Comcast is getting ready to launch its On-demand Online service. During the NewTeeVee Live conference, Interactive Media president Amy Banse announced that the service will launch before Hanukkah, which begins December 11th. Banse also stated that the company wants users to be able to access the content on multiple devices, noting "We think they should be able to access or consume it where they want and where they want it."
The Associated Press is looking to make a deal with Google that could highlight the AP's content. The pay for placement deal has the AP trying to get Google to create a "news registry" section. The company hopes that a deal with Google will help increase the estimated 12% of its content that is paid for on the web.
A new tablet from Innovative Converged Devices will run on Google's new Android 2.0 operating system. Dubbed Vega, the new tablet will come in three sizes (7", 11" and 15") and will offer both 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity. Expected to hit stores in Spring 2010, the Vega will reportedly be affordable, and will offer "low cost" data plans from carriers around the world.
Spotify, the popular streaming music service, has delayed its plan to open its business in the US. The service, which is popular in Europe, recently opened an office in the US and was reportedly set to bring free, ad-supported streaming music to US residents soon. The company, which says "US music labels want to get there and are very excited about Spotify," blames the delay on having to sign up "thousands of publishers." Spotify hopes to open its service in early 2010.
Shelly Palmer is a consultant and the host of MediaBytes with Shelly Palmer a daily show featuring news you can use about technology, media & entertainment. He is Managing Director of Advanced Media Ventures Group LLC and the author of Television Disrupted: The Transition from Network to Networked TV. Shelly is also President of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. You can join the MediaBytes mailing list here. Shelly can be reached at shelly@palmer.net For information about Get Digital Classes, visit www.shellypalmer.com/seminars