What is HBO Go and how do you watch it?

Everyone knows what HBO is… but it can get confusing when people start talking about HBO Go.

But it’s really not that complicated. To help you understand what HBO Go is and how to use it, Pocket-lint has explained everything you need to know about the free streaming service in this complete guide. We’ve even detailed how it’s different from HBO Now and HBO On Demand.

What is HBO Go?

You can only use HBO Go if HBO is part of your cable package through a participating TV provider (such as Time Warner, etc). It’s a free streaming service available on a variety of devices for people who subscribe to HBO. It provides on-demand access to most of HBO’s library, including popular series, films, specials, and original content. It doesn’t offer live TV, but new content is typically available within minutes after the live broadcast.

How much does HBO Go cost?

HBO Go is free to use. But it requires an HBO subscription (which isn’t free) through a participating TV provider..

What is the difference between HBO Go and HBO Now?

If you’re a cord-cutter who doesn’t want to deal with a TV provider, you can use HBO’s HBO Now app. It’s a standalone streaming service that costs $15 a month. Like HBO Go, you will get on-demand access to all original content, as well as popular series, films, and specials on HBO. HBO Now also doesn’t offer live TV, but new content is typically available within minutes (or sometimes up to an hour) after the live broadcast.

• HBO Now hands-on: A true cord-cutting experience at last

What is the difference between HBO Go and HBO On Demand?

HBO On Demand only gives you access to 150 hours of HBO. And it’s not the full library of series , films, and specials. HBO On Demand is available through your TV provider, so if you’re an HBO subscriber, you can access it with a click of a button on your remote. No extra equipment, app, or installation required. HBO on Demand is not available to satellite customers, and the cost varies depending on your TV provider.

How do you sign up for HBO Go?

First of all, if you don’t have an HBO subscription, go to HBO.com/order to purchase one through a participating TV provider. Once you have a username and password for your TV provider account, you can sign in to HBO GO. When you’re all set, go to HBOGO.com on your computer, and in the upper-right corner, choose Sign In. Alternatively, open the HBO GO app on your mobile device, and choose Sign In.

From there, follow these steps:

Choose your TV provider or college from the list of providers.
Enter the username and password for your TV provider account.
Enter an HBO GO ID (this is a unique name for your HBO GO profile).
Enter your email address and ZIP code (these fields are optional).
Choose Save.
Now you’re ready to use HBO Go.

Does HBO Go support TV provider sub-accounts?

Yes. Some TV providers let you create sub-accounts, so that other members of your household can access your TV provider account, but each account has its own TV provider username and password. This way different members of your household can have their own HBO GO watchlist and and parental controls. Contact your TV provider to see if it offers sub-accounts with HBO Go.

How do you watch HBO Go?

To watch HBO Go, you need a compatible device. You can sign into your HBO Go account through your web browser on a computer, or you can sign into the HBO Go app, which is available for select compatible devices (listed below). You’re allowed to use HBO Go on multiple different devices at the same time, but the number of simultaneous streams is limited. You will get an error notice if you exceed the limit.

• Apple iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, and Apple TV
• Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets
• Android phones, Android tablets, and Android TV
• Google Chromecast
• Sony PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4
• All Roku players
• Samsung Smart TVs
• TiVo
• Microsoft Xbox 360 and Xbox One

What broadband speed do you need for HBO Go?

HBO said HBO Go streams video at the “highest quality possible”. A high-speed connection with a minimum download speed of 3Mbps is required. f the network bandwidth is too low or falls below 3Mbps, you might get a lower resolution video or only audio playing.

Does HBO Go offer parental controls?

Yes. Parental controls limit which HBO Go shows and movies can be watched based on movie and TV ratings. You can set the maximum rating for both movies and TV shows. For instance, you can set the maximum allowed rating to PG-13 for movies and TV-PG for TV shows. You can enable Parental controls via the HBO Go website or HBO Go mobile app. Visit HBO Go’s Help center for further instructions.

What is Watchlist and Continue Watching?

Watchlist

HBO Go’s Watchlist ets you add shows and movies that you’d like to watch in the future. To add an item to your watchlist, click “+Add” from the HBO Go website or select “Add to Watchlist” from your mobile device, connected device, or game console. To see what’s on your watchlist, navigate to Watchlist from the HBO Go website, connected device, or console, or tap Watchlist under the Menu button on your mobile device.

