New Blu-ray tech supports enhanced iPhone integration, PS3 compatibility possible [Updated]

by Majed Athab { Apr 9th 2008 at 10:00PM }

A company called Netblender is working on new technology that will allow enhanced communication between Blu-ray players and Apple handheld devices such as the iPhone. Dubbed BD Touch, this new tech will turn an iPhone into a remote control for Blu-ray players.

More interestingly, it will allow the device to interact directly with BD movies by: displaying extra movie info on the iPhone, maintain a database of your movie collection, and obtain digital copies of movies on a Blu-ray disc. This last feature sounds quite similar to Sony's very own portable copy. This makes us wonder if the new tech will be integrated into the PS3 or if it will only hit other Blu-ray players. A formal announcement regarding the new tech will be made tomorrow. We'll know soon enough then.

[Via Gizmodo]

[Update: As expected, Netblender formally announced the tech today. BD Touch is supported by all Blu-ray players that have BD Live. This means your PS3 is all set. It will also work over any WiFi network worldwide -- good to know. Read up on the details here.]

Tags: bd-touch, blu-ray, ps3

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Michael K. @ Apr 9th 2008 10:17PM

holy crap, that would be amazing

Dahk @ Apr 9th 2008 10:21PM

HAAAAWT.

Jason B. @ Apr 9th 2008 10:25PM

You mean that I can have a $400-$600 remote control for my $200-$1000 bluray player? YAY!

deusmecha @ Apr 9th 2008 10:50PM

It's more like "I didn't read the entire thing and decided to make my own, witty sarcastic comment to enlarge my e-penor!".

Patrick D. @ Apr 9th 2008 10:38PM

Sony and Apple are in cahoots. They're making a pack to destroy Microsoft. I wouldn't mind it at all.

Jason B. @ Apr 9th 2008 11:10PM

Except Microsoft is one of NetBlender's partners.

strike911 @ Apr 9th 2008 10:54PM

WHY CAN'T THIS BE DONE ON THE PSP!? *CRIES*

Dehshizknight @ Apr 10th 2008 12:42AM

You can use your PSP as a music controller which I find very usefull because I can keep the TV off at parties and have my music playing through my 5.1.

And you can switch the audio output back and forth from the PS3 and PSP speakers right from the PSP.

never$$hort @ Apr 10th 2008 1:38PM

Please make this possible for PSP too!! I really don't want to go buy an iPod touch :(

JerJerBinks @ Apr 9th 2008 11:12PM

PS3 and iPhone Integration .... meh.PS3 with ability to play iTunes DRM'ed music ... major win.

LJ @ Apr 10th 2008 8:11AM

Foolish talk... PS3, PSP and iPhone TFW!

LJ @ Apr 10th 2008 8:12AM

FTW! :P

Hashbrown Hunter @ Apr 10th 2008 10:17AM

Spileeeng Airrowrs TFW!

Pipe @ Apr 9th 2008 11:30PM

I really need to get me an iPhone, regardless if this happen.

JerJerBinks @ Apr 10th 2008 8:42AM

Wait until the 3G iPhones come out.

Pipe @ Apr 11th 2008 3:54AM

when are they gonna be out?

babash @ Apr 10th 2008 12:10AM

how cool...so you're saying my phone may possibly end up being my ps3 remote too - sah-weet!

Baz_chubb @ Apr 10th 2008 6:22AM

I'm just loving the part that says you can view additional content and info whilst the movie is playing. Sounds pretty cool. Apple+Sony to tackle the big bad microsoft!!! That wud get soo interesting if it happened

Maverick Saturn @ Apr 10th 2008 6:34AM

Sony, fix the browser ¬_¬

LS @ Apr 10th 2008 9:09AM

amen brother

Hashbrown Hunter @ Apr 10th 2008 6:52AM

Hey I sent in this tip in the morning...No credit? Well, thats ok. But this has to be the third or so time that I've tipped in a story almost 12 hours before you posted it and I received no credit. You guys should read your tips more frequently.

Besides that, this is looking like really cool technology.