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Cheaper Sky Q bundle marks the end for Sky+HD
When Sky launched its new Q service, it was only a matter of time before it became the default option for new and upgrading subscribers -- we just didn't expect it to happen so soon. As of today, Sky Q is no longer positioned as the premium offering, with Sky+HD packages now notably absent from the provider's online store. And to make the transition from old to new that bit easier to swallow, Sky has added a cheaper, basic Q bundle to lower the cost of entry.
Latest Sky+ update helps you discover new movies
The last update for Sky+HD boxes was all about keepings the kids entertained, so it's only fair that the next give parents a few ideas of what to watch when the munchkins are all tucked up. Rolling out to set-top boxes from today (though it might take a few weeks to land on yours), the third Sky+ update this year is specifically aimed at Sky Movies customers. As part of continued efforts to make Sky+ more like Netflix and other streaming services by focusing on the discovery as much as the content, the new "More Like This" feature recommends other flicks based on your current selection.
Sky's new Kids section is a direct shot at Netflix
When the little ones are having a temper tantrum, kids TV is often your best line of defence. In the UK, that used to mean switching on CBBC or CITV, but in the internet age Netflix and YouTube rule supreme. After all, it means you can find the exact show or movie that's likely to put a smile back on the little tikes' faces. That could spell trouble for Sky, so the broadcaster is revamping its child-centric on-demand offerings. A software update rolling out to all Sky+HD boxes this week will put a new "Kids" tile on the homepage, providing instant access to on-demand shows and movies, kids TV recordings and live channels such as Cbeebies and Nick Jr. In addition, Sky is expanding its library of on-demand episodes from 700 to 4,000 over the coming months. It'll include new morsels of SpongeBob Squarepants, Dora the Explorer and Ben 10, as well as cult favourite Adventure Time. YouTube appeals because it's (mostly) free, but if you've been stressed out before trying to find a decent clip online, you might want to try grabbing your Sky remote next time.
Sky+ update makes it easier to manage your TV recordings
Ready for a new Sky+ update? The broadcaster's HD set-top boxes are getting a minor refresh in the coming months that add a few useful, if not particularly groundbreaking features. The TV guide "Planner" is being spruced up a bit, making room for a new "Scheduled" tab that keeps track of all your planned recordings. Meanwhile, a new "Delete All" option makes it easier to wipe complete series, freeing up vital space on your hard drive before Game of Thrones is back on the telly. We suspect parents will be most interested in the "Family" setting, however, which bundles together Sky's various parental controls. These include hiding adult channels, restricting Sky Store purchases and PIN-protecting playback of 12+ on-demand content before the watershed. None of these features are going to blow your socks off, but they're welcome additions all the same. Sky says the update is rolling out now and should hit all Sky+HD boxes before June.
New Sky+ app pushes pictures from your mobile devices to the big screen
For anyone with a Sky+HD box, the Sky+ app for Android and iOS gives you a handy way to manage recordings while away from home, and lets you use mobile devices as substitute remotes when you're plonked in front of the TV. Now, with an updated version of the app released today, you can also use it to push your summer holiday snaps to the biggest display in your living room. As long as the smartphone or tablet running the Sky+ app is connected to the same WiFi network as your set-top box, tap the new camera icon in the app's navigation bar and you'll be able to send any images stored on the device to your TV screen, or set a slideshow running.
Sky's new program guide will recommend you new shows to try
If Sky has a problem, it's that there's simply too much material for anyone to quickly and easily find what they want in a short space of time. In a world where people are very comfortable just choosing the first thing that Netflix recommends for them, it could become a very serious issue. That's why the company's latest software update for its Sky+ boxes is designed to ensure you've always got something new to watch. The first new feature is smart series link, so if you've previously told your box to record every episode of a TV series, that instruction will carry over to subsequent seasons. That way, you'll never miss the premiere episode of a returning show, even if you don't have access to your setup for some reason.
Sky's AdSmart brings targeted advertising to your TV
As it turns out, Sky isn't prepared to sit and watch while its business gets trashed by Google and chums. To get in on the targeted-advertising game, the broadcaster is launching a new platform on its UK set-top boxes, called AdSmart. The system works by sending a library of clips direct to your Sky+HD box, which will run during ad breaks in live broadcasts in place of the standard national ads transmitted to everyone else. So, while the rest of the country is being sold nappies, you could be watching a pre-downloaded ad for a new phone, for instance. The targeting might not be totally precise, however, because we're told that the only information Sky has access to is your post code and Experian's records, but hey -- perhaps you'll be clued-in when your local restaurant begins offering a new menu.
