Texas

AT&T Launches Internet TV Service in Texas

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 6, 2006 - 6:35am.

San Francisco - AT&T (formerly SBC Communications) has launched a limited test of a service that will deliver TV programming over the Internet to subscribers in San Antonio, Texas, according to published reports. The IPTV service offers 200 channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, HBO and MTV. AT&T told CNET News.com the company plans to rollout the service more widely in mid-2006. AT&T's introduction of Internet-based TV follows the launch of Verizon's similar FiOS TV service in scattered markets in Texas, Florida, Maryland and Virginia, as telecom providers seek to increase revenues and expand into the lucrative pay-TV market.

tags: Internet | TV | AT&T | Texas |

Zone 4 Play Launches First Multiplayer Texas Hold'em for Interactive TV

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 22, 2005 - 10:51am.

Wilmington, Del. - Zone 4 Play, a developer of interactive TV games, announced on Tuesday that it has launched what it says is the first interactive TV multiplayer Texas Hold'em poker game. Currently available on Sky's Five channel, the game will also be made available on three additional channels later this year.

Texas Sues Sony BMG Under Spyware Law; Additional Security Risk Found

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 21, 2005 - 3:08am.

Austin - The Attorney General for the state of Texas has sued major record label Sony BMG under the state's spyware law, in connection with the release of millions of CDs containing technology that hid anti-piracy software that opened users' PCs to virus attacks. "Sony has engaged in a technological version of cloak and dagger deceit against consumers by hiding secret files on their computers, said Attorney General Greg Abbott. "Consumers who purchased a Sony CD thought they were buying music. Instead, they received spyware that can damage a computer, subject it to viruses and expose the consumer to possible identity crime." The state of Texas is seeking civil penalties of $100,000 per violation of the state's anti-spyware law. Meanwhile, another security risk related to the Sony BMG copy-protection technology has been identified, this time in connection with software from Arizona-based SunnComm Technologies. Computer researchers Ed Felten and Alex Halderman identified a security risk in the uninstall program for SunnComm's anti-piracy application, which the company said had been downloaded by just 223 consumers before it was removed from the Web. SunnComm's CD copy-protection software is different than the offending application from U.K.-based First 4 Internet at the heart of the controversy -- although SunnComm's software has likely been included on a greater number of releases, from both Sony BMG and other record labels.

Texas Instruments Upgrades Multimedia Chips for Cell Phones

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 3, 2003 - 4:10am.

Dallas -- Chipmaker Texas Instruments announced on Monday that it has developed a new series of wireless chipsets for use in cell phones and other devices, which will enable cell phone users to download movies and songs, as well as surf the Internet at higher speeds. Dallas-based Texas Instruments' new chips can increase the performance of graphics and multimedia content by eight-fold while at the same time reducing the amount of power needed for such functions, lengthening a battery's charge. The company said it expects devices featuring the new chips to become available to consumers by the 2003 holiday shopping season.

tags: Cell Phones | Multimedia | Texas | Upgrades |