Continue Watching

When you watch a video, HBO Go keeps track of your progress, so it lets you stop watching, then return to the video, and resume where you left off. Videos that you partially watched are automatically added to your Continue Watching list.

Where is HBO Go available?

HBO Go is only available in the US.

The SteelSeries 9H Gaming Headset delivers tournament-grade audio worthy of any pro gamer (39 per cent off)

When you’re in the thick of an online match, you can’t afford to get distracted by outside noise.

That’s why the SteelSeries 9H Gaming Headset is a competitive gamer’s best friend. Delivering tournament-grade audio, this headset lets you focus on the sounds of the game while tuning out outside chatter. For a limited time, Pocket-lint readers can get it on sale for just £76.12 [$99 USD].

Boasting Dolby Technology and high-grade components like Mylar film, the SteelSeries 9H Gaming Headset is custom-built to produce crisp audio. From your teammate’s directions to your foe’s approaching footsteps, this headset is designed to pick up important audio cues.

The SteelSeries 9H Gaming Headset also features double enclosure technology. No matter what’s going on outside your game, this headset creates powerful noise isolation to make sure the sounds of the game are the only things you hear.

What’s more, this headset comes with a retractable microphone. That way, you can communicate with your teammates when you need to and tuck it away when you don’t. Combined with the headset’s noise isolation capabilities, this makes for crystal clear communication.

The SteelSeries 9H Gaming Headset normally retails for £126, but Pocket-lint readers can save big for a limited time. Now, you can take nearly 40 per cent off its normal price and get this headset on sale for only £76.12 [$99 USD].

Break into an in-demand tech career with the Computer Hacker Professional Certification Package (96 per cent off)

Cybersecurity is becoming one of tech’s most in-demand fields, but companies only entrust their safety to certified pros.

The Computer Hacker Professional Certification Package can help you make your way into this booming field by preparing you to ace five leading certification exams. For a limited time, Pocket-lint readers can get it on sale for only £48.39 ($59 USD).

The Computer Hacker Professional Certification Package comes with over 60 hours of training to help you pass the following certification exams:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified Information Systems Security Pro (CISSP)

Dive into this training bundle and you’ll build up your network security skills learning the tools and techniques these pros use daily. You’ll discover how to breach and repair networks as a penetration tester and sniff out the vulnerabilities hackers can exploit. Using assets like Access Data’s Forensic Toolkit and EnCase, you’ll also learn the proper ways to handle and investigate forensic data.

Whether you’re looking to face hackers on the front line as an ethical hacker or oversee an entire enterprise network as a certified information security manager, you’ll learn the skills necessary to integrate your hacking expertise into any business environment.

The Computer Hacker Professional Certification Package retails for £1,229, but Pocket-lint readers can save big and get it on sale for just £48.39 ($59 USD).

Keep your family’s Apple devices optimized with this trio of essential apps (85 per cent off)

We pay a pretty penny for our Apple devices, so we want to see them last for a while.

That’s why the iPhone Family Pack is a must for anyone looking to keep their Apple arsenal running well into the future.

On sale for only £19.68 ($23.99 USD), this app bundle brings you a trio of apps designed to keep your iPhones secure and running at maximum efficiency. Plus, they all come with a family license, so you can share them with the whole household.

The iPhone Family Pack includes the following apps:

AnyTrans for Mac: Family License: Think of AnyTrans as an all-in-one content manager for all your Apple devices. It’s designed to streamline access to all your files without having switch between devices. This way, you can easily view and transfer media files, share contacts, and clone content from one device to another.

PhoneClean iOS Cleaner for Mac: Family License: Even Apple devices get bogged down with unnecessary junk. Phone Clean works in the background, cleaning out accumulated iOS system junk on a daily basis. Plus, you can use Phone Clean to safely eliminate sensitive data like iMessages and browsing activity.

PhoneRescue for Mac: Family License: Accidental deletions happen, but PhoneRescue helps patch up the damage. Whether you mistakenly deleted a photo or lost information in an iCloud backup, PhoneRescue can pinpoint what you lost and help recover your data. It can even fully repair an iPhone from a system crash, no matter how severe.

