Apple’s getting serious with this iTV stuff.  A recently published patent application reveals that Apple is developing technology using widgets that know what you are watching on TV and give you access to complementary content.

The present inventors recognized a limitation of existing widget technology as applied to TV environment in that conventional widgets, while often useful resources standing alone, nevertheless are unaware of the media content that the TV set was currently presenting. For example, such conventional TV widgets are unaware of what particular television program the user is presently watching on the TV. Accordingly, the present inventors envisioned and developed an enhanced TV widget paradigm in which widgets are capable of being content-aware and thus capable, among other things, of automatically (i.e., without intervening user input) providing the user with access to information or other resources that are complementary or otherwise relevant to the media content currently being presented by the TV set to the user.

You think we’re in information overload now.  Just wait until Apple gets a stronghold in our livingroom.

Check out the full patent application PDF and more images below.

Apple Enhancing Media Content with Content-Aware Resources Patent App.

Netflix and CBS just announced a two-year licensing deal for CBS’s library content to be made available on Netflix’s Instant Streaming.  The CBS titles will be added in April and include episodes of ”Medium” and “Flashpoint” as well as full seasons of classics such as “Frasier,” and “Cheers.”

Episodes from the original “Hawaii Five-0″ are included in the package, as are episodes from all generations of the definitive sci-fi series, “Star Trek,” and the cult favorite, “Twin Peaks.”  Installments of ’60s classics, “The Twilight Zone” and “The Andy Griffith Show,” will be available as well.

Full press release below.

CBS and Netflix Announce Two-Year Licensing Agreement For Library Content

NEW YORK and BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – February 22, 2011 — CBS Corporation [NYSE: CBS.A and CBS] and Netflix, Inc. [Nasdaq: NFLX] today announced a two-year, non-exclusive licensing agreement that will allow select TV shows from CBS’s library, including episodes of ”Medium” and “Flashpoint” as well as full seasons of classics such as “Frasier,” and “Cheers,” to be streamed instantly from Netflix. CBS retains an option to extend the agreement for up to two additional years.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Beginning in early April, dozens of hit shows from CBS will join the extensive library of television shows and movies available to watch instantly from Netflix for only $7.99 a month.

Content covered under the new deal includes the long-running drama, “Medium” and the summer season favorite, “Flashpoint.”  Also covered under the agreement are episodes from some of television’s most iconic franchises.  Full seasons of sitcom greats “Frasier,” “Family Ties” and “Cheers” will be streaming instantly from Netflix.  Episodes from the original “Hawaii Five-0″ are included in the package, as are episodes from all generations of the definitive sci-fi series, “Star Trek,” and the cult favorite, “Twin Peaks.”  Installments of ’60s classics, “The Twilight Zone” and “The Andy Griffith Show,” will be available as well.

“This deal recognizes the increasing value of our content in today’s marketplace,” said Scott Koondel, President of Distribution, CBS Television Distribution.  “More and more, people want to be able to access our programming on a wide variety of platforms.  We are very pleased that the titles offered through this deal will now also be made available to a whole new community through the terrific and convenient service that Netflix offers.  We will continue to pursue additional non-exclusive distribution partners that are additive to our overall business.”

“We are thrilled to be bringing CBS shows to Netflix and are looking forward to growing our relationship over time,” said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer for Netflix. ”Netflix is now the only online premium subscription service with shows featured on all four broadcast networks and dozens of cable TV’s biggest brands.”

About CBS Corporation

CBS Corporation is a mass media company with constituent parts that reach back to the beginnings of the broadcast industry, as well as newer businesses that operate on the leading edge of the media industry.  The Company, through its many and varied operations, combines broad reach with well-positioned local businesses, all of which provide it with an extensive distribution network by which it serves audiences and advertisers in all 50 states and key international markets.  It has operations in virtually every field of media and entertainment, including broadcast television (CBS and The CW – a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment), cable television (Showtime Networks, Smithsonian Networks and CBS College Sports Network), local television (CBS Television Stations), television production and syndication (CBS Television Studios, CBS Studios International and CBS Television Distribution), radio (CBS Radio), advertising on out-of-home media (CBS Outdoor), publishing (Simon & Schuster), interactive media (CBS Interactive), music (CBS Records), licensing and merchandising (CBS Consumer Products), video/DVD (CBS Home Entertainment), motion pictures (CBS Films) and sustainable media (EcoMedia). For more information, please visit www.cbscorporation.com.

About Netflix, Inc.

