MLB.tv and Epix streaming apps are coming to Xbox One
Xbox One owners already have their fair share of video services to choose from in the US, but they’re about to get a pair of welcome additions. Major League Baseball now says that MLB.tv Premium should be available to stream live games on the console in time for opening day. Meanwhile, Epix has revealed plans to bring its primarily movie-focused service to the Xbox One in the near future. And don’t worry about being left out if you’re still hanging on to your Xbox 360 — Starz has just launched Encore Play and Movieplex Play apps for the earlier system, while Major League Gaming released its e-sports app yesterday. All told, it looks like you’ll have plenty of viewing options this spring.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft
Roku’s revamped mobile apps bring content search and a fresh look
Roku’s mobile software just got a long overdue coat of fresh paint. The remote control apps for both Android and iOS now have a minimalist (and very purple) interface, as well as search that lets you track down content based on actors, directors and similar minutiae. It’s now easier to control most any Roku device on the network, too. You don’t have to use an account for most functions, and a single sign-in will automatically log in to every device linked to your credentials. There’s still no iPad-optimized app — really, Roku? — but what’s here is definitely worth grabbing from the App Store or Google Play.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Software, HD, Mobile
Source: App Store, Google Play
Daily Roundup: 2013 Engadget Readers’ Choice Awards, NSA transparency reports 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.
The NSA may release its own transparency reports
Yesterday, NSA general counsel Rajesh De stated that companies like Apple or Google are fully aware of its data collection practices due to its “compulsory legal process.” Now, the agency may take that claim one step further by releasing its own transparency reports.
Twitter’s first tweet tool is a painful reminder that none of us initially ‘got’ this Twitter thing
Remember your first tweet? Probably not. But don’t worry, Twitter’s got your back. To celebrate its eighth birthday, the social giant whipped up a web tool that surfaces your original 140-character entry into the twittersphere. Scary, right?
The winners of the 2013 Engadget Awards — Readers’ Choice
Tech fans across the globe nominated and voted for their favorite gadgets, and now the results of our 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards are in! So, which laptop, smartwatch or offbeat product stood our from the rest? Read on to find out.
Ex-Microsoft employee arrested for leaking company secrets
Ex-Microsoft employee Alex Kibkalo was arrested yesterday for stealing and leaking company secrets regarding the release of Windows 8. Apparently, Kibkalo was out for revenge against Microsoft and emailed screenshots of the OS and bits of code from Microsoft’s Activation Server SDK to an unnamed French blogger. Microsoft has since claimed that it has the right to go through email accounts, but only under “exceptional circumstances.”
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Comcast’s first transparency report reveals over 25,000 government data requests
Comcast must not want to feel left out as telcos begin publishing regular government data request statistics — the cable giant has just posted its first transparency report. The document reveals that Comcast obeyed more than 25,000 government demands for info during 2013, including 24,698 criminal requests (such as warrants) and 961 emergency requests. There isn’t as much detail for national security requests due to federal rules, but the report shows that Comcast isn’t under quite as much scrutiny as its peers. The provider received less than 1,000 national security letters last year, while Verizon reported between 1,000 and 1,999; AT&T says it got between 2,000 and 2,999. The differences aren’t surprising when Comcast has no cellular customers these days. However, those numbers are bound to grow if Comcast succeeds in buying Time Warner Cable.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD
Via: The Verge
Source: Comcast (1), (2, PDF)
Netflix signs Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin to original series, but what about Dolly?
When Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton came together to form the holy trinity of dark comedy in 1980′s 9 to 5, VHS was still relatively young. Fast-forward 34 years and your VCR (if you still have one) is likely covered in dust and cobwebs, but the star power of those three women hasn’t faded. Netflix, the company arguably responsible for the death of the video store, is bringing Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda together again for yet another original series called Grace and Frankie. The comedy, which shares a creator with Friends, will run 13, 30-minute episodes, and finds Grace (Fonda) and Frankie (Tomlin) as bitter rivals brought together when their husbands fall in love and announce plans to get married.
Netflix has seen previous success with original hit series like Orange is the New Black and Emmy-award-wining House of Cards, and recently announced that it surpassed HBO in paid US subscribers. There are no specifics on an airdate for Grace and Frankie, or whether Dolly Parton will appear in a cameo (please, oh pop culture gods!), but Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer, has called it “anything but wholesome.” Fingers crossed that means we’ll see Fonda returning to her roots with some Barbarella-esque oddity.
(Images: AP / Getty)
Big UK retailer lists Chromecast ahead of an official launch
Google’s Sundar Pichai said that Chromecast would be available in many more countries this month, and it now appears that this worldwide launch could be close at hand. Engadget reader Martin has noticed that big UK retail chain Currys is already listing the TV media stick, with nary an official announcement in sight. The company says it’s out of stock, but there’s a plausible £30 ($50) price tag in place. While the entry doesn’t give any clues as to when the Chromecast would reach the country, Google has less than two weeks to make good on its word — we’d reckon that the device arrives sooner rather than later.