The iPhone Family Pack usually goes for £138, but Pocket-lint readers can take 85 per cent off, bringing the final price down to only £19.68 ($23.99 USD).

Pixel factory images and OTA images available from Google

Everything you need to manually update your Pixel has been posted by Google.

If you’ve been wondering how the [Pixel phones](/google-pixel] will compare the Nexus line when it comes to updates and images and all things open-ish, you’ll be happy to know that Google has posted the latest factory images and the day-one OTA update images at the Android developers site.

Three builds are available as a full image as well as incremental zip files (OTA updates), NDE63H, NDE63L, and NDE63P. All builds are Android 7.1. You flash things the same way you would have done on a Nexus phone or tablet, and we have a set of instructions here to make it as pain-free as possible.

The complete guide to manually updating your Nexus Pixel

Of course, you’ll always be able to find more help in the forums which are filled with folks who love to flash … anything. It’s just fun!

You’ll find the images and OTA files at the links below.

Pixel factory images
Pixel OTA images

Google Pixel + Pixel XL

• Google Pixel and Pixel XL review
• Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective
• Google Pixel FAQ: Should you upgrade?
• Pixel + Pixel XL specs
• Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
• Join the discussion in the forums!

Google Store
Verizon

Daily Briefing: Obama burns Samsung and Pixels burn wallets

Thanks, Obama — for making the Android Central News Briefing, October 20, 2016.

There are many things we like to see: puppies, hot coffee and croissants together, and the release of our favorite new devices in the wild. The Pixel and Pixel XL are now making their way to customers around the world, and we’re excited to see what people think.

But don’t forget the Moto Z Play, which is also available for $200 less than the Pixel, and you get a pretty great experience, too.

Mainly, I’m just happy that this weekly cadence of phone releases is calming down so I can get back to writing the great Canadian novel, Drake’s BlackBerry.

With that, here’s today’s top stories!

BlackBerry’s app updates for October are rolling out

BlackBerry’s Android apps are getting their monthly update, and we’re expected to see improvements for Hub+, Camera, Keyboard, Password Keeper and more. Additional improvements for the Priv and DTEK50 camera and keyboard are also on the way. More

Unlocked Moto Z Play comes to Amazon, B&H and others

The Moto Z Play, one of the best phones you may have overlooked this year, is now available unlocked from several e-commerce sites. It’s $450, which is more expensive than Verizon sells it for, but it lacks bloatware, and has official support for AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks. See at Amazon

Google Pixel is available today

The Google Pixel is now available in many countries around the world, including the U.S. and Canada. The phone can be purchased at Google’s online store and, in the U.S., at Verizon. In Canada, it’s available from a number of outlets, including Rogers, Bell, Telus and others. More

Daydream View available at the Google Store after all

And here we thought that only Pixel pre-orders would get the luxury of being first to snag a Daydream View. Google’s virtual reality headset is officially on sale for $79. You’ll need a Daydream-ready smartphone to use it, however, so make sure you’ve got a Pixel on the way or a ZTE Axon 7 in-hand before you order one. More

Chromecast Ultra now available from Google, but get it from Best Buy

Google is on a hardware release streak. In addition to the Pixel itself and a small number of Daydream units, the Chromecast Ultra is now available from Google and Best Buy, and is shipping November 7. Who’s buying? More

Obama burns Samsung at press conference

Obama took a nice, clean shot at Samsung’s fiery Note 7 at a press conference today. Thanks, Obama.

Verizon has no 128GB Pixel XLs and won’t have any until November 18

The 128GB Pixel XL (in any color) is sold out at Verizon. According to TechTimes more aren’t expected until November 18. With Google’s own store and best Buy sold out of 128GB models, it looks like it will be 32GB or a wait for potential Pixel buyers.

Pixel and Pixel XL get the “Nexus” factory image treatment at launch

As expected, Google hasn’t strayed too far from the Nexus legacy when it comes to releasing factory images and OTA updates. These files are now available to sideload at will for those who want to bring their devices back to factory settings. More

Qualcomm reportedly ready to close deal and buy NXP Semiconductors

What to do when you’re sitting on $30+ billion in cash? If you’re Qualcomm, you buy a company who can help lessen your dependency on one market and branch into new ones. According to Bloomberg Qualcomm is ready to do just that.

