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YouTube pulls a Hulu -- yanking API access from Popcorn Hour (Update: Google responds) {Engadget}
Nov 20th 2009 1:47PM The fact that you can pay Google for the right to build a YouTube app targeted for television screens leads me to believe that this move isn't about stopping people from viewing YouTube on TV, but rather figuring out a way to monetize that activity.
Anyone with a functioning pair of eyes will have noticed a drastic upswing in the number of ads appearing on YouTube these days... preroll, postroll and lower-third ads. These ads are not shown on API-based YouTube apps.
In addition, if you're viewing YouTube on a television, chances are much better that you are viewing long-form, professionally-produced content such as movies and TV shows, whereas if you're viewing YouTube on a PC or mobile device, you're more likely to be viewing shortform content.
When you've got a segment of the audience who views long-form content (higher bandwidth requirements) but sees no ads (no revenue) there has to be some way to monetize that, otherwise it makes no sense. Rather than block the content entirely when watched on a television, Google has opted to charge app developers.
Makes sense to me.
HDMI logos updated: version numbers out, supported features in {Engadget HD}
Nov 19th 2009 12:52PM For the life of me, I will never understand the thought process that goes through a marketer's mind when he/she decides to come up with a scheme like this.
To my eye, three of those logos should be stricken. Eliminate "Standard", "Standard w/ Ethernet" and "High Speed". Just don't certify those cables. Then all you have left are "HDMI High-Speed w/ Ethernet" and "HDMI Standard Automotive"... which could easily be renamed "HDMI" and "Mobile HDMI". Easy and straightforward.
Poll: How important is surround sound to you? {Engadget HD}
Nov 16th 2009 5:27PM Well said.
Poll: How important is surround sound to you? {Engadget HD}
Nov 16th 2009 11:12AM While I'm nowhere near any sort of audiophile, I totally appreciate great surround audio and I feel it is vital to a good home theater experience. Do I have an expensive, audiophile-grade surround audio system? No, I have a cheapie HTIB. Even so, I find it so much better than relying on TV speakers, especially those in a flat-panel TV.
Motorola might be looking to sell set-top business, we've got $5 on it {Engadget HD}
Nov 12th 2009 7:13AM As bad as Motorola boxes are, Cisco boxes are much, much worse. If Motorola's exit paves the way for a more innovative company to enter this space, then I say bring it on.
Of course, that's unlikely to happen. :(
Rumor: Sony leaks screens of next PS3 firmware, Facebook integration {Joystiq}
Nov 11th 2009 2:28PM Facebook seems like an easy add, as well as Twitter. I wouldn't be surprised if Sony tries to one-up Microsoft by adding the ability to tweet directly from the XMB or within a game.
Spears & Munsil High Definition Benchmark Blu-ray mini-review {Engadget HD}
Nov 10th 2009 9:46PM It's only funny when it happens to someone else. Which, for me at least, it always will. Hehehe.
Sky Player on Xbox 360 receives first eyes-on analysis {Engadget}
Oct 27th 2009 8:22AM Color me jealous. Netflix is great, but it doesn't have live TV.
Toshiba's BDX2000 Blu-ray deck hits Best Buy for $199, sour grapes also on sale {Engadget}
Oct 27th 2009 1:17AM Are we going to get a review of this unit any time soon?
And if we do, are we going to have to sit through a bunch of snarky Toshiba-aimed remarks as we read it?
Ask Engadget HD: How do you evaluate HDTVs in-store? {Engadget HD}
Oct 21st 2009 1:17PM I will also add that J&R in NYC (on Park Row opposite City Hall Park in Lower Manhattan) has a really great TV showroom with low lighting (except, bizarrely, the Panasonic section--yes, they have a dedicated Panasonic flat-panel section--has halogen spotlights pointed right at the TVs), so you can do a really good black-level evaluation there. I would recommend looking for a similar home-theater store in your area where you can evaluate PQ.
