Generation Star Wars (Full Feed)

Netflix vs LOVEFiLM

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:16:44 PST

For the past few weeks I've been trialling Netflix. Comparing and contrasting the newest UK entrant, into the nascent streaming market, against the incumbent LOVEFiLM Instant! Is it time to sell or donate to charity that DVD and Blu-ray disc collection? Perhaps.

As I've written previously here, the technological winner is Netflix by more than a country mile! HD streaming and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound (where available) trumps LOVEFiLM Instant's sub DVD audiovisual streaming. For example Disney's Tron looked vibrant on Netflix, but muted on LOVEFiLM Instant.

Most HD film and television series are shown in 720p or 1080p (contingent on your broadband connection). Unlike BBC iPlayer or LOVEFiLM Instant, Netflix streaming hasn't stuttered or paused, during playback, due to the company's variable bit rate technology. I have noticed some lip sync issues. However, any problems can be reported directly under account settings on the website (what about in-app?). I've yet to garner a response.

While I applaud Netflix's consistent user experience across multiple platforms (no news on Bravia Internet Video), the omission of actor, director and genre search (available on the website) is curious and LOVEFiLM beats Netflix in this regard. Caching on mobile devices would be a welcome addition for commuters as 3G coverage isn't currently robust enough.

Netflix's social media policy should be lauded, but I'd welcome opt-in email news, too. Suffice to say that I will be continuing my subscription post the 1 month free trial. Incidentally, Freesat+ hasn't been switched on at all!

With Sky announcing plans for a streaming-only service, too, the battle has only just begun. For the moment I don't mind paying £10 per month for both Netflix and LOVEFiLM, which covers most of the bases.

Star Wars composer John Williams turns 80 today!

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:19:01 PST

John Williams needs no introduction. The award-winning Hollywood composer has written the soundtrack to the lives of generations of film goers across the globe and continues to add emotion to summer blockbusters.

The Boston Pops have put together a fun "What's your John Williams' Theme?" page for the legendary film composer's 80th birthday today.

Check out the page here www.bostonpops.org/happybirthdayjohn

Many happy returns of the day, John!

Win Star Wars: Episode I in 3D graphic novels!

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:12:07 PST

To celebrate the release of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace in 3D on 9th February, we have some awesome graphic novels to give away.

Whether you're an old fan or new, there's no denying that seeing Star Wars on the big screen is an event not to be missed -- especially when it's the first Star Wars movie to ever be presented in spectacular 3D! The duel with Darth Maul, the harrowing Tatooine Podrace, the first meeting of Artoo and Threepio, and the introduction of the Star Wars Saga's tragic hero, Anakin Skywalker, are all back in an all-new 3D presentation of Episode I, an experience that promises to truly surround you with the Force!

From Titan Books, the perfect companion to the release of Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace in 3D, this graphic novel adaptation is a must read for any Star Wars fan. Visit www.titanbooks.com for more information.

To be in with a chance of winning one of ten graphic novels, just answer this question:
Which famous actress played Queen Amidala's decoy in The Phantom Menace?

A. Rooney Mara
B. Natalie Portman
C. Keira Knightley

Please email the answer, including your name and address here. The competition closes on Friday 17th February and is open to UK residents only.

Star Wars® and all characters, names and related indicia are trademark of & © 2012 Lucasfilm Ltd.

PS Vita to support OS X

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:40:15 PST

On February 8th Sony's PS3 and PS Vita will be updated with new firmware as part of a wholesale move to the Sony Entertainment Network (formerly PSN). The PS Vita will receive a dedicated map app and video recording, but that's not all.

Contents Manager for PlayStation will now support Mac OS X! This means no more running Windows in Boot Camp. Mac Users will be able to upload videos, music and pictures from Mac to PS Vita and vice versa. Saving backup files will be possible, too.

After selling my Nintendo 3DS, I was initially reluctant to purchase a PS Vita on day one! However, Amazon's pre-order bundles are too tempting, OS X support out of the gate and Netflix should look fantastic on an OLED screen.

Review to follow.

