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Los Angeles' KTTV and KCOP: now with HD news
Los Angeles residents could already turn their attention to KABC to catch the local news in high-def, but as Anchorman proved, there's nothing like a little competition to keep everyone on their toes. As of this week, both KTTV (FOX 11) and KCOP (MyNetworkTV 13) have made the switch to HD, meaning that you now have two more options for catching the latest in depressing anecdotes in stunning high-definition. 'Tis a shame this does nothing for that sting left by the Phillies.[Thanks, Eric]
Every single 2008 - 2009 LA Lakers game to be aired in HD
Getting to the NBA Finals has its perks. 'Course, being situated in Los Angeles, California doesn't hurt either. Either way, LA Lakers fans who can't get enough of HD sports are really in luck, as the club's entire 2008 - 2009 season (we're talking preseason, regular season, the whole shebang) will be aired in crystal clear high-definition. Between KCAL HD, FSN HD, TNT HD, ESPN HD and ABC HD, every last Lakers game, home and away, will be available (at least in the greater LA area) in HD. C'mon NBA -- how about we make this the norm rather than the exception?[Thanks, Pete][Image courtesy of BBallOne]
AT&T takes Total Home DVR to Los Angeles, St. Louis and Fresno
We're hesitant to say that the flood gates are open, but it looks like AT&T is pushing its Total Home DVR software out at a pretty regular clip. Just days after introducing it in the Bay Area and merely hours after dumping it on Dallas / Fort Worth residents, AT&T is now bringing the U-verse update to customers in Los Angeles, Fresno and St. Louis. In short, the software refresh enables users to play back any recorded SD or HD program on any connected TV in their home at no extra charge. Who's up for placing bets on the next locale to get the good news?
TWC adds a fresh dozen HD channels in parts of West LA
No longer will you be ridiculed by nearly everyone else in Southern California, West LA residents -- Time Warner Cable has just dropped its latest dozen HD channels in your area. According to a local, he asserts that the SDV conversion has finally been completed in the region, enabling Discovery HD (418), Golf / Versus HD (423), ESPNews HD (426), CNN HD (432), HGTV HD (433), Food HD (434), Disney HD (435), ABC Family HD (436), TLC HD (437), A&E HD (438), History HD (439) and National Geographic HD (440) to be seen at long last. Also of note, USA HD (450) and CNBC HD (451) were added for additional Olympics coverage last Friday, though we'd expect those to vanish in under a fortnight. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]Update: Exact neighborhoods and corresponding launch dates now after the jump. Thanks, HD!
SoCal quake putting the hurt on AT&T and Verizon?
We're hearing some reports that folks on AT&T and Verizon are having trouble with their cellies -- voice and BlackBerry services, respectively -- in the wake of this morning's magnitude 5.4 tremblor out in southern California. What's the story, Los Angelinos? Still able to make and receive calls?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
The unbearable smallness of E3 2008, in pictures
After last year's detour to Santa Monica, E3 returned this year to its traditional home at the L.A. Convention Center. But the more things stay the same, the more they change, as they say (if they're a bit confused). Despite the return to the old location, much of this year's E3 had an empty, ghost town feeling when compared to E3s past. The general lack of participating developers and publishers, combined with the strict, invite-only attendee list combined to make a show that seemed incredibly small in the incredibly large convention center. To see just how small, check out our "E3, then and now" gallery, which compare scenes from previous E3s to similar scenes from this year's show.%Gallery-28248%
Welcome to E3 2008, now with less magic
If there was any question as to the fate of the spectacle that was E3, a quick visit Monday afternoon to the LA Convention Center seemed to confirm the show's demise. Oh sure, E3 may live on in name, but where years past would have found the convention center papered by now in gaudy banners promoting the year's biggest titles and deepest pockets, 2008 instead finds the halls exhibiting all the life of a George Romero set piece without the visceral afterglow. Even so, we do look forward to see what the show has in store for us when it officially kicks off later today. After all, we're not total pessimists. Yet.%Gallery-27531%
Time Warner Cable slings a dozen HD channels to Southern California
While TWC is busy rolling out SDV in San Diego, the carrier is also gearing up to do some reshuffling and add a full dozen high-def channels in Southern California. Aside from a few SD slot changes (which are detailed in the read link for those who care), the real news comes with the arrival of HGTV HD (433), Food Network HD (434), CNN HD (432), History Channel HD (439), A&E HD (439), Golf / Versus HD (423), Discovery HD (418), TLC HD (437), Disney Channel HD (435), ABC Family HD (436), ESPNews HD (426) and National Geographic HD (440). According to the most recent programming alert, all of the HD stations "will be launched in all areas," but there's no telling how quickly each market will be hit once the rollouts begin on July 9th. Keep a close on that EPG, SoCal. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Tony]
Los Angeles Traffic Cam brings live gridlocks to your cellphone
We have all ideas (okay, so we know it for a fact) that the Los Angeles Traffic Cam was designed for those living in LA, but we can't help but imagine how drivers in less congested cities could use this to make their own daily commute not seem so bad. NBC4 and 3rd Dimension have teamed up to beam out live video and nearly live still shots from some 270 LA-area traffic cameras to those with compatible mobiles, and being that it's ad-supported, the whole thing is completely free to end users. Of course, for all you know, they could just loop a clip of gridlocked traffic during rush hour and call it reality. Sadly, said idea would almost work.
