Sony PlayStation 4 launching in India on December 18

Sony India has sent out media invites for the December 18 launch of its next-generation console, the PlayStation 4, in the country. Notably, the PlayStation 4 was launched in the US on November 15.

On Tuesday, Sony had revealed that it has sold more than 2.1 million PlayStation 4 consoles after less than three weeks on the market. This follows Sony's statistic that it had sold 1 million consoles on launch day.

The latest PlayStation, which will be released in its home market Japan in February, is now being sold in 32 countries.

Sony also announced that looking at the current PlayStation 4 sales figures, it was on track to hit its worldwide target of 5 million units by March 2014.

"PS4 delivered the best launch in PlayStation history with the North American release and we've continued this incredibly successful start in Europe, Australasia and Latin America," Andrew House, President of Sony Computer Entertainment, said in a statement.

Sony's latest sales figures come after Microsoft said its new Xbox One  console also sold over one million units in 24 hours following its November 22 release.

The Sony PlayStation 4 for the first time in the console's history has been priced below Microsoft's counterpart, at $399 compared to the $499 Xbox One. The $399 launch price translates to roughly Rs. 25,000, but we expect the console to be priced slightly above Rs. 35,000 when it hits the Indian market.

A forecast by the research firm Gartner shows game console sales of hardware and software are likely to grow to $44 billion worldwide in 2013 from $37 billion last year.

PS Vita 2000 goes lighter and slimmer

Sony Computer Entertainment has announced an update to the PS Vita handheld console.

Called the PS Vita 2000, it will be 20 percent lighter and 15 percent thinner than the current console and comes with 1GB of onboard storage. Sony says the new Vita will launch in Japan on October 10 at a retail price of 18,980 yen (US$190). It will come in six color options. The current Vita now retails for S$399 (US$312).

At the Sony press conference today in Tokyo, the company also announced that it will be launching a 64GB memory card for Vita as well as several new games including God Eater 2, Gundam Breaker, Final Fantasy 10 and Phantasy Star Nova. There will also be limited-edition bundles of the Vita with some of the upcoming games. Sony expects about 100 Vita titles by the end of the year.

LG taking OLED and 4K TVs mainstream next year

LG has unveiled a grand plan to dethrone Samsung as king of televisions. The Korean company is aiming for mass-market releases for its range of OLED and 4K UHDTV sets across the globe next year. Despite launching its OLED and 4K Ultra-high definition televisions in a few key markets already, LG hasn't sold the sets in volumes. That's thanks in part to their high cost when compared to regular televisions, but it's also because the sets aren't available in many markets. That'll change soon, says LG, as 2014 will see the company push 4K and OLED towards the mainstream. To achieve that, it's accelerating its launch plans in many markets, and claims premium and economy versions of its next-generation hardware will be available in 50 countries by the end of next year.

At IFA last week, LG announced a brand-new TV that's unlikely to help with worldwide marketshare, but is nonetheless impressive. The uninspiringly named 77-inch Ultra HD OLED TV is important for a number of reasons. It's currently the world's largest OLED display, and it's also the first 4K OLED from LG. Although it hasn't committed to releasing the 77-inch set in its current state, LG does say that it'll launch televisions with its "Ultra HD OLED technology" next year.

LG's final weapon against Samsung is software. The company bought webOS earlier this year, and is hard at work developing the failed mobile operating system for use in its TVs. The company has previously said that webOS will be ready for retail next year, which falls in line nicely with its plans to push high-end televisions out to the masses.

New Apple TV could make an appearance at September 10 iPhone event

While tech enthusiasts and pundits are desperately waiting for Apple to unveil its new iPhones at an event which has been scheduled to take place on September 10, the company might throw in a surprise by unveiling a refresh of its media player, Apple TV, perhaps as the 'one more thing' announcement at the event.

It's known that Apple is testing a new version of the Apple TV operating system with developers. However, according to a new blog post by Panjiva, which calls itself a leading intelligence platform for global trade professionals, Apple has received three shipments of products marked as "Set Top Box with Communication Function" from BYD Precision Manufacture in Shenzhen, China.

