BE'S TOP TECH FOR 2012

Technology continues to advance with great speed. 2011 brought us a wide range of tablet PCs and the influx of high powered ultrabooks. Let’s take a look at what we think will happen in 2012.

1. RENTING CONTENT

Spotify, LoveFilm, Steam... digital content is no longer owned, we rent it. In 2012 this will only grow, especially with major services becoming available on mainstream platforms - such as Spotify for Facebook and LoveFilm on Xbox 360 and PS3. Maybe 2013 will be the year we take up owning content again.

2. TELEVISION MARKET DISRUPTED

Last week we wrote about how the Apple TV isn't going to be anything major compared to what is already available. But you can bet your bottom five pound note that – if it comes to be – it will still have a major impact within the TV industry and people will forget that Smart TVs were around in 2011.

3. NEW TABLETS

This year we’ve seen plenty of new tablets that seemed a little rushed to the market, just to compete with the iPad. 2012 will bring us new tablets that are more considered, providing a real alternative to the dominating device – starting with the Kindle Fire becoming available in the UK.

4. PC VS MAC… AGAIN

This year Apple release Mac OS X Lion - a (sort of) hybrid between OS X and iOS. Next year Microsoft will release Windows 8 - an OS that is compatible with both desktop and mobile devices. With both offering similar concepts, it will be interesting to see where the market share goes.

5. UBUNTU TABLETS FOR XMAS 2012?

This year Canonical announced their drive to make a user friendly Ubuntu experience on tablets, mobiles and even TVs. We’re glad to hear it, as there are some fans of the new Unity desktop here at BE. We don’t expect an iOS killer but neither do we want one – just give us open, more hackable computing on the go please!

6. BATTLE OF THE MOBILE OS

Blackberry where art thou? Beaten in the UK riots and left for dead by the likes of WhatsApp, that’s where. It is now Android and iOS running the show, but with Windows Phone and the newly open source Web OS ready to step up the game, we're unsure who will win.

7. BYE BYE NETBOOKS

Why buy a 9 or 10 inch netbook with all the power of a worn out bumble bee when you can buy a 12 inch super fast ultrabook that is as powerful as many top of the range laptops? Dell have killed their netbook range already, we think many more will follow.

8. GOOGLE+ MAKE OR BREAK

At the moment Google+ seems to be doing quite well, with plenty of new users and stronger uptake than Twitter or Facebook ever saw. But ask yourself honestly, who do you really know on the site? That’s exactly what Google Buzz and Google Wave have in common with Google+.

9. NEW GAMING CONSOLES

Every 6 years there has been a new PlayStation. This isn’t much of a pattern considering there have only been three, but we can still hope, as it would mean a new console in 2012. But with services such as On Live and Steam, is a console really needed in 2012?

10. OVER TO YOU

You’ve heard ours, now we’d like to know what your predictions are for tech in 2012. Let us know in the comments below.

What’s the best way to watch the internet on your telly?

We're coming up to the season of over-eating and over-drinking, which in turn makes the sofa in front the TV a very appealing place to park yourself - even if there is a Home Alone marathon on.

Today we’re no longer limited to 5 terrestrial channels, there’s a whole world of content online and on demand via the internet. We know from expreience that BE members are a smart bunch so you’ll probably already have some way of connecting your living room TV to the internet in some way.

Almost certainly not what Apple’s integrated TV will look like

You know the market for connected devices will be lucrative when the Apple rumour mill starts, and many of the stories after Steve Jobs’ biography was published concerned the Cupertino-based company finally “cracking” the concept for a TV product. We thought we’d take a look over the options already available and see what your current favourites are.

Smart TVs

There are plenty of TVs available now that are internet ready. Most are even 3D which is a great bonus. Sony’s range for example include apps such as YouTube, iPlayer, Demand5 and LoveFilm. The Apple TV will probably be something similar, but do you really want to be tied into one service provider?

Set-top boxes (eg Boxee Box, WD Live, Apple TV)

These connected media devices help turn any ordinary TV into a smart TV, connecting it to a wide range of video on demand and move streaming services through apps and a media browser for local files on USB or your home network. If you’ve only just bought a decent HDTV then this may be the option for you.

Your games console

The PS3 and Xbox 360 both have access to LoveFilm, as well as the ability to store quite a lot of downloaded content too. Both consoles also have apps, with the iPlayer, 4OD and ITV Player on the PS3 (not to mention the PlayTV option for pause and rewind Freeview) and Sky Go, 4OD and the iPlayer coming in 2012 for the Xbox 360. Each console has an ace up its sleeve too – a 3D Bluray player with the PS3 (yes – even the first generation of PS3s) and the ability to control your Xbox with Kinect – who needs a controller?

Computers

With so many streaming websites online, possibly the best way to get an interactive TV is to hook it up to your PC or laptop. Blockbuster, LoveFilm and even HMV all have movie streaming services, while software such as XBMC, Boxee and Plex mean computer can become *the* media hub for your home.

These are just a few of the options available. How do you access movies and video on demand through your TV? Let us know in the comments below.

BE FIBRE TRIAL – FIRST CONNECTION IS LIVE

Our fibre trial took a big old step in the right direction this week. The first BE member was connected to the trial exchange (Barking) and we're pleased to say the process went very smootly.

Let's dive in with the best bit - here's a screenshot of the first fibre speedtest - 37.5 downstream and 8.1 upstream. That's just the beginning as well, as we'll be watching these connections closely to see what optimisations we can make.

Next up is the kit combo we're using to trial the service - an Openreach VDSL2 modem hooked up to a BE Box.

Here's the Openreach engineer at the local cabinet. His name was Mark, so thanks Mark!

Finally, the fibre trial needs a new faceplate to separate out the broadband and telephone lines. You just can't imagine what that would look like? Oh go on then - here's a snap.

We know how much anticipation you have for fibre, so we’re trying not get too carried away. That said... we're over the moon that the first trial connection went in so smoothly.

This is just one step along a big project, and we've got a way to go - but we're moving fast in the right direction.