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NBCUniversal has a streaming service for reality TV fans
If you're a fan of American reality TV shows but you live in the UK, Ireland or Australia, you'll soon be in luck. NBCUNiversal announced Hayu, a streaming service dedicated to the high-quality content only reality television can offer. The monthly subscription will give viewers in those locales access to over 3,000 episodes of shows like The Real Housewives, Top Chef franchises, Made in Chelsea, The Millionaire Matchmaker and RuPaul's Drag Race. And, perhaps most importantly, Keeping Up with the Kardashians and its spinoffs will be included, too.
Hail a scooter-riding 'Vallie' to park your car in London
Driving in London can be slow and stressful enough, but finding a parking spot? Eesh. For many locals, that's the stuff of nightmares. Vallie wants to solve the problem with a valet parking app that lets you request custom drop-off and pick-up points inside the city. The service is available right now, but there are some caveats to be aware of; one, it's only available in a small patch of central London, between Farringdon and Aldgate; two, parking costs £8 per hour or £25 per day; three, Vallie only operates Monday to Friday, 7am to 8pm, so late-night dinners and weekend expeditions are out of the question.
Free app brings local news broadcasts to Android, iOS and Roku
We're living in a cord-cutter's world where everyone seems to be ditching their cable and satellite subscriptions in favor of the cheaper alternative: streaming. The problem is, when we clense ourselves of all those pesky cords we also lose a wide range of local news broadcasts. NewsON is a new app available for Android, iOS and Roku that offers video content from a total of 118 stations in 90 different markets. The app features live and on-demand newscasts, clips from the station that can be accessed at any time and even the ability to post real-time tweets about the news coverage.
The BBC is making an iPlayer app just for kids
When the BBC announced a new children's service called iPlay, many people were quick to call it an "iPlayer for kids." That description isn't entirely inaccurate, as it will include some of the broadcaster's child-friendly programming -- but that's on top of educational and creativity tools, as well as content produced by other "trusted organisations." It's an important point of differentiation, because the BBC announced today that it's also working on a dedicated children's version of iPlayer. Details are scarce, but the BBC says it'll be a standalone app that makes it easier for little ones to find their favourite CBBC and CBeebies shows, as well as discover news ones "in a safe environment designed just for them." The move is hardly surprising -- Netflix and YouTube have already released child-friendly versions of their video streaming services, and Sky plans to do the same early next year. iPlayer is incredibly popular in the UK, and essentially free too -- whenever the little ones are starting to get restless, this could be an indispensable app for parents.
Food delivery apps face lawsuits over employee benefits
The fight over employee benefits when it comes to app-based on-demand services continues. The Chicago Tribune reports that food delivery companies GrubHub, DoorDash and Caviar were all hit with separate lawsuits in San Francisco this week. The suits allege that each failed to offer employee benefits after treating them like full-time workers. In other words, the companies misclassified employees as contractors. If that sounds familiar it's because Uber facing a similar lawsuit in San Francisco over its drivers. In fact, the same attorney that represents plaintiffs in proceedings with Uber and Lyft is working with the delivery drivers in these three new cases. Like Uber, the suits against GrubHub and DoorDash are class actions while the demand arbitration request with Caviar is on behalf of a single driver. Based on the filings, GrubHub allegedly treated its workers as employees but failing to offer proper benefits like reimbursements for gas, parking and phone data. It also allegedly failed to meet wage requirements and offer overtime pay. [Image credit: Jin Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Comedy Central channel starts streaming on Roku
It took a while, but Comedy Central is finally bringing its video content to Roku's streaming devices. As Variety points out, although the network hasn't made an official announcement, the channel's now available for download. You will need a pay-TV subscription to access most of Comedy Central's on-demand library, however, which includes The Daily Show, Key & Peele, South Park, Broad City and many more shows. That said, cord-cutters won't be completely left out, since they'll be able to enjoy the latest episodes of some shows -- like The Daily Show, The Nightly Show with Larry More and a few select others. Don't have it on your Roku player yet? You can install it directly from here.
Uber starts getting serious in the UK
Uber is finally making its move to become an ubiquitous transport service in Britain. For months, the company has been slowly growing with launches in major cities such as Leeds, Birmingham and Newcastle. We've been waiting for the floodgates to open, and it seems that moment has now arrived: last week, the company expanded into Bristol and Sheffield, as well as the smaller towns of Maidenhead, Slough and Windsor. Uber still has plenty of cities left to cover -- it's currently hiring in Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow -- but it marks the start of a larger push to become a widely known and accessible service in the UK. Uber's competition is limited to Hailo, Kabbee and a smattering of smaller startups in Britain, so this is the perfect time for it to cement a market-leading position. Increasing its reach and popularity could also work in its favour as it battles the courts and disgruntled taxi drivers.