The Force is with Big G Cereals

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:49:18 PST

General Mills is bringing the Force to breakfast tables across America by offering exclusive Star Wars pens in specially marked boxes of Big G cereals to celebrate the launch of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace in 3D.

In theaters February 10, 2012, Star Wars fans will be able to relive the beginning of Star Wars saga in a stunning 3D experience. From the thrilling Podrace to the final lightsaber battle, audiences will be able to enjoy Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace like never before. To add to the excitement surrounding the launch, specially marked boxes of Big G cereal will contain eight exclusive collectable pens featuring iconic characters from the first episode.

Star Wars is an all encompassing experience that goes far beyond simply watching and enjoying the movies. By partnering with Big G cereals on this promotion, Star Wars is ensuring that the Force is with fans at all times whether it is in the theater or at breakfast.

With the cereal boxes hitting shelves to coincide with the 3D launch, Star Wars fans won’t have to go to a galaxy far, far away to get their hands on these exclusive pens. By purchasing specially marked boxes of Big G cereal, Star Wars enthusiasts have the chance to collect all eight pens featuring:

Anakin Skywalker
R2-D2
C-3PO
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Yoda
Darth Maul
Queen Amidala
Jar Jar Binks

Different colour inks represent each of the characters!

“Star Wars is such an exciting and timeless franchise, and we are thrilled to combine it with our nourishing cereals made with whole grain,” said Julie Anderla, integrated communications manager for General Mills. “By uniting the two, we are truly creating an unstoppable ‘Force’.”

One of the healthiest breakfast options parents can make, Big G cereals are nutrient dense, made with whole grain and are an excellent source of calcium. Participating Big G cereals include Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (12.8 oz.), Lucky Charms®(11.5 oz.), Reese’s® Puffs (13 oz.), Cheerios (14 oz.), and Cookie Crisp® (11.25 oz). Made with whole grain and chock full of calcium, Big G cereals provide younglings with everything they need to start off their day on the right foot. For more information on Big G cereals visit www.GrowUpStrong.com or www.WholeGrainNation.com

The Rebel Alliance

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:28:53 PST

Author Tripp Millican reached out regarding his new book The Rebel Alliance, which is infused with Star Wars references that pop culture enthusiasts will love.

Here's a synopsis in Tripp's own words:

60 hours before his parents’ jointfuneral, 29-year-old Star Wars collector Dennis Harwell finds himselfstranded in the tiny town of Walnut, Iowa, with Star, a brash20-year-old punk rock girl. He is 1,700 miles from his destinationwith little money and fewer options; Dennis is ineffective and Star isa fugitive. As their problems mount, the pair must work together ifthey are going to escape Walnut.

Download The Rebel Alliance (Kindle edition) today! It's free for 2 days only.

LEGO Gollum

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:28:23 PST

Cello Wars

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:05:53 PST

Cello Wars is one of the most creative Star Wars parodies I've ever seen!

TRON Mondo poster by Martin Ansin

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:40:09 PST

This stunning limited edition glow-in-the-dark poster will be available from Mondo this Thursday.

Roku joins Netflix in the UK

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:54:09 PST

After restoring my PS3 to its default settings. Over the weekend I signed up for a 1 month free trial of Netflix UK! Was it worth it? The short answer is yes!

The newly launched streaming service outshines LOVEFiLM in terms of usability, playback and platform ubiquity.

For example I began watching dollhouse S2 on a PS3 and effortlessly resumed, later, on an iPod touch (4G). To quote the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs: "It just works." High definition and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound is most impressive.

Content will be crucial and I was disappointed to note that Battlestar Galactica, Buffy and Star Trek were absent at launch. However, the final seasons of 24 and Prison Break will keep me busy for a while.

Netflix will receive a further fillip when Roku launches a range of dedicated set-top-boxes at the end of the month.

“Roku launched the first ever streaming player to deliver Netflix to consumers in the US and now we are among the first to bring Netflix to residents of the UK and Ireland,” said Clive Hudson, vice president and general manager for Europe at Roku. “In addition to Netflix, we are launching with a variety of entertainment channels and look forward to expanding our content selection in the same way that we have in the US where we have more than 400 channels today.”