[Thanks, Martin]
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Peripherals, HD, Google
Source: Currys
Apple TV Concept Envisions iPod Touch-Style Remote [Mac Blog]
There have been several mockups of the next-generation iPhone and Apple’s much-rumored iWatch, but few designers have tackled what could lie in store for Apple’s upcoming revamped Apple TV set-top box.
German technology magazine Curved has explored what the future of the Apple TV could look like, posting some conceptual images of a set-top box that includes iPhone 5s design elements and a touch-based remote.
The reimagined remote control features a touch interface that mimics the existing interface of the Apple TV, offering access to specific channels like Netflix along with specific controls for music and playback.
The main attraction is the revamped remote control, completely redesigned as a touch device that might be wirelessly rechargeable via Apple TV. iPhone 5 / 5s / 5c are still functioning as remote controls as well. Additionally, a separate App Store for Apple TV should be available. With 9,8 x 9,8 cm, it comes in the same size as the 2-year-old 3rd generation, but will be even thinner with 1,67 cm. We expect models to be available in grey, gold and silver.
There has been no indication that Apple is planning on launching a product with a touch-based remote control, but an analyst suggested the company could go in that direction back in 2012.
It is also unclear what a redesigned Apple TV might look like, but Curved imagines a new product might retain the existing product’s square shape while adopting some of the features of the iPhone 5s, such as a shiny white or black exterior with gold and slate accents.
Rumors have indicated that Apple has plans to release a redesigned Apple TV product in the spring, with a number of improvements including an upgraded processor, game support, and possibly even a full App Store. Apple may also have more ambitious plans in the works, aiming to partner with traditional cable companies to provide additional content on the set-top box.
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Dish’s Super Joey DVR extender arrives, lets you record eight shows at once
Dish subscribers who fret over choosing shows to record can relax a little today. The satellite provider has just released its promised Super Joey, which both extends the Hopper DVR to other rooms and adds two tuners to the Hopper’s already plentiful six. As the math suggests, the device combo lets you record a full eight shows at the same time — four of your own choosing, plus four from the biggest US networks (ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC). Dish hasn’t said how much it will cost to bring a Super Joey into your home as of this writing, although we’d expect it to carry a premium over a run-of-the-mill Joey.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Source: Dish
Apple TV Update 6.1 Allows AirPlay Discoverability Over Bluetooth [Mac Blog]
When the Apple TV was updated to version 6.1 earlier this week, it was initially thought that there were minimal changes outside of the ability to hide icons in the main menu. However, a new report from AFP548 (via Daring Fireball) indicates that Apple also enabled AirPlay device discovery over Bluetooth as well.
Here’s one that will make educators and education network administrators realllllly happy. There’s a hidden gem in the AppleTV 6.1 update that was released today.
In addition to bonjour negotiation for AirPlay, iOS 7.1 devices will also look for AirPlay sources over bluetooth when doing it’s scan! This means you do NOT need bonjour to AirPlay.
Image via AFP548
This change allows Apple TV to search for connectable devices over Bluetooth, bypassing Bonjour and making it easier for education and business administrators to set up iOS device and Apple TV pairings. Previously, Apple TVs could have a difficult time discovering devices on networks that might block Bonjour.
The new feature has three requirements: an Apple TV updated to 6.1, an iOS device updated to 7.1, and IP connectivity between both devices. AFP548 found during its testing that the feature doesn’t yet support Macs, but that the ability could be added in a future update.
Apple TVs have become an important replacement for traditional projectors in both educational and business settings, and these changes are likely to make it even easier for administrators to consider switching to Apple’s solution.
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Rumors of an Amazon music service, TV set-top box swirl yet again
We’re still not sure whether Amazon’s truly launching a music streaming service, but if it does, you might only be able to access songs and albums for a limited time. According to the Wall Street Journal, the e-commerce company hopes to offer music streaming as part of Prime to justify an annual membership (from $79 to $119) price increase. Unlike other services like Spotify or Pandora, Amazon’s end goal is to entice people to download tracks from its MP3 store, hence, the time limit. Meanwhile, Billboard reports on rumors compiled from sources at multiple labels, where Amazon’s apparently going after older titles, and proposing smaller, capped payments based on the number of plays. The service’s existence depends on whether Amazon and recording companies can agree on licensing fees, though — it’s reportedly far from being a done deal.
Music streaming isn’t the only Amazon rumor that’s recently resurfaced with more details. Remember the streaming box the company was supposedly launching last year? Well, according to GigaOm, when it does become available, it’ll come loaded with Netflix and Hulu Plus in addition to Prime Instant Video. It’s also intriguing that Amazon appears on a list of companies registered to use the DIAL protocol pushed by Netflix and YouTube. That suggests the ability to fire and control streams from your mobile apps for those services and/or the addition of similar features to Amazon Instant Video. Of course, none of these are set in stone (hey, Amazon hasn’t even confirmed either product yet) until we hear from the company itself.
[Image credit: Mike Seyfang/Flickr]
Source: The Wall Street Journal, Billboard, GigaOm
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