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Yamaha Receivers Get iOS and Android Streaming Capabilities
Fri Dec 09, 2011 at 10:00 AM ETTags: Yamaha, iOS, Android, Receivers, Apps (all tags)
The latest edition of the AV Controller app adds some very cool new functionality.
Yamaha's newest version of the AV Controller app for Android and iOS brings with it some new functionality. It's the kind of functionality that seems obvious in hindsight, but didn't enter into minds at launch.
You'll still be able to use your device as a remote control for your receiver and other Yamaha products, but now you'll be able to stream music directly from your phone or tablet to the receiver. Not too shabby for a free application.
You can pick up Yamaha's AV Controller on iTunes or from the Android Marketplace
Source: TWICE
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A Sneak Peak at 'The Smurfs' Second Screen and Exclusive Blu-ray Special Features
Thu Dec 01, 2011 at 05:35 PM ETTags: Michael S. Palmer, Apps, Fun Stuff (all tags)
by Michael S. Palmer
As Black Friday madness recedes into memory, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is offering families an unofficial alternative on December 2nd -- Blue Friday -- with 'The Smurfs' launching on Blu-ray and other digital rental / purchase platforms.
Our friends at Sony Pictures Imageworks were kind enough to invite HDD to their studio lot in beautiful Culver City, California to learn se about the various Blu-ray editions, test out Smurf-O-Vision: Second Screen Experience and some family friends apps, and enjoy an early look at 'The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol.'
A Smurf-sized Film and Why I Wish it Was HD
Christmas may be my favorite holiday. My wife and I often decorate before Thanksgiving, I usually leave a string or two of lights up in my living room as cheap "cinema lighting", and one time I purposefully left up the office Christmas Tree until March to see just how long it would take my passive aggressive supervisor to directly request its removal (a hilarious and cheerful three months, it was!). So while the growing multitude of Dickens adaptations may be boring to some, I'm always up for a new twist on the classic tale.
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'The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol' doesn't disappoint. This heartwarming, visually striking short utilizes both modern CGI animation as well as 2D cell animation reminiscent of the old TV show. The only catch, my HD-loving friends, is that it's exclusively available on DVD as part of the 3 Disc Holiday Gift Set (see below). A shame, because yesterday we were able to see an HDCAM copy of the short, which is richly detailed, colorful, and would have popped on ye olde HDTVe. However, after a bit of technical difficulty, we watched the most of the short projected from the DVD, and it admittedly looks pretty good in SD too.
Second Screen Smurfs
Next on our tour was a look at Smurf-O-Vision, also available exclusively on the 3-Disc Holiday Gift Set. While most Second Screen applications act like behind the scene featurettes, allowing users to dive into production designs and concept art, Sony did something quite different and really fun with 'The Smurfs'. Smurf-O-Vision is a free app that allows kids to play along with the movie in 15 unique activities. For example, if a character on screen is blowing bubbles, bubbles appear on your iPad and you pop them. There's also Smurfberries to poke, popcorn to pop, and flies to squash among other things.
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Sony was smart to make the Smurf-O-Vision application easy to use in a variety of scenarios. Users can sync the app to the film using a manual setting or WiFi (if your Blu-ray player is connected to your home network). And let's say your adorable little ones want to play Smurf-O-Vision, but you don't want to watch the film for the three trillionth time, or you're on the road with no Blu-ray available, the app still works as a standalone. The kiddies can play any of the 15 activities in any order they wish. Cleverly designed, oddly addictive, and technically you don't even need to buy the Blu-ray to ever use it. In fact, over 35 thousand people are already enjoying it.
Smurftacular Apps
The Smurfs Village Game (available for Apple iOS or Android) has been around for a while, but it has a new Holiday Quest update featuring all new holiday-themed quests inspired by 'The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol', such as growing blackberries for holiday Smurfberry Nog, or helping the holiday-decorated mushroom village build a SnowSmurf.
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Another fun and free (my favorite price) app is GoldRun, which allows you to take family pictures with one of six Smurf characters. Simply adjust the characters' size and screen position to make it appear as if the Smurf was really standing next to you or the group. Then upload to your favorite photo-sharing or social networking site.
How Many Different Ways Can I Buy the Smurfs?
