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Sky suggests UK homes could see 3D TV by the end of the year
Sky has already successfully tested its 3D broadcasting capabilities, and hinted that the 2012 London Olympics could be comin' at ya like never before, but it now looks like the broadcaster could be set to roll out the service even sooner than many expected. According to Sky's Chief Engineer Chris Johns, Sky now has the "capability for homes to see 3D by year-end," although he unsurprisingly didn't offer any firm timeline for an actual rollout, or even a confirmation of the exact type of 3D system that'd be used, saying simply that they're continuing to test different systems and that he envisions it to be "glasses-based in some form." He also added that Sky is focused on building a content library "over the coming year," so that would seem to suggest that an actual launch would come very near the end of the year, if not later.[Via Register Hardware, thanks SK]
Pantech gets official with wind-recognizing Sky IM-S410K mobile
We had no reason to believe that this thing wasn't actually coming, but now Pantech has gone and erased any lingering doubt. The Sky IM-S410 / IM-S410K is being hailed as the first cellphone in the "wind-recognizing" category, which may actually be useful in places unlike Chicago. It checks in at 11 millimeters thin and sports a microphone that can detect when you're deliberately pushing air through it; once you blow, the phone can then change images on the screen, as if to move through a gallery of photos or play games. Outside of that, Pantech also threw in a DMB TV tuner and an e-dictionary, and you'll even get to pick between white, black and red hues. Good luck not getting the stink-eye from fellow subway mates when huffing and puffing on your handset while within close proximity to other Earthlings, though.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Sky+ HD maps out a plan to beat downturn depression with HDTV
Tough Economic times, layoffs and bad news from Pioneer can all be enough to affect a person's mood for the worse, but don't give up yet since Sky+HD has apparently found a link between watching HDTV and improved psychological well being. Sure it's partly marketing fluff aimed at improving HD penetration, but it does jibe with our extensive "watched Sunrise Earth for hours" research. as such, we think UK residents should give psychologist Donna Dawson's viewing guide a shot, based around using key visual factors to stimulate the brain, it might give one a different viewpoint on the current state of things. Of course, U.S. viewers are on their own, but why not grab the PDF and work up a lazy DVR weekend mental health break of your own.
Pantech's blow-controlled Sky Wind not for the faint of breath
Using our powers of huffing and puffing is nothing new when it comes to device interaction -- even our Wii remote has doubled as an ocarina at some point -- but Pantech's looking to take it a step further with the Korea-bound IM-S410K Sky Wind. Powered by Fantalog Interactive's Emotion Engine software, the device recognizes short and long blows via the microphone and uses it for switching wallpapers, adjusting screen brightness, and -- in a less gimmicky use -- snapping photos with a blast of air while stabilizing the phone with both hands. It also sports movement detection with the camera and relative motion control via accelerometer. Pantech's got a three-year exclusivity agreement on the engine, so expect to see wind recognition touted in more than a few upcoming phones.
