175w ago - Today the AP reports that Google is planning to build ultra-fast broadband networks in select areas.

Feeling lucky? Apparently Google will seek input from communities that might be interested in getting one of its test networks which will deliver speeds of 1 gigabit per second.

That would be roughly 50 to 300 times faster than the DSL, cable and fiber-optic networks that connect most U.S. homes to the Internet today, at speeds typically ranging from 3 megabits to 20 megabits per second.

To quote: Google envisions systems that will enable consumers to download a high-definition, full-length feature film in less than five minutes; allow rural health clinics to send 3-D medical images over the Internet; and let students collaborate with classmates around the world while watching live 3-D video of a university lecture.

"Our goal is to trial new technologies and figure out what kinds of applications you can send over these big pipes," said Richard Whitt, Google's Washington-based counsel for telecommunications and media. "There may be next-generation applications that are being held back right now."

Google said it is prepared to sell access directly to consumers at prices that are competitive with existing broadband services, but would consider letting Internet service...

232w ago - Programming from Viacom's MTV Networks is set to come to PlayStation Network's video service, Sony Computer Entertainment America announced at CES on Thursday.

The partnership between the two companies involves MTVN brands MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Spike, Logo, CMT, The N, TV Land and Atom. TV shows that will be available for purchase via PSN include South Park, SpongeBob SquarePants and Love Bus with Bret Michaels, and eventually new shows due to premier in spring.

In November 2006, Microsoft announced a similar deal to bring programming from MTV Networks to Xbox Live. For companies like Microsoft and Sony, video delivery has become more than just a peripheral feature as digital distriubtion technologies improve and consumers lap up the content at a rapid pace.

Sony's video delivery service hosts around 1,200 movies and over 3,000 TV episodes, which can be viewed via PS3. Standard definition content can be transferred for viewing on PSP.

304w ago - We bring together the most relevant Electronics Weekly content on a range of wireless technologies:

Wireless generally refers to an electronic process which is carried out without the use of a wired connection. Wireless communication is the transmission of information without the need of electrical conductors of any kind. The distances that wireless networks have been known to operate in can range from a few metres to thousands of kilometres.