Cellcom Israel launched Cellcom TV, an over-the-top service, in Israel. The platform includes Israeli digital terrestrial TV channels, VOD services and additional advanced viewing capabilities, Cellcom said in a news release.
Next week's CES will have more than 900 exhibitors participating with products, services and technologies for the Internet of Things, CEA said Tuesday. “The Internet of Things is the hottest topic in tech right now,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president-International CES, citing the opportunity to connect “everyday items” including cars, home security systems and kitchen appliances to networked devices such as PCs and smartphones. A Sensors Marketplace will highlight technologies enabling IoT, featuring eyeSight Mobile Technologies, Logbar and QuickLogic, CEA said. The Smart Home Marketplace will show how smartphones and tablets can lead to a more efficient home where security systems and lighting systems interact, it said. Participating companies include Blinksight, Bosch, iDevices, Konnect Labs, Lowe’s and Muzzley. Keynoters representing the IoT are Brian Krzanich, CEO, Intel, and Boo-Keun Yoon, CEO, Samsung Electronics. Sessions on the Internet of Things include: "Privacy and the IoT: Navigating Policy Issues," Tuesday, Jan. 6, 1-2 p.m. in the LVCC North Hall, Room N254, with opening remarks by FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez; “The Impact of the Internet of Things,” 2:15-3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, North Hall, Room N261; and “The State of the Internet of Things,” 3:30-4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, North Hall, Room N253, CEA said.
The Call+ calling app is available for landline and mobile users in the U.S., including Hawaii. The free app allows users to obtain 24 hours of unlimited free and uncapped calls to more than 85 countries by completing a quick in-app offer, Call+ said in a news release. The app also is available for landline users in the U.K., Italy, France and several other countries, it said.
The disclosure in the wee hours of Christmas Eve that the PlayStation Now videogame streaming service will be available on select Samsung smart TVs in the first half of 2015 represents an unusual collaboration between two companies doing battle through side-by-side stores within a store at hundreds of Best Buy locations. The "partnership," as both companies called it, will mean Samsung smart TV consumers in the U.S. and Canada “will have easy access” to hundreds of PS3 games streamed from the cloud, “with no consoles, downloads, or trips to the store needed,” Samsung and Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) said Wednesday in a joint announcement datelined from Seoul and Tokyo. The service will launch as an app that can be accessed through Samsung's Smart Hub, the companies said. The app “will support all functionality of the service, including the ability to earn in-game trophies, play games online with friends, and save your game progress in the cloud,” they said. Sony’s “vision” since launching PlayStation Now at the last CES “has been to open the world of PlayStation to the masses by offering the service on the devices they use every day," said SCE Executive Vice President Masayasu Ito in a statement. "Partnering with Samsung is a key step toward realizing this vision, as we can reach a broader audience of consumers who may not own a PlayStation console to show them why gaming with PlayStation is such a unique and amazing experience." Smart TVs at the Samsung booth at CES will showcase PlayStation Now, the companies said.
Hyundai will use CES to showcase what it’s calling “the unthinkable” -- demonstrating a new Display Audio system with no CD player or embedded navigation system. Display Audio is a high-resolution seven-inch color touch-screen display that has been built specifically for Android Auto and the latest generation Blue Link system. Blue Link uses a Verizon 4G connection to bring “seamless connectivity directly into the car,” Hyundai said. Display Audio “combines the best of phone-based connectivity technologies” with Blue Link, which provides features that are “only possible with an embedded telematics system,” such as remote engine start and automatic collision notification, it said. Blue Link also features maintenance alerts and the new Hyundai Assurance Car Care in-vehicle app, it said. Hyundai will launch Display Audio on select 2016 models and will eventually bring it to all of its entry-level models, it said. The Display Audio system brings “the newest smartphone integrations” into Hyundai vehicles through an “easy-to-access” USB port, it said. “Once the connection is made, users can access their smartphone for phone calls and contacts, music, navigation, messaging, and optimized third-party apps. Display Audio will have navigation capability through smartphone integrations and will also offer entertainment apps for music, news, sports and podcasts.
Smart watch company Burg announced an all-stainless steel smart watch that can make and receive phone calls and texts without connecting to a smartphone. The watch comes with its own SIM card or can pair with an Android phone or with non-Android phones via Bluetooth, the company said Tuesday. It includes a Media Tek chip; voice activation; fitness apps to track steps, calories, sleep and sports schedule; GPS; Wi-Fi; an MP3/MP4 player; FM radio; voice recorder; 2 megapixel camera; contact list, calendar; calculator; alarm clock; 8 GB memory (upgradable to 16 GB with microSD) card; and a charging microSD port. The BURG 27, due in March, will debut at CES where pricing will be announced. Also at CES, the company will launch a Swarovski crystal Burg smartwatch/bracelet and a Wearables Franchise Shop, it said.
ZTE USA announced availability of the ZTE Speed for $99 through Boost Mobile’s no-contract wireless service. The smartphone packs 4G LTE, Android 4.4, a 4.5-inch display and a 1.2-GHz quad-core processor, the company said Tuesday. It includes a 4.5-inch display, 5-megapixel rear camera and 2-megapixel front camera, it said. Plans start at $35 per month.
Windstream Communications selected software-defined network solutions provider Cyan to upgrade its regional and metro networks from 10 Gbps to 100 Gbps using Cyan’s Z-Series pack-optical hardware, Cyan said Monday. The company said it has begun initial deployments of new infrastructure in major Windstream markets. The upgrades will allow Windstream to offer advanced IP services to small and medium-sized businesses and higher-speed broadband to residential subscribers, Cyan said. Financial terms weren't revealed.
DirecTV launched Yaveo, a Spanish-language over-the-top streaming entertainment service available to anyone in the U.S. with an Internet connection. Yaveo features programming from the U.S., Latin America and Spain, DirecTV said Monday in a news release. Customers will have the ability to stream live sports and entertainment channels, like beIN Sports en Español and Hola! TV, it said.
Globalstar will use Level 3’s network and infrastructure to help connect its customers in 120 countries. Globalstar plans to provide a “fully meshed Multi-Protocol Label Switching network for their ground stations across the globe,” Level 3 said Monday in a news release. Globalstar is upgrading its backbone infrastructure “and needed a network provider that could offer connectivity and continuity around the globe,” it said.