Sky's Now TV box is a £9.99 Roku clone that streams iPlayer and more
BSkyB started investing in Roku last year and it's leveraged that involvement to develop this new Now TV set-top box. Going on sale today for just £9.99 (including shipping), it brings a rebranded Roku 2 XD (no gaming remote) with software built for Sky's IPTV platform and a curated list of additional channels. Notably missing from the list are Netflix, Lovefilm, ITV Player, and 4oD, however Now TV (of course), iPlayer, Demand Five, Spotify, Facebook and several Sky channels are included. It gives up a bit in flexibility compared to the standard player, but the ultra-low entry price certainly makes for a compelling option. Roku is facing more competition than ever with new game consoles, Google's Chromecast and even Apple's TV ambitions, we'll see if partnering with traditional providers makes it the "operating system for TVs" CEO Anthony Wood wants it to be. For Sky, this is just part of a multi-pronged plan to move its TV offerings into the future, detailed in today's earnings report. Starting in September it will offer a WiFi equipped Sky+HD box to customers as the standard, and low cost wireless adapters to those with older hardware that isn't already connected. It's also enhancing Sky Go, with plans to add 10 new channels in the next year while marketing Sky Go Extra more. Finally, it's adding more content to the Catch Up TV and Sky Store VOD bundle -- check the PDF linked below for more details.%Gallery-194728%
BBC iPlayer comes to Sky+, Hell reports incoming frost
The BBC and Sky may represent polar, warring opposites of the broadcasting business, but that doesn't mean their technology platforms can't get along. Following a promise made all the way back in January, internet-connected Sky+HD boxes will be able to access BBC iPlayer from today. The service has been integrated into Sky's world-class program guide, with users even able to plump to catch available shows in high definition. The announcement also let slip that 4OD, the last remaining holdout to the service, will be added in early 2013. If you've yet to hook your Sky box up to the internet, you just need an Ethernet cable or wireless adapter -- but let's hope for your sake they aren't at opposite ends of your house.
Sky+ update allows undeleting recorded shows, more on-demand and future Catch Up TV
Sky+ has been on a bit of a tear refreshing its set-top boxes, and it's not about to stop now. When ready, a new update for the satellite TV provider's devices will let you undelete recorded programs; deleted shows are now moved to a separate space and only removed permanently either through age or if you really, really don't want to watch. If you're more interested in watching content that's always available, both Anytime and Anytime+ will be rebranded as On Demand, while the Sky Guide is adding a dedicated store tab for movie rentals. Catch Up TV is also nearing with the update and should aggregate the last week's worth of shows from Sky in addition to BBC iPlayer, Demand 5 and ITV Player. The gotcha, as we know all too well from these kinds of firmware revisions, is the timing. You'll have to have either a Sky+ HD 1TB box or the Sky+ HD DRX890 to get the upgrade early on, and Sky is staggering its deployment in a move that could leave some subscribers twiddling their thumbs.
Sky+ rolls out a new HD guide starting today, keeps live, DVR and VOD TV level (video)
The last time we checked in on Sky+'s UI, the UK TV broadcaster was updating its set-top boxes around the time of the '08 Olympics and now it's starting to roll out a new look just in time for the 2012 Games. The new guide brings HD graphics with new colors and fonts, improved navigation by displaying listings for eight channels at once (up from six), the ability to sort DVR recordings by genre, and a new landing page that sorts content from various sources -- live, DVR or video on-demand -- by genre. More subtle changes include a now-translucent "search and scan" banner and retooled accessibility menu that puts audio options first. According to Sky the initial rollout will hit tens of thousands of Sky+HD boxes today and slowly grow to millions more by year-end. Check out a few screenshots in the gallery below or a video demo of the new features after the break for a first hand look, then let us know if they suit your viewing style.
Sky+ app gets Series Links just in time for them to become irrelevant
Demanding American consumers make sure that if a DVR app doesn't ship with global Spotify support or HDD-management capabilities, it's kicked to the kerb. Demure UK consumers command less respect -- we're happy if our software does anything useful at all. That's why Sky hasn't rushed in updating its Sky+ app for iOS and Android, but in December it'll finally enable users to add Series Links (like Season Passes, only shorter and with fewer filler episodes) at the push of a touchscreen. Sadly you don't get the option to stream from your home box, so don't uninstall that Sky Go app if you're looking for a profanity-laden dose of Deadwood at the grocery store.