Xbox One won’t get a television DVR feature after all
Back at Gamescom in August, Microsoft announced that the Xbox One would be getting a DVR feature for over-the-air TV this year. Well, if you got your hopes up about the add-on, we’ve got some bad news. The company has confirmed to Engadget that the tool is no longer being added to the console. Why the change of heart? Microsoft cites a decision to focus on “new higher fan-requested gaming experiences across Xbox One and Windows 10.” While the company says development is “on hold,” there’s no indication that it will pick the project back up at a later date.
When the DVR tool was announced last year, Microsoft said users would be able to stream recorded content via the SmartGlass app for Android and iOS or the Xbox app on Windows 10. Apps would’ve also offered the ability to schedule recordings while on the go through OneGuide and that the content would be stored on an external hard drive. The addition of the DVR would’ve made the console a more complete TV solution, at least for over-the-air shows. However, it appears the company has turned its focus solely on gaming, and we should hear more about that topic at next week’s E3. Here’s the full statement from Microsoft.
“After careful consideration, we’ve decided to put development of DVR for Over-the-Air TV on hold to focus our attention on launching new, higher fan-requested gaming experiences across Xbox One and Windows 10. We’re always listening to fan feedback and we look forward to bringing more requested experiences on Xbox One, Windows 10 and Xbox Live this year.”
Via: The Verge
‘Mr. Robot’ promo has you hacking a fake ATM
If you were planning a real-world promo for Mr. Robot, a TV show that’s all about hacking and the culture that goes with it, what would you do? Invite fans to do some hacking of their own, apparently. As part of the run-up to the series’ second season, New York City retailer Story has remade its store with a hacking-inspired game as its centerpiece. Clues littered around the store offer codes that let you ‘hack’ an Evil Corp ATM for real cash — if you’re astute, you can get as much as $50. It’s not the same as a real ATM hack (thankfully), but it’s very much in the spirit of Mr. Robot’s stick-it-to-authority ethos.
There’s more. You’ll also find an interactive version of Elliot’s desk that shows videos whenever you touch real-world objects, and there are nods to Fsociety’s home base that include real arcade cabinets and a Skee-Ball machine. Yes, it’s all there to convince you to watch the show and buy related merch. However, this may be one of the few physical promos that’s worth checking out for its own sake — especially since you might walk out of the store with more money than you had going in.
Via: Co.Create
Source: Story
Google Fiber finally adds AMC to its TV lineup
While most of us are still waiting for Google Fiber to reach our town, many of the people who have its TV service were waiting for something else: AMC. Now, after nearly four years of waiting and an overwhelming number of requests on Google’s forums, they have it on channel 288. While adding the channel post-Mad Men and Breaking Bad feels a little late, AMC does have The Walking Dead and Better Call Saul, to go with newbie series Preacher and Feed the Beast.
Source: Google Fiber (G+), Google Fiber Forum
Netflix produces its first original series for India
Netflix only reached India in January, and it knows that it has to cater to local tastes if it wants to earn respect in the country. Accordingly, it just announced that it’s co-producing its first original series for India with the help of Phantom Films. The project will bring author Vikram Chandra’s bestselling novel, the Mumbai-centric thriller Sacred Games, to the streaming service with both on-location filming (only logical, really) and dialogue in both Hindi as well as English. It’s not certain when the production will be ready, but it’ll be available worldwide — it’s an ambassador for India’s creative scene on top of providing culturally relevant entertainment.
Via: Mashable
Source: Netflix
BT’s football final coverage attracts 3 million on YouTube
BT Sport’s YouTube experiment turned out to be quite successful. As the Guardian reports, the broadcaster attracted three million people to its live coverage of the Champions League and Europa League finals on the platform. Anyone in the UK was able to watch these streams, regardless of whether or not they were a BT Sport subscriber. It was offered alongside BT Sport Showcase, a free-to-watch Freeview channel that BT is forced to provide as part of its Champions League and Europa League TV rights deal. It was the first time both finals have been shown for free on YouTube.
Three million might not sound like a lot given the total number of people that are interested in football in the UK. But bear in mind this was the first time BT Sport has ever offered free coverage on YouTube — not everyone will have known about it, or known where it was being hosted. Furthermore, the Champions League final was, while nail-biting at its conclusion, a subdued end for many British football fans. All of the English clubs had been knocked out months ago, and an all-Madrid fixture is something fans see numerous times a year in La Liga. Liverpool’s clash with Sevilla in the Europa League final was, of course, a different story.
So three million is still a pretty good turnout. It represented a quarter of BT’s viewership, which could have also tuned in through BT TV, the BT website, the BT Sport apps and a number of other TV platforms. For BT, there’s no immediate gain from showing matches on YouTube, however it could be an effective way of marketing its paid sports package. If viewers are impressed by the quality of the stream, the commentary or the pundits — it might be the push they need to subscribe to the full BT Sport experience.
Source: The Guardian
‘Mirror’s Edge’ TV show in the works from ‘Big Brother’ studio
Mirror’s Edge, the cult-classic video game franchise from EA, is set to become a television series from the makers of Big Brother, The Biggest Loser and Hell on Wheels. Endemol Shine Studios acquired the TV rights to Mirror’s Edge and is working with EA to transform it into a female-centric action series (much like the game itself). Deadline originally reported the deal and EA confirmed its existence to Engadget.
“We are excited to be working with Endemol Shine Studios to explore a potential Mirror’s Edge project for television,” an EA spokesperson said.
