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Facebook eyes millimeter-wave wireless to power free internet
Despite a major setback in India, Facebook is still working on expanding its Free Basics service (part of internet.org) for developing nations. The company told the Verge that it's researching wireless networks that use extremely high-frequency millimeter-wave bands. It applied for at least two patents on the tech, which is similar to that proposed by Starry, the company led by fomer Aereo CEO Chet Kanojia. "This work is part of the Connectivity Lab which supports the mission of Internet.org -- to connect the four billion people who don't have Internet access," a representative said.
Starry's Station aims to be the smartest, prettiest WiFi router around
Starry founder Chet Kanojia seems intent on changing how people get their internet service like he did with Aereo and television. While the beta launch of the startup's millimeter-wave wireless service won't happen until this summer, people will be able to get the first taste of the Starry formula — a WiFi router called the Starry Station — much sooner than that. Like Google's OnHub, the $349 Starry Station is meant to give regular people a simpler, sleeker, more reliable way to set-up and manage their Wi-Fi networks, but it also packs a handful of curious extras.
TiVo gives ex-Aereo customers a break on its cord-cutter DVR
TiVo made no bones about wanting to scoop up Aereo's former cord-cutter TV business, and that apparently includes many of its viewers. The DVR provider has launched a promo for ex-Aereo customers that gives you a Roamio OTA box, a TiVo Stream and two years of service for no money down and $20 per month. It's not the hugest deal in the world, and it won't exactly match what you got under Aereo, but it could help if you're still hunting for an easy way to watch over-the-air broadcasts on your own terms.
TiVo wants to become the legal version of Aereo
Turns out TiVo snapped up Aereo's trademarks and customer lists for a reason: it's planning to make its own version that won't have broadcasters lining up to sue. According to Multichannel, the company wants to offer their customers low-cost bundle subscriptions to streaming services and specific channels. In an interview in Chicago, TiVo CEO Tom Rogers said he believes the answer to make that happen is the "Aereo model, done legally and better." Unfortunately, Rogers didn't discuss how his company will create a legal version of Aereo's technology, and if it entails paying fees to broadcasters. A spokesperson told Multichannel, though, that TiVo will hold an event in July to officially unveil the new service.
Aereo to pay broadcasters $950,000 for copyright claims
As if the situation couldn't get worse for Aereo, the defunct TV streaming service is now set to make a payment to the broadcasters responsible for its downfall. And, all things considered, it's getting off quite easy. According to Bloomberg Business, Aereo has agreed to pay CBS and other television networks $950,000 to resolve copyright claims, although the damages are said to total over $99 million. Simply put, Aereo's only expected to compensate for a little less than a penny on the dollar, a deal that was agreed upon by all parties involved.
Aereo gets only $2 million from selling assets to TiVo and other companies
Aereo was expecting to sell its assets for at least $4 million (and up to $31 million) at a bankruptcy auction, following its loss in a protracted legal battle against broadcasters. Sadly, luck wasn't on its side yet again: the company has managed to raise a mere $2 million from the auction, which has only attracted 10 bidders. "We are very disappointed with the results of the auction. This has been a very difficult sales process and the results reflect that," one of Aereo's lawyer's, William Baldiga, said in a statement. The company has long planned to use the amount it will raise from the event to pay its creditors, and $2 million might not be enough.
Aereo auctioning its web TV tech under broadcasters' watchful eyes
A US bankruptcy judge has declared that Aereo can sell off its technology to the highest bidder, but with a few large exceptions, according to Reuters. First off, the broadcasters who forced the streaming service off the air and into Chapter 11 can oppose any sale they don't like. They'll also be allowed to analyze Aereo's customer records before they're deleted to determine possible damages in further court proceedings. Interest is actually high in Aereo's tech -- despite all the legal problems, there are 17 potential bidders for the auction. However, that presents a dilemma for CBS, NBC, FOX and other broadcasters.
