Telstra TV and Sony PlayStation VR Headset are ready to take on the global markets, including Australia. These two gadgets are set to change the way entertainment is experienced.

Telstra TV

Telstra TV, which is available for purchase by Telstra customers from Oct. 27, is the first in the telco’s efforts toward the media-streaming device market. While there are things that it gets right, Telstra still faces big competitors such as the new Apple TV and Google’s Chromecast.

It may be initially geared primarily towards the telco’s customer base, but Telstra’s long-term plan will effectively pit it against Apple and Google. Should Telstra TV be successful, it could potentially add more pressure on Foxtel where the telco has a 50 percent stake. Foxtel can potentially suffer losses as customers opt out of more expensive pay-TV subscriptions for an a la carte menu of streaming services.

Meanwhile, Telstra TV is offered side by side with Foxtel without Foxtel Play. There are currently no plans to bring Foxtel Play, a streaming service that allows viewers to watch pay-TV content without the long-term contract or heavy subscription plan, to Telstra TV.

On the other hand, Telstra representatives have confirmed that two of the biggest sporting programs in the country, NRL and AFL, will be available on Telstra TV before Christmas. Live sport has long been the biggest draw card for Foxtel’s pay-TV subscribers. Other sports such as cricket, NBA, MLB and NFL are potentially following availability.

The Telstra TV is missing a universal search option and a 1700-strong content app selection. These features were present in Roku, where the Telstra TV was based on. With only 15 apps available at launch, Telstra said it plans to fill in the app gap over time. However, the telco’s original content ambitions and the Foxtel complication are likely to limit the number of apps that eventually show up on the device.

Sony’s PlayStation VR Headset

Formerly codenamed Project Morpheus, Sony PlayStation VR Headset is powering over the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, most especially with its extensive game library to support it from launch. At the recent Paris Games Week, the PlayStation VR kicked off a bigger push to go beyond traditional gaming.

"Our goal with VR is to deliver a sense of presence, making the player feel as though they've stepped inside the world of a game. The new Project Morpheus prototype brings us closer to that goal, as it improves the visual experience and tracking accuracy, both of which are critical to achieving sense of presence," Shuhei Yoshida, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, said earlier this year.

Sony officials indicated that the PlayStation VR could be one of the most affordable VR systems around. At PlayStation’s Tokyo Game Show keynote, Sony Computer Entertainment’s chief executive officer Andrew House revealed that the company’s first headset “will be priced as a new gaming platform.”

This puts the price range from US$300 to US$400 (AU$422 to AU$563) in the US, as is the case with Sony’s gaming platforms. Back in March, Sony confirmed that the PlayStation VR is coming in the first half of 2016.

Other innovative hardware for Australia

Nowadays, entertainment is intricately tied to mobile connectivity. The persistent problem of network coverage failure has an innovative solution now. 5BARz International (OTCQB: BARZ) has introduced its network extender, a revolutionary product for improving cell coverage.

It is a lightweight compact device that provides strong network signal when used in small offices or at home. The 5BARz network extender is said to be changing the way carriers design and build their network infrastructure.

The network extender solves the weak signal problem for mobile subscribers. It ensures a better mobile experience for consumers and higher subscriber retention numbers for mobile carriers. Just by plugging the device in, users will enjoy five bars of signals, enabling faster downloads and higher quality video and voice calls.

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