Dish reportedly launching internet TV service this summer
How do you fight cord-cutters? Offer an internet streaming service with all of cable TV’s best content. It sounds like a bit of a stretch, but it could be happening: the distribution deal that settled Disney and Dish’s ad-skipping dispute also gave the TV-provider the rights to stream Disney-owned channels over the internet. Sources close to Bloomberg are now saying that Dish is hoping to launch the service before the end of the summer.
According to Bloomberg, Dish is currently in talks with CBS, NBCUniversal and other major content providers to create a package it can sell to a younger audience — 18 to 34 year olds who aren’t willing to pay cable prices for cable content. Sources familiar with the talks say that several larger networks are holding out until Dish can can promise that at least two major networks will be on board. It’s a challenge, but doable: Dish’s deal with Disney already gives it access to ABC, the Disney Channel and content from ESPN. The company has reportedly made strong progress securing the rights to broadcast NBC channels too, which could add the USA network, Bravo or E! to the internet-package. We’ve reached out to Dish for more information, but don’t get too excited: the company already declined to comment to Bloomberg writers.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD
Source: Bloomberg
Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 9PM ET
It’s Tuesday, which is time for the Engadget HD Podcast and we hope you’ll join us for the live recording at 9PM. The big news we kick this week’s show off with is from Time Warner Cable in the way of a Fan TV box that delivers content from multiple sources. The Aereo case has finally had its, so we’ll discuss the latest news from the Supreme Court. A few newsy streaming stories, some interesting content news and the usual odds and ends round out this week’s show. If you’ll be joining us, take a peek at the topics after the break and then get ready to participate in the live chat.
Time Warner Cable will sell a $99 Fan TV box that streams cable TV and internet video
Ahead of Supreme Court trial, Aereo opens lobbying and advocacy site
What you need to know about Aereo’s battle with broadcast television
FCC sets up the ‘incentive auction’ that will lead to better wireless internet for everyone
Netflix is going to raise prices for new customers, and come to US cable DVRs
Batter up: Chromecast now live streams every pitch with MLB.tv
AllCast’s screen-mirroring magic arrives on Amazon’s Fire TV App Store
Amazon Fire TV’s voice search expands to cover Hulu Plus and Showtime, but not Netflix
Titanfall pushes Xbox One sales to 5 million total, but it can’t pass PlayStation
Sony sold seven million PS4s already, beating its own predictions
Don’t wait for SportsCenter, SlingPlayer update brings the highlights in real-time
Microsoft’s new keyboard is meant to be used with Smart TVs
Five bucks will let you stream Joss Whedon’s latest movie early
Behold the internet’s power: Quentin Tarantino to rewrite movie ending after script leaks
Must See HDTV for the week of April 21st: Archer, 30 for 30 and Parks & Rec
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz is working on a new series for Netflix
There’s no word on another new season or movie for Arrested Development, but now the show’s creator Mitch Hurwitz is working with Netflix on something new. As first reported by Deadline Hollywood, Hurwitz has signed a multi-year deal to create and produce a new original series under his The Hurwitz Company banner. After resurrecting his old show for a new season (and grabbing a few Emmy nominations) on the streaming video service last year, the relationship is clearly deep, and Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos says it’s “lucky to be in business with… a true genius.” So far Netflix’s strategy has been to snag series from talented, experienced teams and it seems to have worked out well. Still, no matter what the new show is we’ll still be keeping an eye out for news on more AD in the future, especially once our rates creep up a buck or two.
NETFLIX SIGNS MULTI-YEAR DEAL WITH ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT CREATOR MITCH HURWITZ
“We are lucky to be in business with Mitch Hurwitz, a true genius with one of the most distinctive voices in comedy today,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer. “Mitch’s inventive approach to ‘Arrested Development’ – one of the top TV comedies of this generation – was ahead of its time, and we’re fortunate to have him on our team.”