With more than 20 million members in the United States and Canada, Netflix, Inc. [Nasdaq: NFLX] is the world’s leading Internet subscription service for enjoying movies and TV shows.  For $7.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streaming over the Internet to PCs, Macs and TVs.  Among the large and expanding base of devices streaming from Netflix are Microsoft’s Xbox 360, Nintendo’s Wii and Sony’s PS3 consoles; an array of Blu-ray disc players, Internet-connected TVs, home theater systems, digital video recorders and Internet video players; Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, as well as Apple TV and Google TV.  In all, more than 200 devices that stream from Netflix are available in the U.S. and a growing number are available in Canada.  For more information, visit www.netflix.com.

Easier streaming will be coming our way soon with Netflix One-Click remotes.  Netflix dropped word that future remotes from most of the major brands will get a Netflix button for TVs, Blu-ray players and other devices that have built-in Netflix streaming capabilities.

More details in the press release below.

Netflix Press Release

LOS GATOS, Calif., Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) today announced that streaming from Netflix on TVs will soon be as easy as one click of a remote control as a number of the world’s leading consumer electronics companies have joined in a development effort to place Netflix-branded one-click buttons on remotes that operate Internet connected TVs, Blu-ray disc players and other devices that connect the Internet to the TV.

Beginning this Spring, buttons that specify “Netflix” – including some featuring the iconic red Netflix logo – are planned to be situated prominently on remote controls that operate certain new Blu-ray disc players from a variety of companies including Best Buy’s in-house Dynex brand, Haier, Memorex, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Toshiba.  Sharp, Sony, and Toshiba also will place the Netflix one-click button on remote controls for select new Internet-connected TVs.  Remote controls for the Boxee, Iomega and Roku set-top boxes also will feature the Netflix one-click remote.

“For members who want even more convenience when instantly watching TV shows and movies streaming from Netflix, the answer is about to be right in their hands,” said Netflix Chief Product Officer Neil Hunt.  ”No more turning on the TV, going to a home screen and searching for the Netflix icon.  With the Netflix one-click remote, it’s simply a matter of pushing the Netflix button to instantly watch any of the vast selection of TV shows and movies available to stream from Netflix.”

The Netflix one-click remote is the latest in a series of rapid technological advancements by Netflix to enable Netflix members to instantly watch TV shows and movies streamed by Netflix over the Internet.  Today there are more than 250 Netflix ready devices on the market.

Looking for an HDTV deal on Cyber Monday?

First, I would check the Cyber Monday Lightning Deals Page to see if you get lucky on one of the deals rolling out.  If you aren’t familiar with Amazon’s Lightning Deals, you’ll see regularly updated and expiring deals that are usually well below everyday prices and are only available in limited quantities, which means they sell out rather quickly on the good deals.

UPDATED:  Amazon’s Cyber Monday Gold Box Deal is a Vizio 47″ 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV for $599.99 while it lasts.

If you miss out on the Lightning Deals or you just don’t see the right deal, then consider the following Cyber Monday TV deals from Amazon and B&H Photo/Video.

Samsung 52″ 1080p LCD HDTV – $999 on Amazon / $999 on B&H

Sony 46″ 3D-Ready 1080p LCD HDTV w/ PlayStation 3 – $1699 on B&H

Vizio 42″ 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV – $550 on Amazon

LG 42″ 1080p LCD HDTV – $550 on Amazon

TCL 40″ 1080p LCD HDTV – $430 on Amazon

TCL 32″ 720p LCD HDTV – $280 on Amazon

Google just laid out some more details on the new Google TV that should arrive on Sony and Logitech devices later this month.  The biggest part of the news was what’s happening with some of Google’s content parters, which Google highlights in the 4 points below.

Turner Broadcasting has been hard at work optimizing some of their most popular websites for viewing on Google TV, including TBS, TNT, CNN, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, available anytime through Google TV.

NBC Universal has collaborated with Google TV to bring CNBC Real-Time, an application that allows you to track your favorite stocks and access news feeds while enjoying the best financial news from CNBC directly on the TV screen.

HBO will bring access to hundreds of hours of programming to Google TV with HBO GO. Authenticated subscribers will soon be able to access all of their favorite HBO content on-demand in an enhanced website for Google TV.

NBA has built NBA Game Time, an application that lets you follow game scores in real-time and catch up on the latest highlights from your favorite team in HD.

We also got confirmation on Netflix instant streaming and Amazon VOD service through Google TV devices.  Check out the short teaser video below for more on what the interface will look and work like.