Aereo's video streaming fairy tale ends at Chapter 11
When a company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it means that it's mere moments away from being torn to pieces by its creditors. That particular regulation also provides room for a turnaround, but given that the Supreme Court has essentially made its business model illegal, it's not looking good for Aereo. In a letter posted to the TV-streaming service's website, CEO Chet Kanojia tells former users that the challenges the company faced were "too difficult to overcome." In what can only be described as a farewell note, the CEO adds that he's hired restructuring expert Lawton Bloom, presumably to help sell off everything that isn't nailed down to pay off debt. So, farewell then Aereo, you tried to make watching TV easier and for that, you'll always have a place in our hearts. [Image Credit: Bebeto Matthews / AP Photo]
Aereo tells Boston employees it's shutting down November 12th
Rule changes that could give internet TV services a boost may not come in time for Aereo, which sent a letter to employees of its Boston development office (posted by BetaBoston) saying it will shut down business operations as of November 12th. Aereo tried to build a business using microantennas to stream OTA TV broadcasts to its customer's devices over the internet, but the Supreme Court decided its approach was too much like cable TV -- causing it to cut off service in June -- while a District Court judge refused to acknowledge it as one. In the letter the company says it has been pursuing the possibilities of an acquisition or additional outside investment, but after the most recent loss October 23rd, that was just impossible. According to VP of communications Virginia Lam "In an effort to reduce costs, we made the difficult decision to lay off some of our staff in Boston and New York. We are continuing to conserve resources while we chart our path forward." [Image credit: AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews]
An FCC rule change could put internet TV on a level playing field with cable
Right now internet services don't always have the opportunity to show the same content as traditional TV, but the FCC might be about to change that. Chairman Tom Wheeler described in his blog post "Tech Transitions, Video, and the Future" the "first step" to open cable programs and local TV to internet services, by giving them the same classification that cable and satellite providers have. That wouldn't apply to Netflix or Amazon (as they currently exist), but anyone streaming live TV channels over the internet -- like Sony, Verizon and Dish are planning, Intel tried before selling to Verizon, and Apple's TV project has been rumored to include -- would be covered.
Judge formally bans Aereo from streaming live TV to devices
Aereo can no longer relay TV shows to its customers using its teeny-tiny antennas (for now, that is), according to US District Judge Alison Nathan. It's been a while since the Supreme Court decided that the service violates the law by "transmitting performances of copyrighted work to the public," but it's only now that a judge has issued a temporary ban order. For those who've forgotten what it is: Aereo used to stream live or nearly-live programming to its subscribers' phones, laptops or tablets for $8 a month. Each customer is assigned a minuscule antenna of his own (pictured above), which captures shows from the airwaves, as well as a DVR that stores recordings for a later time. Now, though, it's no longer allowed to beam on-air TV shows to people's devices anymore. Even worse, Judge Nathan has refused to acknowledge it as a cable service, which means it can't reinvent itself as one -- even if it's now willing to pay those licensing fees.
CBS launches its own TV-streaming service for $6 a month
Less than a day after HBO finally promised to let users cut out the middleman, CBS has decided to do the same. The company is launching CBS All Access, which charges $6 a month to stream new episodes of its shows the day after broadcast. You'll be able to stream 15 of its prime-time shows in this way, including big hits like NCIS and The Big Bang Theory as well as 6,500 episodes of classic TV from the CBS back catalog as a sweetener. That'll enable you to binge down on classic shows like, uhm, MacGyver and I Love Lucy whenever and wherever you want. The platform will also enable you to watch the live streams from the Big Brother house when that show returns next year, which seems like an adequate apology after CBS helped kill off Aereo.
The US government thinks Aereo is and isn't a cable company
By now you're likely aware that the US Supreme Court decided Aereo's service was a violation of copyright law, labeling it a cable system. The outfit then sought to carry on the same statutory license cable companies pay broadcasters royalties to stream content from local stations in District Court. That maneuver has ground to a halt though as the US Copyright Office clamped down on the attempt, concluding that "internet transmissions fall outside the scope" of the license. In its letter to Aereo, the office's general council did say that despite accepting the application on a "provisional basis," it would need to review the case further and factor in "regulatory or judicial developments" (like an FCC ruling) before offering a final word. Of course, the ultimate decision could lead to an outright rejection of the filing after the inquiry process runs its course.
