A group of 47 IT and communications companies, trade associations and environmental groups urged the Obama administration Monday to craft policies to ensure that households and businesses have access to “timely, useful and actionable information on energy use.” Giving people the ability to monitor and manage their energy use through computers, phones or other devices, would “unleash the forces of innovation in homes and business,” and help “power millions of people to reduce greenhouse gas emission,” saving consumers billions of dollars, the group said in a letter to President Obama.
Verizon’s FiOS set-tops will be 3D-ready, and the telco plans to offer service through its fiber network later this year. But getting 3D programming from competitors that develop and distribute content remains an issue, Verizon said, saying “integrated operators should not withhold programming options from the marketplace."
Monster is suing Sakar International for patent infringement as it cracks down on what it claims are “knock offs” of the Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones.
Canada wants energy labeling for TVs that gives information about energy costs and use. Natural Resources Canada proposed EnerGuide labeling regulations that would require TVs imported into the country or “shipped inter-provincially” to carry the labels. The move follows EnergyGuide labels for TVs being weighed by the Federal Trade Commission. NRCan is proposing that labels be mandatory for TVs made after June 30, 2011.
Sharp will start production of 3.4-inch 3D LCDs in its fiscal first half that started April 1, but it’s unknown whether those displayswill be at the heart of Nintendo’s 3DS handheld game system. Sharp and Nintendo officials have declined to comment on our reports that Sharp will be supplying the displays for the 3DS handheld (CED March 31 p5).
Some analysts warned that Apple’s iPad may strain AT&T’s network, but a carrier spokesman said it’s ready. A Wi-Fi-only was to be released Saturday in all Apple stores and most Best Buy stores, to be followed next month by a version that can also use 3G. Meanwhile, media companies are rushing to deliver iPad applications.
Details emerged Friday on a laser-driven 100-inch 3D projection TV whose developer calls it more energy-efficient and potentially less costly than a flat-panel plasma display of the same size (CED April 2 p9). The laser projection system also features built-in realtime 2D to 3D conversion, maker HDI Ltd. said.
Micron Technology’s first solid-state drive (SSD) is on allocation for OEM customers, and the first products available sold out on the company’s Crucial.com retail website, Mark Adams, the company’s vice president of sales, said Wednesday on a quarterly earnings call.
The EPA moved quickly to tighten Energy Star qualification rules after the GAO in a probe managed to certify 15 bogus products, including a gas-powered alarm clock (GED March 29 p1). The GAO said its investigation showed that Energy Star was vulnerable to fraud and abuse.
LONDON -- The rapid rate of progress in 3D technology was evident at Panasonic’s rollout for the U.K. Wednesday. That event also was attended by broadcaster BSkyB, whose satellite 3D service begins Saturday with live soccer coverage.