Los Angeles to sue Time Warner Cable over shoddy service
Far from being the first time Time Warner Cable has upset its subscriber base, the Los Angeles city attorney's office is pulling a Dee Snider and refusing to take the carrier's lackluster service anymore. In a 25-page lawsuit, the city is alleging that the operator "caused major havoc and distress" two years ago when it "failed to live up to its part of the franchise cable agreement requiring that a company answer subscribers' calls within 30 seconds and begin repairs of service interruptions within 24 hours of notification in 90% of its calls for service." The suit claims that no more than 60% of customer calls were answered in time, and cable / internet service was said to be "so intermittent and inferior in quality that it was not much better than no service at all." Not surprisingly, TWC representatives chose not to comment on the whole ordeal, but the outfit could face civil penalties of tens of millions of crisp US dollars in the case. Should've picked up the phone, TWC -- it would've been easier than picking up this tab. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Image courtesy of Web 2 Concepts, thanks Scott]
AT&T celebrates one year of U-verse in Los Angeles, California
Oh, these self-centered fiber-based programming providers. Stopping every so often to pat themselves on the back each time some sort of milestone is reached. The latest reason to celebrate is the one year anniversary of serving up U-verse in the greater Los Angeles, California area. AT&T has just announced that over 50 communities in LA have access to its service, and while that's all fine and dandy, we'd actually prefer to hear a definitive date for when that highly-coveted 2HD / 2SD functionality will be rolled out nationwide.
Los Angeles becomes home to Tesla Motors' first dealership
Nary two months after the Tesla Roadster finally hit production, the automaker's first dealership has swung its doors wide open. Not surprisingly, the establishment is planted in gridlock heaven, better known as Los Angeles, California. Even less shocking is the fact that it opened at one of the busiest intersections in the city -- near the practically useless (we kid... sort of) 405 freeway and the always-packed corner of Santa Monica and Sepulveda boulevards. Of course, the 10,000-square-foot dealership isn't exactly rolling cars off of the showroom floor just yet (something about a lingering transmission issue), but it's hoping the $2 million cost of construction more than pays itself off in a couple of years. And if you're hankering for a Tesla Motors store near you, you can look forward to others popping up in Menlo Park (CA), New York, Miami, Seattle and Chicago in the next year or so.
FSN Prime Ticket, KCAL to deliver 150 Dodgers games in HD
Looks like the Padres and Diamondbacks aren't the only MLB clubs out west with lots of HD comin' up, as the Joe Torre-led Los Angeles Dodgers will be seen quite clearly in nearly every single game this season, too. Apparently 100 of the team's games will be broadcast in HD on FSN Prime Ticket, while 50 more will be aired in high-definition on KCAL 9 (CBS). And just think -- we figured the Blue Jays were doing something special.[Image courtesy of Frederic J. Brown / ESPN, thanks Pete]
New York leads the nation in HD adoption
Go on, you New Yorker you, give yourself a much deserved pat on the back. According to recent findings from The Nielsen Company, NY residents are "leading the nation in adopting high-definition television." Reportedly, some 17.5-percent of households in NYC are pulling in HD content of some kind. Notably, Los Angeles has the highest amount of HD-equipped homes, but only 17.1-percent of 'em are actually putting their equipment to good use and receiving an HD station. Taking home the bronze is Washington, D.C., with 16.8-percent of its domiciles enjoying HD programming. Nationwide, 13.7-percent of dwellings are HD-capable, but only 11.3-percent (that's 12.7 million homes) are actually receiving HD signals in some form or another. Seems like we've got quite a ways to go to hit that 50 million mark by next year.
