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PlayStation Vue pumps cloud-based TV onto consoles in 2015
Sony crystallized its foray into the world of live TV on consoles by unveiling PlayStation Vue this morning. The cloud-based service launches commercially in the US sometime in the first quarter of 2015, and it's set to deliver broadcast and on-demand TV to PS4, PS3, and even non-Sony devices like the iPad. PlayStation Vue doesn't require additional devices like a set-top box, according to today's announcement, and subscription is on a month-to-month basis, a la Netflix. There's no word on a specific price, but Sony promises a "competitive" fee with no hidden fees or charges. In terms of features. Sony said users can tag their favorite shows and save them to the cloud without storage restrictions; tagging a show grants access to its episodes for 28 days. Also, Vue users can track back and watch shows from the three previous days of "popular programming" without having to record them.
Dropcam's iOS app goes big, now optimized for iPad
After establishing itself in the Android ecosystem with a native app, modern-day nanny cam outfit Dropcam has decided to optimize its service on the iPad, too. Users of the iPad 2, new iPad or the iPad mini can now view up to four Dropcam devices simultaneously, snap still images and receive real-time motion and audio alerts via SMS. Subscribers also have access to a cloud-based DVR service, which allows them to view, store and manage their recorded videos. So, whether you're trying to catch your roommate stealing borrowing your clothes, or keep an eye on a mischievous pet, you can now grab a super-size update from the App Store.
AT&T announces cloud-based storage, 5 GB free for iOS users
AT&T's apparently jumping into the cloud storage fray with a new program called AT&T Locker. The service will provide up to 5 GB of free storage via an app to iOS users, with extra charges for any storage above that. To get started, AT&T users can grab the app right now, and then upload and access photos or videos on the app, or then share them off to other networks like Facebook, Twitter or (it's back!) MySpace. It's an interesting move by AT&T for sure. The idea, apparently, is that by getting you to invest your documents and photos on their servers, there will be more reason for you to stay with their network when the opportunity to switch comes around. I don't know how well that will work, but 5 GB of extra free storage is always appreciated. [via Engadget]
CloudOn announces new features, worldwide availability on iOS and Android
Having already conquered over 70 countries in its relatively short history, CloudOn decided it was now time to make its handy cloud-based tools available to all Android and iOS users around the globe. Aside from announcing its worldwide invasion, CloudOn's also outed version 2.5 of its application on Google and Apple's mobile platforms, bringing with it a slew of new traits into the mix -- among these are a FileSpace for "real-time context around any document," the ability to add single-tap annotations to Word, Excel or PowerPoint files, an all-new ribbon that's enhanced for tablet use and, naturally, universal language support. It's worth noting that while all of these novel features will be available on Android / iOS at some point, the former two are currently only compatible with Cupertino's devices -- however, CloudOn has told us the missing goods will be making their way to the other side very soon. We're not exactly sure when that's going to be, but if you're still interested in grabbing the app, you'll find the necessary download links below.%Gallery-168524%
Microsoft debuts revised SkyDrive website and desktop apps, Android app coming soon
Microsoft just recently gave it's web-based email offering a sweeping overhaul, and it's now also done the same for its cloud-based storage service. As detailed in a typically extensive blog post, the company has today launched an all new as SkyDrive.com (rolling out over the next 24 hours), one that now defaults to a tile-based layout and boasts new features like instant search and a contextual toolbar. As the company notes, it's also designed with tablets in mind, in addition to desktop web browser. What's more, Microsoft has also rolled out updated SkyDrive apps for Windows and OS X, which promise faster uploads and other performance improvements, and it says it'll finally have an Android app in "just a few weeks." Hit the source link below for a look at it and all the other changes.
Sony invests in cloud-streaming with purchase of Gaikai
The gaming cloud company Gaikai, which partnered with Warner Bros. Interactive last March to stream an hour of gameplay in two different AAA games and more recently was in the news for partnering with En Masse to offer an instant streaming version of TERA's demo, was just acquired by Sony for the sum of $380 million. What does this mean for the company with numerous games across different platforms? Sony Computer Entertainment President Andrew House explains that the company "will deliver a world-class cloud-streaming service that allows users to instantly enjoy a broad array of content ranging from immersive core games with rich graphics to casual content anytime, anywhere on a variety of internet-connected devices." For more insight into the realm of cloud-streaming MMOs, check out Massively's look at Gaikai and browser-based gaming.
Lightroom 4 finally floats into Adobe's Creative Cloud
Adobe's primary tool for tweaking and organizing photos was always destined to be part of the Creative Cloud offering, but for whatever reason it didn't make it in time for launch. As of today though, Lightroom 4 is available to download on PC or 64-bit Mac (or both, since you're allowed multiple installations) as part of a CS6 monthly license. The additional title may not be enough to sway cloud doubters, but even they can't dispute that the subscription approach now delivers more software than the full-on $2599 shrink-wrapped Master Collection.
