Sony and Panasonic are rumoured to be joining forces for a new OLED TV venture, looking to share resources in order to cut consumer costs for the must-have latest technology in home entertainment.

Nikkei reports that the two tech giants will aim to pool together their teams in order to mass produce the new sets, looking to undercut the pricey televisions rocking the same technology due soon from Samsung and LG. Both LG and Samsung have 55-inch OLED TVs waiting in the wings since CES 2012, expected to retail at around the £5,000 mark.

Despite being the first company to show off an OLED TV (an 11-inch offering back at CES 2008), continued losses from Sony's Bravia TV arm mean that the firm are in a dire financial position, and would have the means for a far greater stab at the new OLED Tv amrket if a partner came onboard.

LG and Samsung may have the head-start here, but a partnership between Sony and Panasonic could offer consumers cost-cutting sets to turn heads.

Via: Bloomberg

Apple is said to be in talks with high-end German television manufacturer Loewe over a possible buyout. The rumour follows continued suggestion that Apple are looking to enter into to make further steps in the home entertainment market with a flastscreen TV of their own.

Premium TV brand Loewe (who also build components and home entertainment systems) are now thought to be mulling over a deal worth £69 million ($112m) from Apple, an offer worth slightly more than the company's closing share price last Friday.

According to the source of the story, Loewe "has been advised by its financial advisor to accept the offer and a final decision is scheduled to be announced internally before 18 May 2012."

Were the deal to be finalised, it would all-but-confirm Apple's plans to enter the TV market. At £69 million, Loewe would be a bit of a steal and merely pocket money when compared to Apple's $100 billion cash reserves. The German company's keen eye for design would also compliment Apple's own designs well, as would both brands' premium pricing strategies.

Recently, Cult of Mac sources claimed to have seen a prototype Apple iTV, complete with Siri voice control, FaceTime video chat and gesture based navigation features. Also, Foxconn boss Terry Gou also seemed to confirm that his manufacturing plant was gearing up to start production on Apple's rumoured HDTV.

Via: Apple Insider

Terry Gou, head of the Foxconn factory where the majority of Apple's consumer tech products are manufactured, has apparently confirmed the existence of the Apple iTV HDTV. Not only that, but he's claimed his factory are preparing to put the screens together.

According to China Daily, Gou stated that his company was "making preparations for iTV", and that the partnership with Sharp for a new Japanese factory in Japan was in order to get his resources up to scratch in time for the start of the production process. Sharp's IGZO panels, which allow for excellent brightness and power efficiency levels, are expected to feature.

Recently, Cult of Mac sources claimed to have seen a prototype Apple iTV, complete with Siri voice control, FaceTime video chat and gesture based navigation features.

An optimistic Q4 release window is now being suggested.

Via: SlashGear

Samsung in partnership with Nuance have beaten any Apple Siri-packing iTV to the punch by announcing that their 2012 premium range of web-connected Smart TVs will feature voice control.

First teased by Nuance back at CES 2012 in January, the speech-recognition specialists will be popping their Dragon voice control technology into Sammy's screens, letting users speak to change channels, search for content on the Web, access Samsung's Smart Hub, and connect with friends and family via Skype.

A TV in stadby can even be woken up by saying "Hi TV, power on."

"The power and simplicity of voice integration as part of a TV interface is clear the moment you sit back and speak to your TV," said Michael Thompson, senior vice president and general manager, Nuance Mobile.

"Working together, Nuance and Samsung are demonstrating how voice truly transforms the digital living room experience."

Here's hoping it's better than the Xbox 360 and Kinect's attempt at voice control. For every time that works, there's a hundred other fails that make me yearn for a shoe to throw at the sensor. Or a remote control at the very least.

For more on Samsung's 2012 Smart TV range, click here.

Apple iTV, where art thou? In this world of iPhone 5, iPad Mini and MacBook rumours, it's sometimes easy to forget about Apple's oft-rumoured entry into the home cinema market. But a new report into the possible feature list of the Apple iTV suggests there is still much to be excited about.

Cult of Mac are reporting that one of their sources has seen the mythic HDTV, stating that it looks much like an oversized Apple Cinema Display.