On August 24, LOST drops in full HD glory on Blu-ray, although you standard-def types can still get a DVD version.  Tons of extra content, including bloopers and deleted scenes will be available in the set.

The Blu-ray set carries a retail price $280, while the DVD set goes for $230.

Amazon currently has much cheaper prices for both sets:

LOST: The Complete Collection (Blu-ray) – $195

LOST: The Complete Collection (DVD) – $149

More details on what’s in the set below.

LOST: The Complete Collection Press Release

BURBANK, CA, May 27, 2010 – Since its highly-anticipated premiere in September 2004, ABC’s LOST has revolutionized primetime television, bringing big-screen adventures home with a powerful story of survival. Attracting a massive fan following and huge critical acclaim, LOST has already become a pop culture phenomenon. Now, celebrating television’s most original and creative series, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment proudly debuts Lost: The Complete Sixth and Final Season and Lost: The Complete Collection – both on Blu-ray and DVD, August 24.

With the release of Lost: The Complete Sixth and Final Season, audiences can relive every episode in the landmark final season, as the fate of each character and answers to long-pondered mysteries from the previous seasons, are revealed. In addition, the Blu-ray and DVD releases contain hours of never-before seen bonus footage including deleted scenes; bloopers; an often emotional featurette where cast, crew, writers, producers and other Hollywood notables discuss ending the acclaimed series; a much-anticipated new chapter of the island’s story from Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse; and much more.

An epic box set for the ultimate LOST fan, Lost: The Complete Collection is a fantastic icon-clad, secret- laden, Blu-ray and DVD box set containing every episode, from all six seasons. Additionally, the elaborate release includes over 30 hours of bonus material (from every season), plus one full disc of bonus exclusive to the collection, containing a fascinating array of all-new behind-the-scenes featurettes; documentaries; and a series of unique tours of Oahu with many of the cast as they reflect anecdotes, experiences and emotions of working on the series and living on the island; and more (see page 3 for content descriptions).

“…TV’s most gripping serial.” – The Boston Globe

Lost follows the lives of crash survivors of Oceanic Airlines flight 815, on a mysterious and apparently supernatural tropical island. Their survival is continuously jeopardized by inexplicable entities, including a polar bear, an unseen monster that wanders the jungle and the island’s malicious occupants known as the “Others”. Forced to depend on each other to endure, the diverse group of survivors are bound by menacing secrets and complicated interrelationships, with the truth behind each character slowly revealed through the seasons. The series regularly stars Matthew Fox (Jack Shephard), Evangeline Lilly (Kate Austen), Josh Holloway (James ‘Sawyer” Ford), Naveen Andrews (Sayid Jarrah), Jorge Garcia (Hugo ‘Hurley’ Reyes), Terry O’Quinn (John Locke), Michael Emerson (Ben Linus), Daniel Dae Kim (Jin Kwon), Yunjin Kim (Sun Kwon), Nester Carbonell (Richard Alpert) and Emile de Ravin (Claire Littleton).

LOST: THE COMPLETE SIXTH AND FINAL SEASON – Contents

• Every Sixth Season Episode

• Bloopers and Deleted Scenes

• Audio Commentaries accompany four episodes (LA X, Dr. Linus, Ab Aeterno and Across The Sea)

• The End: Crafting A Final Season – Join the LOST team along with other producers of some of
television’s longest running shows as they examine the challenges of ending a landmark series.

• A Hero’s Journey – What makes a hero? Which survivors of Oceanic 815 are true heroes? These
questions and more are explored.

• See You In Another Life, Brotha – Unlocks the mysteries of this season’s intriguing flash sideways.

• ‘LOST on Location’ – Behind-the-scenes featurette showcasing stories from the set, including all-new
interviews with actors and crew.

• PLUS: A LOST Blu-ray & DVD exclusive – Go deeper into the world of LOST with a much-anticipated
new chapter of the island’s story from Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse.

DVD SRP: US – $59.99/Canada – $79.99
Blu-ray: US – $79.99/Canada – $94.99

LOST: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION – Contents

• Every Episode in the Series (Seasons 1 through 6)

• Over 30hrs of Season 1-6 Bonus materials (previously released materials from Season 1-5 and the all-new Season 6 bonus material)

• A unique series of featurettes that takes viewers on very personal tours of Oahu where the series was created, with key cast and crew as they reflect.

