Redwood City-based Snapstick debuted a new box at CES that allows users to control their TVs with a cell phone or laptop to view any programming on the Internet. It’s resource-efficient, in that it doesn’t “stream” content from the control device, but taps into the existing home Wi-Fi network to send URL info to the set box, freeing the phone or computer for other tasks. The company hopes innovative ad models will be a strong selling point.

Samsung shows its latest 3D Blu-ray players and prescription-ready 3D active glasses. The Blu-ray product line also offers Samsung Smart Hub via integrated wireless and Smart Blu-ray features. The SSG-3700CR glasses weigh just under an ounce. Viewers who wear eyeglasses can order special prescription lenses that attach to the SSG-3700CR.

Pioneer has announced a new platform that is immediately available to developers, and hopefully in the near future to users. The Platform for the Aggregation of Internet Services (PAIS), will enable users to have a single login that can access all of a user’s social networking, music, video, contact, calendar accounts and much more from multiple content/service providers. The PAIS API allows users’ devices to seamlessly access and share information among a verity of services, allowing for a new level of interactivity among the various users’ accounts.

Haier is soon to debut a new range of LED displays powered by Yahoo!’s Connected TV platform. These Net Connect displays also feature Wi-Fi and boast a Netflix button on their remote control. Haier is also demonstrating Yahoo! Connected TV’s new broadcast interactivity feature and has plans to participate in the pilot program.

XPAND’s YOUniversal active shutter 3D glasses and accompanying iPhone or Android app provide a new level of comfort and customization to your 3D viewing experience. Three innovations distinguish these glasses from previous active shutter gear: ergonomics, a built-in micro-USB connector, and an app for customizing the viewing experience.

Logitech is previewing its Logitech Revue with Google TV, a compact, plug-and-play companion box that sits between a cable box and TV using HDMI and includes wireless support. The company’s Google TV product also includes the Logitech TV Cam and Vid HD service for HD video calling, as well as its Logitech Mini Controller for the Revue product.

THX is previewing Media Director, a system aimed at helping viewers to see content the way in which the filmmakers intended. Metadata from postproduction systems such as DVS’ Clipster and Blackmagic’s Resolve can be used to create THX metadata using an app. Testing of the Media Director ecosystem is underway, and the system is expected to roll out later this year.

New York-based Copia is a software app supported on the Windows 7, Android and iPad platforms that allows users to choose among hundreds of thousands of downloadable books, but also offers a “social” experience that allows readers to annotate and share notes. It’s billed as an ideal medium for book clubs and students.

Panasonic has changed the name of its IPTV service from VIERA CAST to VIERA Connect and installed it on 15 new TVs and a new tablet. VIERA Connect is an open platform, available to developers of third-party content. The company expects to drive its IPTV sales up to 70% of its total television sales in the global market by 2012.

With plans for Google TV on hold, UK-based Miniweb is poised to secure both headlines and business with its cloud-based services platform Woomi. Its flagship client is Samsung (announced last September) and this month the service goes live across all Samsung smart TVs and Blu-ray players (with a tablet app to follow), beginning in the UK then rolling out to European territories and the US by the end of the year.