Though no mention of iOS software is made (nor specific technical specifications) the source did state that an iSight camera is built into the bezel, paired with face tracking technology that can zoom in on a caller's head and make video conferencing from the comfort of an arm chair a piece of cake.

If the leak is accurate, Apple iTV owners may be able to do away with remote controls too, as Siri voice control could make navigating the channels and searching for iTunes content as simple as calling commands to the television.

As for sizes, Foxconn, who would likely be the manufacturers, have the ability to build displays up to 60-inches in size after investing $1.6 billion in Sharp's TV unit. With tentative rumoured release windows of 2013, it may be time to start saving up for what we'd expect to be a very different, very expensive new line of televisions.

Via: Cult Of Mac

Sony have confirmed rumours of major restructuring plans that will see 10,000 jobs lost and TV production slow 40%.

The news of job cuts was leaked last week, and now Sony CEO Kaz Hirai has confirmed that downsizing plans are in place, vowing that "Sony will change".

It's been a rough time for Sony of late, with a strong yen putting pressure on their exports, especially when compared to the growing Korean market. It's lead to a forecast from Sony of losses of around $4 billion for 2011, meaning that the 6% cut in their global work force was somewhat inevitable.

Sony will now shift focus onto gaming, mobile and digital imaging sectors. In terms of gaming, more emphasis will be put on downloadable titles through the Sony Entertainment Network, while in the mobile sector Sony will "launch new mobile products and establish new business models". Though they were less precise on their plans for digital imaging, it appear Sony may be looking to expand their reach into the medical sector.

Sony will still look to innovate in the TV market though, with the intention to advance the development and commercialization of next-generation display technologies such as OLED and Crystal LED Display", as well as looking to expand its 4K offerings.

Samsung are expanding their Smart TV hub by adding a new app from independent cinema chain Curzon Cinemas. Curzon on Demand will bring curated independent and art house films to the connected TV platform, streaming in HD straight to the living room.

Though Curzon on Demand has some well-established rivals in the VOD space (namely LoveFilm and Netflix) it has a superb standout feature that sets it apart from the competition; same day releases for movies just hitting cinemas.

Using the example of Aki Kaurismaki's Le Havre, which hits Curzon cinemas this Friday, Curzon CEO Philip Knatchbull described how users will be able to sit in the comfort of their "home cinemas" and stream new releases just as they hit the silver screen.

"I'm not going to be the friend of the multiplex cinema, as what I'm advocating is a complete paradigm shift in terms of how our customers are able to enjoy film," explained Knatchbull.

"it won't happen overnight and it'll start slowly, but over the next four or five years I hope more and of what we show will be available simultaneously in our public cinemas and our home cinemas."

It's an exciting shift for VOD, and Curzon are in a perfect position to lead the charge. As an independent film distributor as well as cinema venue, they're able to easily negotiate same day VOD releases for the films they're closely linked to, and maintain strong relations with other key independent distributors as one of the few chains to champion art house cinema.

Keep in mind that Curzon, as one of the only art-house cinema chains, only have 9 cinemas (the majority of which are in London), and it's quite easy to spot an audience not being catered for up and down the country. In this respect, independent distributors could exponentially increase their films' exposure (and revenues) by launching same day on Curzon on Demand.

In terms of pricing, brand new releases (though currently set at an introductory £6 price) will pretty much match cinema ticket prices at £10, while classic and older titles will also be available from as little as £2. Films, once paid for, are then available to be watched as many times as a viewer wants across a 7-day period. Curzon Cinema members will also benefit from discount prices on the VOD service.

Curzon aim to have 300 movies at any one time on the service, being rotated and updated as new releases become available. While this doesn't match the 1,000s available through Netflix and LoveFilm, it's a quality-over-quantity approach, with attention paid to European auteurs like Wim Wenders and Jean-Luc Godard and foreign language films that would struggle to get a look in elsewhere.

Samsung Smart TVs aren't the only potential home for the Curzon on Demand app either; having already been available for nearly a year in a beta form on computers and laptops, and hitting iOS devices such as the iPad and iPhone today, the Capablue-built app can easily migrate to other platforms. The Xbox 360, Virgin Tivo box and Apple TV were all mentioned as possible future targets for Curzon.

For more information, visit www.curzonondemand.com .

