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Xbox LIVE gets 1080p Zune Video store, Twitter, Facebook and more on November 17th (video)

by Darren Murph posted Nov 12th 2009 at 4:22PM

Remember all those fantastic features that Microsoft promised were in the works for its Xbox 360 back at E3? Get ready folks, because they're all arriving in five days. At an undisclosed time on November 17th, users will be able to login to Xbox LIVE and check out the totally bodacious new portals available to kill time and act social without actually combing your hair. As we'd heard, Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm (US and UK only) modules will all be featured, not to mention on-demand 1080p / 5.1-channel HD video through the Zune Video outlet. In case that's not enough (and be honest, it's never enough), users will also see a new "News and More" section in the "Inside Xbox" channel with streams from MSNBC, The New Yorker and Dilbert. Yeah, Dilbert. Hop on past the break for a few video demonstrations, and then get back to your Modern Warfare 2 binge before your teammates see you slacking off.

Gallery: Xbox LIVE gets 1080p Zune Video store, Twitter, Facebook and more on November 17th

Continue reading Xbox LIVE gets 1080p Zune Video store, Twitter, Facebook and more on November 17th (video)

Blockbuster kiosks to offer movies on SD cards, you some candy as you checkout

by Darren Murph posted Nov 11th 2009 at 9:44AM

Blockbuster's been trying all sorts of, um, innovative things to get more foot traffic in its stores, but thanks to a dastardly invention known only as "Netflix," that very task has proven exceptionally difficult. Now, it seems the flagging movie rental company is giving one more far-flung idea a whirl: movies on SD cards. Around six Blockbuster and Hollywood Video stores will soon begin offering titles on SD cards, though the included DRM only allows customers 30 days from the purchase date to view it, and once it's fired up, you've just 48 hours before it vanishes completely. Each rental will cost $1.99, and while we definitely see the benefit of renting something that you don't have to return, we're still skeptical that folks will be more willing to make even one trek for a card when Netflix brings it all to one's mailbox (and PC, etc.) for just $8.99 per month.

[Via FastCompany]

Netflix hints at Watch Instantly integration on 'already-popular device'

by Darren Murph posted Oct 24th 2009 at 5:04PM

Microsoft's Xbox 360 may call itself the only console to stream Netflix, but all that could be changing -- and soon. As Netflix continues to pull in new subscribers (and cash flow) like it's no big deal, the company is apparently looking to spread its wings even further by integrating its wildly popular Watch Instantly feature into "a device already owned by a large number of consumers." Naturally, the most fitting candidates for that would be Sony's PlayStation 3 or Nintendo's Wii, though the company has yet to come forward with anything concrete. Just so know you, Netflix credits the Xbox 360's streaming integration as the main reason some 2.4 million customers have signed up since late 2008, so it's more than apparent that it loves the game console. Any bets for when this will go down, or are you just plugging your ears in order to avoid potential disappointment?

[Via Joystiq]

Roku XR adds 802.11n, USB port and a longing for something more

by Darren Murph posted Oct 19th 2009 at 2:37PM

Hard though it may be to believe, the Roku has been rockin' the lives of Netflix fanatics for nearly 1.5 years, and if you were thinking an updated version was in order, you'd be on the right train of thought. Images delivered to us today prove that a refreshed iteration is on the horizon, with the Roku XR (model number N1101) retaining the same overall look and feel as the original but adding in niceties like 802.11n wireless support, a USB socket (presumably for loading up media locally) and a 2.5A power input (as opposed to 1.5A). You can also see that the dedicated reset button has been yanked and the bundled remote is exactly the same; in fact, we're told that the old remote controls the Roku XR sans issue. There's no word yet on a price or release date, but we're guessing we'll know significantly more prior to Christmas. Oh, and yeah -- you're not the only one thinking this is quite the underwhelming update, but hey, maybe it'll street for $9.99.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Gallery: Roku XR adds 802.11n, USB port and a longing for something more

Movie Gadget Friday: Code 46

by Ariel Waldman posted Oct 16th 2009 at 5:11PM

Ariel Waldman contributes Movie Gadget Friday, where she highlights the lovable and lame gadgets from the world of cinema.

On our last visit, we examined the computer hacking fantasies of 1980's adolescents in Weird Science. Skipping on from software-engineered babes to a bio-engineered society, this week we investigate the gadgets in the human-clone-saturated cities of Code 46. Though most of the futuristic technology in this 2003 film is in the form of mind-altering viruses, the everyday devices used by Tim Robbins and Samantha Morton slightly stretch today's technical specs in true sci-fi form.

