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MOJO HD falls off TWC Rochester, 6 newcomers added in
And so it begins. The ill-fated MOJO HD has already begun to vanish from cable lineups, even though the official dissolution isn't set to occur until December. At any rate, Time Warner Cable has yanked the network in the Rochester, New York area, but smartly added in a half dozen high-def newcomers to keep customers from kvetching. With the fall of MOJO comes the addition of Hallmark HD, SPEED HD, Cartoon Network HD, FX HD, Tennis Channel HD and MGM HD. Hey, TWC -- when can we expect a similar announcement for your other markets? [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Trent]
Verizon's FiOS TV coming to Yonkers apartment buildings
Around this time last year, we heard that the FCC was looking to facilitate programming competition for apartments, and apparently, it has succeeded. Just this week, Verizon proudly announced that its FiOS TV programming service was on the way to residents in 2,029 Yonkers public housing apartments. In total, 18 buildings will get gifted with the fiber-based services (TV and high-speed internet), and the carrier has already begun the build-out of the necessary fiber network. There's no word on when or if a similar agreement could take other apartment complexes by storm, but it appears the biggest hurdle has been lifted.
TWC beefs up HD lineups in Brooklyn, Queens and Mount Vernon
Time Warner Cable is stirring the HD pot in the Empire State once more, this time bringing the lineups in Brooklyn, Queens and Mount Vernon up to par with those already stocked (Staten Island, we're looking at you). In a new programming announcement on the provider's website, we're told that the "previously announced drop of MOJO (796) on October 1st has been postponed," presumably until sometime in December. Additionally, Brooklyn / Queens will be seeing HBO HD (651), Cinemax HD (658), Showtime HD (666), TMC HD (674), Starz HD (676), Cartoon Network HD (722), FX HD (737) and Speed HD (774) on October 22nd. Including Mount Vernon, all three locales will get Big Ten Network HD (472), CBS College Sports HD (467), ESPNU HD (793) and Tennis Channel HD (465). Stellar news, right? Full shot of the announcement is after the break. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Jason and Eric]
Time Warner Cable makes Buffalo's HD lineup even more robust
We know, we know -- Buffalo residents are just now seeing their HD lineup look even remotely similar to lineups seen in other areas of the Empire State, but we can't help but be envious. Since August 28th, Time Warner Cable has added 25 high-def stations in the region, with the latest four going live today. FOX Business HD, Tennis Channel HD, Planet Green HD and BIO HD have found their way onto slots 719, 732, 741 and 743 (in order of mention). There were no specifics given as to future lineup enhancements, but WNY Division President Terence Rafferty did state that it would "continue to add popular HD content for [its] customers." After all of this, we halfway believe him. [Warning: PDF read link; disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
TWC brings another 5 HD stations to Buffalo's EPG
We're beginning to wonder if these 5-spots will ever end, as Time Warner Cable has once more delivered five new HD stations to its loyal customers in Buffalo, New York. The company has now added 20 high-def channels over the past two weeks as it attempts to build up the former Adelphia footprint into one with a respectable HD lineup. This go 'round, we've got The Learning Channel HD (736), Toon Disney HD (748), ABC Family HD (749), Sports New York (SNY) HD (731) and National Geographic HD (734) being added in, bringing the high-definition total (at least for the moment) to 33.
