CNN’s Flipboard rival now belongs to… Flipboard
CNN bought the news aggregation service Zite to get a fast track in the mobile space, but it never gained much ground versus Zite’s arch-rival, Flipboard. Accordingly, the TV broadcaster is throwing in the towel — it just sold Zite to Flipboard for $60 million. The deal brings a raft of previously unavailable CNN content to Flipboard’s news curation platform, ranging from articles to video feeds for shows like Anderson Cooper 360 and Inside Politics. The network has also agreed to produce custom magazines (shown here) that go beyond what you’d normally find online. CNN’s content is available today, and it’s launching alongside a big Android app update that lets readers sign in with Google, control article density, curb their data use and attach photos to custom magazines.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD
Source: CNNMoney, Inside Flipboard (1), (2)
Vudu will soon let you send movies to your Chromecast
There isn’t exactly an abundance of major movie services that will send video to a Chromecast; for the most part, Google Play Movies and Netflix still rule the roost. It’s a good thing, then, that Vudu has announced plans to support the TV media adapter through both updated mobile apps and Chrome on the desktop. The provider won’t say just when Chromecast support is coming other than “soon,” but early adopters can register for a beta test. Either way, it’s clear that Vudu still wants its video platform on every living room device you own.
[Thanks, Mark]
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD
Source: Vudu Blog, Vudu Beta Community
Roku Takes Aim at Chromecast and Apple TV With $49 Streaming Stick [iOS Blog]
Roku today introduced a new $50 HDMI streaming-stick to compete directly with Google’s Chromecast and give consumers a significantly cheaper alternative to the Apple TV.
The new streaming stick is a sequel of sorts to a stick that Roku introduced last year that only worked with select Roku-ready TV’s. The new stick comes with a full-fledged remote control and largely replicates the functionality of the full-sized Roku 3 set-top box, though it lacks an Ethernet jack and support for gaming. Users get access to more than 1,000 Roku channels, including Plex, Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon, Spotify, Major League Baseball, Showtime, WatchESPN and many more.
“The new Roku Streaming Stick gives consumers more choice for streaming entertainment to the TV than any other device,” said Jim Funk, senior vice president of product management at Roku. “Consumers want a ton of entertainment, an easy way to search for movies and TV shows, and options to control the experience with a remote or mobile device. This new Roku Streaming Stick brings all that and more – and in a tiny form factor.”
The Roku Streaming Stick connects to the Internet via 802.11n Wi-Fi and plugs into the USB port present on most modern flat-screen TVs for power. It is available for pre-order for $50 from Roku’s website or on Amazon.com.
     |
Pretend it’s 1994: music videos now available on Xbox One
The days of true music television may be long gone, but Microsoft has just introduced the next best thing. Xbox Music on the Xbox One now offers more than 92,000 music videos; if a given song has a matching video, you’ll see that instead of having to settle for plain old audio. You can also browse music videos if you demand visuals for every track. If you’re looking for something to do before the Xbox One’s big update hits — or just want to indulge in some TV nostalgia — you can check out the Xbox Music update today.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft
Source: Xbox Wire
Dish and Disney’s new deal cuts into ad skipping, allows for internet-only video service
TV networks have long been embroiled in a legal battle with Dish over ad skipping built into the Hopper DVR, but the two sides are finally starting to lay down their arms — and there may be a few perks for viewers as a result. Disney and Dish have reached a TV distribution deal that gives Dish the rights to stream Disney-owned channels online, both through services like WatchESPN as well as an internet-based TV service from Dish itself. In other words, you may not need a satellite dish to start watching. There is a catch, of course. Both companies have agreed to drop their lawsuits, but Dish will have to prevent Hopper owners from skipping ads on Disney-produced shows until three days after they air. The move should appease Disney advertisers that depend on three-day audience ratings. The agreement should still give Dish subscribers more ways to watch TV, but it could lead to other broadcasters demanding ad skipping limits — and one of the Hopper’s main features could be much less useful.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Source: Dish
Apple Sold $1 Billion in Apple TV Boxes in 2013, Cook Says ‘Difficult to Call It a Hobby’
During Apple’s annual stockholders meeting in Cupertino today, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that Apple sold more than $1 billion worth of its Apple TV set-top box in 2013, putting sales at close to 10 million units for the year.
This is a roughly double the 5 million it sold in fiscal 2012, which was double its Apple TV sales in 2011. Cook has traditionally called the Apple TV a “hobby”, but said today that “it’s a little more difficult to call it a hobby these days”. Horace Dediu created a chart showing the impressive growth of Apple TV sales over the past several years, making it the fastest growing device in Apple’s hardware lineup.
It has been repeatedly rumored that Apple is working on an improved set-top box and also a full-fledged television set. A new set-top box is expected to be introduced in the next couple of months, though it’s unclear when the device itself would go on sale. A recent report said Apple would be introducing an SDK for Apple TV application development with an accompanying App Store launching to the public later in 2014.
Apple also launched a sale on the Apple TV at the company’s online and retail outlets in the U.S., giving out a $25 iTunes Gift Card with purchase of the $99 device — an unusual move for the company which only rarely offers sales on its devices.
| |
Apple’s new US promo gives Apple TV buyers free $25 iTunes gift cards
Color us intrigued. Apple seldom offers discounts on any of its devices outside of Black Friday, and yet it just launched a short, US-only promotion (PDF) that gives Apple TV buyers free $25 iTunes gift cards to jumpstart their media libraries. There’s no major strings attached — you just have to buy the device between now and March 5th to get the bonus credit. It sounds like a solid deal, but you may not want to rush to the store right away. The promo comes hot on the heels of rumors of a next-generation Apple TV, which suggests that the crew in Cupertino may be clearing out inventory ahead of a new model. If you’re not worried about owning the latest and greatest, though, it’s a tempting offer.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Apple
Via: 9to5 Mac
Source: Apple (PDF)
Instapaper update for iOS lets you send media to your Kindle and TV
Instapaper’s already broad device support has just grown a little bit broader. The service’s updated iOS app lets you send articles to Kindle for reading on one of Amazon’s devices, and you can push videos to your big-screen TV through AirPlay. Even if you’re happy with catching up from your iPad or iPhone, you may also like a new option to auto-renew your Instapaper subscription. It’s not the most life-changing Instapaper update we’ve seen. Stay tuned, though — the developers promise that their next release will be the biggest since Betaworks acquired the app last year.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile
Via: The Next Web
Source: App Store, Instapaper Blog
Dish Explorer for iPad can now recommend shows and turn on your TV
If you own one of Dish’s Hopper DVRs and have ever been stumped as to what to watch next, you’ll want to grab the latest version of Dish Explorer for the iPad. The new app now recommends shows based on your viewing habits; watch a lot of crime dramas and Dish may suggest the others you’ve missed. The update also introduces direct control over the TV’s power and volume, so you won’t have to go hunting for that lost remote. Head to the App Store for an upgrade if either new Explorer feature sounds appealing.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD
Via: Dish
Source: App Store
BBC head wants all iPlayer users to pony up the licence fee
The BBC’s budget is getting squeezed, and as such, everyone who uses its service is going to be made to pay up. Lord Hall, the BBC’s Director-General, has announced that he’s pushing to close the famous iPlayer Loophole, adding around £72 million to the corporation’s budget. Currently, only Britons who watch live broadcasts on TV or online have to pay the £145.50 annual fee — but around 500,000 homes avoid the charge by only watching shows after they’ve aired. The move will require approval from government, but we can’t see it resisting — the other option to save money is to axe BBC Four, and that just won’t do.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD
Source: The Times
AIVAnet 