tv

We wrote yesterday about the things to watch out for with the launch of Windows 8. One of those things was SmartGlass and Microsoft have now revealed more ahead of the launch. They have updated the Windows 8 apps and free streaming is now available for Xbox Music.

As part of a broader roll out of better entertainment services, SmartGlass aims to improve the ability to use tablets and smartphones to better control the experience with the Xbox 360.  The video goes on to show how internet sessions can be shared from Windows Phone 8 to the console, along with bouncing it back from the console to your tablet. It’s looking awesome, check out the video after the break.

You'll be able to tag TV shows with Shazam soon enough

The popular music tagging service Shazam has reached 250 million users and has unleashed the ability to tag TV shows as well. The added functionality will enable users to find out what music is playing, who's acting on-screen, and more. The service is available in app form for Windows Phone, but it's often overshadowed by Microsoft's own Bing Audio music tagging integration on the mobile platform, which offers identical functionality.

The Nokia Lumia 900 as seen on Elementary (CBS, 2012)

We haven’t had too many reports sent in from readers on Windows Phone TV sightings, so it’s refreshing to see one for the Lumia 900.

CBS is set to launch their new show called ‘Elementary’, which evidently is a modern US-based take on Sherlock Holmes. Starring Jonny Lee Miller as Holmes and Lucy Liu as Watson, the pilot airs on September 27^th though you can watch some clips online now (we haven’t checked Hulu yet).

Windows Phone 7.8 will share the same Start screen as Windows Phone 8 but little else

Although Windows Phone 7.8 is months from release, speculation as to what the update may or may not contain has been a hot topic for current Windows Phone users (see our editorial on the subject here).

The site WP7Forum.ru have a mixed reputation when coming to leaks and rumors, so like anything we should take this latest release with a grain of salt.

The data itself contains the supposed feature set of Windows Phone 7.8 and it is what many of us have come to expect—mostly the same with a few new apps. For instance, Skype is still “only an app” so no new system wide integration should be expected. That’s a technical issue and we’re 99% sure the new NT kernel is needed for those advanced VOIP features to keep it “on” all the time without killing your battery.

For the browser, IE9 will remain on Windows Phone 7.8 while WP8 of course gets the shiny new IE10.  Everything else, as far as we can tell, stays the same for Windows Phone 7.8 users if this list is to be believed. Interestingly, users can expect DataSmart to come to Windows Phone 7.8 as an app. DataSmart is Microsoft's answer for keeping track of your data so as to not go over your allocated plan.

Rumored feature set of Windows Phone 7.8 vs Windows Phone 8

Of curious note, Bing Audio is evidently getting TV support on Windows Phone 8. What does that mean? It sounds a lot like Microsoft has a native solution to IntoNow.

The service IntoNow is a lot like Shazam or SoundHound, it takes an audio sample and IDs the content but instead of music, IntoNow works for TV shows. It then allows you to share that info via social networks so the world knows exactly what you're watching. So far, we have nothing similar on Windows Phone as IntoNow is a small startup and WP is not on their radar. If this info is accurate, it looks like Microsoft may have built this into Windows Phone directly. That’s pretty great of consumers who don’t want to sign up for “yet another service”.

Even though this info may be accurate, due to its source we’ll still treat it as rumor until Microsoft tells us otherwise.

Update: See our in-depth follow up article to the Bing Audio + TV feature

Source: WP7Forum.ru; via WMPU

We last covered a Windows Phone version of the BBC iPlayer back in August last year, where we brought the unfortunate news that the corporation was waiting for the platform to support Flash before they'd attempt to bring the on-demand service to Windows Phone owners. Nokia has now informed The Inquirer that the BBC iPlayer will be coming to Lumia owners in the coming weeks.

Now, first question that springs to mind is how has the team at the BBC got round the no-Flash capability? Second, how long is the exclusivity going to be (if at all) with Lumia handsets? Nokia has been busy building relations with developers and companies to bring across apps to the platform and improve the selection of big brand names available. It would make sense for an iPlayer solution to be made available to all Windows Phone consumers, especially since Microsoft has also managed to get the service live on the Xbox.

