Tag Archives: streaming

HBO finally gets it, brings HBO Go service to iOS, Android

April 19, 2011News, Technology, Television, VideoAndroid app, app, HBO, HBO Go, iOS app, premium content, stream, streaming, streaming service, video stream, video streamingScott Meisner

HBO first unveiled the HBO Go service in February 2010, promising subscribers access to their favorite premium TV shows and movies inside their browser. It never really caught on. Today HBO revealed its plan to bring the on-demand service to the mobile front, and I’ve got a feeling this will get the motors revving. Come May 2, HBO subscribers will have instant and unlimited access to every episode of every season available through HBO on their mobile devices. Featured content includes “HBO original series, blockbuster hits, sports, specials and more.” The company has specified it’ll be coming to iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad as well as Android-powered ones. The service is free for (paying) HBO subscribers and it’ll work over WiFi and 3G. The interface mimics the one they’ve been using inside the browser and it’s pretty slick; check it out in the video above.

[Via Engadget]

OnLive introduces $10/month flat-rate plan for gamers

December 6, 2010News, Technologyflat-rate, flat-rate plan, OnLive, stream, streaming, subscription service, Video gamesScott Meisner

OnLive, the gaming on-demand cloud-based service, scrapped the idea of implementing a required monthly fee back in October, but now they’re bringing it back and this time it’s optional. OnLive gamers will have three options to play games. (1) Purchase a game in full to keep. (2) With PlayPass gamers can buy a 3-day or 5-day rental pass to stream a full game. (3) With PlayPack (and here’s the new addition) gamers can pay $9.99/month to gain access to an entire catalog of games. Think of it as Netflix but for games; you pay one flat-rate per month and gain access to a bunch of full streaming games. Nice deal, huh?

The company says the new flat-rate plan will comprise more than 40 “high-quality” games when it officially launches January 15, 2011. Some of these games include Prince of Persia, Unreal Tournament 3, and LEGO Batman. They promise this small batch of initial games will “expand up to and beyond” the launch date. Now check this: if you purchase the OnLive Game System (which is a $99 controller and MicroConsole bundle) you will receive free access to the PlayPack library of games until the January launch. After this “introductory beta period” is over, you’ll have to pay the monthly subscription price if you don’t want to part with it.

Happy (video games) streaming. Full PR after the break.

[Via Engadget] Continue reading OnLive introduces $10/month flat-rate plan for gamers →

SlingPlayer comes to iPad

November 24, 2010News, Technologyapp, App Store, Apple, Apple App Store, iPad, iPad app, Sling Media, Slingplayer, stream, streamingScott Meisner

Just one week after previewing SlingPlayer for iPad the developers at Sling Media pushed out the app into Apple’s App Store. So if you own a SlingBox go and get it!

But not so fast! There are two stipulations that must be discussed. First, SlingPlayer for iPad is only compatible with Sling SOLO and Sling PRO-HD boxes; all the rest are left in the dust, unfortunately. According to Engadget Sling will soon offer a $50 voucher for those who are itching to upgrade to a newer box. What’s interesting is that SlingPlayer for iPhone has a wider compatibility range; it works with the aforementioned boxes and the SlingBox PRO. And that brings me to point number two and more bad news. If you already purchased the $29.99 app for iPhone, you’ll have to shell out another thirty bucks to use the iPad version of the same app. Well, it’s not exactly the same app since the iPad version is tailored for a larger screen, but still. Sling assures that users can use the iPhone app to stream content on the iPad in a “Compatibility Mode”, but these users will not experience the “higher quality resolutions” provided in the iPad version. If I may quote Jigsaw from Saw, the choice is yours. Full PR after the break.

[Via Engadget] Continue reading SlingPlayer comes to iPad →

Netflix pushes out $7.99 streaming-only plan, increases price of all unlimited w/ DVD plans

November 22, 2010News, Technologyinstant streaming, Netflix, Netflix plans, stream, streaming, subscription, video streamingScott Meisner

Here’s an update for you from Camp Netflix. A new $7.99/month plan gives subscribers the option to instantly stream TV shows and movies from their computer (or any Netflix-compatible device), and nothing else. If you’re the type of couch potato that rarely orders new DVDs by mail on a regular basis, this is the plan for you. If you prefer to stick with your current plan which includes unlimited instant streaming and DVD shipments there’s a price hike you should become aware about. The two most popular unlimited plans–the 1 DVD out at a time and 2 DVDs out at a time–are a dollar more than before, so prepare to cough up that extra Washington. Browse the chart embedded above to learn about the rest of the price increases. With Netflix instant streaming and Hulu Plus both priced at a low $7.99/month, you can safely say it’s on.

