— The Smart TV Alliance added five new members and an updated SDK at CES this week, with Panasonic, ABOX42, TechniSat, IBM and Specific Media joining the club; founding members include LG Electronics, TP Vision (Philips), Toshiba, YuMe, Obigo and Qualcomm. The SDK’s features include richer apps due to upgraded HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript specs; 3D video; MPEG-DASH support with more reliable audio and video quality, less stuttering and freezing; and better content choices, with updated digital rights management (DRM) features that reflect DRM requirements from content owners. In addition, app developers get a new common emulator that can test an app once to help ensure it will work with smart TVs.

— Remote-maker SMK Electronics Corporation teamed with CSR plc to unveil Bluetooth smart-enabled advanced remote controls at CES that incorporate CSR’s CSR1001 and CSR8510 A10 chip solutions (single- and dual-mode Bluetooth low-energy solutions optimized for human interface devices) and SMK’s Bluetooth smart-enabled remote controls. The devices are capable of pointing gesture recognition, low-latency voice command and device-to-remote “back channel” communications. Additionally, SMK says its smart-enabled remotes are six times more energy-efficient than models using earlier Bluetooth technology, with batteries lasting as long as four years.

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Tuesday–January 19

Prende TV Hopes to Score Niche Win

Univision announced its entrance into the streaming game last week, and chief digital officer Sameer Deen described Prende TV to the NATPE audience as a service that has been built from the ground up for the

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