That's the good news, and we'll look to update you all with more information on dates of availability, as well as any details on a potential Lumia exclusivity. The bad news in this article, and from the Nokia source, is that a Sky Go app is not looking likely for another few months. The service is a popular add-on for Sky customers and will prove to be an issue until a solution is available for Windows Phone with apps already in the iOS and Android app markets. Unfortunately, no details were revealed for 4OD, ITV Player and 5 on Demand.

Source: The Inquirer

According to WP7Forum.ru, Nokia is set to launch a new app for television show fans. Nokia TV will be released in Finland with three channels: YLE, MTV3 and Nelopen. The app will enable Lumia handset owners to watch TV programmes via WiFi (or data connection) by searching, browsing and streaming episodes straight to their device.

Some notable features of Nokia TV:

• View TV shows provided by local networks.
• Videos can be downloaded to the device (presumably for offline usage).
• Does not use technology for mobile TV (DVB-H).
• Search for content / programmes within the application.

According to the WP7Forum.ru report, no information is yet available with regards to what countries will be receiving the app (and when) but it's safe to say that Nokia will be localizing the app for various Territories. Adding to the OEM collection, which already includes Nokia Maps, Nokia Drive and Nokia Music, it's looking pretty bright for the Lumia Windows Phone future.

Source: WP7Forum.ru; thank you very much @AngelWZR for the tip! 

AndroidCentral's Phil Nickinson feels the burn

What we thought may be a one-off contest has seemingly turned into a viral campaign by Microsoft. The "Smoked by Windows Phone" contest was started back in CES in January and has since gone to the road with tours and most recently showed up at Mobile World Congress in 2012 and Hong Kong.

Now Microsoft is looking to the expand the coverage and even pushing it to TV--that's right, soon we'll all be able to see Microsoft "picking a fight" with Android and iOS broadcast everywhere. In an interview with Bloomberg, Aaron Woodman, director of Windows Phone revealed as much:

“It doesn’t feel like we’re really pushing apart from the competition,” Woodman said. “We need to go pick a fight.

We’ll do TV spots, the question is where. Microsoft is patient and willing to use deep pockets, but we’re also respectful of shareholder value so we want to pick appropriate countries and spend levels.”

Hopefully we won't be waiting too long as we think this is an effective strategy and would certainly like to see more.

Source: Bloomberg; Thanks, Stephen M., for the heads up

Fans of Prime TV, the app that lets you track your favorite programs as well as viewing show info, will be pleased with version 2.0 which just hit the Marketplace. First up is the fact that it is now Mango-compatible, bringing many new features. On top of that, certain aspects of it have been redesigned for a more streamlined experience:

• Live Tile with back flip and background update
• Option to pin your favorite show as tile
• Show reminder system with selectable time
• Option to browse all shows airing that day
• New calendar view
• More customizations (group, sort and filter)
• More shortcuts to mark episodes, sync and delete shows
• New navigation system for browser through episodes
• New upgrade system to upgrade from previous version
• New streamlined organizer to manage your episodes and shows
• Other Mango goodies such as fast app switching, background update and so much more

The app fetches for a fair $0.99 with a free trial. The new Live Tiles and fast app switching are certainly welcomed and the app is a nice addition if you need show reminders, or just want to see what this week's episode is about. See our full review of Prime TV here as well as a "showdown" with the just-as-excellent TV Show. 

Pick up Prime TV v2.0 here in the Marketplace. Thanks, Morten and Argenys, for the tips!

Well, we asked and you answered. After documenting the HTC HD7S on NCIS: LA, you folks let us know in droves that last night on Psych, the Samsung Focus made an appearance.

Sure enough, we got the clip for you and it's actually pretty hilarious. It's still not as cool as the Hawaii FIVE-0 spot, but good to see the ol' Focus getting some screen time. Check out our collection of TV product placements here.

Thanks everyone who tipped us! Keep 'em coming...