Philips Lifestyle will no longer make televisions, an announcement from the Dutch electronics giant has today revealed. After 87 years of dipping in and out of the TV market, the company are finally calling it a day, handing over duties to Hong Kong-based-company TPV Technology.

A joint venture between the two companies (which sees Philips retain 30% of its TV business) they have formed TP Vision. Though the sets made under the TP Vision banner will be manufactured by TPV Technology, they will in fact retain Philips branding.

"TP Vision will continue to bring the high level of innovation consumers expect from a Philips TV," said new CEO of TP Vision, Maarten de Vries.

"Our recently launched 2012 series have everything to enjoy the world of digital content delivered via broadcasting and the Web. We believe in creating products that touch the human senses and are within reach of all consumers in the markets we operate in."

Proprietary Philips technologies including Ambilight and their impressive 21:9 offerings will also make the jump over to TP Vision, as well as Philips TV staff.

The deal however does not cover the design, manufacturing, distribution, marketing or sales of Philips' televisions in China, United States, Canada, Mexico, India and select South American territories.

With Apple already releasing the 2012 Apple TV model this year, it seems as though one home cinema gadget a year is good for the Cupertino tech firm, as the latest rumour now tips their Apple iTV iOS HDTV for a 2013 release.

Foxconn, Apple's main manufacturing subcontractors, have been helping Sharp Electronics out of some financial difficulties, in a deal that looks set to have the two companies share resources. With Sharp's superb display heritage (including supplying screens for the iPad) and Foxconn's position as the main Apple manufacturer, it seems the new deal is a precurssor to a future iTV product run.

For once, the rumour mill also has a learned voice tending the flames: ex-Apple old guard Steve Wozniak himself is putting money on an Apple iTV launching in the near future. Speaking to USA today, he said that:

"I do expect Apple to make an attempt [to move into the TV set business], since I expect the living room to remain a center for family entertainment, and that touches on all areas of consumer products that Apple is already making."

The Apple TV was always shrugged off by Steve Jobs as merely a "hobby" project. Could an iTV have been his real passion?

As ever, we'll pass on concrete details when and if they ever arrive.

LG's fancy 55-inch OLED sets are lining themselves up for a red carpet launch at the Cannes film festival in May, according to new reports.

LG's 55-inch 55EM9600, first revealed at CES 2012 back in January was first expected to launch in July to coincide with the London 2012 Olympics. However, with LG eager to get their display out into stores before rivals, the decision was made to push for an earlier release date and to bump the speed of production up significantly.

A beauty of a screen, the 55EM9600 is only 4mm thick and weighs just 7.5kg thanks to a WOLED-CF design on an Oxide-TFT backplane.

Expected to retail at around 9 million Won - or about £4,950 - LG will gauge interest in their first OLED offering until July before deciding whether or not to make further investment in OLED technology.

Via: OLED Info/ The OLED Association

Sky Anytime+, the broadcaster's video-on-demand offering that opens up a massive catalogue of shows and movies to be streamed whenever a viewer chooses, is now available to users connecting to the internet over a far broader range of ISPs.

Initially, Sky Anytime+ was only available to Sky subscribers who also chose Sky Broadband as their internet service provider, but now more than 5 million homes will be able to enjoy the service, regardless of their provider.

"It's great to be able to bring our on demand service Sky Anytime+ to even more customers, helping them to get more out of their Sky subscription," said Luke Bradley-Jones, Sky's Director of TV Products.

"We already know how popular Sky Anytime+ is and how the flexibility of the service gives customers more choice and control over how they watch an amazing range of content. We've seen strong demand for it to date which we hope to increase now that the service is available with any broadband provider."

For more info on how to access the service, head over to Sky's FAQ page.

Philips have just revealed their HMP2000 Smart TV add-on box, giving any TV with a HDMI port the ability to access web connected Smart TV content like YouTube and Netflix , the later of which can be accessed instantly through dedicated remote buttons.

Measuring just 90 x 50 x 100mm and sitting in a small wedge shape, it beats the Apple TV unit by offering 1080p video output where the Cupertino box only manages 720p.

Offering built-in Wi-Fi for streaming video, as well as content from a networked PC, there's also a USB port on the side if you'd rather plug a thumb drive full of videos directly into the box.

