Elgato has announced a new version of their USB EyeTV TV Tuner, Hybrid, which now comes in a smaller form factor and added capability with Windows 7. The new EyeTV Hybrid tuner is housed in aluminum shell making it to look more appropriate while plugged into a MacBook Pro

The little device allows your computer to catch over-the-air ATSC broadcasts in HD quality and receive unprotected analog and digital cable signals. It comes included with a RCA input adapter which takes input from analog sources such as VCRs. And is bundled with EyeTV3, which provides DVR function and at the same time converts videos into a form usable in iTunes.

It’s priced at $150 and is available from Elgato or Apple Apple store. A great little device that easily turns your computer into a TV.

Product Page

via crunchgear

MSN Video Player has been a big enough success through a pilot scheme to be launched as a major new product, and Microsoft is not ruling out offering the service to television manufacturers, on Xbox and through the forthcoming Windows Phone 7 Series.

A million people have already used the ad-funded and free MSN Video Player in beta to watch full-length programmes, trailers and clips, enough of an audience to convince the portal that the service has the appeal to become a key asset for Microsoft.

With users staying for an average of 25 minutes – far more than major catch-up services like ITV Player and 4OD – and advertisers champing at the bit to buy up pre-roll adverts before the features, Microsoft has now sealed deals with the likes of Endemol and Shed Media to expand their offering further.

Thousand hours

"We are expanding our catalogue to over 1,000 hours," explained MSN's Rob Crossen. "We've signed a number of new deals…we've gone out there and sourced content that appeals to our audience.

"The other aspect is that we are launching a new platform and it really puts content at the centre. It's not about other brands it's really about programmes.

"The reasons we are chasing the audiences that we are is that we know there is advertiser demand for those audiences because they are very tech savvy.

"It's not a discussion around getting thousands and thousands of hours [of content] it's more about a targeted offering."

The platform is optimised for Microsoft's Silverlight - support that was notably missing from the pilot - although it also works with Flash, and some of the content is available in HD streaming at 720p on connections of 2Mbps and upwards.

Xbox, Windows Phone 7 Series and widgets

With comparisons to the iPlayer inevitable, it's clear that Microsoft could roll out the MSN Video Player to television, its Xbox console, Windows Phone 7 Series and set-top boxes – in the same way as the BBC has puched its offering on multiple platforms from Virgin Media cable to the iPhone.

"What we're doing here is taking MSN beyond what it has typically been known for," added Crossen.

"An obvious place to tale MSN Video Player – given the quality of content that you are seeing on the platform – is the TV, and there are a number of ways that we could do that and in fact the challenge is prioritising so we're looking at a number of opportunities.

"There are a number of ways… widgets on internet connected TVs, we have our own products within the Microsoft network, Xbox and Windows Media Center for instance.

"There are a number of ways that we could choose to explore."

"We have a fantastic product coming later in the year," said Crossen when asked if a mobile MSN Video Player was likely for the forthcoming Windows Phone 7 Series, "but no fixed plans that we are announcing today.

"It's a reflection of our users telling us what they want and they also express their views how they want their content and how they consume it so it's absolutely no mystery to any of us how it could grow."

Xbox users already have access to long-form content through a tie up with the Sky Player and a movie download service, but the concept of a free and ad funded channel is likely to appeal.

The MSN Video Player officially launches tomorrow, go to player.uk.msn.com for more details.

Google [GOOG] have launched Google Apps Marketplace that integrates third-part cloud apps with Google Apps.

The Google Apps Marketplace offers products and services designed for Google users, including installable apps that integrate directly with Google Apps. Installable apps are easy to use because they include single sign-on, Google’s universal navigation, and some even include features that integrate with your domain’s data.

By integrating the applications together it allows you to directly access third-party applications from GMail for example. With various apps running such as contact sharing it can be just a matter of logging in to GMail, clicking the More tab, loading your listed 3rd party app and passing contacts quickly to another user.

With it being new there is plenty of room for growth. Some applications that already exist are free and some have a subscription attached to them. As time goes on there should be a huge variety arrive to help you more easily work with Google Mail and other of G’s applications.

Check out the video below showing how apps are integrated and the process used to achieve this.

Via: LifeHacker

Google Apps Marketplace Launched

Vodafone is apparently planning to release its own Android phone, with a super-budget price tag to boot.

Following the T-Mobile Pulse and Pulse Mini (low-end Android handsets exclusive to the network) Vodafone clearly wants to follow suit.

To that end, word is it will be releasing the Vodafone 845 (with a better name likely to be confirmed closer to launch).

Latest Android, tiny screen

It will pack the latest Android 2.1 upgrade, but the rest of the features will be lower end - a 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen and 3.2MP camera.

But the beauty of using Android means that the Vodafone 845 will have to have some higher end features - namely Wi-Fi, 3G and GPS all as standard.

Vodafone 360 is said to be a key part as well - that means integrated contacts and possibly social networking too.

The cost is said to be €145 according to Dutch site All About Phones - which means it could be coming for the thoroughly palatable £130 in the UK.