CloudOn launching its iOS, Android tablet apps in 16 more countries, Office hounds rejoice
Surprise, surprise, CloudOn has just opened a fresh can of tablet-friendly Office and is getting ready to deliver it outside of the US, UK and Canada for the first time in its relatively short history. The cloud-based service announced it's now launching its iOS and Android applications in 16 more countries, making it a total of 19 with the addition of the aforementioned trio. Some of the lucky nations include: Spain, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Israel as well as the Netherlands -- and, in case you had any concerns, the app is keeping its free-of-charge status, so no need to worry. In addition to the beefy global expansion, CloudOn also released a few productivity-focused tidbits, giving users the ability to open links straight from the browser, copy and paste between the different built-in apps, plus a drag-and-drop feature to move around files and folders within the application -- unfortunately, this last one's only available to those with a Cupertino device (at least for the time being). All that's left to do now is grab yourself a copy from one of the links below, and be sure to check the presser after the break to see if your country made the cut.
Microsoft ditches Windows Live brand, explains new approach to cloud services
Confused by Microsoft's array of internet/cloud-based services for Windows and Windows Phone? Then it looks like the company's been listening to you. In his latest blog post for the Building Windows 8 blog, Microsoft's Steven Sinofksy explains the company's new approach to cloud services in Windows 8 and Windows Phone, and confirms one big change: it's doing away with the Windows Live brand entirely. Replacing it is something simply called the Microsoft account, which you can use to both sign in to Microsoft's own services and tie to other third-party services like Twitter or Facebook. That one account can also be used to sign in on various devices and immediately have access to Microsoft's various services, which are now all definitely called "apps," and are also taking on a more unified approach across both Windows 8 and Windows Phone (as you can see in the chart above). In addition to the former Windows Live branded services, that includes the longstanding MSN Messenger, which will now simply be known as "Messaging." As usual, Sinofksy's described all those changes at some length -- hit the source link below for his full post.
Box releases new API for developers, announces 15 more OneCloud apps
It's been quite a week for cloud storage, with Dropbox rolling out a significant new update, Microsoft's SkyDrive getting a new Windows Phone app, and Google Drive making its long-awaited debut. Now Box is getting in on the act, announcing the release of a brand new API that is says makes it easier than ever for developers to integrate the Box platform into their products. Along with it, the company has also announced 15 more Box OneCloud apps for iOS devices, and teamed up with the NYC-based General Assembly and TechStars in an effort to "drive innovation in enterprise software." You can get a quick rundown of the new API in the video after the break, and find all the details on how to get started with it at the links below.
CloudOn bolsters its Office-friendly iPad app with support for Box and Adobe Reader
CloudOn managed to attract a fair bit of attention earlier this year with its cloud-based app that indirectly brought Microsoft Office to the iPad, and it's now back with version 2.0 of said app. That doesn't change a whole lot on the surface (though there are some UI tweaks), but it does add support for Box in addition to Dropbox for storage, as well as support for PDFs, PSDs and other formats handled by Adobe Reader. As before, the app is free, and CloudOn assures folks that it has officially licensed the technology from Microsoft and Adobe.
Tango Networks offers cloud-based Google Voice integration to carriers
Tango Networks is aiming to assuage the pain of US mobile users attempting to manage two phone numbers using a single device. Dubbed the Abrazo Multi-line Service, the cloud-based product aims to bring Google Voice integration to "all mobile phones" and allow wireless users to manage multiple numbers without the hassle of additional software -- meaning your RAZR 2 can join the fun. Calls placed to handsets utilizing Abrazo will ring all phones in your Google Voice roster and users can choose which caller ID number to display for outgoing calls. The service will also offer a single Message Waiting Indicator light and leverage GV's low-cost international calling rates. Abrazo Multi-line Service is currently in the trial phase with North American mobile operators. The full press release from Tango is after the break.
ActiveVideo Network's CloudTV H5 links up with Siri, brings voice control to set-top boxes
So you ignored the same old design and moderately bumped specs, plunked down your plastic and picked up an iPhone 4S -- presumably on the allure of Siri. Well, that bodiless, digital lady helper's about to work her concierge magic on your cable TV. ActiveVideo Networks plans to demo an implementation of its CloudTV H5 apps platform -- including iVOD, amongst others -- to bring voice navigation to living rooms via your set-top box. After routing a user's requests over a cellular network, the company's servers do the heavy lifting and deliver the intended content and search results all supposedly in the time it would take to use a remote control. We'll be sure to get some up close and personal time with this voice-based interface at CES this week and let you know how it all pans out.