E for All advance registration opens
Early registration for GamePro's E for All Expo, set for October 18-21 at E3's old home -- the Los Angeles Convention Center -- is now open. You can register at the E for All website here. The current phase ends September 1, and tickets are $45 for a Thursday/Friday pass, $65 for Saturday/Sunday or $90 for all four days. After September 1, prices move into the range of $50 to $110. In addition to cheaper ticket prices, early registrants get to play on the show floor earlier, with a grand total of seven extra hours available. With E3's downsizing this year, the expo is hoping to fill Los Angeles' quota for large gamer gatherings.[Via Firing Squad]
E for All expo ticket prices set
Though mention of Gamepro's E for All Expo may prompt you to envision a discreet gathering of drug dealers or a wild party where people bash each other over the head with giant foam letters, the truth is that entertainment will be the only thing being distributed. With Nintendo acting as a "flagship" for the October event, many expect it to replace the glitz and clamor of E3, with the exception of it being open to all. All with at least $50 in hand, of course.Speaking to Gamespot last week, IDG World Expo vice president and show organizer, Mary Dolaher, revealed the exact pricing of the different entry tickets. How Mary Dolahers many dollars are you expected to part with, exactly? Single day tickets for Thursday and Friday will set you back $50, whereas single day tickets for the weekend go for $75. A four-day pass is set at $110. Though the precise scope of industry support for the expo has yet to be seen, there are probably more terrible ways to spend $50 in a day. The E For All Expo will run in Los Angeles from 18 October to 21 October, with general admission tickets going on sale in June.[Via GamesIndustry.biz]
EA launches Artwerk, 'full service' music label
EA has partnered with Nettwerk One Music to form a "full-service" music label, dubbed Artwerk. The Los Angeles-based company will seek out new and established talent for publishing and distribution deals, including its first-confirmed contracted recording artist Junkie XL (pictured). Having appeared on numerous EA game soundtracks, in addition to producing the entire soundtrack for Forza Motorsport, JXL is an ideal candidate for EA's new venture.With Artwerk, EA can capitalize on the entire process; no longer having to rely on its partnerships with other music industry labels to maintain EA Trax. "[EA] can now directly sign, develop, and launch artists for publishing, master recordings, sync deals and beyond," declared EA Worldwide Executive of Music and Marketing Steve Schnur. But will the full-service treatment provide a happy ending for the artist? As long as you're willing to sacrifice street cred for the chance to be heard by millions of EA gamers. Submit your demo here, you desperate sell-out.
L.A. mayor wants muni WiFi by 2009
Antonio Villaraigosa, the mayor of Los Angeles, wants municipal WiFi in his fair city, and he seems to have the wherewithal to make it happen. Such a project, covering 498 square miles of the sprawling city, would be a massive undertaking, costing somewhere around $54-$62 million. The city will probably partner with a private provider such as Google or Earthlink to pay for and manage the installation, and should be seeking bids this fall. Villaraigosa is already forming a working group, and plans on hiring an expert to iron out the details. Aware of the certain, ahem, problems encountered in San Francisco and other places, Villaraigosa says the initiative is "not going to be a study to put on the shelf." L.A. also owns its own street light and power poles and electric utility, overcoming an obstacle with Southern California Edison, which has denied WiFi installations a place on its own poles in other California cities. Of course, there are plenty of ways that a project this massive could go wrong, but if L.A. can pull this off it'll have some quite notable bragging rights, that's for sure.[Thanks, Gary N]
E for All Expo takes the reigns, stays in Los Angeles
Those of you so deeply saddened and hurt by E3's sudden departure can take heart, as there's a new trade show coming to town, and hopefully it'll be half as good as the tried-and-true Electronic Entertainment Expo of days past. Slated to open its doors to the public and adoring media on October 18th through the 20th, the Entertainment for All Expo sports a kinder, more inviting title, that apparently hopes to focus more on the general public rather than industry insiders and advertising giants. Clearly hoping to garner more attention by continually stating that "this show is for everyone," IDG World Expo also claims that we kiddos will be able to "test drive the latest in games and gadgetry" as well as purchase things we like right on site. So while it'll (probably) never live up the expo of old, we're still down with ginormous trade shows with too much to do in not nearly enough time, and hey, now you've already got something to look forward to in October.
BlackBerry versus BlackJack: RIM sues Samsung for trademark infringement
Thoroughly annoyed by Samsung's entry into the smartphone sector with its new BlackJack, RIM (maker of the BlackBerry, of course), has sued Sammie for trademark infringement in US Federal Court in Los Angeles. Oh, RIM, we understand that you want to protect your trademark over the BlackBerry name. But do you really, honestly, believe that just because another smartphone has the name "Black" in it, that throngs of people will rush out to buy the BlackJack when they meant to buy the BlackBerry? Or is this just a ploy to squeeze some money out of Samsung when you two finally settle this dispute? Yeah, that's what we thought. (Needless to say, Cingular must find this whole thing pretty hilarious.)[Via Textually]
