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Sony announces Go! PSP video download service for Europe
Among the wealth of Sony news coming out of Europe today are some more details on the previously announced PSP video download service, which is now officially known as the Go! Video Download Service. As we knew before, Britain's Sky Broadcasting is Sony's key partner here, with it providing a range of content from its own channels, as well as from some unspecified third-party channels and content owners it plans to work with. Apparently among the content set to be on offer are the "very latest premier movies and high profile sporting events," which will be available on a pay-per-view basis (no word if there'll be any freebies for other content). According to Sony, PSP users will be able to both download content directly using a WiFi connection, or transfer content they've downloaded using their PC. Look for the service to launch in "early 2008."
LGC07: PSP's on-demand video service launches in Europe 2008
Having your demands met is something you likely strive for and throw tantrums about on a daily basis. If said demands happen to involve portable video devices, you'll be pleased to note that Sony and Sky's on-demand video service for the PSP is set to launch in Europe next year. Dubbed "Go!," the service will allow PSP owners in the UK and Ireland to access content and watch it on the "Go!". You see, that's a well-researched title.In the "oh snap" section of the press release, it's stated that, "Unlike other services, the Video Download Service will launch with a rich selection of high quality entertainment." In your face, other services! The content, which can be downloaded to the PSP via Wi-Fi or transferred from a PC, will run the gamut of sports, movies, music, animation and the vague "entertainment." Exact pricing details will likely be revealed closer to the launch in 2008.
Go! Video Download Service lets PSP owners buy videos through PC or Wi-Fi
The Go! Video Download Service will launch in early 2008, and will be the first official PSP video download service in Europe. Users will not only be able to access Sky's content, which includes sports, entertainment, movies, music and animation -- they'll also have access to third-party channels and content. This is the first time Sky has offered video content through a non-Sky branded service.Additional pay-per-view services will be provided for new release movies and high profile sporting events. Users will not only be able to download the content from a PC, but they'll be able to download directly to their PSP systems through wi-fi. "Both truly mobile and with a best in class high-quality screen, PSP delivers a great on-the-move video experience. Working with such a well known content brand, we will be able to offer PSP owners access to the best in cross-genre Sky content, available through the first official video download service. This really will make PSP the standout all-in-one portable gaming, video and music device", commented David Reeves, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. [Update: Kotaku has confirmed that this service is unlikely to ever come to America. "There is nothing really nationwide in the U.S. that delivers video content over the air by subscription. So, until that happens we won't be seeing that in the U.S."]
Video download service to be unveiled at Leipzig
Can you smell it? It's Leipzig Games Convention ...And finally, the PSP video download service will be unveiled. Yes! It'll be real! Considering how this will be a collaboration with sky, the service will most likely be for our European friends only. As previously mentioned, sky's programming includes hit shows like 24, Lost, The Simpsons, Deadwood, and more. Stay tuned for more details.[Thanks, Joel!]
Pantech's SKY IM-U200 "Shooting Star"
There's not much going on here in the way of nifty tech (unless you count the 1.3 megapixel camera or the fact that there are several of them seemingly orbiting the woman in the picture), so Pantech's SKY-branded IM-U200 flip for SK Telecom tries to make up for that little indiscretion with visual appeal. It's cool, we guess, but we can't imagine the thing feels too great stuffed in a pocket; Pantech calls it the "Shooting Star," but we think "Wedge" is a little more fitting. Look for it to hit for about 500,000 won -- $543, give or take.[Via Unwired View]
Sony teams with Sky for PSP video on demand in Europe
While PSP users in Japan will soon be able to use their preferred handheld to pick up some digital broadcast TV, those in Europe will apparently be getting some new video options of a different sort, with Sony today announcing a partnership with Sky that'll see the two form a new company to offer video on demand. Details are unfortunately still pretty light at the moment, but the service (offering "a wealth of video and film content") will apparently be available in the UK and Ireland initially, with talk of further expansion in Europe reportedly still "ongoing." According to GamesIndustry.biz, the two will have plenty more to say about it at the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany on August 22nd.
