Tag Archives: tv

Business/Economics, International, Technology

One Year Later: Cell Phones proved useless in Tsunami hit areas, news media critical for getting information out

An international telecommunication symposium was held in the quake/tsunami hit Japanese city of Sendai. The goal was to discover which form of telecommunications works best in a tsunami disaster.

Cells phones proved to be useless, as there was no way to charge the batteries.  Use of pay phones was limited because of tsunami damage.

It turns out that the best way to communicate with disaster victims is still the tried and true Radio!  A study found that most survivors, who knew what was going on, were listening to portable radios.

The boss of Japan’s NHK broadcaster (NHK actually won awards for their reporting on the disaster), said in the next disaster they will focus even more on getting useful information out for those survivors who might be listening on portable radios.

 

Business/Economics, Idaho, Technology, U.S.

What Econmic Recovery? Fox cuts ties with Idaho TV station, ends local newscasts, Merry Xmas!

Southwestern Idaho’s KRTV, channel 12, is no longer a Fox affiliate, and it has ended its Boise area news coverage.

“In the spring of 2011, the Fox Television Network and Block Communications parted company. Although we did offer to sign a new affiliation agreement with Fox for KTRV, they chose to move the affiliation to another station.  A network affiliate requires a different business model than does an independent station.  As a result a reduction in staff is taking place this week.”-Bill Lamb, Block Communications

General manager of KRTV, Rick Joseph, said “We have some exceptional people here who put forth a terrific and honorable effort every day.  But the new business model we find ourselves having to adopt does not include news.”

Employee layoffs began December 5.

Merry Xmas!

Business/Economics, International, Technology, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Sony blames $2 billion loss on the United States & Europe, no more Sony TVs for you

On November 3, Sony announced that its television division is likely to post a record loss of about U.S.$2.2 billion for 2011.  That makes eight straight years of losses!

Sony is blaming poor sales in the United States and Europe.  This is more proof that the U.S. is no longer the market place for the World’s manufacturers.

Sony Executive Deputy President Kazuo Hirai says there is no sign of any economic recovery, and the company will revise downward its mid-term sales target by half.  Sony will also cut way back on TVs sold in Europe and the U.S.

Panasonic and Sharp say they will do the same.

 

Business/Economics, International

What Economic Recovery? Will Sony join Hitachi and stop making TVs in Japan?

Believe it or not the electronics giant Sony has been losing money big time on TV sales.  Prior to the March 11th disasters Sony lost about $95 million from TV sales.

Hitachi recently announced they would shut down their last Japanese TV factory by March 2012.  They claim they’re losing to competition from South Korea.

Sony says it wants to continue to make TVs in Japan, in fact they say making TVs is “the biggest and critical issue” for Sony.

Sony would not give any details of their plans to rebuild their TV business, but analysts think Sony is hoping to expand sales in emerging markets.

The concern over TV production is overshadowing Sony’s next generation video game system, the PlayStation Vita, which is due to be released at the end of the year, or beginning of next year.

Business/Economics, International, Opinion, U.S.

BBC beggars U.S. for money, while U.S. Congress mulls cutting PBS

More proof that the British Empire (aka British Commonwealth) is taking over the United States.

BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is asking for money from the U.S. taxpayer (Department of State). This while Congress debates cutting major funding from our own PBS (Public Broadcasting Service).

BBC is dealing with huge cuts from the government of United Kingdom (aka Britain).  U.S. State Department likes the BBC because of it’s world wide audience. It’s possible that the BBC might be used to spread U.S. propaganda (isn’t that what Voice of America is for?).

Is this what Hillary Clinton meant when she asked Congress to increase funding for a stronger “American” media presence around the world?

Britain taking over U.S. oil industry. Britain taking over U.S. municipal water systems. Now Britain taking over U.S. public television!  Our founding fathers would commit suicide if they were alive today!

Technology

Google TV has lots of Apps, Two Products Set for Fall Release.

We have all seen our fair share of DVRs, however, Google has released one set-top box OS that is sure to gain popularity.  Google TV is not a set-top box, but more of an operating system, as on Google’s website, the products listed are a Sony TV with Google TV built in, or Logitech Revue set-top box with Google TV.  Both of which have yet to be released.

Logitech Revue with Google TV

What sets Google TV apart from the rest are its freely accesible apps from the Android Market (starting next year).  Google TV does come preloaded with apps such as Netflix, Twitter, Pandora, and more.  Yes, of course Google TV comes with Chrome and Adobe Flash Player 10.1, which means you will be able to freely browse the internet, regardless of website requirements.

Other features include the ability to use your Android phone or iPhone as a remote, with unlimited remotes possible, the ability to “fling” video from your phone to your TV, and the ability to record TV from DISH Network (if you subscribe to DISH Network) right from the search bar.

As for a release date, its up in the air.  Rumor had it at September 29th, now the release date is expected on October 17th, but all of this is could change.  One thing is for sure, it will be released sometime this fall.  If you would like to check out more on Google TV, you can go directly to Google’s website at www.google.com/tv.