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New York sets tougher standards for marketing internet speeds
New York isn't just asking Charter to clean up its act. The state has reached a settlement with Altice (Optimum's owner), Frontier, RCN and Engadget parent company Verizon that will have them adhere to stricter standards for advertising internet speeds. They'll have to back up their claims with regular speed testing, ensure they have enough network capacity to handle advertised third-party services and make clear that speeds on WiFi won't be the same as with a wired connection.
Cablevision boosts internet speeds enough to make the FCC happy
If you subscribe to Cablevision's standard Optimum Online service, we have good news: you're getting a free upgrade. The company has boosted the download speed on its core internet tier from 15Mbps to 25Mbps, making this basic option much more viable for 4K video and other downstream-heavy tasks. It's not necessarily an altruistic gesture, mind you. That 25Mbps figure conveniently meets the FCC's new minimum definition of broadband -- this may be as much about keeping regulators happy as anything else. Whatever the reason, it'll make a big difference if it saves you from signing up for costlier Ultra access just to get that HBO show just a little bit sooner. [Image credit: Shutterstock]
Cablevision will offer HBO's standalone streaming service to its internet users
You'd think that cable companies would be the mortal enemies of internet-only TV services, but that's apparently not always the case. Cablevision has forged a deal to offer HBO Now to both its internet subscribers and those who use its Optimum WiFi access points. There's no details as to pricing or whether or not the offering will be available the moment HBO Now launches in April, but it won't be surprising if the service costs you around the $15 per month announced at Apple's March 9th event. Will other internet providers follow suit? It's hard to say. While HBO Now is potentially useful for preventing would-be cord cutters from ditching cable altogether (by letting them switch to cheaper TV packages), telecoms like Comcast and Verizon haven't been fond of online video services in the past.
Cablevision's WiFi-only unlimited mobile phone service is live
The all-WiFi phone service Cablevision announced in January is now available. Unlike the usual mobile carrier, the Freewheel phone (currently a $100 second generation Moto G) only operates on WiFi -- to keep costs down it doesn't look for 3G, LTE or any other kind of signal. Of course, if you're consistently in the range of wireless hotspots then that's not a problem, and it's pre-programmed to log in to any of 1.1 million Optimum hotspots in the New York area or "Cable WiFi" hotspots elsewhere. As promised, it's $10 per month for customers with Cablevision's internet service or $30 without, all to get unlimited calling, data and text messaging with no annual contract.
ESPN3 finally comes to Cablevision, WatchESPN 'coming soon' to Optimum TV to GO
We knew it was coming, and after over a month of making the official announcement, ESPN and Cablevision have let it be known that, as of today, Optimum Online subscribers can now start enjoying content from ESPN3. Naturally, this will bring a plethora of sporting events from The Worldwide Leader in Sports to Cablevision customers which hold an Optimum internet account -- tidbits like live events and replays of the NCAA Championships, basketball, tennis, golf, cricket and, of course, both types of football. As for the company's Optimum TV to Go, it has said that WatchESPN, Watch Disney Channel, Watch DisneyXD and Watch DisneyJunior will indeed be "coming soon" to the service, though it wasn't quite clear about how "soon" that's going to be.
Cablevision launches iOS app to track down Optimum WiFi hotspots, keep you off the 3G sauce
Some internet purveyors make a big fuss over having public WiFi. It's not often that they go out of their way to help you find that WiFi, however, and that's where CableVision's recently posted (but just now official) Optimum WiFi Hotspot Finder comes in. If you're one of the cable company's Optimum Online subscribers, the currently iOS-only app will pinpoint the 35,000 access points that you can call a home away from home. As we'd hope, the app both finds hotspots nearby for an immediate fix or drills down to specific hotspots if you're just that determined to find a restaurant with a data pipe. The app and WiFi access are both free -- apart from that small matter of the cable account, of course -- and will no doubt help iPad and iPhone owners for whom Optimum WiFi's 15Mbps speed is an oasis in a sea of pokey 3G.
'Hundreds' of Cablevision iO TV on-demand rentals now last 48 hours, procrastinators rejoice
Last we heard from Cablevision, it was bringing its Optimum App live TV streaming to Windows and Macs. Shifting directions to its more "traditional" cable offerings, the company now has good news for folks who've been generally bummed out about the 24-hour viewing window allotted with movie rentals on its iO TV service. Just in time for your weekend movie marathon, the company has announced that "hundreds" of its on-demand movie rentals will now last for 48 hours with unlimited viewing -- huzzah! As usual, content pricing starts at three bucks, and you'll be pleased to know that all that extra time comes at no additional cost to your subscription. Better yet, the amount of titles part of the deal to grow over time, and you'll find all the details in the press release after the break. Perhaps most notable is all the time you'll have to grab more microwaveable popcorn.
Cablevision Optimum for iPad app now available, streams hundreds of TV channels plus VOD
The new Cablevision iPad app is out, taking on broadcasters (Fox, Discovery, Viacom) attacking Time Warner's live TV streaming TWCable TV app by offering subscribers the same channels as their iO TV package and video on demand. The Optimum for iPad app also includes the ability to set up DVR recordings, delete recorded shows and browse TV listings, although it doesn't act as a direct remote for the cable box. The last time Fox and Cablevision squared off subscribers couldn't watch their shows on Hulu or two games of the World Series which, along with a long battle over network DVRs, suggests the cable company is prepared to dig its heels in deep on this issue. Multichannel News points out subscribers need at least one cable box to make use of the new app and the TOS states it can only be used within the customer's residence. Subscribers suitably equipped can grab the app at the iTunes link below, check out pics in the gallery or a video demo by a user embedded after the break. Update: Now we have the press release and fact sheet from Cablevision (included after the break) so here it is by the numbers: 300 channels, can be registered on up to three iPads per account and used on any two simultaneously. Remote control functions are scheduled for the summer, and the company states that since it is delivering channels over the digital cable network and not the internet (no 'net service required) it believes this use is covered by existing carriage agreements. [Thanks, johnnydop, jcdesimp & Michael] %Gallery-120267%