TWC officially on a roll, adds 5 more in Buffalo, NY
What can we say? When you're hot, you're hot. After adding ten new high-definition channels over the past week, Time Warner Cable has decided to dish out five more to the fine citizens of Buffalo, New York. As the rest of TWC nation grows increasingly envious, Buffalo residents can now enjoy Food HD (716), ESPNews HD (728), MSG HD (730) Outdoor Channel 2 HD (733) and Travel Channel HD (735). Alrighty, it's about time to start spreadin' the love, don'tcha think? [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Tim]
TWC throws 5 more HD channels in Buffalo's direction
Not only are the Bills off to a magnificent start this NFL season, but Time Warner Cable is being extraordinarily kind to the fine citizens of Buffalo. Just a week after gifting the area with five new HD channels, the carrier has dropped five more without any celebration. Available now, subscribers in the region can view NHL Network HD (729), History Channel HD (744), Disney Channel HD (750), Lifetime Movie Network HD (751) and HGTV HD (715). Anyone placing bets for five more next week? [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Time Warner Cable adds 5 HD channels in Buffalo, NY
We have all ideas that every last HD-lovin' TWC customer in the Buffalo region will agree with this: "It's about time." Time Warner Cable has just announced plans to add five new high-def stations in the Buffalo, New York area in an attempt to reach its goal of "tripling" the current HD lineup. The newbies are CNN HD (721), TBS HD (723), Discovery HD (738), Animal Planet HD (739) and Science HD (737). And yeah, you've had ESPNU HD since late August, so don't complain about a lack of high-definition sports coverage (though, like Third Eye Blind, we would understand). [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Darryl]
Six more markets get HD locals on DirecTV
Can't say it still feels like summer in some parts of the US, but regardless of semantics, DirecTV is forging ahead with its HD locals rollout. Effective immediately, a half dozen more markets can find at least a couple of the big broadcast stations in HD, with Mobile, Richmond, South Bend, Syracuse, Toledo and Youngstown all getting gifted. For details on which DMA got which stations, head on down to the read link.[Thanks, VANBROTHERS]
NY state inserts RFIDs into licenses; citizens next?
What can we say about RFIDs that hasn't already made you afraid? Your passport? Clonable. Your work ID and "secure" credit cards? Yeah, those too. Not scary enough? How about every adult New Yorker walking around with one in their back pocket? It's just a matter of time, as the Empire State's clearly enhanced drivers licenses (says so right on 'em) are now hitting the streets. For $30 on a new one, or $10 if you're looking to upgrade, you can get yourself a radio-wave emitting ID, enabling you to cross the border into Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean sans-passport. Don't worry, the cards won't be broadcasting any personal information -- just a unique code that the government can use to track your every movement.[Via Crave]
Verizon's FiOS TV makes its western New York debut
Western New York, FiOS. FiOS, western New York. That's right -- not even two full months after Verizon's FiOS TV took New York City by storm, the service has officially gone live in the western park of the state. We've known this was coming for quite some time, but it feels oh-so-good to know that some 60,000 households in the greater Buffalo area can now phone up Verizon and order up its fiber-based TV programming, high-speed internet and digital phone services. Among the first communities to get served are parts of Amherst, Hamburg, Orchard Park and Tonawanda; expect additional communities in the region to get gifted "within the next few weeks." Any western New Yorkers mulling the switch?
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: September 6, 2008
Another week, another round of FiOS TV announcements with Washington in the mix. This past week, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo and Redmond voted to approve video franchises for the carrier, as did the villages of New Hempstead, Hempstead and Kenmore, New York. Finally, we're told that select residents of Ashland, Massachusetts can finally place their orders for FiOS TV after hearing that it was coming in June. We'll see you next week -- here's to hoping your neck of the woods gets covered within the next seven days.Read - Washington expansionRead - New York expansionRead - Massachusetts expansion
Wakamaru robot to help / freak out UNIQLO SoHo shoppers
Shopping robots aren't totally unheard of from a global perspective, but we certainly haven't seen too many out and about in NY boutiques. Reportedly, that's about to change -- UNIQLO SoHo will soon be home to Mitsubishi's Wakamaru, a humanoid that can look you in the eye, communicate on a very basic level and somehow help you decide between this dress or that other one over there. Word on the street has it arriving sometime next week, so if any of you regulars happen to see it, let us know just how convincing it is / isn't.[Via TokyoMango]
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: August 30, 2008
It has been a pretty quiet week for Verizon on the FiOS TV front, and while a slew of new places were treated to FiOS high-speed internet, just a few locales picked up notices of incoming TV service. Nevertheless, Snohomish County, Washington granted the provider a video franchise, as did the village of Fishkill, New York. Glocester and Smithfield, Rhode Island residents, on the other hand, can place their orders right now should their home be within the service area. We'll see you next week -- here's to hoping your neck of the woods gets covered within the next seven days.Read - Washington expansionRead - New York expansionRead - Rhode Island expansion
World Fishing Network HD splashes down on FiOS TV
Though probably not as niche as Rural Free Delivery (RFD HD), World Fishing Network HD still has a pretty narrow audience. That being the case, there's still some logic to pushing the channel in rural parts of America or in regions with nearby fishing outlets. Call us crazy, but New York City is not the first place that comes to find when someone mentions deep sea fishin'. Nevertheless, Verizon has just announced that WFN HD has arrived in the Big Apple on FiOS TV, giving transplants an easy way to get back in touch with their small town roots. There's no word on when the station will hit other FiOS TV areas, but we'd bet it'll be making the rounds soon enough.