The blog claims that it found the original bill of landing data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through its Panjiva Shipment Search tool. It mentions that the three shipments were received by Apple on August 11, August 18 and August 25, weighing 7,044kgs, 16,628kgs and 16,628kgs, respectively and being marked as "Set Top Box with Communication Function", "Set Top Boxes" and "Set Top Box with Communication Function," respectively.

It also adds that the most recent "set top boxes" shipment to Apple, prior to these, took place on December 5, 2012, from Hon Hai. The shipment contained Apple TV's, with the A1427 model number listed on the bill of lading.

While it could be possible that the new shipments also comprise of the current generation Apple TVs and Apple is simply shifting suppliers, the move to a new supplier could also mean that the said shipment is of a different device. No one except people inside Apple would know for sure whether the boxes are of a new iteration of Apple TV or a revamped new TV device that Apple's rumoured to launch in the future.

If it did receive new Apple TV hardware then it's likely that Apple could launch it along with the new iPhone(s). The last Apple TV refresh was in March 2012, though Apple did make some changes to the media player's internal components, as per some reports, earlier this year.

Apple TV is a media streamer that lets users play content from popular services like YouTube, Netflix and Hulu Plus, as well as some other services like Vimeo, Vevo and HBO Go. It also offers access to Apple's iTunes Store, through which users can purchase or rent movies, or buy music. One of the major highlights of the Apple TV is support for Airplay which allows users to stream content wirelessly (over Wi-Fi) from any iOS device or iTunes (Mac as well as Windows) to the Apple TV. It can also be used to wirelessly mirror the display of iOS devices as well as Macs

LG, Sony & Samsung Slash 4K TV Prices In USA. Will UK Follow?

Retail prices for 4K Ultra HD TVs have been slashed, drawn and quartered over this month, with LG Electronics becoming the latest television brand to cut the price of its own super-high resolution displays in the wake of similar cuts from Sony and Samsung.

As reported by Twice.com first of all, LG has confirmed that it’s reducing the asking prices of its 55-inch and 65-inch 4K TVs in the USA, in what looks to be a retaliatory move to competitors’ cuts. The models will have their prices reduced by $1,000 and $1,500 respectively, meaning that the 55LA9700 55in 4K TV will now be priced at $4,999, while the 65LA9700 65-incher will retail at $6,499, as of the 1st of September.

LG’s vice president of corporate communications more or less admitted that the discounts were forced on the company after Sony’s and Samsung’s own aggressive price drops, saying that the move would help to “keep LG Ultra HD TVs competitive in the marketplace.”

LG had previously announced price reductions for its 4K televisions in South Korea just hours after Samsung reduced the cost of its OLED HDTVs, and so the question on everyone’s lips now is – will we see a similar reduction in the UK anytime soon?

That remains to be seen, but here we’re gonna go out on a limb and say that if you are on the verge of buying a 4K TV in the next couple of days, you might just want to hold back a little. The thing is, for all the publicity it’s had so far, 4K TVs are yet to gain much traction in the overall market – simply because all but a few high-rollers can afford to shell out thousands of pounds on one of these things. If manufacturers really want to push 4K out to the masses (which they really do), then it seems they’ve little option but to make things more affordable.

Samsung has already made moves towards that in the United Kingdom, knocking £700 off the cost of its 55-inch UE55F9000, and a grand off the price of its 65-inch UE65F9000, with the two models now retailing at £3,299 and £4,999 respectively. Sony, despite rolling out cheaper 4K TVs in the US recently has yet to respond on these shores, but given how it’s been the most aggressive brand of all when it comes to marketing Ultra HD’s capabilities, we’re betting that a similar drop here will be in the offing very soon. As for LG, we should note that it’s yet to even launch its 55″ and 65″ 4KTVs in the UK (however you can always splash out £17,000 on its monster-size 84-inch beast if you desire), but with Samsung’s ultra high-definition TVs so aggressively priced, it’s likely to be forced into doing something similar.

Of course, even with these price cuts 4K TVs remain far from affordable, but if you’ve been mulling over the idea of an upgrade for your living room soon, in the next couple of weeks or so it might well be the time to make your move.