Sky software update brings along automatic standby feature
In an effort to lower subscriber energy bills as well as throw Mother Earth a bone, Sky is reportedly rolling out a software update to its set-top-boxes that will enable an automatic standby feature. In short, the update will force boxes that go unused for four hours during the day into standby, and that grace period gets cut in half (to two hours, for the mathematically challenged) at night. The update will supposedly hit all nine million or so Sky boxes by July, and the company estimates that the move will reduce its carbon footprint by around 90,000 tonnes each year. A little standby goes a long way, huh?[Thanks, Martin]
Sky could open up HD launch queue
DigitalSpy is reporting that Sky (no relation, we're told) is currently "studying the technical feasibility of opening a new electronic program guide launch queue for high-definition channels." In October of last year, the operator closed up its launch queue -- which is what channels use to secure a new slot on Sky's EPG -- after finding that many SD receivers had serious memory constraints. Now, however, Sky is pushing out a software update that "differentiates between those boxes and the HD ones," and it's hoping that these SD units will eventually cooperate while HD services are added. All fingers crossed for everything to pan out.[Image courtesy of MediaUK]
Pantech's SKY IM-S390 "Cupid" doesn't inspire a lot of love
We're not sure why Pantech would bother attaching such a lofty, lovely name to such a positively pedestrian handset, but let's be straight: any manufacturer with a phone named "Duke" probably works in ways we don't fully understand. Like just about every domestic Korean handset you can find, this one features a T-DMB tuner -- which is cool, we guess -- and it's just 12.5mm thick on the slim battery. Thing is, the QVGA display and lousy 1.3-megapixel cam aren't going to turn any heads, so we s'pose they'll be leaning on the cute name and the three-pack of cute colors to do that, eh?[Via Unwired View]
Pantech's Sky IM-S400L slider with "Glide Sensor" keypad debuted in Korea
Pantech's SKY division has just released the quite handsome, Korea-only IM-S400L. The CDMA slider boasts a 2.6-inch LCD, and a keypad using the company's new "Glide Sensor" technology which it says operates like a laptop trackpad. We don't have much else in the way of specs for this puppy, but we do know that it's available in white, pink, blue and green for ???500,000 -- about $395. Crème brulée is, sadly, not included.[Via Akihabara News]
Sky successfully tests 3D delivery to HD STB, snags 600,000 HD customers
Given that Sky already sounds pretty confident about the possibility of a 2012 Olympics in 3D, we aren't shocked at all to find that its 3D tests have been successful thus far. Nevertheless, the BBC is reporting today that the satcaster has "successfully tested the delivery of 3D programming to a domestic television, via a high-definition set-top box." It has already begun to film a number of events in 3D over the past few months, and now that it has proven to itself that the technology is viable, it's working to find a way to bring it to viewers. In related news, the report also mentioned that Sky's director of strategic product development Gerry O'Sullivan stated that it now had "nearly 600,000 HD customers," and he even insinuated that HD was, in fact, not just "a niche product." That's the spirit, chap![Thanks, Martin]
Sky says 2012 London Olympics could be in 3D
Europe still isn't the place to be for limitless HD content, but London in particular could be a 3D extravaganza come 2012. The host city for the next Summer Olympics may be coming to your living room like never before, as Brian Lenz, head of product design and innovation at Sky, proclaimed that "there is a very good chance you'll see the London Olympics in 3D." The satcaster has already confessed to filming events in 3D, and given that the wide distribution of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in HD was all the rage, we suppose the third-dimension is the next logical step forward. Mirroring our own hopes and dreams, Lenz stated that what it really wanted was "glasses free technology." Here's hoping we inch closer to that at CES 2009.[Thanks, Ben]
MTVNHD is live on Sky+ HD
You knew it was coming, but today's the day. MTV's international poster child -- MTVNHD -- has officially launched on slot 384 for Sky+ HD customers across the pond. Granted, you'll have to subscribe to the Music Pack in order to gain access, but that might be a bullet you simply have to swallow. And just think, it gives you one more reason to work out that sound system you just put together -- bonus score![Thanks, Martin]
Sky admits that HD Sky Player is coming, just not yet
Sky's web-based Player is a fine tool for catching Premiership football and the like, but the omission of HD is a sad one. With tons of other online video portals out there making the jump to high-def, there doesn't seem to be a valid excuse for Sky to wait hesitantly on the sidelines. According to Director of OnDemand Griff Parry, HD streaming channels via the internet "are coming," but the current player will remain SD only for the "foreseeable future." When asked why that was, he proclaimed that Sky couldn't "deliver it reliably to the majority of people." In other words, it would rather play things safe and deliver a consistent product rather than field the scads of troubleshooting calls from folks unable to remedy dropped frames. Sigh -- another opportunity pushed aside for the sake of convenience.