“Roku players will offer new Netflix members in the UK and Ireland a great streaming experience with high-quality video delivered through an easy-to-use product with an attractive price,” said Greg Peters, vice president of product development at Netflix. “We’re happy to count Roku amongst the devices that stream films and TV programmes to the TVs of our new members in these countries.”

If you're serious about high definition look no further than the Roku 2 XS. You can play Angry Birds between episodes of Firefly. However, a high speed broadband connection is essential for reliable playback.

The battle between LOVEFiLM and Netflix has only just begun. The incumbent LOVEFiLM has responded by adding more film and television series to its unlimited streaming package.

If you're already subscribing to LOVEFiLM are you tempted to switch?

Win tickets to see Star Wars: Episode I in 3D

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:12:28 PST

Experience It For The First Time in 3D!

Whether you're an old fan or new, there's no denying that seeing Star Wars on the big screen is an event not to be missed -- especially when it's the first Star Wars movie to ever be presented in spectacular 3D! The duel with Darth Maul, the harrowing Tatooine Podrace, the first meeting of Artoo and Threepio, and the introduction of the Star Wars Saga's tragic hero, Anakin Skywalker, are all back in an all-new 3D presentation of Episode I, an experience that promises to truly surround you with the Force!

To celebrate the release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D which arrives in cinemas February 9th, we are giving away two pairs of tickets to an exclusive advance screening on Wednesday the 8th February. The screening will take place at a West End venue (this will be revealed once you receive your ticket), in a galaxy far, far away. Stormtroopers will open the doors at 5:30pm, followed by action in the foyer. The saga will begin at 6:30pm.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets, please email your name and address here. The competition closes on Thursday 26th January.

Star Wars® and all characters, names and related indicia are trademark of & © 2012 Lucasfilm Ltd.

Lazy Jedi

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:37:17 PST

Casen Sperry contacted me regarding his hilarious Star Wars skit. Witness the power of the force like never before...

Wizards

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 10:33:44 PST

Twentieth Century Fox’s first-ever animated film, created by renowned director Ralph Bakshi, WIZARDS appears in a 35th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray + Book release on March 13 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the “epic fantasy of peace and magic” stars the voice talent of Mark Hamill (Star Wars Saga). The special edition Blu-ray + Book release is a must-have for fans and collectors, featuring 24-pages of amazing artwork from the film, some of the artwork never-before-seen, and a special message from Bakshi!

Set on a post-apocalyptic Earth, this fantasy adventure follows the story of Avatar, the kindly, eccentric sorcerer-ruler of Montagar, a rainbow paradise inhabited by elves and fairies. Avatar's evil brother, Blackwolf, dominates Scortch, a bleak land of goblins and wraiths. When the power-hungry Blackwolf attacks Montagar, Avatar, accompanied only by a spirited young woman and a courageous elf, must enter the darkness of Scortch to save his world.

Ralph Bakshi would later direct an animated adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, but was unable to complete the trilogy.

Star Wars: Underworld

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:06:10 PST

The long-gestating live-action Star Wars television series has a working title, but no release date!

Underworld.

Before you leap for joy at the prospect of seeing Kate Beckinsale as a bounty hunter. This isn't a cross-over with the actor's storied franchise of the same name.

IGN (owned by News Corporation, which distributes the Star Wars movies) recently interviewed Rick McCallum who is no stranger to episodic television and produced the Emmy Award-Winning The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.

"The scripts take place between episodes III and IV," says McCallum. "It's that twenty-year period when Luke is growing up. It's not about Luke, but it's about that period when the Empire is really trying to take things forward. It's called Underworld - that's the working title - and it's underneath what's going on: the criminals and the gangs that are running everything. It's like Wall Street, and the criminals that are running the United States!"

Due to alleged budgetary concerns, Underworld won't be hitting television screens anytime soon.

"The prequels only cost $100m each, which in Hollywood is nothing," McCallum claims, "but this is really tough, because we're trying to put the same effects and technology from those two-hour films, into one-hour episodes, and do it every week for $5m an episode.