At just £49.99, it's looking a tidy little way to bring your ageing TV's features up to scratch.

Philips have revealed their 2012 Smart TV line-up, pushing web connected online content into screens as small as 19 inches.

Top of the range is the 7000 Series, available in 40, 46 and 55-inch sizes. The screens use active shutter 3D tech, have five HDMI ports, smart TV functionality, three USB ports, both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity and come complete with 20W speakers and two-sided Ambilight for a room-filling light show glow.

Next down the range is the 6000 Series, available in 32, 37, 42, 47 and 55 inch sizes. The 6000 Series uses passive 3D tech, has four HDMI ports, smart TV functionality, again three USB ports and 12W speakers.

Hitting the mid-range is the 4000 range. It drops the 3D tech, but keeps four HDMIs, three USBs, and Wi-Fi smart connectivity. Sizes range from 32, 37, 42 and 47 inches.

Lower again is the 3500 Series, the cheapest of the batch to house Smart TV functionality. Sizes range from 19 inches to 42 inches. 720p and 1080p variants are available, but you'll need an optional Wi-Fi adapter for wire-free web access on the telly.

If web connectivity and 3D tech aren't important to you, then check out the 3000 Series. Sizes go from 19 to 42 inches, with three HDMI ports and one USB.

All due in Q2 2012, pricing has yet to be announced.

ASDA are knocking £50 off a 40-inch Luxor HDTV this weekend, putting it at just £249 and making it the cheapest full HD screen of it's size currently onsale, brand new, in the UK.

The set in question is a Luxor LUX-40-914-TVB. It may not have the bells and whistles of a top-end Samsung or LG 3DTV, but has a respectable set of specs that include a full 1080p HD display, a built-in Freeview tuner with EPG, and a pair of both scart and HDMI sockets.

"We're delighted to be offering our customers this product at such a fantastic price," said Asda's resident technology expert Michael Arnott.

"This high definition TV can turn any living room into a quality home cinema. With the lowest cost on the market, this TV offers unbeatable value to our customers."

The deal doesn't go live until tomorrow instores nor online, but you can get a sneak peek at the model getting the price cut by clicking here.

LOVEFiLM have struck a deal with LG to provide their Smart TV platform with access to their movie streaming platform.

In a move to further bolster LOVEFiLM's position following the launch of rival Netflix in the UK, it's the first movie and TV subscription streaming service to hit LGs web-connected screens.

"We are very excited to add Amazon's LOVEFiLM to the already extensive range of content on LG's Smart TV platform," said Stacey Seltzer, head of LG Smart TV.

"LG's Smart TV provides a powerful new offering in home entertainment and we have invested significantly in this technology. Working with Amazon's LOVEFiLM is further proof of LG's commitment to providing customers with the best possible service."

LOVEFiLM recently announced that they would be dropping the price of their unlimited streaming service, LOVEFiLM Instant, to £4.99 a month, as well as inking new streaming deals with Disney's ABC, ITV and BBC Worldwide.

Launching in April, LG screens compatible with the new LOVEFiLM app include:

. LW980T (47"/55")
. LW650T (42"/47"/55")
. LW550T (42"/47"/55")
. LV550T (32"/37"/42"/47")
. PZ950T (50"/60")
. PZ570T (50"/60")

Following their announcement at CES 2012, Nuance have revealed LG as the first manufacturing partner for Dragon voice-controlled TVs, beating any Apple Siri controlled potential alternative to the punch by a wide margin.

Nuance of course lay down the backbone technology for the Siri functionality, but that wont make the blow any easier for Apple to swallow we'd imagine.

Hitting LG's Smart TV Cinema 3D range, the company's Magic Remote now has voice-recognition tech built in, allowing viewers to simply state the sort of content they are searching for before the web-based system presents it.

In other words, saying "Angry Birds" would fire up the TV's Rovio gaming app, while "Lady Gaga" would hunt down the Paparazzi star's music videos. It'll also make text-entry far easier with speech-to-text, great for those who regularly use social networks like Twitter or Facebook on their TVs.

"TV manufacturers like LG have rapidly innovated their TVs and media content capabilities, but the traditional remotes and television guides have fallen behind - that's where voice comes in," said Michael Thompson, senior vice president and general manager, Nuance Mobile.