Sony Europe and Sky to deliver on-demand video for PSP
While some may feel that the decidedly non-universal Universal Media Disc still has a bright future ahead of it, others looking for portable entertainment likely believe that a proper PSP video service is long overdue. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and television service operator Sky seemingly agree, having today announced a cooperative venture that will grant PlayStation Portable owners in the UK and Ireland access to an on-demand video delivery system. The newly formed Joint Venture company "will draw on the unrivalled entertainment aggregation expertise and technical leadership of SKY, and the handheld entertainment knowledge and brand power of PlayStation." On paper, those certainly do sound like excellent things to, umm, draw on.Sony and Sky (Skony?) promise "a wealth of video and film content" for PSP-ers in Ireland and the UK, and note that plans are already afoot to share said wealth with the rest of increasingly fortunate Europe. Further details regarding the service are expected to be announced during Leipzig's Game Convention next month.
Sky partners with Sony to bring Video on Demand to PSP
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced today that they will be partnering with the UK television service provider Sky. Together they will be developing a Video on Demand download service for the PSP in the UK and Ireland. Focusing exclusively on video content, Sony and Sky are currently in talks with other entertainment content providers in order to offer as comprehensive a service as possible.While there is currently no word on details, such as a predicted launch date or expansion into demo/game/music downloads, we're promised that more light will be shed on the subject at the Game Developer's conference in Leipzig. We'll be there to bring you the news as it breaks at the end of August.
UK trial allows patients to book doctor visits via remote
Amidst the recent boom in home healthcare gizmos that are enabling the elderly to better care for themselves, it's no surprise to see a trial hit the UK which allows patients to book GP appointments via their TV. The system was devised by EMIS, and was initially available "through the Looking Local portal on the interactive menus on Sky, cable, and Freeview boxes with a modem or broadband connection." Additionally, users could access the menu via WAP-enabled mobile phones, and customers in participating areas were able to "access information from the doctor's receptionist along with a password which allowed them to log in to the system." Results from the pilot program included fewer missed appointments and less time spent chatting with the ill over the phone, but we don't foresee any of these productivity savings being passed along to the consumer in the form of pounds and pence.
Around Azeroth: Sunrise over Nagrand
This skyscape, sent in by reader Martine of Darkspear (EU), is a bit different from the standard Nagrand sky. Instead of the typical deep purple dotted with stars and streaked with the brilliant colors that seem to be the trademark of skys throughout Outland, we see a brilliant sunrise making the typical Nagrand skyscape fade out in the background.Do you have a unique shot of Azeroth or Outland that you'd like to show off to the rest of the world? Tell us about it by e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com! Or perhaps you'd just like to see more of your pics from Around Azeroth. %Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Nothing to see here, move along
I've always enjoyed the eternal sunset sky that you find in Blade's Edge Mountains, but I've never seen it quite like this. Reader Snowmist of Silvermoon (EU) sends this telling us that you, too, can see such a view in game by flying high, high above Blade's Edge Mountains. From this screenshot, it appears to be so high that there's no longer any ground...Do you have a unique shot of Azeroth or Outland that you'd like to show off to the rest of the world? Tell us about it by e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com! Or perhaps you'd just like to see more of your pics from Around Azeroth. %Gallery-1816%
Australia getting Ice Blue DS Lite [update 1]
Formerly exclusive to Japan, the Ice Blue DS Lite is coming to Australia at some unknown time, according to a Nintendo of Australia press announcement. Perhaps realizing that ice is quite rarely blue, the Australian unit will be called "Sky Blue." We can verify that yes, the sky is blue. There's no word on release date or price, but we'd expect it to be $A199.95 (US $165) like other DS's in Australia. You know, unless Nintendo of Australia is just a bunch of jerks. Oh, and speaking of jerks, there's still no sign of the lovely Ice/Sky Blue DS Lite being released in the U.S.Update: Go Nintendo is confirming that the handheld will be available come July 19th and retail for $199.95RRP. Also, it would seem this is going to be a one time limited release.[Via NeoGAF]
Pantech's SKY IM-R200 slider with dual displays
