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A recent NIELSEN study on digital television shows that 9.4% of TV households, roughly 10 million people, are completely unprepared for the shift from analog to digital. The study also found that nearly 25 million households will have at least one TV that won’t work come next February. Viewers looking to adapt for the digital transition can either purchase a new digital television set, buy a converter box for an old set or subscribe to a subscription based TV service.
MICROSOFT unveiled the latest version of its Windows operating system which they hope to have on the market by January 2010. Tentatively titled Windows 7, the new operating system touts a touch-screen display, which is similar to the touch-screen employed in APPLE’s iPhone. The preview of Windows 7 comes just a little over a year after Windows Vista was introduced to the market. While Vista has sold well, it has received less than stunning reviews from users and critics.
SONY announced a deal with the six largest U.S. cable providers to create televisions capable of receiving cable service without a set-top box. COMCAST, TIME WARNER CABLE, COX, CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, CABLEVISION and BRIGHT HOUSE are working with the electronics manufacturer to eliminate cable boxes and provide video-on-demand, DVR, and other interactive services by way of the Java-based tru2way application. Sony is the latest consumer electronics maker to sign the tru2way license, which the National Cable and Television Association has branded the standard for interactive TV applications.
A NY State Supreme Court Judge has ruled that DELL “engaged in misleading, deceptive and unlawful business conduct” regarding financing, warranty service and rebates. The ruling comes a year after NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo sued Dell and Dell Financial Services claiming that the computer manufacturer misled consumers in order to increase sales. No word yet on the alloted damages for NY consumers, however, one can only hope legitimate customer service is part of the package.
TIVO is expected to announce a partnership with THE TRIBUNE which would offer TV critic Maureen Ryan’s recommendations as video-on-demand. The move is a way for TiVo to expand their services and for The Tribune to extend their reach to include newspapers, internet and television. The critic’s choice feature, much like the introduction of YouTube downloads in March, is the latest TiVo offering that serves to distance the service from other Digital Video Recorders.