The original Mirror’s Edge hit the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2008. It’s a rapid-fire first-person game starring Faith, a freerunner, as she battles a dystopian government across a sleek, futuristic city. It was heralded for innovative gameplay mechanics yet criticized for not presenting a deep enough story to satisfy many couch-bound freerunners. Its long-awaited sequel, Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, is due to land on Xbox One and PS4 on June 7th, and it promises to showcase a larger storyline and bigger city to explore.
Endemol Shine Studios is the scripted division of Endemol Shine North America, meaning any Mirror’s Edge TV show won’t be a reality series (although, watching Faith freerun around the Big Brother house would be infinitely amusing).
“We clearly see Mirror’s Edge as a franchise for the global TV audience,” Endemol Shine Studios president Sharon Hall said, according to Deadline. “It has a strong female protagonist, a wildly rabid fan base and a worldwide brand that Electronic Arts and EA DICE have done an amazing job establishing.”
Republican budget proposal would gut net neutrality
It’s no secret that the Republican Party hates net neutrality regulation, but it’s now ready to raise the stakes. House GOP members have drafted a 2017 budget proposal that would neuter some of the FCC’s bigger telecom initiatives, at least for a while. On top of cutting the FCC’s budget by $69 million, it would prevent the FCC from enforcing its net neutrality rules until some court cases wind down — which, knowing the legal system, could take years. You could also forget about short-term attempts to open up competition for TV set-top boxes, as the legislation would prevent the FCC from taking action on its set-top rule until a study finishes.
There’s more: the bill would also ban attempts at regulating broadband rates. While the FCC is okay with keeping its hands off of regular pricing, the GOP proposal would have such a broad definition of rate regulation that it would hamper the FCC’s net neutrality practices. It would prevent the Commission from looking into unfair data cap practices, for instance. In theory, carriers would be free to use low caps and exceptions to steer you toward their services while making like difficult for all the others.
It’s entirely possible that President Obama could veto the bill given that the US government’s fiscal year starts in October, assuming it gets the necessary votes. The House unsuccessfully tried a similar move last year. However, it won’t be surprising if supporters keep pushing. Net neutrality has long been a hot-button issue for anti-regulation forces, and telecom campaign money (the House Appropriations Committee chair received $25,500) is bound to motivate those opponents.
Via: Ars Technica
Source: House Committee on Appropriations, (PDF)
GoPro makes a seemingly inevitable deal with Red Bull
Red Bull’s extreme sports adventures are practically tailor-made for GoPro’s action cameras, so it would only make sense if the two got together, right? Sure enough, that’s what happening. GoPro has announced an exclusive deal with Red Bull that will have the two partnering on distributing and selling content. They’ll share rights on co-produced content and share it across both of their online and TV channels. Also, each company gets a distinct perk: GoPro becomes Red Bull’s sole action camera provider, while Red Bull gets equity in GoPro.
.@RedBull + @GoPro are bringing a new POV! @PaulRabil knows what’s up! Where should we put a #GoPro next? #RedBullhttps://t.co/NrEaGkk1To
— GoPro (@GoPro) May 24, 2016
You probably won’t see too much in the way of immediate impact, but it could help GoPro in the long run. The company isn’t in the best of shape; giving Red Bull a financial stake could both help its bottom line and give it a partner with a vested interest in helping it succeed. That’s particularly important when GoPro has delayed its first drone and can only rely on its action cam business until the fall. For Red Bull, this is more of a nice-to-have agreement — it increases the energy drink maker’s already wide reach.
Via: Reuters
Source: GoPro
Polaroid’s first smart TVs pack 4K and Google Cast
When Google unveiled a wider range of TVs with Google Cast support, you might have done a double-take when you saw Polaroid’s name — what, the reborn camera maker? Yes, it’s true… and you may have a good reason to take notice. Polaroid has unveiled its first-ever smart TVs, and it’s clear that they offer some bang for the buck. Every model in the LED-lit range packs a 4K display, a 120Hz refresh rate, native HEVC decoding and Google Cast streaming, so you won’t have trouble either watching Ultra HD video or sharing a YouTube clip from your phone.
The big deal, as you might guess, is the cost. The initial lineup will launch at sizes between 43 and 65 inches at respective prices between $499 to $999, while a 75-incher due in the fall will still be semi-affordable at $1,899. We wouldn’t expect stellar image quality for the money, but these may well be more than enough if you’re just looking to stay current without crippling your bank account.
Source: Polaroid
Infuse helps you find fresh videos on Apple TV and iOS
Media portal and set-top box makers have tried any number of things to help you decide what to watch next, ranging from visual makeovers to voice recognition. However, the team at FireCore thinks it has a better way: filters. The new Infuse 4.2 for Apple TV and iOS has a redesigned library view that not only helps you find videos the old-fashioned way, but incorporates smart filters that automatically sift through your collection. You can quickly figure out which TV shows are kid-appropriate, for example, or look for just the movies that came out last year. Moreover, you can create home screen favorites that revolve around these filters — you could always see what’s new the moment you sit down for the evening.
There’s more. On iOS, Infuse titles now show up in Spotlight searches and will start playing right away when you tap the results. Your ratings on Trakt sync across devices, too, so you won’t forget that a show was amazing just because you’re about to watch it somewhere else. All told, this isn’t the minor update the version number suggests. Give it a look if you’re frequently wracked with indecision on movie night.
Source: FireCore
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