"We have fifty unbelievable scripts. Each episode is bigger than any of the prequels were, and they're complex and dark and adult. But right now, technologically, there's no way we can do them for that $5m: there's so much digital animation, because we have so many digital characters. So I think the idea is just that we hold off, wait and see if there are any major breakthroughs in the next year or two, and once we can come up with some virtual set software that allows us to travel anywhere, we'll revisit. We'll get there. I just hope I live long enough!"

What are your thoughts on Star Wars: Underworld?

Netflix launches in UK

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:09:07 PST

Netflix has launched in the UK and LOVEFiLM has responded by cutting its unlimited streaming tariff to £4.99 per month, with a 30-day free trial.

Netflix (available now on PS3) has more than 20 million streaming members in 47 countries and territories, and will be a tough competitor in a space that sees it go up against the likes of Amazon-owned LOVEFiLM and Sky Movies.

"We are starting 2012 in the best possible way: by giving consumers in the UK and Ireland an amazing entertainment experience," said Reed Hastings, co-founder and chief executive of Netflix.

"Now, you can enjoy as many great films and TV programmes as you want, when you want, where you want, for one low monthly price with no contracts or commitments."

The US firm said that its UK and Ireland service features high-quality video streaming technology, including high definition and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 sound, as well as "advanced recommendation technology" for users to track down new content.

The company has revolutionised the way Americans watch films. However, it faces stiff competition in the UK.

Last Christmas I started subscribing to LOVEFiLM Instant. I prefer streaming film and television, around my home, to wireless platforms including Sony BRAVIA Internet Video enabled devices and PS3. There's currently no HD content available (as yet), but the service is much more convenient than physical storage media such as Blu-ray disc or DVD. Of course BBC iPlayer already broadcasts selected programmes in HD (720p).

Both companies have inked deals with major Hollywood studios and television broadcasters. So, it may take more than price to differentiate LOVEFiLM and Netflix in the long run.

Do you think Netflix will be successful in the UK? How about in Ireland? Both? Neither???

The Hobbits discover LEGOLAND

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:03:34 PST

This summer LEGO will launch official tie-ins for Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and forthcoming The Hobbit. Imagine sets depicting Mirkwood or Mordor?

Given the success of the LEGO franchise in the video game space...

Happy Holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:19:59 PST

This is my final post of 2011! Thank you for continuing to support this blog and sending in news. It's most appreciated.

I would like to wish you a fantastic holiday season, whatever you may be doing, and all the best for the New Year.

Donald Faison talks Star Wars and LEGO on Conan

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:03:51 PST

Donald Faison, who plays Turk in the comedy Scrubs, discusses the power of the force and being a blerd with Conan O'Brian.

Microsoft Kinectimals bound onto the App Store

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:59:59 PST

After bringing the excellent My Xbox LIVE and Halo Waypoint to the App Store. Microsoft has launched Kinectimals, its Tamagotchi-like sim, which ties-in with the company's Xbox 360 game!

How long before Sony brings its IP to iOS?

Kinectimals (iTunes)

New Girl

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:01:46 PST

Critically acclaimed smash hit comedy New Girl makes its UK television premiere, with indie golden girl Zooey Deschanel making her TV debut as Jess Daly. Newly single after walking in on her boyfriend with another woman, Jess is in desperate need of a place to live. Answering a flat share ad, she crash lands in the lives of three single guys she has never met before.

Nursing a broken heart, she arrives on their doorstep with an unusual line in house-warming gifts, including a Dirty Dancing DVD (which plays on a constant loop), a model BFF and a neat line in personal theme tunes.

Jess is an unlikely addition to the digs: Nick is still smarting from his own break-up; Schmidt is a ladies man who thinks it's a winning manoeuvre to remove his shirt at the drop of a hat; and Coach is a personal trainer with serious anger-management issues. But as their relationships progress, Jess and the boys come to realise they need each other more than they ever realised and end up forming a charmingly dysfunctional family.

New Girl takes a fresh and outrageous look at modern male and female relationships. The show premiered in the US with over 10 million viewers making it Fox's highest-rated autumn sitcom debut in a decade. The cast also includes Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, Lamorne Morris and Hannah Simone.

