management systems controlled via an app on iOS or Android smartphones or tablets. Iris uses Zigbee, Z-Wave and Wi-Fi standards to connect to security sensors, security cameras, thermostats and smart plugs which provide remote control of lamps. The app also supports several third-party wireless devices and additional ones will be offered in the future. Next year Lowe’s will add energy-consumption and monitor pet doors. A free basic service sends alarm alerts to a single account holder, lets users turn devices on and off remotely, can deliver streaming security-camera video to a computer or mobile device, delivers remote thermostat control, real-time viewing of electricity consumption, and enables remote door locking and unlocking. A $10-a-month premium service adds many more features.
CEA Names Four Winners of Technology & Standards Awards – The Consumer Electronic Association has announced the recipients of the award designed to recognize individual accomplishments in the industry’s leading technology and standards programs: The awards went to:
- Arthur Allison III, senior director of advanced engineering at the National Asociation of Broadcasters
- Michael Dolan, founder and president of Television Broadcast Technology
- Jon Fairhurst, manager of Consumer Electronics standards at Sharp Laboratories
- John Roman, director of broadband and regulatory policy for Intel