Amazon will acquire the rest of Lovefilm

Online retail giant Amazon brought an end to months of speculation by announcing that it was to buy DVD-to-games rental and download service LOVEFiLM.

Amazon already owns a 42% minority stake in LOVEFiLM International, which operates in the UK, Germany, Sweden and Denmark. It will now buy the remaining 58% share for an undisclosed sum. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of this year and may mean international expansion for LOVEFiLM in line with Amazon’s own European operations.

LOVEFiLM, which has been operating for seven years, offers its 1.6m members a choice of more than 70,000 titles via DVD, Blu-ray, video games, and digital streaming through the LOVEFiLM player, which is used through the PC, PlayStation3 and streamed direct to TV.

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Connected TV Owners Primarily Access Netflix, Not YouTube

In the slowly growing market of Internet-connected television, 57% of owners are primarily using the functionality to access Netflix streaming.

The percentage is significant considering it surpasses by 10 percentage points (47%) the number of connected TV owners accessing YouTube, the perennial leader in online video consumption. While more users access Netflix than YouTube, YouTube was still the second most-popular service used on connected TVs. Another 54% utilize connectivity to access music and photos.

Netflix in November launched a streaming-only service domestically after announcing that a majority of its subscribers stream content versus renting physical discs.

Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis, said that until CE manufacturers and media companies increase and simplify access to entertainment content to the TV from the Internet, early adopters will navigate toward marquee brands such as Netflix, Hulu and YouTube.

"Manufacturers are underselling the Internet features of connected TVs,” Rubin said. “Broadband features unlock worlds of on-demand content; manufacturers should provide the key by integrating Wi-Fi.”

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Cisco Simplifies Mobile Collaboration With First-of-Its-Kind HD Video-Capable Business Tablet

Cisco unveiled Cisco Cius, a first-of-its-kind mobile collaboration business tablet that delivers virtual desktop integration with anywhere, anytime access to the full range of Cisco collaboration and communication applications, including HD video.

Cisco Cius is an ultra-portable device weighing just 1.15lbs that extends the productivity benefits of Cisco collaboration applications to a highly secure mobile platform. In addition to full telepresence interoperability, Cisco Cius offers HD video streaming and real-time video, multi-party conferencing, email, messaging, browsing, and the ability to produce, edit and share content stored locally or centrally in the cloud.

Based on the Android operating system, Cisco Cius is an open platform for communication and collaboration whose form factor and applications are designed to more securely connect employees on-the-go with the right people in real-time, and to provide those workers with the ability to access and share the content they need from any place on the network.

Cisco Cius offers IT professionals new options when it comes to equipping mobile workers with computing devices. Through virtual desktop integration, Cisco Cius offers flexible computing options with cloud-based services, providing dramatically lower capital costs and cost-per-user for desktop maintenance.

Businesses can also tap into the growing Android developer community that is building business-class productivity applications with appropriate IT controls. The combination of applications and flexible computing options provides a compelling alternative to today's PC-on-every-desktop paradigm.

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VIZIO Expands Internet Apps Product Line with New High Definition Blu-ray Players, HD Wireless Internet Routers Enhancing Your Home Theater Experience

VIZIO, America's HDTV and Consumer Electronics Company, announced the introduction of a wireless Internet router optimized for VIZIO Internet Apps (VIA), the platform that enables viewers to experience the best of the web and on-demand content, as well as three wireless Blu-ray players with Internet Apps, that offer consumers even more entertainment on demand, such as streaming HD movies, TV episodes, music, photos and social networking. The Dual-Band HD Wireless Internet Router prioritizes HD video and audio to VIA HDTVs and Blu-ray players, such as VIA-enabled VBR200W, VBR210, VBR220 and VBR231 Blu-ray players that are capable of streaming content from online services such as VUDU, Netflix and Pandora. The universal wireless router can also be configured to prioritize traffic to other Internet-connected devices as well as share a high-speed Internet connection to other Internet capable devices in the home, such as laptops, game consoles and smart phones. For more information, click here.

Widevine Named a Preferred Provider of Adaptive Streaming and DRM for Samsung Devices

Widevine, a provider of digital entertainment solutions, announced that it has signed a global agreement with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. to distribute Widevine's live and on-demand adaptive streaming, virtual DVD-like "trick play" and digital rights management (DRM) on Samsung connected devices. These technologies from Widevine will enable Samsung to support TV Everywhere and over-the-top delivery initiatives from Internet content providers and large cable, satellite and telecommunication companies.

As one of Samsung's preferred partners, the Widevine client will be shipped on millions of Samsung devices in 2010. Widevine's DRM and adaptive streaming software is already included in 2009 models of Samsung connected TVs and Blu-ray players shipped in the United States. This agreement enables Samsung to expand distribution on a worldwide basis.

Consumers can connect to the Internet and access thousands of hours of video content, from the latest blockbuster movies to the most popular television shows, using their TV, Blu-ray player or mobile phone, among other devices. Widevine's video optimization and DRM technology will ensure consumers using Samsung devices will receive the ultimate viewing experience for both live and on-demand content. Samsung will include Widevine's adaptive streaming, virtual DVD-like controls and DRM on many of its most popular connected devices.

Widevine's video optimization and DRM technologies are utilized by major Internet content services and large cable, satellite and telecommunication companies launching TV Everywhere strategies. The company's software platform optimizes the entertainment experience for live and on-demand content delivered over any network to any device. The solution is natively supported in nearly all types of network connected consumer electronics including televisions, Blu-ray players, mobile devices, gaming systems and more. For more information, click here.

