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NYC, Google join forces for high-tech tourist center
New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled this week a new information center, located at 53rd St. and 7th Ave., where visitors can browse the metropolis on Google Maps-powered interactive tables. Places of interest are saved via "You are here" coasters, which can then be used to print itineraries or carried over to wall-mounted screens for a virtual tour, care of Google Earth. Designed by WXY Architecture and Urban Design Local Projects, we can't shake the thought of the center looking like a drab Apple store. And though they may be reminiscent of Microsoft Surface, a rep tells CNET the tables are custom-made for the exhibit. Check out video of the wayfarer hot spot after the break. [Via CNET; thanks, Aaron K.]
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: December 27, 2008
To no one's surprise, activity was extremely light on the FiOS TV expansion front this week. With Christmas Day falling on Thursday, Verizon only found time to announce that two more New York communities are one step closer to having access. The town of Carmel and the village of Hewlett Harbor have both granted video franchises to the carrier, which should mean that access will be available in short order. We also heard that Troutdale, Oregon approved a video franchise from the operator earlier this week, but outside of that, all's quiet on the FiOS TV front. Call it a hunch, but we don't expect next week to be much more eventful.
TWC to give Southern Manhattan its due HD channels
Admit it, south Manhattan -- you felt totally snubbed by Time Warner Cable's recent announcement that your brethren to the north would soon be getting a whole wheelbarrow full of new high-def content. Thankfully, the suits at TWC have realized that south-siders need clarity too, and it's planning to launch a significant amount of fresh HD channels in February. We can't even begin to cover the full list here, so we'll post it up word for word after the break. We know what you're thinking: February?! [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
TWC gives New York City a new helping of HD channels
TWC made good on a big promise to update the Big Apple's high-def lineup back in April, and now it's hitting the City up with a second wave that's about half as awesome. Reportedly, the carrier has snuck in over a dozen HD channels to the Northern Manhattan system, while a tipster in Brooklyn found that Crime and Investigation HD, TV One HD, G4HD, CNBC HD, USA HD, SciFi HD , Bravo HD, E! HD and QVC HD were all available as of this weekend. At the rate cable carrier's are adding HD channels this holiday season, don't be surprised to get a NYC-sized bundle yourself. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family[Thanks, John]
TV One HD coming to several TWC / Comcast markets
There doesn't appear to be a set time line in place, but TV One is expected to launch an HD simulcast of its SD network soon on several Comcast / Time Warner Cable systems. The channel, which is a self-proclaimed "entertainment television network for African Americans," will first hit TWC's NYC region and Comcast systems in Boston, Chicago, Portland, OR and Seattle. We're told that more regions should find the HD iteration of the channel beginning in early January 2009, and at least initially, some 20% of the content will be shot and aired in high-def; if all goes well, that figure should rise to 40% by 2010.
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: December 20, 2008
We know the holidays are just around the bend, but the installers at Verizon aren't taking an early leave. This week, more Southern California homes and businesses were gifted with FiOS TV, particularly in areas of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. Over on the right coast, residents in Blasdell, Kenmore and Lackawanna (New York) are joining the FiOS TV crowd, while prospective buyers in Staten Island now have a retail outlet to visit. Moving on, locals in Chester, Pennsylvania should see the service launch later this month, while subscribers in Portland, Oregon now have access to 102 HD channels. Finally, the Washington, D.C. council has unanimously approved, with one abstention, legislation authorizing Verizon to offer its fiber-based programming service to District residents. Somehow, we get the idea this won't get through without a fight from one particularly angry cable carrier. Like we said, busy week.Read - California expansionRead - New York expansionRead - Staten Island storeRead - Pennsylvania expansionRead - Portland, Oregon HD channel expansionRead - Washington, D.C. expansion
RCN extends relationship with Highgate Hotels, will provide HDTV to weary travelers
RCN has stuck its nose (and HDTV services, for that matter) in all sorts of lodging chains before, and you can mark it down for another thanks to a revamped agreement with Highgate Hotels. The multi-year contract enables RCN to provide the company's New York portfolio of hotels with its own digital TV / HDTV services sans a set-top-box; additionally, the carrier will be delivering third-party VOD content. At first, the operator will upgrade existing service to the DoubleTree Metropolitan, Radisson Lexington and Park Central Hotels, and it expects to have all five phase-one Highgate properties operational by February 2009.