Chrome 54 for Android brings background audio because we’re not animals

Android is a pretty powerful desktop-class operating system, but there are some mystifying shortcomings that occasionally keep it down. One of them is Google’s inconsistent application of background audio in apps like Chrome and YouTube. We already know why YouTube doesn’t allow for background audio — artists gotta get paid — but there was no reason to prevent Chrome from working with some sites. With Chrome 54, that’s now possible.

Your Snapdragon 820 phone is better than your friend’s iPhone 7 in one important way

OK, this is a little inside baseball, but stay with me: Apple made two versions of the iPhone 7, one with an Intel baseband and the other with a Qualcomm one. Ostensibly they’re identical, but RF experts at Cellular Insights have tested both versions and found the Qualcomm one to be significantly faster.

How does this affect you? Because that chip is the same one found in Qualcomm’s X12 modem solution inside most Android devices running a Snapdragon 820. In other words, rock on!

That’s it from us, see you tomorrow!

Google explains why it focused on fair gender representation with its new emoji

Diverse emoji are better emoji.

For many of us, emoji are a part of our daily conversations. I text my best friend with a heart emoji and a sunrise emoji every morning, and I use the raised hands emoji to let my co-workers know that I’m having an IRL physical reaction to something in the Mobile Nations Slack chat.

Emoji are not just for fun, however. Since they’ve become a part of our daily rhetoric, they’ve also become a new way for us to show solidarity. Take Apple’s controversial decision to replace the pistol emoji in iOS 10 with a green water gun. The company basically took a stance in favor of gun control, and while there were plenty of its users that didn’t take kindly to the move, many considered it to be a brave political statement on Apple’s part.

Google’s on track to do the same. Earlier this year, it announced that it would be updating the emoji in Android 7.1 with 63 new characters related to gender empowerment and fair gender representation. If you’ve got a new Pixel or Pixel XL in your hands, you can freely use these emoji right now.

As a woman, part of the appeal of being an Android user is knowing how much Google attempts to make me feel included, but I’m aware that not everyone understands why this is important. Google knows this too, so Rachel Been, one of the designers behind the new emoji, and Agustin Fonts, one of the product managers, put together this informative post on why the company chose to focus primarily on gender inclusiveness in its latest batch of emoji.

We are very proud of these new emoji, in part because we had a hand in making them a reality, and also because they sparked meaningful discussion and spurred a new way of thinking about the representation of humans in emoji.

In addition to depicting more women in various industries, Google also added dual gender counterparts for emoji that previously only had male or female representation. Take a gander at the post to learn more about why Google made the decisions it did. Been and Fonts also get into the nitty-gritty of how Google designed the emoji to match the rest of the Android aesthetic.

Android 7.0 Nougat

• Android 7.0 Nougat: Everything you need to know
• Will my phone get Android Nougat?
• All Android Nougat news
• How to manually update your Nexus
• Join the Discussion

New Razer Blade Pro laptop has a 4K touchscreen, mechanical keyboard

Razer has introduced a new 17.3-inch Razer Blade Pro gaming laptop.

Billed as a “desktop inside your laptop”, the 2016 Blade Pro packs a 2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 desktop card, PCIe M.2 SSD (from 512GB to 2TB), 32GB of 2,113MHz DDR4 RAM, and a Killer DoubleShot Pro network interface card, which supports 802.11ac wireless connectivity and Gigabit Ethernet.

Although that spec sheet is amazing, the best parts about this machine aren’t on the inside but actually the outside: it has a 17.3-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) IGZO display with Nvidia G-Sync support and multitouch. It also has USB-C (doubles as a Thunderbolt 3 jack), an HDMI output, three USB 3.0 ports, an SD card reader, and a mechanical keyboard.

That’s right. Razer took its well-received iPad Pro keyboard accessory and built it into the new Blade Pro. It’s a low-profile keyboard with the tactile feedback you’d find in traditional keyboards. Despite all this tech, the new Razer Blade only measures 22.5mm in thickness, but it weighs 7.8lbs. Razer said its the thinnest laptop with GeForce GTX 1080.

The Razer Blade Pro will launch in November for $3,699 (£3,499).