LocationFree Television In Tokyo 61
Jonny Marx writes "A hands-on review from Tokyo suggests that LoctionFree Television works at long last. There are also photos of it in action, streaming pre-recorded TV over the net to a mobile PSP." From the article: "Sony's previous LocationFree TV products required the use of a dedicated portable terminal -- essentially a portable LCD TV with Wi-Fi connection -- that not only added to the cost of the system but could also be a hassle to carry around, especially for people who already travel with a laptop PC. Recognizing this, or perhaps responding to competition from two U.S. start-ups offering similar products, the latest iteration of the technology, the LF-PK1, isn't so fussy and will stream to laptop PCs running Sony's LocationFree Player or to a PlayStation Portable (PSP) running firmware version 2.5 (a free upgrade to this version is available via the PSP's network update function)."
A window into my living room? (Score:4, Insightful)
It's a portable window into TV. I'm not quite sure that I understand the point and it seems like an awful waste of money and bandwidth. Why not just prerecord the content and then move it to the device and watch it? Is live TV that big of a deal?
BTW -- you have to upgrade the firmware on the PSP to use this... I wonder why that is
Part of the firmware update war (Score:2, Insightful)
To me, that is funny. The endless waltz of people releasing useful software for them(emulators), and then Sony does an upate soon after, with an incentive like a browser, wireless tv, etc.
Maybe I'll get a PSP when the dust settles.
Re:Truly revolutionary. (Score:3, Insightful)
Well, that depends.
I don't think this is the start of a new era yet. I think that will come when content providers start skipping traditional media distribution channels (movie theaters and television networks) and distributing content directly to the consumers via the Internet. All this device does is extend the reach of traditional media distribution channels.
Frankly, I see this device as merely another tool that companies like Sony can use to try to control and observe where, when, and how consumers can watch content that they and their cohorts provide. I know, it sounds cynical, but this is Sony we're talking about here. You know, the same folks that thought installing a rootkit on your computer is okay because most people don't know what it is?
I share your enthusiam an excitement for the revolution. I just don't think this is it. Yet. Godwilling, it will happen before all innovation is completely outlawed, and it will happen quickly so that we can all enjoy it for a little while before the creator(s) get sued into submission.
Not a Windows problem (Score:1, Insightful)
No, don't you dare to try to shift the blame for the Sony rootkit fiasco on Microsoft. Sony isn't some fly-by-night hacker hoping that we'll run their trojan and make them famous for their hacker skills.
Sony is supposed to be a reputable company, one that doesn't hack its customers' computers or open up security holes to punish the customer for paying good money to the company to listen to the new Van Zant song. (Or the old Neil Diamond one...)
Most people take some basic precautions to protect their computer from software they don't trust. They use antivirus software, anti-spyware software, use broadband routers to prevent direct access to their machine, etc. Most have learned not to give Nigerians their bank account numbers. Most have learned not to click on e-mails with strange-looking URLs asking them for their PayPal passwords. 99.999% of the time, taking these sensible precautions is more than enough for Windows users to work without incident.
Now, thanks to Sony, it not enough any more. Now they have to be wary of the people we are supposed to trust. Now these formerly reputable companies are using the same tactics as petty common criminals with similar goals: to prevent you from using a piece of equipment you own for your own enjoyment and possibly even to spy on what you are doing with that equipment.
No, Microsoft didn't sneak into my house one night and install Windows on my computer without me knowing. When you pop a Windows disc in the CD drive of your Linux system, it doesn't try to sneak itself on your hard drive and then hide itself so that you don't know it's there and keep your Linux applications from working.
Of the things that Microsoft is guilty of, this is most defintely not one. In my mind, there's no comparison. While Microsoft can be ignorant, this was outright malicious. It was a kick in the face and anyone who buys a Sony anything after this is an idiot for helping to support a company that has demonstrated such willful contempt towards its customers.
The parent didn't say he was infected. Hopefully, he has autoplay turned off (another of those sensible measures to take). What he said was that he doesn't trust Sony. I don't blame him, and I don't either.