Time Warner Cable adds QVC HD, five others in Albany, NY
As proud members of the internet generation, we here at Engadget HD will never quite understand the desire to waste bandwidth on a channel like QVC HD, but we suppose the seniors are more apt to buy things they can actually see, right? Rambling aside, the point here is to inform you that six new high-def channels have dropped in Albany, just a month (and change) after Time Warner Cable announced that the region was now offering over 100 HD and On Demand options. The newcomers include FX HD (1829), Cartoon Network HD (1832), SPEED HD (1877), NY1 HD (1859), Golf HD (1865) and the infamous QVC HD (1822). We know which one you're tuning to first.[Thanks, Bradley]
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: December 6, 2008
After a light week a week ago, Verizon has taken it pretty easy the past seven days too with just a handful of new FiOS TV expansions. Kicking things off are video franchise approvals in Danvers, Massachusetts and Lackawanna / Atlantic Beach, New York. Next, we're reassured that everyone's working as hard as possible to bring the fiber-based programming service to the City of Brotherly Love. Keep at it, folks -- we'll see you here next week. Same time (roughly), same place (definitely).Read - Massachusetts expansionRead - New York expansionRead - Philadelphia expansion
Doorbusting at Long Island Walmart leads to worker's death
Remember that completely insane crime wave that hit when Sony's hotly anticipated PlayStation 3 finally rushed onto the scene in very limited numbers? Yeah, well that side of humanity is rearing its ugly head again, as an employee perished when legions of crazed Black Friday shoppers blazed through the doors of a Long Island Walmart. The worker was an overnight store clerk who was simply trying to hold back the crowds before the doors officially opened at 5:00AM. According to Jimmy Overby, another employee at the store: "They took the doors off the hinges. He was trampled and killed in front of me." Words to the wise: either do your Black Friday shopping from the safety of your own home, or be careful, cool, calm and collected when you venture out.
Humongous LED display at Walgreens in Times Square gets detailed
For those who've found themselves strolling through Times Square the past few days, you've probably seen the absolutely impossible-to-miss LED display board that was just recently lit up. The folks over at DailyDOOH were able to go check out the official launch, and it also did us the favor of hosting up a few pictures and providing all the juicy details behind the monolithic board. It sits 15 feet off of the ground and rises some 340 feet into the air, and within the sign are 13 interconnected plasma screens showing off coordinated content. Check the read link for even more amazing specs / images.
Gigantic LED display board goes live at Walgreens in Times Square
Remember that LED display board that was scheduled to be lit up at Walgreens in Times Square? You know, that 17,000-square foot one touting 12 million LEDs? Sure you do. The board, which was designed by D3 LED, was finally activated in the heart of New York City, and its creators are asserting that it's one of the most complex in existence. If you're wondering if this is worth a trip up (along with having a peek at the giant tree in Rockefeller Center), you might want to hit the read link first, but you should probably understand that almost nothing in NYC can hold a candle in terms of magnitude to downtown Dubai.