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: August 16, 2008
For the second week in a row now, we've got quite a few locales getting blanketed (or at least getting set for coverage) by FiOS TV. Verizon has announced that its fiber-based television / high-speed internet services are now available in Covina, West Covina and Sepulveda, California. Furthermore, Washington state is getting even more FiOS TV love by awarding the carrier a video franchise in Woodinville. We wrap this week up with confirmation that said service is finally headed to Newburgh, New York after initially hearing that a deal was in the works last December. We'll see you next week -- here's to hoping your neck of the woods gets covered within the next seven days.Read - California expansionRead - Washington expansionRead - New York expansion
Nokia's US E71 now on sale to the general public
For those invited to private launch parties in New York and Chicago last Thursday, you've probably been playing with your shiny new US E71 all weekend. For everyone else, today's the day. The Americas version of the handset -- which includes GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and HSDPA 850/1900 support -- is finally on sale to the general public through a variety of retailers. Now, the only problems are sneaking out of the office early, finding a store with stock and coming up with approximately $500.
New York City officially gifted with Verizon's FiOS TV: 100 HD channels
Not quite four months after Time Warner Cable completely and entirely revamped the HD lineup in New York / New Jersey, another big player has entered the Big Apple. NYC residents, meet Verizon. After tons of planning, drawn-out meetings and a bazillion approvals, FiOS TV is now available to order in 108 neighborhoods in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. Better still, the carrier is offering 100 high-definition channels in the area, and if all goes to plan, that number will creep upward even more in the not-too-distant future. Jump on past the break for a (long) list of the communities that can order service today. So, the big question: are any of you NYers making the switch?Read - Official releaseRead - More details
Downtown Syracuse to see artwork blasted onto walls via projectors
While we've certainly seen more extravagant uses of walls as art canvases, we have all ideas this will be plenty radical in downtown Syracuse, New York. Syracuse University is aiming to add permanent (but not, you know) imagery to a number of walls by "projecting artwork onto some of its most visible areas." The institution is currently asking the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency "for permission to install projector equipment on one of its buildings," and if its wish is granted, the Urban Video Project will be well on its way to becoming a reality. Keep an eye out (not like it'll be hard to miss) for the installation to go live this October.[Via AboutProjectors]
NY Public Service Commission to debate FiOS TV approval tomorrow
We've never been ones to count our chickens before they hatch, but there's a very, very interesting tidbit snuck into the New York Public Service Commission's July 16th meeting agenda. The very last bullet points on the very last page of the notice reads as shown above, which leads us to believe that the carrier may receive the approval it needs in order to string FiOS TV to the entire Empire State, New York City included. Cross your fingers -- we have all ideas that Verizon will be trumpeting its success the moment this goes down (should it go down, of course). Our biggest fear? That everyone breaks for an extended lunch just after Page 10. [Warning: PDF read link][Thanks, Vin P]