LG's curved 55-inch OLED HDTV arrives in US priced at $14,999

Earlier today it was heard that Samsung's 55-inch curved OLED HDTV will soon be available in the US, priced at an eye-popping $14,999. Now it turns out LG has beaten its rival to the punch, though for the exact same lofty price. But whereas the Samsung TV will initially only be sold at a sole high-end electronics dealer, LG has a big box chain in its corner. Its OLED offering debuted today at Best Buy's flagship Magnolia home theater store in Richfield, Minnesota. And in the coming weeks, you'll be able to walk into stores in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, Houston, and select other cities and take home your own curved set.

LG initially brought the ultra-premium 55-inch HDTV — which measures just 4.3 millimeters thick — to Korea last month. But by summer's end, the company says you'll be able to purchase the 55EA9800 at any Best Buy nationwide that contains a designated Magnolia shop. LG expects demand for OLED sets to hit 7 million by 2016. Still, consumers who can somehow justify such an extravagant purchase will need to decide whether "next-generation display technology" and that curved form are enough to steer them away from 4K (or perfectly good 1080p options) when the time to upgrade comes.

Breaking News: Apple working on ad-skipping tech for TV

By SheebaSudeep

Apple has long been rumoured to enter the TV space, either with a television set of its own, or a TV service with support from the big networks, or, indeed, both. While wait for the mythical Apple TV - the television - continues, a new report has disclosed some rather interesting details of Apple's TV service.

There's new fuel for the fire that Apple's working on technology for an updated TV set-top box or TV platform.

Apple plans to offer monetary compensation for any loss of revenue that may result from the ad-skipping. Based on the report, the initial response from networks doesn't seem to be very positive, though the negotiations are likely to continue for a while.

Apple's TV set-top box remains limited to prerecorded content instead of live TV channels, though that's expected to change. Apple has dabbled in offering live programming, but only its own presentations, like keynote addresses and concerts. A series of rumors has pointed toward the company expanding from selling content a la carte to a subscription that would rival what people purchase from their cable providers. Earlier this month, Apple was said to be in late-stage talks with Time Warner Cable to add live channels to the set-top box, presumably inside an app.

Apple would not be the first company to offer users a way to skip ads on TV programming. TiVo and ReplayTV offered the feature to consumers more than a decade ago, and it's since permeated to the DVRs cable providers offer to customers. More recently, companies like Dish and its Hopper technology can skip commercial blocks, though the feature can be limited on certain programming and has raised legal ire from major broadcast networks which say it violates copyright law.

The report claims the discussions have been "highly secretive" and CEO Tim Cook and Senior Vice President Eddy Cue held talks with some media companies as recently as last week at a conference in Sun Valley.

LG offers up 55-, 65-inch Ultra HD TVs; prices start at $6,999

By Sheebasudeep

LG has made a long jump further into the Ultra HD (4K) market in the U.S., by  bringing  two smaller sizes of televisions to complement its 84-inch 84LM9600.

 LG on Friday announced that that 55- and 65-inch Ultra HD televisions,which were  initially introduced in South Korea last month,  were rolled out in the United States this week and will be followed by introductions in overseas markets such as the U.K., Russia and Australia.

Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Electronics’ Home Entertainment Company said that  "The ULTRA HD TV format is here to stay and with the new sizes offering NANO FULL LED backlighting and our proprietary Tru-ULTRA HD Engine, these models are in a class of their own."

The new Lg series offers unmatched picture quality with more than four times the screen resolution than ordinary HD TV's.Launched with 4K resolution of 8.3 million pixels per frame, the sets boast 4.1-channel surround system and support for the company's Magic Remote, which allows you to take control of the TV by just speaking.

Additionally, LG’s LA9700 models are equipped with NANO FULL LED backlighting  which gives deep blacks and consistent brightness and contrast.With the inclusion of LG’s ad-vanced In-Plane Switching (IPS) panels, the new TVs deliver accurate color expression across a wide, 178 degree viewing angle.

Both LA9700 models offer 4.1-channel  surround system that includes a stylish forward-facing Sliding Speaker .Equipped with excellent mid- and high- frequency range performance,this elegant unit can be positioned to remain hidden or visible, delivering excellent sound either way. Alternatively, the Sliding Speaker can be set to extend au-tomatically when the TV is turned on, and retract when powered off. A powerful sub-woofer, located behind the TV’s screen, ensures strong bass performance.