Showtime Anytime is now streaming on Xbox One
Showtime delivered its library of live and on-demand streaming to the Xbox 360 back in July, and now it's doing the same for Microsoft's latest console. Xbox One owners can now get in on the action too, as Homeland, Dexter, Californication and more are available via Showtime Anytime. As you might expect, the app plays nice with Kinect, allowing you to browse the lineup with voice and gesture controls rather than a controller or remote. It'll also let you pin whatever your current obsession is to your home screen for easy access. If you're paying for a cable subscription, access to Showtime Anytime on the console is available at no additional charge.
Vudu lends its on-demand streaming library to TiVo devices
TiVo owners who enjoy doing more than just recording TV shows just got another on-demand option. Walmart's video service, Vudu, will be available on select models soon, bringing over 100,000 movie and television selections for rent or purchase à la carte. In addition to feature films, Vudu serves up TV shows from CBS, Comedy Central, HBO, MTV, Showtime and more. Of course, the service is already available on the web, iOS, Android, Roku, Playstation, Xbox, smart TVs and Blu-ray players. The Vudu app is set to hit TiVo Roamio DVRs and the TiVo Mini "during a rolling update" in the next few weeks. Update: According to TiVo's VP of Design & Engineering Margret Schmidt the button has been pushed, Vudu and the updated Amazon Instant Video app Dave Zatz told us about are live.
Uber brings on-demand flu shots to Boston, NYC and DC for a day
If there's one thing on-demand car startup Uber likes more than ferrying people around, it's trying to grab people's attention with kooky promo stunts. Uber for barbecue? Uber wedding packages? Pairing riders with attractive lady drivers? Been there, done that (for better or worse). Every once in a while though, Uber cooks up something genuinely useful and today is one of those days: if you live in Boston, Washington DC or New York City, you can order an on-demand flu shot for you and up to nine of your friends until 3PM Eastern.
Japanese cable provider launches on-demand gaming service, will stream Sonic and Pro Evolution Soccer titles
Sony's PlayStation Now streaming game service is still months away from launch, but Japanese cable company KDDI is testing the idea with the app-based GameNow service, through cable. It's the same company responsible for LG's Smart TV game service, although judging from the title lineup, J:Com and JCN cable subscribers might not see games at the level of Devil May Cry 4 and Dead Rising 2, at least to start with. Temper that enthusiasm a little, and expect several puzzle games and sports titles, including Pro Evolution Soccer, World Rally Championship 3 and Sonic Adventure DX. KDDI's Smart TV Box launched in 2012, but its new gaming service will go live at the start of March. And hey, know where you could play Sonic over cable, just over 20 years ago? The Sega Channel, that's where.
Home Pass lets Comcast subscribers watch streaming videos without logging in
Sure you'd like to watch On Demand content on your computer, but there's that whole tiresome logging-in thing you have to do first. If you subscribe to both Xfinity TV and Internet services, however, that would no longer be an issue thanks to a new feature called Home Pass. As long as customers access the Xfinity website within their home network, they'll be automatically logged in, and will be free to access TV Everywhere content from then on, no password required. Xfinity ran a trial of the service during the London Olympics and March Madness 2013, and have decided Home Pass is robust enough to handle Xfinity's entire video library. While this will initially be available via the web, it sounds like other platforms like iOS, Android and (maybe?) Xbox could get it later as well.
Time Warner Cable taps into Starz Play and Encore Play
Many subscribers of Starz and Encore have known the joy of free, on-demand movies for some time now, but customers of Time Warner Cable are more likely accustomed to another feeling -- one of exclusion. Fortunately, that all changes today, as Time Warner now provides access to Starz Play and Encore Play. The services are free to subscribers of the pay channels, and are accessible both over the web and via apps for Android and iOS. As it stands, Starz Play offers access to 400 titles (including 300 movies), while Encore Play offers somewhere in the neighborhood of 900 titles, 300 of which are movies. Signing into Starz Play and Encore Play is simply a matter of plugging in your Time Warner Cable ID, which is used for authentication with the Play system. Naturally, the latest announcement serves as a nice complement to TWC TV, and could also prove itself a worthwhile Plan B for times when Netflix is on the fritz.
