new 4K TVs may get to market faster than expected ( LG Electronics )

 
Those new 4K TVs may get to market faster than expected -- and at lower, but still-admittedly pricey costs.
LG Electronics has announced plans to be the first to bring a 4K TV to stores next month. Its 84-inch display is scheduled to hit stores in October; priced at $19,999. That means the LG model can be expected to be priced as low as $17,000 in some outlets.
4K TV sets promise four times the resolution of current HDTVs. While there's no current movies or TV content that takes advantage of the higher-res format, many films are being remastered for Blu-ray Disc in 4K. And some TV series are being shot in 4K.
New sets are, however, able to upscale incoming high-def video to improve picture quality. "Ultra-definition television will transform the giant-screen viewing experience in the years ahead, and LG is proud to bring this new technology to market so that discerning U.S. consumers can enjoy a fully immersive home theater experience," said LG's Jay Vandenbree in a statement accompanying the announcement.
The LG Ultra Definition display is a 3-D Smart TV that uses LG's magic remote, which supports gesture and voice commands, and connects to the LG Cloud for storing content online.
Sony's own $24,999 84-inch model is due in November with pre-orders being taken at Sony stores. Originally, 4K sets were expected by year's end.
Also apparently joining the 4K scene is JVC, which has -- as reported by Digital Trends -- a sub-$20,000 set in the works.
See photos of: Sony, LG Electronics

SOURCE : USATODAY

Apple has a music streaming service in the works

Apple has a music streaming service in the works.
A customizable Internet radio service, similar to that of Pandora, paired with its popular iTunes service would further cement the company's importance in music delivery.
Apple recently began talking with record labels about licensing for the service, according to The Wall Street Journal. Once deals are made, it would still take months for the service to launch, the Journal reports, citing sources familiar with the negotiations.
An advantage that Apple would have on other streaming music services – and in attracting label support -- is the ability to seamlessly wed iTunes song sales to its Net radio delivery, says Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter. "Due to the dominance of iTunes and the depth of integration with Apple devices, we envision that an Apple Internet radio offering would allow users to purchase and download songs during play on Internet radio virtually instantaneously," he said in report.
It is unlikely that the new streaming service will be unveiled at Apple's iPhone 5 event next week, he says.
Even though an Apple streaming service would only be available on iPhones, iPads and other iOS devices, it could have some features that outperform Pandora, which has 150 million registered users across computers, as well as Android-based and iOS devices.
Pandora does not play more than four songs from an individual artist in a three-hour period, for instance, Pachter said. "We believe Apple could try to take share from Pandora through greater flexibility around song selection or skips, among other items," he said, adding that "Apple service reports are likely to negatively impact Pandora shares for the foreseeable future."
He did not expect the Apple service to be unveiled at next Wednesday's planned iPhone 5 event.
See photos of: Apple


SOURCE : USATODAY

The Google homepage is paying homage to iconic sci-fi series Star Trek

The Google homepage is paying homage to iconic sci-fi series Star Trek today with an interactive doodle in honor of the 46th anniversary of the first episode of the show.
You'll find the letters in the ordinarily spare Google logo all tricked out as Trekkie characters. With just a pair of ears, Google's "G" becomes Spock. And oh, is that Kirk's distinctive haircut on that "o"?
You can head over to Google now to check it out. It's an interactive story with a few different scenes. You can click around for little facets of the show that are fan favorites.
The doodle is actually live a little early — the 46th anniversary is on Saturday. Since the doodle starts appearing in other parts of the world before it does in the U.S. (as the calendar turns) Google decided to give folks in the U.S. the chance to play with it on Friday.
Star Trek seemed like a perfect fit for a doodle, says Ryan Germick, Google's chief doodler. "It has something iconic culturally, it's smart, it's fun and it had a progressive message with all of its diversity. And it is a wonderland for nerder-y and geekdom, which is something we revel in at Google."
The doodle team worked with CBS in order to incorporate some of the original sound effects from the show. The storyline is meant to evoke a specific episode, though Google engineer Doug Simpkinson is quick to note that "of course, we are not 100% faithful to the plot."
Readers, beam yourselves up and check it out.
See photos of: Google doodle 


SOURCE : USATODAY