[Via NetflixBlog]

Hulu Plus officially launches, drops price to $7.99/month and adds Roku support

November 17, 2010News, TechnologyHulu, Hulu Plus, launch, official launch, price drop, Roku, stream, streaming, streaming serviceScott Meisner

Hulu Plus has already been exhaustively detailed, so let’s get right to the good stuff. For the last four months Hulu has been testing the waters with the $9.99/month subscription based service in a preview period. Today the streaming service finally officially launched Hulu Plus to the masses. And at the same time they lowered the monthly fee to $7.99. Score! They say, “Any users who subscribed during the preview period will also receive a credit for the difference from the $9.99 preview price to be applied automatically to their next billing cycle.” So that’s been sorted out nicely. In tandem with the launch and price drop, Hulu Plus will now be accessible on Roku boxes. Check out the official PR after the break to see a list of all other Hulu Plus supported devices. All new subscribers to Hulu Plus receive a 1-week free trial–get started here.

[Via Hulu; Engadget] Continue reading Hulu Plus officially launches, drops price to $7.99/month and adds Roku support →

VUDU on-demand movie service coming to PS3 November 23

November 17, 2010News, Technologymovie service, on-demand, Playstation 3, PS3, Sony, Sony Playstation 3, stream, streaming, Video games, VUDUScott Meisner

Sony is really doing a splendid job at racking up the movies selection for its PlayStation 3 users. After making deals to bring television and movie content from Netflix and Hulu Plus, come November 23 PS3 owners will have access to VUDU’s on-demand movie service which includes more than 4,000 HD movies for all major Hollywood studios, including new releases available the same day they are released to DVD. VUDU supports 1080p HD and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound streaming, which is a big plus. VUDU plans to release a UI revision in mid-December, and it will bring a more streamlined user experience, intuitive structure, and support for next-generation motion-based input devices including the PlayStation Move controller. VUDU offers $2 for a two night rentals and new customers will receive a $5.99 credit; that’ll get you a ticket for one free HD streaming movie. Sony and VUDU official PR sits after the break. Catch a peek of VUDU on PS3 in the gallery below.

[Via Engadget]

Continue reading VUDU on-demand movie service coming to PS3 November 23 →

Boxee Box launches with promise of Netflix & Hulu Plus integration on the way

November 11, 2010News, TechnologyBoxee, Boxee Box, Boxee Box by D-Link, Internet streaming, product launch, product updates, stream, streaming, updateScott Meisner

Last night the developers at Boxee hosted a launch party in NYC to celebrate the debut of the Boxee Box by D-Link. We already know everything there is to know about the Internet streaming box, so I’ll jump right into the juicy new details shared at the launch party. First, Netflix and Hulu Plus are coming to the Boxee Box; the former is expected to arrive before the end of the year, and there’s no release window for the latter though Boxee promises they’re working on it. They’re also working on an updated version of the 2-sided Boxee remote (one side control buttons, the other a QWERTY keyboard for search) that will include a dedicated Netflix button. VUDU, TED, VEVO, and VICE videos will be accessible to browse and stream on the Box, too. There’s also been some changes to the user interface since it was last previewed in the beta. The home screen is a lot more streamlined, making it easier to find your content and view featured content. A new drop down menu provides quick links to Home, Shows, Movies, Apps, Files, and a search bar. Music and photos have been pushed into the Files category until the Boxee team can find time to give it some more “TLC.”

And that about does it. Boxee Box can be yours today for a cool $199.99.

[Via BoxeeBlog]

Hulu Plus preview opens up to everyone, now available on 2010 Sony BRAVIA TVs, coming next week to all PS3 users

November 5, 2010News, TechnologyBRAVIA, Hulu, Hulu Plus, PS3, Sony, Sony BRAVIA, Sony Playstation 3, stream, streaming, streaming service, subscription serviceScott Meisner

Hulu is ready to take its premium subscription service to the next level by opening it up to more people. As of today you no longer need an invitation to subscribe to Hulu Plus; if you’re interested, go ahead and register for the service right now. Is your living room packed with Sony products? If so this next bit of news should crack a smile. Hulu Plus is now available to access on 2010 BRAVIA HDTVs and BRAVIA Internet Video Link via the BRAVIA Internet Video platform. It will “soon” be available on Blu-ray players, Blu-ray Home Theater Systems, Network Media Player, and Sony’s DASH. PS3 owners, listen here: Hulu Plus will open for all of you sometime next week. (Update (11/10): It’s available today.) Since July only those PS3 users who subscribed to PlayStation Plus (a $50/year service) could use Hulu Plus, but now Hulu is removing that road block and allowing all PS3 users with a (free) PSN account to sign up for their service. PS3 will remain the exclusive video games console with Hulu Plus access through the remainder of the year; it’s expected to land on Xbox 360 and Wii sometime in 2011. PR messages from Sony and Hulu sit after the break.