Replacing the good, old fashioned numeric keypad with a touch sensitive display seems to be all the rage these days -- not to mention a certain phone from Apple that intends to bury buttons for good. We're still a little skeptical that the concept is easy to use, but we've gotta admit, this here IM-R200 from Pantech's upmarket SKY brand is way cool looking. Up top you have a 2 inch QVGA LCD accompanied by a 1.6 inch OLED touchscreen on the bottom that changes functionality and appearance depending on the handset's current mode. There's a 2 megapixel cam in back (with face recognition for improved focus, no less) and a VGA counterpart in front. There's no sign of this one ever finding its way out of Korea, but if you happen to be there, look for it on SK Telecom and KTF this month. [Warning: subscription required]
Around Azeroth: Netherstorm sky
Aril on The Defias Brotherhood sends in this excellent shot of the Netherstorm sky at sunset. As with all of the skies over Azeroth, the colors and details are gorgeous -- nearly like a painting. I wish I had a higher resolution version of this to share, but this is the best we've got -- wallpaper sized for those of us running at 1024x768. Do you have a unique shot of Azeroth or Outland that you'd like to show off to the rest of the world? Tell us about it by e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com! Or perhaps you'd just like to see more of your pics from Around Azeroth. %Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Nagrand sky
The sky across Outland really is incredible. I doubt there's a single place in a single zone where you could look up and not be a bit awed by the sky. This shot, taken by reader Vincent, happens to be of my favorite skyscape in... can you guess?... Nagrand. Just lurvely!Do you have a unique shot of Azeroth or Outland that you'd like to show off to the rest of the world? Tell us about it by e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com! You can attach a picture file or send us a link to one -- and don't worry about formatting, we'll take care of that part. See more of your pics from Around Azeroth. %Gallery-1816%
Explore the heavens with your handheld
Still in the alpha stage of development, Constellations DS already looks like a useful tool for amateur astronomers. The homebrew application combines the portability of a star chart with the lighted display and interactivity of a notebook computer. Users will be able to zoom in and out of clusters, panning the night sky with their styli. Tapping a particular star displays its name, position, and other relevant information. Only thirteen constellations have been mapped so far, but developer Nameless plans to add 75 more. Future builds of the program will also use the date and your location to lay out an approximation of how the night sky should look. If anything, Constellations DS serves as a great excuse to escape the light-congested city limits and spend a warm evening outside.[Via Drunken Coders]
Sky's "Sleek & Slim" concept phone
We peeped a slick pic of a concept phone from Pantech's high-end brand, Sky; the device is not for these shores, but that didn't stop it from turning our heads in wonder, as this sleek and glossy creature is thing of pure beauty. The render shows an über (we don't bust out the umlauted u for just any handset) thin sliding design – all the rage in Asia – with a luminous blue touch-sensitive pad on the face and highlights in a metallic finish. Flipped over, we see a cam and nothing else, obviously in keeping with the picture's touted "minimalism." The concept shots don't hint at anything else but you can be sure if we see more, you will too.
SKY's IM-S200K slider for KTF
It's hard to be shocked by a domestic market Korean phone these days. After all, we know they're going to rock; that's a given. The IM-S200K is the latest from Pantech's upmarket "SKY" brand, and needless to say, there's nothing too shocking here: 1.3 megapixel cam, media player, voice recorder, and some sort of "dual UI" for business and personal use. Oh, one more thing: the S200K's claim to fame (we saved the best for last, naturally) is going to be its rather sizable scroll wheel (taking the place of a traditional d-pad) with EL backlighting. Look for it on your next visit to Seoul for €328 (about $430).
Sony wants you to watch 24, Lost on your PSP
Sony Computer Entertainment of Europe is in talks with Sky, trying to get it to distribute content for PSP users. Programs that are broadcast by Sky in the UK and Ireland include 24, Lost, The Simpsons, Deadwood, and more. This partnership will be crucial for Sony's plans in educating the general public about the multimedia functionality of Sony's handheld.The service will supposedly launch by year's end. There's no indication that Sony Computer Entertainment of America will follow suit with a similar program.[Via PALGN]
Pantech's SKY IM-U170 goes official
Some of our readers might remember this high-style flip better as the W51PT for KDDI's au network in Japan; it looks like Pantech wisely took note that au runs CDMA just like the overwhelming majority of Korea, rebranding it as the IM-U170 for home turf. The spec sheet is typical Korean superphone fare: 2 megapixel cam, microSD slot, HSDPA for high-speed coverage outside of EV-DO territory, a front-facing cam for UMTS video calling, WiBro (!), and a crazy looking mirrored keypad that we'd kinda like to try. We'll look into it next time we're chilling in Seoul.