Supreme Court said Aereo is a cable company, so now it wants to be treated like one
Despite Aereo's best efforts, the Supreme Court decided that its service was too much like cable TV and therefore its unlicensed streaming of TV broadcasts were illegal. Now, after putting its service on pause, Aereo has filed a letter with the US District Court saying that since the Court said it's like a cable system, it is entitled to the same statutory license that cable companies pay broadcasters. CEO Chet Kanojia sent a message to users and supporters explaining "The Path Forward" with a link to the letter, but hasn't laid out a timeline for the service's return. That's one of the reason's broadcasters are still fighting the new move, saying (in the same letter) that it's "astonishing for Aereo to contend the Supreme Court's decision automatically transformed Aereo into a 'cable system' under Section 111 given its prior statements to this Court and the Supreme Court." [Image credit: AP]
Aereo asks users to fight back against Supreme Court ruling
With a new Supreme Court ruling on the books, things are looking awfully grim for Aereo and all those tiny, cloud-friendly antennas it controls. That's why CEO Chet Kanojia has temporarily turned off the television streaming service, and that's why he's asking for help. The beleaguered startup sent out an open letter encouraging all of us to email, tweet, and otherwise petition our land's leaders to defend the right to use a "modern antenna located in the cloud" to watch all that free over-the-air content. "Today, I'm asking you to raise your hands and make your voices heard," Kanojia wrote. "Tell your lawmakers how disappointed you are that the nation's highest court issued a decision that could deny you the right to use the antenna of your choice to access live over-the-air broadcast television."
Weekends with Engadget: Google I/O 2014, Aereo loses and more!
This week, we went hands-on with Google's Android L developer preview and Android wear, watched the US Supreme Court rule against Aereo, learned how to escape the clutches of the internet and more! Read on for Engadget's news highlights from the last seven days. Oh, and be sure to subscribe to our Flipboard magazine!
Feedback Loop: It's Google all the way down!
This week's edition of Feedback Loop is nearly all Google. We dish on Android "L," debate whether smartwatches are even useful, wonder if Android TV will save smart televisions, fondly remember our friend Aereo and talk about the games we've picked up during Steam's Summer Sale. Head past the break to talk about all this and more with Engadget readers like you.
Aereo 'pauses' streaming TV service in wake of Supreme Court loss
That didn't take long. Now that the US Supreme Court has ruled that Aereo's antenna-to-cloud TV service is violating copyright, the company is telling customers that it will "pause" service as of 11:30AM Eastern; after that, it's lights-out for both live and recorded streaming. As compensation, Aereo is refunding subscribers' last paid month of service. The startup is adamant that the shutdown is temporary, and is talking to the lower court that previously ruled in its favor (and which has to deal with Aereo's case again) about the "next steps."
Engadget Daily: Aereo loses, Android is in everything, and more!
Today, we explore the US Supreme Court's decision to pull the plug on Aereo, take a look at Android Auto, ponder Google's new cardboard VR headset and happily welcome Android device mirroring on the Chromecast. Read on for Engadget's news highlights from the last 24 hours.
US Supreme Court rules Aereo's streaming service is illegal under copyright law
In a precedent-setting decision, the United States Supreme Court ruled today that Aereo is in violation of US copyright law. The decision states that Aereo's use of tiny antennas hooked up to cloud DVR technology violates the right of companies producing broadcast content. Specifically, the decision says that Aereo's business violates the 1976 Copyright Act; the act states that individuals or businesses are violating copyright if: 1: perform or display it at a place open to the public or at any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances is gathered; or 2: to transmit or otherwise communicate a performance or display of the work ... to the public by means of any device or process, whether the members of the public are capable of receiving the performance or display receive it in the same place or in separate places at the same time or at different times In the case of Aereo, the Supreme Court says the company's service is tantamount to "a performance or display of the work." Update (6/28): As of 11:30AM ET today, Aereo has "paused" its service, and is refunding subscribers for their last paid month.