Look out for my review soon.

Kinect with LOVEFiLM on Xbox LIVE

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:05:03 PST

LOVEFiLM, an Amazon company, launches on the Xbox 360 and Kinect tomorrow giving a million more film fans access to the movies they want to watch in an instant.

The movie viewing experience will be transformed as, for the first time, LOVEFiLM members watching on Kinect for Xbox 360 will be able to use voice commands and gestures to control LOVEFiLM Instant – the movie streaming service – with ease via their Kinect enabled consoles.

Xbox 360 users will be able to watch thousands of movies via LOVEFiLM Instant including exclusive content such as the award-winning drama Gran Torino and teen phenomenon The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, with forthcoming titles The Dark Knight, breakout comedy The Hangover and dark romance Blue Valentine becoming available in time for Christmas.

LOVEFiLM Instant is available from just £5.99 via a huge range of devices including PCs, iPad®, Internet-connected TV sets, Blu-ray players, tablets and games consoles. Becoming an Xbox LIVE integrated film service provider is another milestone in LOVEFiLM’s ambition to bring the service to as many homes as possible.

Simon Calver, CEO of LOVEFiLM, said:

“It is an exciting day for LOVEFiLM customers who have known this was coming. Launching LOVEFiLM Instant on Xbox 360 and Kinect means we are bringing the service to a million more living rooms.

“LOVEFiLM members in the UK can access our content in another exciting, innovative way and all for one straightforward price. The simplicity of our pricing and the ease with which customers can use LOVEFiLM Instant should make us the first choice for those film fans who want fantastic entertainment at great value for money, anytime, anywhere.”

Stephen McGill, Director of Xbox & Entertainment for Microsoft UK said:

“It’s very exciting to see the launch of Amazon’s LOVEFiLM on Xbox LIVE. Xbox owners will be eager to get started, using their Kinect-enabled consoles to interact with LOVEFiLM’s extensive catalogue of movies in ways that will only be available on Xbox 360.”

LOVEFiLM is Europe’s largest subscription service, streaming movies and TV episodes over the Internet and sending DVDs by post.

Not yet a customer? Sign up here, and select the ‘LOVEFiLM Instant’ option.

Stand Up To Cancer this holiday season!

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:30:01 PST

Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) and Lucasfilm will continue their collaboration this holiday season when they release never-before-seen outtakes from the highly popular star-studded video clip that urges fans to Use the Force for Good. The campaign continues to raise funds for groundbreaking cancer research that will get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives. Just in time for holiday shopping and due to popular demand, SU2C and Lucasfilm have added a fourth design incorporating the iconic image of Darth Vader to their line of co-branded tees, which feature Star Wars™ artwork alongside SU2C’s signature upward arrows and slogans such as “Blast Cancer” and “Use the Force for Good.” This new exclusive Darth Vader t-shirt bears the slogan “Do Not Underestimate the Power of SU2C,” and will be available for purchase in late November. The full line of tees is available for purchase at store.standup2cancer.org/shop with proceeds benefiting SU2C.

In addition, a new behind-the-scenes look at the Star Wars video tribute featuring celebrity Star Wars enthusiasts and SU2C Ambassadors— Aziz Ansari, Zach Galifianakis, Bill Hader, Ed Helms, Ken Jeong, Jaime King, Seth Rogen, Andy Samberg and Emma Stone—who were joined by Star Wars alum Samuel L. Jackson, can currently be viewed on the Star Wars YouTube channel, youtube.com/starwars, alongside the original video tribute. This new behind-the-scenes video not only captures funny outtakes from the all-star cast, it highlights candid moments where the cast members express why they participated in the original Star Wars video tribute. With approximately 800,000 hits on YouTube so far, the original Star Wars video tribute encourages fans to Use the Force for Good and join Lucasfilm in donating to Stand Up To Cancer.