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: November 15, 2008
It's been a slow week for FiOS TV expansions, but we suppose the hard-working individuals responsible for 233,000 new net customers in Q3 deserve a little rest and relaxation before getting back to the grind. Up first we have the Tampa Bay, Florida area getting gifted with a new wave of interactive features on their DVRs. Next, we see three more Trump (yes, that Trump) Properties receiving FiOS TV and high-speed internet services, and if you're curious as to which ones we're referring to, they are: Trump Parc, Trump Parc East and 610 Park Avenue. Lastly, we're notified that Verizon and the City of Brotherly Love (or Philadelphia, if you prefer) are working together to grant the carrier a cable franchise; if passed, Verizon would work to deploy its fiber-based network throughout the region over seven years. That's it for this week, so we'll see you back again in seven days for (hopefully) even more.Read - Tampa BayRead - Trump PropertiesRead - Philadelphia
TWC announces HD expansion for Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens
With FiOS HD hittin' hot and heavy in the Big Apple, TWC is making moves to ensure that it stays at least competitive with Verizon. The latest channel update for three of the five NYC boroughs includes updates for Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, with Northern Manhattan getting a special helping. There are far too many additions to cover in this space, so we'll point you to the full notice hosted just after the break. Sorry, south-siders, maybe next time. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
New York's WNYW takes HD newscasts to high-def
Back in April, we wondered when New York's WNYW would finally follow suit and take its local newscasts to high-def. As of this week, the Big Apple's FOX affiliate is finally broadcasting its local news in glistening HD. As tipster Rich so elequotely put it: "There's nothing like seeing how bad a night your favorite news anchor had when tuning in at 5:00AM." Burn.[Image courtesy of Broadcast Engineering, thanks Rich]
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: November 8, 2008
Not only did Verizon pick up nearly a quarter-million new FiOS TV subscribers in Q3, but it's looking to make sure even more Americans have an opportunity to join in during Q4. This week, the carrier has received approval to light up its fiber-based TV service in several more New York communities -- Port Washington North in Nassau County, the Town of Fishkill / City of Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County, Schuylerville, Throgs Neck and Edgewater Park in the Bronx, and Sheepshead Bay and Gerritsen Beach in Brooklyn. Additionally, it added in 53 new HD channels in Richmond / Hampton Roads, VA, 10 more in Harrisburg, PA and 16 in Rhode Island. We'll see you next week -- here's to hoping your neck of the woods gets covered within the next seven days.Read - New York expansion IRead - New York expansion IIRead - Hampton Roads, VA additionsRead - Richmond, VA additionsRead - Harrisburg, PA additionsRead - Rhode Island additions
TWC now offering over 100 HD and On Demand channels in Albany, NY
The HD party never stops for long in Albany, and just 1.5 short months since the last installment comes five more high-def stations to gawk at. Effective immediately, locals can tune into Bio HD (1826), Toon Disney HD (1831), MGM HD (1852), Hallmark Movie Channel HD (1861) and Tennis Channel HD (1868). With these additions factored in, the carrier now has over 100 HD and On Demand offerings in the Empire State's capital city, which ain't too shabby no matter how you slice it.[Via AlbanyHDTV]
Video: New York City conducts analog shutoff drill
We've seen a smattering of shutoff drills go down from one side of the country to the other, but honestly, hearing of one is still more the exception than the rule. With the digital TV transition drawing ever closer here in the USA, the Big Apple decided to flip the test switch on its local OTA stations in order to give antenna-using citizens a much-needed heads-up. As you can see in the video waiting in the read link, the two-minute test only affected an analog set using an antenna; televisions tuned to WCBS via cable, digital OTA or satellite didn't even notice the warning message. Nice show, New York.
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: October 25, 2008
Verizon was on a rampage last week when it came to FiOS TV expansions, and we're delighted to say that this week isn't too much different. For starters, we see that the latest wave of interactive features have swept across North Texas and New Jersey, while councils in Pomona, Lindenhurst, Hewlett Bay Park and Yorktown, New York approved video franchises to get Verizon's fiber-based programming service up and running in the near future. Finally, we see a single town in Washington (Kirkland) and two locales in the Bay State (Hudson and Weston) get word of impending FiOS TV service. We'll see you next week -- here's to hoping your neck of the woods gets covered within the next seven days.Read - North Texas interactive featuresRead - New Jersey interactive featuresRead - New York expansionRead - Massachusetts expansionRead - Washington expansion
Verizon gets FiOS TV / high-speed internet into Bronx's Parkchester complex
And so it begins. It appears that the FCC's efforts to facilitate programming competition for apartments last year have been successful, with Verizon inking its second contract with a New York-based complex this month. This time, the agreement is with Parkchester, the largest privately owned condominium complex in the US. The deal will bring Verizon's FiOS TV and high-speed internet to residents of Parkchester in the Bronx, giving some 12,271 apartments in 171 buildings access to a fiber-based alternative. As you could likely guess, this is the provider's largest agreement ever in the urban multiple-dwelling-unit market, and while a specific date wasn't mentioned, everything should go live before the end of 2008.
