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Sky borrows from Netflix's playbook with 'Watch Next' feature
If you like to binge-watch shows but haven't yet jumped aboard the Netflix bandwagon, Sky's latest update could show you what you're missing out on. The broadcaster announced today that it's rolling out new features that let Sky+ users download entire seasons at a time and then watch the episodes back-to-back.
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+ 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 Service app lets you manage your account on the move
Sky's got a plethora of mobile apps to keep you entertained on the go, but has until now neglected customers who find admin just as fun. Much like mobile carriers have apps for general account management, the new Sky Service app for Android and iOS lets subscribers view and pay bills, check the details of their TV packages and manage their broadband router restrictions. The app also allows you to reset your TV PIN if the kids have cracked it while you're out, request a customer service call-back, reschedule an engineer visit and alter which Sky+HD box the Sky+ app records to if you have a multiroom setup. Not the most exciting tasks, but handy to have in your pocket nonetheless.
Sky gives remote control powers to its Sky+ Android app (update: new iOS app version, too)
It's tradition, or an old charter, or something, that no self-respecting geek would ever surrender their TV zapper or their smartphone. Fortunately for Sky customers, those two things are now one and the same. The company has tweaked its Sky+ Android app to offer the same remote control functions found on the iOS version, letting users change channels, play, pause and rewind the picture. The update meanders out from today, and will work so long as your Sky+HD box is connected to the same WiFi network as your phone or tablet. Update: The Sky+ iOS app has also received an update. More channels are available in the Catch Up section, and recently added TV box sets are now highlighted in the On Demand category. iPad users will also find more additional content for popular shows through the Discover More feature, and can post what they are watching straight to their Facebook feed.
Sky refreshes mobile app, lets you remotely download on-demand content to your Sky Box
Sky is ensuring that you'll have some TV to binge on once all of that turkey's been polished off. It's updated the Sky+ app to include on-demand listings, letting you set programs to download to your Sky Box remotely. That way, if you're trapped upstairs, you can tee-up a half-day's worth of Game of Thrones to make leaving the TV room worth your while. That said, if you just want to watch the shows while you're pretending to shoot the breeze with your relatives, there's always Sky Go. Update: Sky has added that remote downloading only currently works while at home (presumably on the same network), but it's planning to add a roaming functionality at a later date.
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+ iPad app update brings remote control and DVR scheduling
After being teased earlier in the year, v4.0 of the Sky+ app for iPad has arrived in the UK and brought a number of new features to subscriber's tablets. Now, it can be used as a remote control to change channels or select DVR functions, as well as view scheduled recordings and add to or change them, or just browse the TV guide's new look. Even with the changes however, Sky has more planned for later this summer when it will integrate zeebox technology to bring second screen features and data to accompany live TV. The free app is up in iTunes now, however customers will need the latest HD guide upgrade on their cable box that's connected to the same local network as the iPad to make it all work. There's a quick demo video of the new features embedded after the break plus more official information on the Sky website.
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.
Sky+HD issues limited edition 1TB set-top boxes for World Cup watching
Sky just can't quit with the limited edition set-top boxes, issuing its latest edition in honor of the 2010 World Cup. these Sky+HD boxes feature a 1TB hard drive inside and prints from fashion designer Wayne Hemingway, illustrator Gerald Scarfe and actor Phil Daniels on the outside. The pricetag is £249, plus installation fee, but we guess the real question is you can afford not to have a box celebrating 1966 when the games kick off June 11. Think about it. %Gallery-93210%