“To build a grassroots movement of people determined to end this disease, cancer and references to it have to become part of the pop culture zeitgeist,” said Sue Schwartz, SU2C co-founder and partner at Robertson Schwartz Agency. “Lucasfilm’s willingness to highlight the fight against cancer with an icon like Star Wars is a huge boon to our efforts. Everyone at Stand Up To Cancer is eternally grateful to Lucasfilm and our celebrity ambassadors for ‘Using the Force for Good.’ We look forward to continuing this campaign through the end of the year to raise funds for life-saving cancer research.”

A Charlie Brown Christmas on the App Store

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:36:46 PST

"Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!"

Help Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the entire Peanuts gang as they struggle to find the true meaning of Christmas. Peter Robbins, the original voice of Charlie Brown, narrates the rebirth of the 1965 animated classic as an interactive storybook complete with original scenes and dialog and digitally remastered illustrations, animation, and music optimized for your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Play Schroeder's piano, finger paint with the gang, go carolling with the Peanuts choir, and participate in the Spectacular Super-Colossal Neighborhood Christmas Lights and Display Contest to unlock decorations for your very own Charlie Brown Christmas Tree! With something to discover on every page, this is one interactive Peanuts adventure you won't want to miss this holiday season!!

Features:
* Original dialogue from the 1965 animated classic
* Captivating narration by Peter Robbins, the original voice of Charlie Brown
* Charming soundtrack featuring music and sound effects from the original show
* Decorate your own Charlie Brown Christmas Tree
* Participate in the Lights and Display Contest to unlock rewards
* Educational features such as word and note highlighting to help improve reading and musical skills
* Hear individual words spoken with the tap of a finger
* Touch and drag objects to make them “spring” to life or tilt to watch them slide and move
* Objects that literally pop out of the page to delight you and your family!

A Charlie Brown Christmas (iTunes)

Spielberg: The Man, The Movies

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:08:55 PST

He's the most famous director in movie history, whose creations have poured out of the cinemas into popular culture. But what goes on inside his head? What drives him? What is the key to Steven Spielberg? Covering his career, his movies, his relationships, and his extraordinary gift, Empire Magazine celebrates - with dazzling photographic evidence - Hollywood's most beloved director in this unique special edition.

Updated for 2012, this new iPad edition of Empire’s Spielberg celebration features:

– Original trailers from every single title in the director’s filmography.
– In-depth critical appraisals of all of his films, from 1971’s Duel, right up to the present day.
– Detailed features covering topics from Spielberg’s early Super 8 movies to his experiences in TV, making the Indiana Jones saga and more.
– Behind-the-scenes ‘making of’ features on some of the director’s biggest films.
– Interviews with key Spielberg collaborators.
– A special Q&A session with the director himself answering questions from some of the biggest names in Hollywood.
– Exclusive video interview with Spielberg and director JJ Abrams.
– Selected clips from classic Spielberg movies.
– Exclusive photography

Spielberg: The Man, The Movies (iTunes)

Sony set to battle Apple in your living room

noreply@blogger.com (John Hood) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:37:41 PST

Apple TV is seen, by some, as a trojan horse and there's every possibility that it could challenge Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony in the home video game console space! Why? Add a faster processor, the App Store echo system and tether Apple TV to an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad and boom! However, imagine an Apple television that acts as a point of convergence with voice control (Siri) and we're in the Star Trek universe as envisaged by conceptual designer Michael Okuda.

Longtime followers of Apple wouldn't have been surprised by the news that Steve Jobs had told Walter Isaacson, his official biographer, that he'd "cracked it".

“'I’d like to create an integrated television set that is completely easy to use,’ he told me. ‘It would be seamlessly synced with all of your devices and with iCloud.’ No longer would users have to fiddle with complex remotes for DVD players and cable channels. ‘It will have the simplest user interface you could imagine. I finally cracked it.'”

Sony has entered the fray and promises to deliver a next generation TV experience to rival Apple. Presumably BRAVIA Internet Video will underpin this and the XMB (ported from its PlayStation brand) is a compelling alternative to Apple's iOS. However, Sony has lost significance in the past decade and Apple is more than capable of delivering Steve Jobs' vision into the living room.

"Siri, Star Trek: The Next Generation series 3. On screen."