Memory Videobook

Preventing scrapbooks from being left behind as primitive forms of experience archiving, this gadget combines the cheap plastic form of photo-books with a relatively thin interactive screen. The device captures first-person memories from a user in the form of lossy video (alas, the specs behind memory capturing have yet to be released, much to our irritation). Playback and fast-forward/rewind are enabled through basic scrolling gestures on either the corner of the video or the opposing soft-acrylic, touch-sensitive finger pad. Similar to Americhip's video-in-print technology, the memory videobook appears to use a TFT LCD, but with a far more outstanding resolution. While this memory scrapbook device is far from chic, we kind of respect that it stays true to its historical laminated, cutesy form despite the high tech modifications. More after the break.

Continue reading Movie Gadget Friday: Code 46

VUDU throwing Rotten Tomatoes reviews on every movie it sells

by Richard Lawler posted Oct 13th 2009 at 11:35AM

Next step for VUDU after adding LG's BD390 to its list of compatible players? The streaming service is now trying to help you figure out which movie to watch with help from the website Rotten Tomatoes, integrating its ratings directly into the movie listings as seen above. Viewers can sort by Tomatometer score and see quotes from top reviews directly on their HDTV screen. Sure it's not auto Twitter updates and IMDB clippings on what scene, movie and actor you're watching, but if they're not going to reduce the cost per rented (or purchased) streaming flick, at least VUDU can help you pick one that's actually good. Check out another screen capture from the new addition after the break.

Continue reading VUDU throwing Rotten Tomatoes reviews on every movie it sells

Blockbuster On Demand goes live on TiVo boxes

by Darren Murph posted Oct 13th 2009 at 8:59AM

We knew good and well it was coming, and now the deed has been done. As promised, Blockbuster's On Demand movie rental service has gone live on a bevy of TiVo boxes, enabling Series2, Series3, TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL DVRs to watch all sorts of releases without needing to purchase another set-top-box or tap into their cable company's VOD system. We're told that most rentals will range from $2.99 (for the classics) to $3.99 (for new releases), with the film catalog expected to expand over the coming weeks. HD aficionados will have to wait a tick before seeing any movies available in high-def, but those looking to pick up a new TiVo can now saunter into any Blockbuster retail location in order to claim one. Eager to get in on the action? Fire up your box and hit the "Video On Demand" screen from TiVo Central.

mSpot brings new release movie streaming to major US carriers

by Darren Murph posted Sep 30th 2009 at 11:34AM

mSpot has been streaming full-length movies to cellphones for a few years now, but not until this week has the company had a potential customer base of 40 million. As of right now, mobile phone users on Sprint, AT&T, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile (yes, that includes the G1, Pre, iPhone and every other smartphone with a half-decent browser) can surf over to m.mspot.com in order to stream major motion pictures, and being that the service is on-demand, you can also pause and restart 'em whenever you darn well please. Deals have been inked with Paramount Studios, Universal Pictures and the Weinstein Company, and we're told that more agreements are in the works. Movie rentals will cost $4.99 per title, and can be viewed from 24 hours to 5 days after they're rented. Naturally, mSpot recommends paying for an "unlimited" data plan, and if you're smart, you won't utilize the service whilst traveling abroad.

Zune HD pamphlet discloses HD movies coming to Zune marketplace

by Ross Miller posted Aug 28th 2009 at 8:23PM

With TV shows, music video, and video podcasts already proliferating the Zune marketplace, it was really only a matter of time before Microsoft dipped its toes into HD movies -- not to mention kind of a logical step since Xbox Live was getting its movie section Zune-branded. BostonPocketPC writer Steven Hughes has uploaded pictures of an alleged pamphlet handed out at Best Buy's Zune HD showings that, among other things, make reference to finding Zune Marketplace content including HD movies. Ban on HDTV Media Center recordings notwithstanding, things are looking up for Zune 4.0 software. And here we thought Apple was late to the party with its movie service.

[Via Zunited]
Read - Pamphlet pics
Read - BostonPocketPC

VUDU ditches the box, integrates into LG's LH50 NetCast HDTVs

by Darren Murph posted Jul 29th 2009 at 9:00AM

After a quick test run on Entone's IPTV boxes, VUDU has now done the deed with a big time player. In a joint announcement today with LG, the outfit is announcing its first major foray into STB-less movie streaming. LG's Netflix-friendly LH50 line of connected HDTVs will act as the hosts, with VUDU's tried and true high-def streaming service acting as the highly anticipated guest. The outfit's next generation movie platform will enable owners of the 47LH50, 50PS80, 60PS80 and 42LH50 to buy or rent HD and HDX (1080p) films on demand through a refreshed user interface that promises no stutters or buffering waits. The new VUDU also brings along instant fast forward and rewind as well as instant start for all movie qualities, and as before, there's no monthly fee associated with the service. Eager to dive on in? It'll be made available for everyone (existing owners included) starting next month, and just so you know, we definitely don't envision LG being the last TV maker to slip under VUDU's covers. The full release is after the break.