“It is incredibly inspiring to get to produce for Netflix, a company that not only doesn’t resist change, but is leaps and bounds ahead of everyone in forging it,” Hurwitz added. “The fact that I’m also getting one month of their streaming right to my TV or Xbox free…well, it really takes the sting out of buying that Xbox.”
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Source: Deadline Hollywood
iWatch May Ultimately Replace iPod, No iPod Updates Expected in 2014
A research note (via Barrons) from Christopher Caso, an analyst with Susquehanna Financial Group, reiterates previous analyst reporting about the iWatch, saying Apple is looking to enter production with a pair of screen sizes in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Caso says Apple has production targets of 5-6 million units, but believes the iWatch will “essentially replace the iPod in the consumer portion of AAPL’s product lineup” and will see lowered iPod sales as a result of customers choosing the iWatch instead. The note says the iPod is not expected to be updated this year.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said earlier this year that the iPod “is a declining business”, with sales dropping to under $5 billion in 2013, down from a peak of more than $8 billion in 2008. Apple’s iPod lineup has not seen a significant update since Fall 2012, other than a minor color change to match the rest of Apple’s portable offerings. The iPod Classic has not been updated in several years.
Apple has worked hard to have products at a variety of price points, from the $49 iPod Shuffle up to the 128GB iPad Air at $799, and then to the various Mac products.
Steve Jobs’ Infamous Temper Lives on at Apple in Bug-Wrangler Kim Vorrath [Mac Blog]
Steve Jobs was infamous for his temper, with a famous story about him blowing up at the MobileMe team following a rocky rollout of that service in 2008.
However, Jobs isn’t the only employee at Apple with a short fuse. A profile in The Information studies Kim Vorrath, Apple’s vice president in charge of “program management” for both iOS and OS X. She supervises Apple’s thorough testing process to discover bugs and is the final arbiter of deadlines to ensure that software updates come out on time.
One story in particular, relayed by Business Insider, tells of Vorrath’s displeasure when she found out a co-worker was leaving work early before the launch of the first iPhone in 2007.
Ms. Vorrath, who has worked on all seven iOS releases, generally operates by asking lots of questions of engineers, sticking to the facts and getting them to explain in plain English why a particular feature should be included in the operating system. She’s easy to get along with, say former colleagues, who recall playfully mocking her 1990s feathered hairstyle and late 1980s fashion sense. But she isn’t known for chitchat and has been known to “blow up” on occasion when people miss deadlines or make excuses, colleagues say.
During a tense time before the first release of iOS software in 2007, Ms. Vorrath grew irate when a colleague was heading home early before another marathon weekend meeting. She slammed her office door so hard that the door knob broke, and she locked herself in. Mr. Forstall grabbed a baseball bat to try to break her out, people who worked at Apple at the time recall.
The Information says Vorrath has been working at Apple since 1987, starting as an intern and eventually becoming chief of staff for Scott Forstall. Now, she is said to be working directly beneath Apple executive Craig Federighi, who is in charge of Apple’s software engineering teams.
HTC’s Droid DNA gets a bite of KitKat on April 24th
Don’t worry, Droid DNA fans — HTC may have given the One series its first batch of Android 4.4 KitKat upgrades, but it still has plenty of love for Verizon’s late 2012 flagship. The phone maker’s Mo Versi now expects the DNA to get an over-the-air update to Google’s newer OS (and the Sense 5.5 interface) starting on April 24th. That’s weeks later than what HTC anticipated back in the fall, but it’s still proof that the company is committed to supporting more than just its latest and greatest devices.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC, Verizon
Source: Mo Versi (Twitter)
Sony’s found the perfect use for its $1,100 Digital Paper: HR forms
In case you were wondering who would splurge for Sony’s $1,100 Digital Paper, it looks like the company has found another suitor: movie and television studios’ HR departments. Sony has already targeted lawyers with the 13.3-inch E Ink Mobius-toting device, but now it’s teaming up with Ease Entertainment to make short work of the hiring process for the motion picture and TV industries. According to the press release, “Digital Paper enables crew members to quickly and easily read, fill out, and submit all required paperwork, complete with legal signatures” — all while using less of the thin white stuff, we’d surmise. Ease’s part of the workflow is storing and securing the collected documents from wandering peepers. With all of those NDAs and so forth, the duo is sure to save some trees — so long as they remember to recharge every three weeks, and the set has a WiFi connection for passing along the signed forms.