"Nuance's Dragon TV portfolio brings entertainment and media front and center with the ability to simply speak to find almost anything that is on TV or On-Demand."

The first Dragon-compatible LG Magic Remote will launch in early Q1 2012. Which, come to think about it, would be any time now!

We went eyes-on with Panasonic's impressive new plasma screen range at CES 2012, and came away gobsmacked by the quality of the VT50 series.

Two different models will be headed to shops; the 55-inch P55VT50 and the 65-inch P65VT50.

Designed using a single sheet of glass and ultra thin bezel, the screens manage great black levels through the company's "infinite black ultra panel" design.

THX certified, the 3DTVs can also convert 2D images for added depth, as well as smoothing 24p 3D using Panasonic's new "3D 24p cinema smoother".

24,576 steps of gradation let colour reproduction shine naturally, gently weaving subtle colour shade changes into pictures, a notable addition considering the problems older plasma panels have with this issue.

Scroll up for our eyes-on preview video.

For more news from CES 2012, click here.

Grabbing plenty of headlines at CES 2012 is LG's astonishingly thin 55-inch EM960V OLED TV, a lush screen that some AV enthusiasts are daring to call the best TV ever.

Offering superb viewing angles and flicker/cross-talk free 3D viewing, the EM960V looks as pretty as a picture. It'll also come packing a new Magic Remote model, with gesture and voice controls, as well as built-in Wi-Fi for Smart TV features and a Freeview HD tuner.

Due out in the second half of the year, start saving the pennies now: you're going to need a lot of them to get one of these beauties in your house.

Scroll up for our eyes-on demonstration video.

For more news from CES 2012, click here.

A lot has been made of ultra-definition TVs and OLED TVs at this year's CES, but the technologies on show are respectively either a) too young to have the content to back them up in the case of UDTVs, or b) too expensive for the average consumer when it comes to OLEDs. The stalwart plasma screen will therefore be the sort of high-end set your looking for were you to be going down to your local AV emporium in the next few weeks, and Panasonic's newly revealed VT50 series are the screens you should be hunting down.

Two models will be hitting stores; the 55-inch P55VT50 and the 65-inch P65VT50.

Neatly designed using a single sheet of glass and thin bezel, the screens offer great black levels through the company's "infinite black ultra panel" design.

24,576 steps of gradation let colour reproduction shine naturally, gently weaving subtle colour shade changes into pictures, a notably addition considering the problems older plasma panels have with this issue.

THX certified, the 3DTVs can also convert 2D images for added depth, as well as smoothing 24p 3D using Panasonic's new "3D 24p cinema smoother".

Sonically, the screen should be a step above other flat panels thanks to 8-train speakers being built in. Combined with a 2mm thick subwoofer on the rear, the screens should deliver a far more well-rounded audio performance than similarly slim TVs would.

Lastly, a "touch pad controller" is specifically designed for navigating the screen's Smart TV web-connected features, and even includes shortcut buttons for Skype calling and Netflix streaming.

We'll pass on pricing and availability details as we're given them.

For more news from CES 2012, click here.

Sony's 2012 Bravia line-up made its debut at CES 2012 this week, with the company showing off four new sets packing X-Reality and X-Reality PRO technology for stunning 2D and 3D visuals.

Top of the range is the HX853 model. Alongside X-Reality Pro, it boasts Motionflow XR800Hz, Dynamic Edge LED with Local Dimming and active 3D technology. Wi-Fi is built in for Smart TV access to apps, while a sheet of Gorilla Glass allows for a near edge-to-edge finish and added protection.

Next up is the HX753. It's similar to the HX853 but gets X-Reality instead of the X-Reality Pro tech and Motionflow XR400HZ instead of the 800Hz offering.

Both the HX753 and HX853 come in 55, 46 and 40 inches models, while the HX753 also comes in a 36-inch size.

For full HD on a budget, turn your attention to the EX653 models, bringing X-Reality, Motionflow XR100Hz, Freeview HD and Built-in Wi-Fi to the table. If you're not too fussed about HD visuals, then the HD-ready slim-bodied EX553 is for you.

No pricing details available yet, but we'll pass them on as they trickle in.

For more news from CES 2012, click here.