Update: From the sounds of Vudu's solo PR, the LG sets are just the first off the line, so we'd expect a few more manufacturers to partner up soon.

Continue reading VUDU ditches the box, integrates into LG's LH50 NetCast HDTVs

Verismo's VuNow set-top-box finally gets movie streaming

by Darren Murph posted Jul 28th 2009 at 6:04AM

Verismo Networks may not boast the namesake of a Roku, Sony or LG, but its unassuming VuNow PoD just keeps getting more and more bonny. Priced at $99, this internet-to-TV media streamer makes it simple for simpletons to get web content onto their HDTV, and after snagging YouTube support last December, the box has finally nailed down a partnership that will bring bona fide films into households. Sonic Solutions, which has certainly been on a tear of late pushing its CinemaNow platform, has agreed to let VuNow users purchase CinemaNow programming, which includes material from over 250 content providers. We're also told that this deal is far from the last we'll see in the near future, though there's no word on whether Netflix is next. If so, consider the VuNow game officially "on." Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Verismo's VuNow set-top-box finally gets movie streaming

Sonic brings CinemaNow films to flash drives, connected devices

by Darren Murph posted Jul 24th 2009 at 10:54AM

We can only hope that the travesty that is slotMusic isn't coming over to the film side, but just days after Disney announced its intentions to offer up major motion pictures on microSD cards, Sonic Solutions has stepped in to bring CinemaNow flicks to USB flash drives. Unlike you'd probably think this would work, Sonic has actually developed these to function in more than one place. Each stick contains a movie along with an integrated media player and the necessary video codecs, but aside from enabling users to play back content locally, there's also the option of catching it remotely. Once connected to the 'net, owners can add the title to their Roxio CinemaNow Digital Locker to access it on network-connected Blu-ray players and HDTVs. If all goes well, the first drives will start showing up in Q4 of this year, just in time to puzzle your young ones when they unwrap their favorite film on something other than a round disc.

[Via HotHardware]

Disney to offer films on microSD cards, consumers to pass on by

by Darren Murph posted Jul 22nd 2009 at 10:48AM

We've never seen a shred of evidence adumbrating that movies loaded onto flash cards move the proverbial meter, but evidently they're moving well enough in Japan for Walt Disney to dive into the madness. Just today, the outfit responsible for classics that filled your childhood with innocence is announcing plans to offer pre-recorded microSD cards together with DVDs in the Land of the Rising Sun. The dual-format package will supposedly give DVD viewers the ability to easily watch their favorite films on the go, but that's assuming you can even find a portable media player that accepts microSD cards. The bundles are expected to ship in November for around ¥4,935 ($52), or ¥1,000 ($11) more than the DVD alone. Eager to hear what titles will get this special treatment first? The "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "National Treasure" series -- huzzah!

[Via HotHardware]

Watchmen Director's Cut movie / PlayStation 3 game Blu-ray combo now available

by Vladislav Savov posted Jul 21st 2009 at 8:24PM

If you have the dominant high-def optical storage format -- which can serve both movies and games with equal aplomb -- built right into your consoles, shouldn't you be leveraging that synergy? Well, the assimilation is now complete, as Watchmen Director's Cut launched today with The End is Nigh Parts 1 and 2 for PlayStation 3 in tow. The price of admission here is a penny under $50 before tax / shipping -- and considering both parts of the game cost $30 total on their lonesome, that's none too shabby of a deal. It'll be interesting to see what film and tie-in game make the merge next -- anyone up for a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory re-release?

Sonic brings 3D movies into the home via CinemaNow

by Darren Murph posted Jul 21st 2009 at 1:43PM

Like it or not, 3D movies are coming to your house. If you're looking to be one of the first on the block to stream the third-dimension onto your computer monitor or 3D-ready HDTV, Sonic Solutions is making sure you have that option. Announced today, the company is utilizing Roxio's CinemaNow platform to provide users access to 3D films, and all of those files are optimized for use with NVIDIA's GeForce GPUs and its 3D Vision / 3D Vision-ready displays. Frankly, we're shocked to see CinemaNow involved in all of this, but this just might be the offering that makes the service at least marginally relevant again. Sadly, there's no hard data surrounding pricing and release, but needless to say, you should probably go ahead and don those funky goggles just in case it goes down sooner rather than later.