SMART DESIGN

Design-wise, the LA9700 ULTRA HD TVs give  a stunning visual impression and a more immersive viewing experience thanks to the ULTRA-thin bezels of LG’s CINE-MA SCREEN Design.The company’s excellent Magic Remote boasts natural language recognition, point, wheel, and gesture control options, making it easy to navigate menus, search for content or play exciting Smart TV games.  

CERTIFIED PICTURE QUALITY

The exceptional 2D and 3D picture quality of LG’s new 55- and 65-inch ULTRA HD TVs has been certified by respected international product testing and certification bod-ies, Intertek and Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Just because LA9700 series includes 4K resolution, don't expect to get a deal. The 55-inch 55LA9700 goes for $6,999, while the 65-inch 66LA9700 retails for $7,999, LG said in a statement. this is more than same-sized 4K TVs from Samsung expected to be shipped in August  and Sony being shipped now.

Samsung UHD 85S9 85-inch 4K television launched for Rs. 27,00,000

By Sheebasudeep

The come back of high end quality television with back Lit Panel for better Image quality

Does anyone think that the pricing of Sony and LG's 4k (UHD ) LED televisions are deadly high.Then think over again! One of the leading television brands,Samsung has launched its first ultra high definition (UHD)or 4k Television ,Samsung UHD 85S9 in the Indian market which anyone across the globe can avail with Rs 27,00,000.

Samsung unveiled their 2013 line-up of products at the Southwest Asia Forum 2013 in Hyderabad on March 1st.The 85 inch Television was first showcased at Consumer Electronic Show (CES), earlier this year.

The 85S9 is Samsung's first 215.9 cm(85 inch)display based ultra high resolution (4k resolution)TV.4k resolution is the latest trend in the Television market which is occupied by giants like Sony and LG.

The 4K resolution offerd by Samsung 85S9 or 'Samsung UHD TV S9’ is four times higher than th e current 1080 p 'High definition'.This is expected to upscale the existing high-definition content to to fit to the new display.Samsung had announced that 85S9  will be hitting the Indian markets in May this year,but it still remains a buzz whether Samsung will retain similar prices in Indian market.

Highlighted Features.

• According to the company the 85S9 Features a back lit panel for producing high qualityimage ,and  active 3D Shutter technology.
• The 85S9 television includes Samsung's proprietary up-scaling engine to up-convert HD or full-HD content to UHD-level picture quality. In addition to the up-scaling engine, Samsung says it's also working to remove conflicts related to UHD content industry standards.
• Powered by Quad core processor ,it will support installable apps and Wi-Fi.
• Also included are S-Recommendation, a voice-driven recommendation engine and a full Web browser.
• The TV also comes with support for hand gestures to control the television and a camera for using video communication apps such as Skype.
• The TV comes with built-in Wi-Fi. It also offers support for viewing 3D content.
• The Television includes Samsung's one connect solution to eliminate cable clutter by equiring only one cable to connect to the Tv and it comes with 120 watt array speakers built into the frame to enhance audio experience.



Announcing the launch of the Samsung UHD TV 85S9, Atul Jain, Sr Vice President, Samsung India said, "The Timeless Gallery Design of the Samsung UHD TV meets the need of premium customers for Innovative design coupled with Best in Class performance. The UHD TV offers a resolution that is four-times better than that of full HD TVs, and UHD screens offer enhanced clarity with rich colours."

Few weeks back , Sony had launched two new 4K televisions, part of its Bravia X-series, the KD-55X9004A 55-inch and KD-65X9004A 65-inch televisions at a price point of Rs. 3,04,900 and Rs. 4,04,900, respectively. Sony uses its latest video processing engine, X-Reality Pro for upscaling content and integrates its Triluminos display technology for accurate colour reproduction in its 4K televisions. Sony had previously launched its 84-inch 4K TV in the Indian market for Rs. 16,99,990, in October 2012.

LG had also launched its 84-inch 4K television in India, last October at a price of Rs. 17,00,000. It features Intel's Wireless Display technology and built-in Wi-Fi.