SAN FRANCISCO (CBS4) ―

The latest salvo between Google and Apple to control your television set has been fired by Google. The company's effort to wed Web surfing with television viewing is gathering more support from major media outlets that distribute some of the content that will help sell the concept.

The list of participating television programmers announced Monday by Google includes household staples such as TBS, TNT, CNN and HBO, which are all owned by Time Warner Inc.

The technology, known as Google TV, also will offer features from the NBA, the financial news channel CNBC and popular Internet video services operated by Amazon.com Inc. and Netflix Inc.

The Google TV options from Amazon's digital video store and Netflix's movie subscription service mirror features already available on an array of other devices that connect to televisions.

The short-message service Twitter and several music sites, including Vevo, Pandora and Napster, have also designed features especially for Google TV.

But the four major broadcast networks — CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox — still haven't embraced Google TV, with the technology scheduled to debut in Best Buy's U.S. stores later this month. Documents posted on the Internet indicate that flat-panel sets and other devices equipped with Google TV will go on sale Oct. 17, but the company hasn't confirmed that date.

In a blog post, Google said it is still in talks with a variety of unnamed parties and predicted more content partnerships will be cemented in the coming weeks.

"We're really excited about the enthusiasm surrounding the platform and can't wait for it to reach your living room," wrote Ambarish Kenghe, a Google TV product manager.

Gaining the backing of the major broadcast networks and other powerful players is proving to be difficult because some executives fear Google TV could tip the balance of power to the Internet's most powerful company.

Google believes its technology will make it easier to surf the Web while watching the television on the same big screen. If Google succeeds in that ambition, it could also help the company achieve its goal of expanding its domination of the online ad market into television.

Even if the major TV networks don't cooperate with Google TV, people using the technology should still be able to watch programming from those outlets through cable or satellite connections.

But that would be less convenient than if the big networks set up websites that would enable Google TV users to stream programming from their favorite shows whenever they wanted to watch it. And it would be more cumbersome to search for programming from the big networks on Google TV without their cooperation.

Those stumbling blocks would presumably discourage some people from buying Google TV.

Sony Corp. is making the first flat-panel sets equipped with Google TV and Logitech International SA is making the devices that will enable the technology to work on existing sets.

http://cbs4.com/technology/Google.TV.content.2.1946701.html

( remember this ? )

e.Digital and Fusion Announce the World's First Portable Video Recorder/Player for Digital Video Recorder —DVR—/Set Top Box Content Downloading

Business Wire, May 24, 2004

booth #D12

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 2004

Product to be Unveiled at Mediacast 2004 in London May 25 - 27

e.Digital Corp. (OTC:EDIG) and Fusion Digital Technology Ltd (Fusion) today announce the world's first portable, Personal Video Recorder for downloading audio and video content from Fusion's range of digital TV receivers including the Digifusion FVRT200 (twin tuner 80 Gb digital video recorder (DVR)), the Digifusion FRT200 (twin tuner DTT set-top box) and the Digifusion FRS200 (twin tuner DTH set top box). The revolutionary pPVR(TM) is scheduled to be unveiled at Mediacast 2004 in London May 25 - 27 at Fusion's booth #D12.

Fusion Digital Technology Ltd. is a dynamic company focused on becoming a leader in the worldwide consumer electronics market. Fusion is a partnership of Barry Rubery, co-founder and former CEO of Pace Micro Technology plc and Beko Elektronik A.S., one of Europe's largest consumer electronics manufacturers. With headquarters in North England and utilizing Beko's manufacturing facilities, Fusion designs, manufactures and supplies free to air and pay TV digital receivers for satellite, cable and terrestrial platforms alongside integrated LCD and plasma televisions as well as other innovative digital consumer electronics solutions.

"e.Digital's portable, Personal Video Recorder technology coupled with our DVR and set-top boxes will provide unparalleled flexibility, enabling DTT and satellite consumers to access their favorite music, shows and movies; they will be able to watch and listen to their favorite programs and music at a place and time of their choosing," commented Barry Rubery, CEO of Fusion Digital Technology Ltd.

"After working with Barry and his team at Fusion for many months, we are pleased to announce this breakthrough product based on our proprietary personal video technology platform," said Fred Falk, e.Digital's president and CEO. "We strongly believe the portable, personal video recorder/player is quickly going to become a 'must-have' consumer product. Fusion is leading the way by offering the e.Digital-powered pPVR(TM) to consumers in the UK and international markets."

Mediacast 2004 is the leading international technology show for digital media distribution. It showcases the cutting-edge technologies that allow users to move, manage and secure and make money from digital content. Mediacast is the only exhibition of its kind presenting the latest interactive services and emerging technologies across cable, satellite, digital terrestrial television (DTT) and Internet platforms.

pPVR(TM) Key Features

-- Offers "Personal video and audio on the Move"

-- Has an integrated back-lit LCD screen

-- Supports MPEG2 and MPEG4 playback

-- Accepts MPEG2 streams from appropriate Digifusion set-top

boxes to store on it's HDD

-- 20Gb Hard Disk Drive (up to 40 hours of video programming)

-- Can download music and video from an analog source or from the

Internet via a PC

-- Completely portable, enabling users to play in their cars,

anywhere outside their homes or in their homes through their

entertainment systems

-- Incorporates timer for recordings

About e.Digital Corp.

e.Digital Corp. partners with leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) licensing, designing and providing manufacturing services for OEM-branded digital video, digital audio and wireless products based on the company's proprietary MicroOS(TM)-enabled technology platforms. e.Digital specializes in the delivery and management of open and secure digital content through it's Personal Video, Personal Audio, Automotive and Wireless technology platforms. e.Digital's services include the licensing of the company's MicroOS(TM), custom software and hardware development, industrial design, and manufacturing services through the company's manufacturing partners. For more information about e.Digital and its technology platforms, visit the company Web site at www.edigital.com.

About Fusion Digital Technology Ltd.

Fusion Digital Technology Ltd. design, manufacture and supply innovative digital consumer electronics products for the international marketplace. The range includes both free to air and pay TV digital receivers for satellite, cable and terrestrial platforms alongside integrated LCD and plasma televisions. Fusion is a joint venture between industry pioneer Barry Rubery, founder and former chief executive of Pace Micro Technology plc, together with one of Europe's largest consumer electronics manufacturers Beko Elektronik A.S. With its headquarters in Harrogate, North England, Fusion manufactures its products from its affiliated plants in Turkey. For more information, visit www.fusiondigitec.com.

Safe Harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform of 1995: All statements made in this document, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the businesses of the Company and the industries and markets in which the company operates. Those statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that will be difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. More information about potential factors that could affect the Company can be found in its most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other reports and statements filed by e.Digital Corp. with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). e.Digital Corp. disclaims any intent or obligation to update those forward-looking statements, except as otherwise specifically stated by it.