• Exploring the global phenomenon that is Lost, bonus showcases events ranging from the series cast and crew at San Diego’s famed Comic-Con convention to international voice recordings, local events and even fan parties, all of which helped make the show into a worldwide favorite.

• A closer look at some of the props with cast, writers and producers, exploring their significance, stories and emotional ties to the characters.

• Humorous yet emotional look at every character who died on the series

• 16 hilarious Lost “Slapdowns” featurettes showcasing celebrity Lost fans who confront Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse to ask press questions about the final season, including the Muppets and cast members Nestor Carbonell, Michael Emerson, Rebecca Mader and more.

The exciting collectible packaging also includes: a Special Edition collectible ‘Senet’ Game as seen in Season Six, a custom LOST island replica, an exclusive episode guide, a collectible Ankh, and a black light penlight.

DVD SRP: US – $229.99/Canada – $234.99
Blu-ray: US – $279.99/Canada – $319.99

A tipster supposedly revealed to Engadget that the next Apple TV will closely resemble the next iPhone hardware, minus the screen.  The new Apple TV will deliver content via a cloud-based storage solution, with the option to go local using Apple’s Time Capsule.  No word on whether Apps or the App Store will be available, but it seems like a nature fit.

If the $99 price point is to be believed, this could be a truly killer piece of hardware.  Although, given Apple’s control-freak mentality, there’s probably some scary subscription plans for cloud storage built in somewhere.

No word on when official announcement will come though.  With Google TV in the mix though, you can bet that Apple won’t be too far behind.

Every month, I begrudgingly pay an inflated bill for a satellite TV service that delivers somewhere around 200 channels to my TV, 192 of which I never watch.

I’ve watched Lost online most of this year, because I’m usually doing something on Tuesday nights.  I always watch Heroes on Netflix because I’m way behind.  And, I’m still in Season 4 of 24 (which was just recently added to Netflix Instant Streaming thank you very much).

I keep gravitating toward online viewing more than TV, but I haven’t been able to pull the plug just yet.

Hulu Plus may be another big step in that direction.  According to the LA Times, Hulu will be launching Hulu Plus as a subscription-based service May 24 for $9.95 per month.  We’ll still get our last 5 episodes, but “a more comprehensive selection” will make up Hulu Plus content.

While Hulu turned an operating profit of $100M in the past two quarters, that doesn’t quite cut it in TV land, so execs are pushing Hulu to collect some fees from all of us addicted to online content consumption.  Before I shell out $10 a month for Hulu though, it’s going to have to replace cable/satellite services.  And, to do that, it’s going to have to offer some pretty solid content.  I also have to make sure that I won’t miss a UT game on ESPN or ESPN2, otherwise it’s a deal breaker for me.

[via LA Times]

Mitsubishi’s 2010 line up of LED TVs is out.  They range from 40 to 55-inches and include a number of features to enhance the overall entertainment experience.  One of the killer new features is StreamTV, which gets your TV online for instant streaming apps like Vudu movies, Pandora radio, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter and more.  Bluetooth audio streaming lets you stream music from any Bluetooth A2DP device (e.g., iPod Touch, iPhone or Blackberry) to your TV.

More details below.

Mitsubishi Press Release

IRVINE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc. today unveiled the third generation of its one-of-a-kind Unisen^™ Immersive Sound LED TVs. The 2010 line is packed with significant, new features and supplants last year’s 52-inch models with a slim, impressive 55-inch screen size. Each new premium LED TV delivers the optimal blend of superior picture performance with unparalleled immersive sound technology, providing viewers with a complete sensory experience. Unisen will allow consumers to enjoy concert quality sound in their homes without the clutter of separate home theater components. The Unisen Immersive Sound LED TV 2010 line-up will feature screen sizes ranging from 40 to 55 inches.

“Our unique brand of Unisen Immersive Sound LED TVs fill a significant void in the marketplace, by providing consumers with an efficient, streamlined home entertainment experience,” said Max Wasinger, executive vice president of sales and marketing, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America. “Unisen continues to stand out in the endless sea of flat panel TVs, by uniting beautiful LED edge-lit imagery with fully integrated, multi-speaker immersive sound technology.”