[Via PlayStationBlog; HuluBlog; Engadget] Continue reading Hulu Plus preview opens up to everyone, now available on 2010 Sony BRAVIA TVs, coming next week to all PS3 users →

Conan O’Brien testing the Internet waters in pre-TBS premiere with ‘Show Zero’ [Update: watch it here!]

November 1, 2010News, Television, VideoConan, Conan O'Brien, Internet streaming, simulcast, stream, streaming, TBS, TeamCoco, webisodeScott Meisner

Conan doesn’t premiere on TBS for another week (we’re only one week away, woohoo!), but that won’t stop the former Late Night host from interacting with his fans. Tonight (11/1) Conan will be streaming live “Show Zero”, a short webisode that should give fans a taste of what to expect when his TBS debuts for real. Tonight’s show will feature Conan along with sidekick Andy Richter and The Show Zero House Band. Brought to you by–you guessed it–Coke Zero. It all goes down at 11PM in “TRIPLE-SIMULCAST action”; the stream can be accessed at TeamCoco (which has received a handsome relaunch design and new logo), YouTube, and Facebook. Happy streaming, and welcome back Coco!

Update: Wow, that lasted a whole 5 minutes. Conan wasn’t lying when he said this would be “the fastest talk show ever.” Conan introduced viewers to his offices, blasted through one monologue joke, and invited guests Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) and Steel Train (who only played the first chord off their new self-titled album) to make extremely brief cameos. The house band consisted only of Jerry Vivino on the flute. And Andy Richter was there to promote Diet Coke (not Coke Zero, strangely). Anyway, watch the mini-mayhem unfold after the break. Continue reading Conan O’Brien testing the Internet waters in pre-TBS premiere with ‘Show Zero’ [Update: watch it here!] →

SlingPlayer is coming to Windows Phone 7

October 21, 2010Technology, Videoapp, cell phones, demo, demonstration, Sling, Slingplayer, stream, streaming, streaming content, Windows Phone 7, WP7Scott Meisner

Check out this brief video demonstration of SlingPlayer running on Windows Phone 7. Full access to your set-top box content and controls is coming to Microsoft’s spankin’ new OS “soon.”

[Via Engadget]

Boxee Box ships November 10 to pre-orderers, November 17 to all

October 20, 2010News, TechnologyBoxee, Boxee Box, D-Link, Internet streaming, release date, streamingScott Meisner

The Boxee Box is coming! The Boxee Box is coming! It’s been a long time coming, but the Internet streaming box built by D-Link is almost here. The Box will start shipping on November 10 to those customers who pre-ordered it through Amazon in the U.S. or Best Buy and Future Shop in Canada. Pre-orders taken in Australia/New Zealand and other countries across Europe will ship out “shortly thereafter.” It will then become available for general public consumption November 17, and that’s if you’ve got the guts to drop a cool $299 for it. The Boxee Box will run the latest Boxee 1.0 software, and this will roll out for PC, Mac, and Linux users at a “later” date. Happy streaming! Full PR after the break.

[Via BoxeeBlog; Engadget] Continue reading Boxee Box ships November 10 to pre-orderers, November 17 to all →

Netflix goes disc-less on the Wii, too

October 19, 2010News, Technologydisc-less, Netlfix, Nintendo Wii, streaming, Video games, WiiScott Meisner

And just like that the trifecta is complete. Netflix subscribers can now access their movie and TV show content on Microsoft’s Xbox 360, Sony’s PlayStation 3, and now Nintendo’s Wii, without inserting the instant streaming disc. Sure you can’t access anything beyond your Instant Queue and there’s no HD/5.1 surround sound support, but Wii owners should rejoice in this step in the right direction. Hop into the Wii Shop Channel to download the Netflix app to your Wii Menu for quick and easy access.

[Via Engadget]