Service providers must adjust strategies as consumers turn to alternate sources for video & online media

Key industry executives will address recent shifts in consumer video and online viewing habits at CONNECTIONS™: The Digital Living Conference & Showcase. These changes in consumer behavior are forcing service providers to expand and enhance their business strategies for connected CE, online video, and other value-added services.

Nearly 20% of U.S. broadband households have a PC-to-TV connection, and the vast majority is using this DIY solution to stream online video.

Over one-half of U.S. households don’t know their broadband speed. Broadband has become a commodity, and service providers are in a position where they have to talk about additional services, including TV Everywhere and tech support. It can be a difficult transition, but they are in an excellent position to leverage their existing customer relationships and take the lead in the digital living ecosystem.

CONNECTIONS™ is the premier event for research and analysis of connected home technologies and digital living solutions, including multiple speakers and attendees representing service providers and their partners.

The conference features sessions on evolving carrier strategies and service and partnership opportunities in response to new consumer behaviors and connected CE:

Expanding Consumers’ Digital Media Choices

Monetizing Connected CE

TV and Online Video Advertising Metrics

Trends in User Interfaces

3DTV

Service Provider Innovation

The Future of the Set-top Box

TV Everywhere and Online Video

For more information about the CONNECTIONS Conference, visit www.connectionsus.com.

SingleClick Systems Unveils Playback of Video Content on iPhone and Blackberry With Remote Access Software

Santa Clara, Calif., June 24, 2008 (Connections 2008, Booth # 403) – SingleClick Systems, the leading provider of networking software for consumers and SMBs, today announced that its SingleClick Remote Access technology is capable of remotely playing personal video content directly to the iPhone, Blackberry and over 7,000 other mobile devices.

Without needing to unlock or alter their devices in anyway, iPhone and Blackberry users are now able to access their entire personal content library of music, videos and documents stored on their home network anytime, anywhere.

In order to enable users to play video and music from their home network directly on the iPhone and Blackberry, SingleClick integrated advanced device detection intelligence from the open source Wireless Universal Resource File (WURFL) database, which contains information about almost every registered mobile device on the planet. This allows the software to detect the file formats and transfer speeds a device can support, then transcode and deliver the media in real time, tailored for the device’s specific capabilities.

“SingleClick Remote Access works seamlessly with the installed software on the iPhone, as opposed to other solutions requiring the user to download a third party application which may violate their user license agreement and warranty,” said Scot Zarkiewicz, CEO of SingleClick Systems. “Because SingleClick Remote Access is a dynamic software application residing on the home computer, iPhone users can safely break out of the iTunes stranglehold and stream their entire content library anywhere they happen to be.”

In addition to playing music and video content, SingleClick Remote Access serves as an easily configurable Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access all shared content and resources on the home or SMB network from any computer or Web enabled mobile device such as an iPhone, Blackberry or Windows Mobile PDA. The VPN functionality enables small business customers to access and share business critical documents through a simple e-mail based messaging service.

SingleClick Remote Access is aAvailable as a stand-alone product or integrated into SingleClick’s HomeNet Manager Networking platform. SingleClick will be providing demonstrations of its remote access technology live from the floor of Connections 2008 in Booth # 403 at the Santa Clara Convention Center.


About SingleClick
SingleClick Systems provides individuals and SMBs a simple and powerful way
to manage and maintain their networks and retrieve digital data securely from any PC or mobile device. The award-winning suite of products includes HomeNetManager™, OfficeNetManager™ and Wireless Network Ignition™. SingleClick software is installed on 20 million computers and available in 22 languages. Additional information is available at: www.singleclicksystems.com.


Editorial Contact:
Michael Kelly
Nadel Phelan
(831) 440-2403
michael@nadelphelan.com

SingleClick Systems CEO Scot Zarkiewicz to Present on Place Shifting and Content Storage Panel at Connections 2008

Scot Zarkiewicz, CEO of SingleClick Systems, will be speaking on the Place Shifting and Content Storage panel at the Connections Digital Living Conference and Showcase.

Session: PLACE SHIFTING + CONTENT STORAGE
Dates: June 26, 2008
Time: 2:15 – 3:00 pm

At the event, Scot will discuss how SingleClick Remote Access provides consumers and SMBs with the ability to remotely control and connect to all the devices in the SOHO network from anywhere in the world through the use of a web enabled computer or mobile device. By integrating device detection intelligence from the open source WURFL database, SingleClick is able to provide a seamless, tailored mobile experience on over 7,000 mobile devices including PDAs, cellular phones, handheld game consoles and mp3 players.

“The breakneck pace of modern business has seen the explosion of various mobile devices designed to enhance productivity and make life easier, but they won’t provide their full benefit if they cannot be properly accessed,” said Scot Zarkiewicz, CEO for SingleClick. “Our focus is to streamline the integration and convergence of the home and mobile network to allow consumers and businesses to take full advantage of their modern technology through an easily managed network that can be accessed from anywhere. We look forward to speaking at the conference and listening to other industry thought leaders who are shaping the future of advanced digital lifestyle solutions.”

About SingleClick
SingleClick Systems provides individuals and SMBs a simple and powerful way to manage and maintain their networks and retrieve digital data securely from any PC or mobile device. The award-winning suite of products includes HomeNetManager™, OfficeNetManager™ and Wireless Network Ignition™. SingleClick software is installed on 25 million computers and available in 22 languages. Additional information is available at: www.singleclicksystems.com.

SingleClick will be exhibiting and providing demonstrations of it's remote access technology from the floor of Connections in Booth #403. Scheduled briefings are available for interested Press and Analysts. Interested parties should contact Mike Kelly at the email below.

Media Relations Contact:
Michael Kelly
Nadel Phelan, Inc.
(831) 440-2403