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MythTV updated to 0.26, hints at 'more exciting' 0.27 coming next year
After releasing one long-awaited update back in April, venerable media PC platform MythTV has quickly pushed out another update to version 0.26. The changelog isn't particularly long this time around, though it does claim HTTP Live Streaming playback and recording, some clock tweaks and the requisite performance improvements. With that wrapped, the team has already shifted its focus to the next version, 0.27, which it says should be a more exciting release. It's scheduled for release in April of next year so we'll mark our calendars -- in pencil, not pen.
BBC not bringing iPlayer or live streaming to Windows Phone, blames Microsoft
Microsoft is getting brickbats from developers unenthused by its forthcoming operating system(s), and the BBC is the latest to join the chorus. When asked about bringing iPlayer to Windows Phone, the corporation's on-demand honcho, Daniel Danker, responded by saying it's not cost-or-time effective for the system -- thanks to a lack of support for HTTP Live Streaming. Mr. Danker confirmed to us that HLS is not the proprietary format it's believed to be, used on a wide variety of devices including Smart TVs and consoles -- but is not included in Redmond's mobile OS. Live streaming is also impossible thanks to a "bug" in the software that can't secure the session, breaking the corporation's copy protection system which only affects mobile devices. Redmond's known of the problem for some time, and is working on a solution, but has yet to make any official announcement otherwise. He told us that he's optimistic that a solution might arrive, perhaps on October 26th, but until then, the corporation won't even look at developing an app for any Windows-powered handset. After the break we've included the full text of the original email if you'd like to hear it from the source.
Roku 4.3 update tweaks Netflix, device discovery issues
Second gen Roku media streamers should be seeing a software update the next time they're powered up, as a company blog post mentions v4.3 is rolling out right now, following the last update that hit back in December. The Roku 2 and Roku LT should experience a variety of improvements to Netflix streaming that include video startup, screen navigation, audio / video sync and settings for subtitles and audio. There's also upgrades to HTTP Live Streaming format support (no word on how or if that may affect Plex, but forum posters report an issue with standard def video quality is still a problem after the update), multiple gaming remotes and device discovery for remote apps on Android and iOS. As usual it will be delivered automatically over the next day or two, while the impatient can hit their settings menu to grab it right now.
Google TV 3.2 update enhances HLS video streaming support, Plex update takes advantage
The Google TV update that rolled out to Sony units earlier this week (no word on the Revue, yet) brought tweaks to Chrome and support for Blu-ray 3D playback on the player, but that's not all. The bump to Android 3.2 also improved hooks for developers to access channel listings in their apps, enabled hardware acceleration and last but not least, improved support for HTTP Live Streaming. That last detail is particularly important to those streaming video from their PCs using Plex, since additional HLS tweaks were necessary to allow viewing of files transcoded from otherwise-Google TV unfriendly formats. Also supported as in the Plex update is selection of alternate audio streams, subtitles, more channels and a few other fixes. Check out a Google+ post from Les Vogel of the Google TV team for all the Honeycomb 3.2 (API Level 13) details you can stomach, the Plex blog for more info on its software, or just make sure you're running the latest updates and take a look around yourself.
Microsoft reportedly preparing Silverlight-like app framework ahead of Xbox Live update
Earlier this month, Microsoft announced a new slate of Xbox Live partnerships with Verizon, Comcast, and a host of other content providers. Now, the company has unveiled new details about the code upon which these new apps will run. Sources close to the situation tell GigaOM that the new framework, code-named "Lakeview," will be based on Silverlight, but will also bring a few new features from Xbox Kinect, including voice recognition and gesture-based controls. More intriguing, perhaps, are insider claims that Microsoft's new content partners stream video using Apple's HTTP Live Streaming, rather than Redmond's Smooth Streaming. GigaOM's sources went on to say that Microsoft has been introducing major changes to the platform over the past few weeks, in the hopes of having it ready for third-party developers once the Xbox Live update rolls out. Spokespersons for Xbox and Silverlight said they have "nothing to announce" about the new framework, though GigaOM reports that Redmond is aiming to release the update on Black Friday.