First Sky News HD broadcast is the Obama inauguration
The first Sky News HD broadcast will be the swearing in of Barack Obama January 20, 2009. Interested Brits can catch the broadcast on Sky Arts HD channel 258, presented by Jeremy Thompson and Adam Boulton. After the first real HD election, it's only fitting to see the result properly, unfortunately there's still no word on when the news will its own HD feed.[Via HDTV UK]
MTVNHD's second European invasion detailed
Our ambivalence about its programming hasn't served to slow the progress of MTV International's HD baby, poised to launch in ten new countries by the end of the year. The UK adds MTVNHD on Sky, Israel lights it up on HOT while the Latin American tour kicks off in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Caribbean Islands and Uruguay via DirecTV Panamerica. We already know that's not the end, with France queued up and the network prez noting interest from providers around the world including the Far East. Promising a (not-so) massive 300 hours of original programming commissioned for the next two years, sleep easy knowing repeats of the same old concerts will be available in 1080i no matter where in the world you are.
Ofcom looks to promote pay-TV competition
We've known that a few good souls over in the UK have been fighting for more high-def for some time now, but a new report from across the pond asserts that Ofcom -- the independent regulator and competition authority for the communication industries in the United Kingdom -- has placed the "release of spectrum through the digital dividend at the top of its priorities, and promoting competition in pay-TV." It's also nearing a decision on whether it will forge ahead with proposals to force Sky to "offer some of its premium channels as part of a wholesale offer in spring 2009." In all honesty, it's tough to digest what exactly all this legalese means for the average UK content viewer, but so long as someone up top is pushing for more competition, we guess it can only result in a net positive.
Sky Movies gets serious with HD flicks
Following the lead of BBC HD, Sky Movies has also announced its intentions to get its high-def program in gear during the run-up to Christmas. The channel is gearing up to show UK premieres of over 15 films, with a number of those being available in stunning HD. Additionally, Sky Movies HD will be showing the entire Rocky saga on Boxing Day, and certain fresh releases (like Beowulf, Stardust and The Golden Compass) will also be delivered in high-definition. The full schedule awaits you in the read link.
Sky Sports pumps up NFL HD offerings in the UK
Fans of football (American, not soccer) in the UK are apparently getting a better look at the game than ever, with Sky Sports planning to air high definition broadcasts of many games this season. Beyond the already-HD Monday Night Football they're bringing all six Thursday night games, the three Thanksgiving Day games -- which seems odd since we'd assume it's not a holiday there -- playoffs and Super Bowl. Someone tell Madden to slide in some tea & crumpets next to the Turducken.
Gorilla gets Sky+ HD service in its enclosure, wouldn't return to the wild if he could
There's spoiled, and then there's Nico. The 47-year old Silverback Western Lowland Gorilla, which is currently being held at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire, England, grew quite fond of television during a six-month UK quarantine period spent indoors. Now, officials have upgraded the animal's living quarters to include a Sky+ HD box and an HDTV. According to Nico's head keeper, "television has proved a great environmental enrichment tool for Nico over the years," and now, Nico can sit back [and] enjoy the greater picture detail of HD and the surround sound experience." Before you get too jealous, you should know that the creature's viewing hours are limited -- you know, so it doesn't morph into an "archetypal couch potato."
Sky to launch AETN's Crime and Investigation HD / Bio HD on November 5th
UK / Ireland, it's time to celebrate a minor, albeit very important victory. Your lands are the first non-US countries to get A&E Television Networks' (AETN) Crime and Investigation HD and Biography Channel HD. Starting on November 5th (mark it down, people), Sky will launch both networks as part of its sluggish high-def rollout, though we can only hope this means that more channels are on the way. It's clear there's a desire for HD programming in Europe as a whole, we just need more content owners to get on the delivery bandwagon before adoption skyrockets.
History Channel UK bringing HD Bio and Crime channels
Life and crime go together kind of like life and taxes, so it's fitting that The History Channel UK is bringing out HD versions of the Biography Channel and The Crime and Investigation Network to Sky's lineup. Between Bio's pledge to get serious about HD and the worldwide party that History is throwing, this gives Brits something to cheer about. If things go smoothly and the Sky EPG can spare a couple of slots, these two new offerings should be available by the end of the year.
