WASHINGTON, D.C.--Consumer electronics companies and cable technology vendors are preparing devices and services for the cable industry that incorporate the features found in streaming media devices like the Roku and Apple TV (Nasdaq: AAPL).
LG showed off a tiny set-top box at The Cable Show here this week. The device is not yet available, but it is smaller than a pack of cigarettes and offers access to traditional cable TV programming through an IP connection where available, and online video services. The company also introduced a cable box running Google TV's (Nasdaq: GOOG) operating system. It features Miracast--a technology that, like Apple's AirPlay, allows users to display media from their mobile devices on the TV.
CE manufacturers are also incorporating pay-TV services into their Smart TV products. Samsung and Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) said they will let Samsung Smart TV owners who also subscribe to Time Warner Cable service watch video on demand from TWC through an app--no set-top box required.
LG is also talking to cable operators about incorporating their apps into its set-top boxes and TVs. In Canada, it has a deal with Rogers (NYSE: RCI) that creates what amounts to a virtual Rogers set-top box within the LG device. "We let our partners dictate the look and feel for their customers," Cassey Tan, a senior manager for LG's smart TV division told FierceOnlineVideo.
For more:
- Read the LG press release
- Read the Samsung press release
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Article updated June 18 to reflect the correct spelling of Miracast.