Acetrax movie service to close, lights go dim on June 21st
It's just as likely that you'll know Acetrax from the video services it's behind, as from its own branded offerings. Regardless of how you might use the service, its owner Sky is pulling the plug on June 21st. Impact to pay-per-view customers should mean nothing more than looking elsewhere, but those who bought titles outright will need to download them before the cutoff (there are a bunch of caveats though). The same goes for account credit -- either use it, or face the hassle of claiming it back after the fact. There's an FAQ on the website outlining the best course of action depending on your situation, so we'd suggest you head there first before working your way through your rental library.
Dish Anywhere on Android gets On Demand content streaming, tablet app
A fresh release of Dish Anywhere for Android just hit Google Play, bringing it up to speed with its iOS counterpart. Now, the application allows users to stream On Demand content from wherever they have an internet connection, and adds Facebook and Twitter sharing. The experience has also received a dedicated app for tablets running Google's mobile OS, sporting a look that makes better use of the extra screen real estate, and a skinned remote to boot. In addition to a few miscellaneous bug fixes, the update includes support for handsets with large screens, such as the Droid DNA. Jab the links below to grab ahold of the latest version.
AT&T's U-verse gets new On Demand hub, promises simpler discovery for movies and TV shows
Considering it's not one of the company's key operations, it's safe to say AT&T's been successful in its efforts to build out U-verse. Now, in an effort to make life on the couch a little less complicated for subscribers, the Rethink Possible network is introducing an all-new On Demand storefront. With a focus on making content easier to discover, AT&T says the UI will make for an intuitive way to navigate the menus. Additionally, you'll find some novel search tools that should make it easier to find movies and TV shows. U-verse customers will now also see a "My" section, allowing them to quickly access rentals, queued up flicks and promos that AT&T may be offering. The newfangled U-Verse On Demand will be available in more than 45 markets starting today, with more being expected to join "on an ongoing basis throughout the year."
Dish Anywhere for iPad updated with remote reset and Audio Only features
Dish rolled out a sizable update for its Anywhere iPad app today, allowing on the go socialites to share viewing habits with friends via Facebook and Twitter. Less socially-connected couch potatoes will see new features as well, like the ability to remotely reset their receiver whenever they find themselves in a pinch. Version 4.0.3 also ushers in an updated DVR schedule that includes Skipped and Conflicts, along with an Audio Only mode for Hopper users. Finally, Dish customers rocking unsupported satellite receivers now have access to On Demand programming. Looking for more information? Head on over to the source link below for all the details.
Sky opts for Hannibal on-demand and Go debut ahead of May 7th TV premiere
Sky customers with On Demand or Sky Go access can snag an early look at the very first episode of Hannibal, along with Trollied, Mad Dogs and The Borgias. That first hit is due for a May 7th premiere on Sky Living at 10PM in the UK, but in what's being billed as a television experiment of sorts, the show's available now through On Demand with select Sky+ set-top boxes, or the Sky Go streaming service, if you're able to access that. We can imagine plenty of other ways to get your fix without waiting for next Tuesday to roll around, but we'll let you use your own imagination to tackle that one.
Vimeo On Demand launches, aims to make it easy for creators to sell content to viewers
There's no doubt Vimeo's constantly working on various enhancements with the outlook of making it a better place for content makers and viewers alike. Today, following a relatively brief beta phase, the video-focused company's officially launching its pay-to-view service dubbed Vimeo On Demand. Essentially, this will allow Vimeo Pro members to sell their video productions directly to the public, eliminating the need for a middleman of sorts (even though technically Vimeo would be acting as such), as well as allowing them to name their own price and select preferred distribution countries. What's more, Vimeo says that creators are set to keep 90 percent of the earnings "after transaction costs," which, naturally, includes content sold throughout its many applications on different platforms -- including, but not limited to, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Xbox Live and Apple TV. According to Vice President of Creative Development, Blake Whitman, there's a lot more where the adequately named Vimeo On Demand came from, as the team's "already working on another suite of creator-focused features to release in the near future."
AT&T rebrands U-verse Live TV as Mobile TV, plans start at $10 per month
Earlier today AT&T announced the rebranding of its U-verse Live TV service, changing its name to Mobile TV. To go along with the name change, the carrier now offers direct account billing, enhanced picture quality over LTE and a slightly reduced price tag of $10 per month. In addition to Mobile TV's stock programming from ABC Mobile, Disney, ESPN Mobile and Fox News, customers can purchase one of three premium packages for an extra $5 per month. This trio of add-ons offers kid-friendly programming, content from BET or select Spanish-language networks. So, if it's your heart's desire to watch reruns of Keeping up with the Kardashians on your smartphone, Android and iOS users can download AT&T's Mobile TV app from their respective marketplace, while Windows Phone devices ship with the software pre-loaded.
