Product news: India readies $35 tablet; NETGEAR, Zixi demo HD OTT; SeaChange, RGB widen ad insertion

Some technology announcements could have major impacts on cable operators and some are simply hype. The news that India is, indeed, moving ahead with a $35 tablet computer called Sakshat and that it expects contractor HCL Technologies to have products ready by next year, is impactful.

As cable starts to work with the somewhat pricier Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad, watches developments of a Motorola (NYSE: MOT) developed product and keeps an eye on Samsung's ever-shifting moves into the space, it could be confronted with a flood of subscribers seeking access over a new device early next year.

Other product news could have a similar impact or could be just the result of an international trade show; only time will tell. Home networking giant NETGEAR (Nasdaq: NTGR) said at IBC that it's working with HD over-the-top video provider Zixi to produce the modestly named NETGEAR NeoTV 550 Ultimate HD Media Player.

Also at IBC and, again, impactful for a cable industry that's watching closely for new or enhanced revenue streams as outside sources continue to hammer away at its walled gardens, RGB Networks and SeaChange International (Nasdaq: SEAC) are teaming up to demonstrate how operators can "retain complete control of the ad insertion process" while deploying linear TV content to TVs, PCs and mobile devices (aka TV Everywhere).

For more:
- see this story
- and this news release
- and this news release

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