Filed under: Misc
Source: Sony (Virtual Press Office)
Daily Roundup: Xperia Z2 Tablet review, Amazon’s phone and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet review: A top-tier slate with a familiar face
The Xperia Z1 slate was Sony’s debut into the high-end tablet market. Now, the company’s back for round two with the Xperia Z2 Tablet — and it looks a lot like its sibling. The Z2 may be more of a refinement than exciting new product. But hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Tilting Amazon’s phone could be the most important thing you do with it
We knew Amazon’s new phone would be souped up with sensors and multiple cameras, but BGR claims the handset will also feature a brand new way to interact with apps. All you have to do is… tilt it.
Lytro’s new light-field camera looks like an actual camera, costs $1,599
Lytro’s new light-field camera, the Illum, picks up where the original, rectangular shaped shooter left off. Now equipped with a particularly interesting camera housing, Lytro’s hoping to convince you to invest $1,599 in its refocus technology.
LG’s upcoming G Watch will be water resistant and ‘always on’
Back when Google revealed Android Wear, LG announced it was building a smartwatch for said platform. Now, the company has revealed that its wearable will be water resistant, always on and available in two color options: “stealth black” and “champagne gold.”
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Filed under: Misc
Samsung KQ specs tipped, a premium Galaxy S5?
We have seen the Samsung Galaxy S5 and its amazing results, and surely it is the best Galaxy device to date. But as the new flagship is here, its time for the rumors to start floating about the next flagship smartphone. SamMobile is reporting that Samsung is working on a premium version of the Galaxy S5, which will feature an octa-core Exynos 5430 processor and QHD (2560×1440) display. It is codenamed as “Samsung KQ”, and also the device will feature Intel-crafted LTE modules as well.
Galaxy S5 is an excellent device, but it was not what we heard about it in rumors. But it seems that the Samsung KQ will be a dream device for every Samsung fan. Right now, we don’t know when Samsung is going to release it, but you can expect it to be a Summer vacation surprise by the Korean giant, or maybe in Fall 2014.
Do you think a ‘premium’ S5 is a good idea? Let us know in the comment box below.
Source: SamMobile
The post Samsung KQ specs tipped, a premium Galaxy S5? appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google Covering Defense Costs and Damage Awards for Four Patents in Apple/Samsung Case
Google is covering lawyer fees and potential damage awards with regards to four patents in the ongoing Apple/Samsung patent case, according to a report from Re/code, quoting deposition testimony from a Google attorney that Apple introduced in court today.
Google’s contractual obligations to defend Samsung relate to a “Mobile Application Distribution Agreement” between the two companies related to the distribution of Google applications, including Gmail on Samsung’s Android devices. Samsung called several Google employees as witnesses as part of its defense.
The case between Apple and Samsung is seen by many as a proxy for the larger battle between Google and Apple over the company’s respective mobile operating systems.
Apple played deposition testimony from Google lawyer James Mccoun, who verified e-mail in which Google agreed to provide partial or full indemnity with regards to four patents as well as to take over defense of those claims.
A Samsung representative said he could not immediately say which if any claims in the case for which Google is in fact providing the defense and indemnity.
Yesterday, Samsung argued that, if it lost at trial, it would only owe Apple $40 million in damages, substantially less than the $2 billion that Apple says it is owed for infringement of five of its patents.
AIVAnet 