Excellent question. For Blu-ray fans, there are two versions to consider:
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First, there's the 3D Blu-ray + DVD edition, which includes one Blu-ray with both 3D and 2D versions of the film along with The Smurfs Fantastic Adventure Game, and one DVD, which includes a Find The Smurfs Game. Both discs also host a number of behind the scenes featurettes and audio commentaries.
Next, there is a 3-Disc Holiday Gift Set (which we just reviewed). This package features one 2D Blu-ray along with the Smurf-O-Vision: Second Screen Experience, a DVD of the movie, and a DVD of an all new animated short, 'The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol'. As part of a Walmart exclusive, the 3-Disc Holiday Gift Set includes a plush Smurf toy and a $5 credit for Walmart's Vudu streaming service. All retail editions of 'The Smurfs', including the DVD-only edition, include an UltraViolet digital redemption code for streaming and/or download from your Digital Locker in the Cloud.
Why in the Smurf Would I Buy It?
Look for our full review coming soon, but after finally getting a chance to see the film last night, I was really surprised. 'The Smurfs' is a fun family film sure to delight the kiddies, not bore the adults, and it looks and sounds pretty darn spiffy on Blu-ray (though the rear channels in the otherwise delightful 5.1 DTS-HD MA surround track seem to be mixed a little hot at times).
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Pick up 'The Smurfs' on Blu-ray Friday, December 2nd! In addition to the physical copy editions mentioned above, the film will also be available day and date on various OnDemand, streaming, and digital download services such as Vudu and iTunes. Thanks again to Sony Imageworks and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for a fun afternoon.
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Samsung TV App Developers Challenge is Back
Wed Sep 14, 2011 at 02:00 PM ETTags: Samsung, Apps, Industry Trends (all tags)
This time around, Samsung is focused on apps that utilize secondary devices.
One of the hottest trends in home theater right now is that of allowing customers a way to control their components through their smartphone or tablet. That's what Samsung is hoping to spur further with its latest iteration of the App Developers Challenge.
The new challenge gives developers a set of criteria for their submissions. Each of these guidelines make it abundantly clear that Samsung is all about interacting with other devices. They're looking for apps that can either let another device control the TV, provide additional information or allow another device to operate as a secondary display.
The winning developer will take home a cool $100,000 and some Samsung gear to boot. Second and third earn money and gear as well. The winners will be revealed at CES 2012.
Source: Samsung Free the TV Challenge
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Samsung Hits the Two Million App Download Mark
Fri Jan 21, 2011 at 12:00 PM ETTags: Samsung, Apps (all tags)
Things are looking very good for Samsung's app program with this impressive download count.
You may remember a story very similar to this one from last month when Samsung hit one million app downloads. Between that announcement on December 6th and the announcement today, Samsung TV owners have downloaded another million apps. Not too shabby.
"This achievement and the short period in which it was achieved demonstrate the rapidly growing popularity of applications and content for Smart TVs," says Sangchul Lee, Samsung VP. "Samsung's leadership role in this category has paid off and allowed us to provide new experiences for consumers that are more rich and integrated than any before."
What's more impressive is that unlike Apple's app store, the selection at Samsung is fairly limited. You can access 380 different apps, 259 of which are free.
Samsung makes a point to note that they couldn't have done it without the app developers. "The developer community is a critical component to maintaining the momentum and growth of Samsung Apps for the TV," says Samsung's Kevin Lee. "These talented individuals will bring depth and personalization to an environment built initially with our industry-leading partners."
Source: Engadget
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Samsung's "Free the TV" Challenge to Bring More Apps to Samsung Devices
Thu Aug 12, 2010 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Samsung, Apps (all tags)
It's also a great way to win some cash and gear if you're an app maker.
App. It's a buzzword that simply refers to a program, but thanks to the iPhone it's taken over our vocabulary. Samsung certainly had that link in mind when it launched Samsung Apps. The Samsung App store has done alright, but it certainly hasn't exploded the way Apple's has, and Samsung would like to change that.
They've got a contest running until the end of the month that will reward 14 different app creators with a total of $500,000 in cash and prizes. The first place winner gets $200,000, a 46 inch Samsung 9000 TV, a Blu-ray player and a 3D starter kit. As you'd imagine, prizes get lower from there.
That's good news if you own a Samsung television since it means there will be plenty of new content on the way. Starting in November, the apps will be open to public voting, meaning you'll get a say in who gets a $50,000 cash prize.
Source: Samsung
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