Microsoft reveals Data Explorer tool, gets into the sorbet business (video)
Redmond houses quite a few little teams beavering away on quirky projects and one of those has just gone public with its latest creation. It's codenamed "Data Explorer", which perhaps isn't an ideal codename since it describes exactly what the enterprise-focused service does. Instead of manually searching and copying data into a report, Data Explorer pulls information from SQL databases, spreadsheets and other "random sources" that could be relevant, and then attempts to "clean it up, transform it, merge it together and then publish it out" as a coherent report. You can learn more and sign up for the beta at the source link, or click past the break to watch a Microsoft exec demo the tool using a real-world case study -- we found it a bit dense, but you'll be fine as long as you remember that kids love frozen yogurt.
San Diego Supercomputer Center launches world's largest academic cloud storage system
A new cloud storage system may not exactly be big news these days, but it is certainly a bit more noteworthy when it's the San Diego Supercomputer Center (or SDSC) behind it. That new service, simply dubbed the SDSC Cloud, also isn't your ordinary cloud storage system -- it's designed specifically for academic and research use, and it's said to be the largest of its kind in the world. That title comes from an initial raw capacity of 5.5 petabytes, which the SDSC notes is scalable by "orders of magnitude to hundreds of petabytes," and which is accessible at sustained read speeds from 8 to 10 gigabytes per second (also promised to be improved over time). Those interested in signing up can do so right now through an application process, with rates starting at $3.25 a month for 100GB of storage. Additional details are in the press release after the break.
OnLive's cloud rolls across the pond, UK gamers now welcome
OnLive promised that it was coming, and the company has now brought its cloud-based gaming service to the UK right on schedule. That, of course, is identical to the service elsewhere, which lets you play a variety of PC games on any supported platform, including OnLive's own game system. UK gamers can also take advantage of a range of promotions coinciding with the launch, including their first OnLive PlayPass Game for £1 (up to a £39.99 value), and a free OnLive Game System to those attending the Eurogamer Expo (while quantities last, of course). Those interested can sign up and start playing right now at the link below.
Adobe rolls out cloud-based Carousel photo service for Apple devices
Looking for another way to store your photos that doesn't involve a shoebox in your closet or a hard drive on your desk? Then you now also have Adobe's new cloud-based Carousel service to consider, which will initially come in the form of apps for iOS and Mac OS X Lion later this month (support for Windows and Android is apparently coming next year). The real selling point here is that your photos are instantly synced across said devices (and you can edit them on each), although that convenience comes at a cost -- the apps themselves are free but you'll be charged $60 a year or $6 per month until January, and $100 a year or $10 a month after that. Video is after the break.
Fujitsu wants to push out location-based apps, pull them back again
Maybe, just maybe, this wireless technology in development at Fujitsu makes some sense. When you walk within range of an NFC sensor or GPS coordinate, the cloud-based system takes the liberty of pushing location-relevant apps to your phone or tablet. Enter a museum, for example, and you'll automatically receive its tour guide app. Your device could even be made to work as a viral transmitter, spreading the app to other visitors' handsets. Finally, when you leave, all the bloatware just magically disappears. Alternatively, the museum's marketing department conveniently forgets to configure this last step, accidentally signs you up to its newsletter and grabs a donation from your PayPal account while it has the chance. We would obviously find this rather upsetting, unless the museum has dinosaurs.
HP Play music syncing service hits beta, bring your USB cable
Hey, wouldn't it be great if you could sync your music collection across your HDD and all your mobile devices? Ahem, we know what you're thinking. Nevertheless, HP clearly feels the need to play a little catch-up. It's starting yet another connected music service, called HP Play, to cater specifically for owners of the TouchPad, Veer, and potentially other webOS devices like the Pre 3. The beta has just launched and by all measures it's an extremely basic affair -- like, iTunes 2001 basic: no OTA syncing, no cloud storage and no store. But this is just a beta, and if it ties into the HP music service that was rumored a few weeks ago then it could be the start of something more in keeping with air conditioning, clean drinking water and other modern expectations.
HP reportedly in talks with major labels over cloud-based service
We've already seen some rumors of a cloud-syncing music store for the HP TouchPad, not to mention talk of "Music Synergy," and it now looks like there could be some more movement on that front. According to Billboard.biz, HP's discussions with the major record labels about a cloud-based service of some sort are now "heating up," although that apparently doesn't mean an actual launch is imminent. One major label exec told Billboard that the service could be "something like Qriocity for a variety of media, which can be delivered on any HP device," but added that "we don't know how serious they are," which isn't exactly an encouraging thing to hear. That uncertainty was echoed by other unnamed sources, who were reportedly unsure about how quickly HP could launch such a service (at least six months away, according to some), while one other said that HP is still "trying to narrow down what their service will look like."