Key features for 2010

• Edge-lit LED: This cutting-edge backlighting technology bends and diffuses light for a sharper, brighter image. An added bonus: The arrangement of the LEDs along the edge of the screen makes an ultra-thin profile possible. LED-lit TVs are also more energy efficient than conventional CCFL backlit LCD TVs.
• Immersive Sound Technology features 16 intelligent speakers that direct perfectly balanced audio waves beside and behind the user to reproduce 5.1 surround sound and create an unparalleled entertainment experience. Through the use of an advanced algorithm, the sound technology delays the sound beams and projects them independently from the 16 speakers at varying intervals, to create fully immersive surround sound.
• StreamTV^™ gives viewers instant access to an extensive library of high-quality entertainment and social media content. Grab your Unisen remote and choose from over 100 different streaming applications, including Vudu movies, Pandora, Flickr, Picasa, Facebook, Twitter, Associated Press, The New York Times and more.
• Integrated Wireless Internet allows for seamless connectivity to your wireless home network, to stream your favorite movies and music from the internet to your Unisen Immersive Sound LED TV.
• Bluetooth Audio Streaming lets you wirelessly stream audio from any Bluetooth^® A2DP device (such as an iTouch/iPhone or Blackberry) to your Unisen TV. Now you can listen to your favorite music through Unisen’s Immersive Sound Technology, and still take your playlist with you wherever you go.

All 154, 164 and Diamond 265 series Unisen Immersive Sound LED TV models for 2010 include Edge-Lit LED Backlight, Multi-Speaker Immersive Sound Technology with Variable Subwoofer Output and Center Channel Mode, StreamTV^™ Internet Media, new Thin Depth Design, True120Hz, Energy Star^™ 4.0 Qualified, Clear Contrast Panel, Plush 1080p^® 5G 12-bit Digital Video Processing, 6-Color Processor^™, 4 HDMI^™, Deep Color^™ and x.v.Color^™, Easy Connect^™, USB Media Input, and Detachable IEC Power Cord.

The MDEA 164 series is available in 40, 46 and new 55-inch screen sizes, and in addition to the features above, includes 16-Speaker Immersive Sound Technology, Built-in Wireless Internet, Bluetooth A2DP Audio Streaming, EdgeEnhance^™, DeepField Imager^™ and Advanced Video Calibration.

The MDEA Diamond 265 series is available in 46 and new 55-inch screen sizes. In addition to all features within the 154 and 164 series, each Diamond model includes 18-Speaker Immersive Sound Technology, True240Hz, new Thin Depth Design with Blue Light Accent, Plush1080p^® 5G 18-Bit Digital Video Processing, iPhone Remote Control App, Audio Calibration Microphone, Perfect Color^™, PerfectTint^™, ISFccc^® Advanced Video Adjustments, NetCommand, and Wired IR input.

“It’s true that, for 2010, we’re taking sound and picture quality to a higher level, but the core strength of the Unisen Immersive Sound LED TV line remains the same,” says Frank DeMartin, vice president of marketing, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America. “We’re giving consumers the television experience of an ultra high-end home theater system, seamlessly integrated into a sleek flat panel package you can only get from Mitsubishi.”

I had been somewhat underwhelmed by the iPad after it was finally revealed.  However, after Netfilx just launched a free app for the iPad that allows you to stream movies and TV shows for no additional tax on your Netflix account . . . well, I think the iPad just found its niche in my home.

Mind = officially blown.

The full skinny is in the press release below.

Netflix Press Release

LOS GATOS, Calif., April 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) today announced that a free Netflix App for iPad is available on the App Store, allowing Netflix members to instantly watch an unlimited number of TV episodes and movies streamed from Netflix to iPad. Streaming to iPad is at no additional cost to Netflix members on plans starting at just $8.99 a month.

“The innovation and consumer appeal of iPad make it a perfect device for instantly watching TV episodes and movies streamed from Netflix,” said Reed Hastings, Netflix co-founder and chief executive officer. “We are excited to make a Netflix App available to iPad users beginning with the iPad launch.”

The Netflix iPad App for iPad will deliver a high-quality viewing experience, a broad array of movie and TV choices and a clean, intuitive interface. TV episodes and movies are conveniently organized into a variety of categories based on members’ personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and members’ individual instant Queues. Members can choose a movie or TV episode from any of the lists and just tap the Multi-Touch screen to play instantly or save the title to their individual instant Queue for viewing later. Additionally, users have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream.

With 12.3 million U.S. subscribers at the end of 2009, Netflix is significantly expanding the ways in which its members can watch movies and TV episodes streamed directly to a range of devices such as the iPad. Netflix memberships starting as low as $8.99 a month allow members to instantly watch unlimited TV episodes and movies streamed to their TVs and computers and receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes.

The Netflix App for iPad will be available for free from the App Store on iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.