ACR
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Vizio makes nearly as much money from ads and data as it does from TVs
Vizio monetizes its cheap smart TVs and free video options by collecting viewer data and selling ads.
Vizio tracked and sold your TV viewing habits without consent (updated)
A settlement with the Federal Trade Commission and the New Jersey Attorney General will cost Vizio $2.2 million. That sum will settle the charges with both the state and federal agencies after a complaint that Vizio installed software on 11 million smart TVs to track viewing histories without consumers' knowledge. As part of the settlement, a federal court could order the company to disclose its data collection and sharing practices and get express consent from customers before doing so.
Vizio IPO plan shows how its TVs track what you're watching
While the past few years have been tough for many TV makers (Panasonic, Pioneer, Toshiba, Sony, just to name a few), Vizio has continued to grow its business, and now it's ready to go public. Vizio has made its name with impressive value-priced TVs that don't skimp on features (it's also a leader in the soundbar market, and has made attempts at selling tablets and phones too). According to the filing, Vizio has sold more than 15 million smart TVs, with about 61 percent of them connected as of the end of June. While viewers are benefiting from those connections, streaming over 3 billion hours of content, Vizio says it's watching them too, with Inscape software embedded in the screens that can track anything you're playing on it -- even if it's from cable TV, videogame systems and streaming devices.
'Smarter' TVs know what you're watching, react accordingly
TV manufacturers have labeled every one of this generation's internet-connected TV platforms "smart", but they don't always live up to the name. One reason is that the internet features can't interact with what you're watching, and are just simple add-ons. Cognitive Networks thinks it can fix that with tech that sees what you're watching, and pulls up related "interactive overlays" that fit. We've seen similar approaches before from companies like Yahoo, but while older tech did its snooping via closed captions, this one works by video fingerprinting the broadcast and identifying what's playing.
Auto Club Revolution 2.0 closed beta starts June 16
Auto Club Revolution, a free-to-play motorsport MMO thing developed by Eutechnyx, is gearing up for its 2.0 closed beta that begins on June 16th. The 2.0 is significant because the game initially launched in 2012. The new version is "nothing less than a full remodeling," according to the latest Eutechnyx press release. Oculus Rift support is also on the way, so if you've ever wanted an MMO featuring Fords, BMWs, and Bentleys instead of casters, healers, and tanks, ACR is probably worth a look. [Source: Eutechnyx press release]
LG partners with Cognitive Networks to make Smart TVs smarter and more interactive
There's a problem with Smart TVs -- they really aren't all that smart. While having WiFi-equipped sets that can run apps and stream content from the web might make them seem smart, TV's don't actually know what content is onscreen when they're showing, you know, regular broadcast television. (Which is still what those TVs are most used for.) Cognitive Networks, however, has figured out how to make those televisions aware of what's happening onscreen, and LG is the first manufacturer to leverage the technology with its LivePlus service. LivePlus was first revealed at the launch of Showtime's Sho Sync app last week, but the Cognitive Networks' technology powering LG's platform can do so much more than just display character backgrounds, trivia and other info. To fully appreciate the breadth of possibilities the tech provides, however, it's important to know how it actually works.
Zeebox picks Gracenote Entourage for its second screen TV chat platform
It was around this time last year that Gracenote's embryonic automatic content recognition system for TV emerged under the name "Entourage." Now, it's been picked up by the increasingly popular second-screen app Zeebox, enabling you to automatically identify whatever it is you're watching. Even better, it'll connect you with other users who are also gasping along to the same episode of Pregnant in Heels you are. All the pairing has to do now is dream a better verb for this process before Shazam-ing becomes the legally-uncomfortable term by default
Test drive a new BMW in Auto Club Revolution
Auto Club Revolution doesn't get a lot of ink from the mainstream MMO press, but it's a pretty interesting title if you're a gearhead. It's more of a virtual world and community hub than a typical progression game (but there is plenty of progression to be had nonetheless). Eutechnyx has just announced a partnership with BMW that gives players a chance to drive and customize a virtual version of the company's new 1 Series M Coupe. The ACR coupe was built with input from BMW designers, as was the new Victoria Harbour road course that you'll drive it on. ACR is a free-to-play racing title that delivers a "console-quality racing experience," according to Eutechnyx. Gamers can collect, customize, and race models from over 50 real-world manufacturers. Visit the game's official website and sign up to access the challenges needed to unlock your new BMW. [Source: Eutechnyx press release]
Auto Club Revolution open beta starts today
For whatever reason, racing titles have yet to really hit the MMO mainstream. Sure there's Need for Speed World, Test Drive Unlimited 2, iRacing, and the late, great Motor City Online. None of them has broken away from the pack, though, which leaves room for a new entry. Auto Club Revolution has just entered its open beta phase, and Eutechnyx hopes to carve out a foothold for itself thanks to over 40 licensed car manufacturers, 150-plus upgrade parts, and a selection of accurately modeled real-life race tracks that are all completely free. ACR is free-to-play, and players can unlock new vehicles at no cost via the game's progression mechanics. There's a dual currency system in place that mixes earned credits with E-Bucks, and both may be used to purchase upgrades, and customization options. The game also features single-player challenges and a variety of racing modes. If that sounds like something you'd like to check out for free, head to the official site to join the open beta. [Source: Eutechnyx press release]
Gracenote Entourage: the ACR TV platform has a name!
Remember Gracenote's plans for an Automatic Content Recognition system for TV? (think: Shazam to help you work out which The Mentalist episode is on). Now it's got a name: Gracenote Entourage. It'll run on smartphones and tablets to identify movies, TV shows and music just from the audio clip. It'll then show you related programming, actor bios and, erm, relevant advertising (but hey, they've gotta make money somehow, yeah?). It'll run on mobile devices and smart TVs, although would that really be easier than pressing the "TV Guide" button on your remote? We'll leave that for you to judge.
Gracenote launches ACR TV recognition, HABU mood-based music curation
It's that pop song again -- you know, the one that forces you to flip the radio to anything else. But still, you're dying to know what it's called, if only to avoid hearing it ever again. Boom Boom? Heartbeat? Shazam! Super Bass, by Nicki Minaj. If you haven't used Shazam, chances are you know someone that does, and often. Gracenote's new Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology takes that same concept and applies it to TV shows and movies, and it's coming soon to a smartphone or tablet near you. A yet-to-be-named app will let your device "listen" to whatever you're watching, identifying TV shows and movies based on dialogue or the soundtrack, then displaying a variety of info about whatever's on screen. Gracenote is also expanding its audio offerings, showing off both HABU and MoodGrid, which are mood-based music curation services for mobile devices and in-car systems, respectively. Software groups songs based on emotional themes, then plays them back depending on your selected mood. Happy? Sad? Intrigued? We'll need to wait until CES for the full scoop from Gracenote.%Gallery-142212%
