amazonvideo
Latest
Apple TV will reportedly get Amazon's Video app this summer
The squabbling between Amazon and Apple might soon be over -- at least, on the TV front. Amazon's Video app might finally be heading to the Apple TV this summer, giving consumers an easy way to watch Amazon's streaming content on the set-top box, Recode reports. Up until now, you were forced to use AirPlay to send Amazon's streaming video titles to the Apple TV. That's been one of the Apple TV's biggest downsides since it debuted in 2015, together with a lack of 4K support.
Amazon orders two seasons of 'Gilmore Girls' creator's next show
Netflix may be the frontrunner in the race between online video channels to produce original content, but Amazon is trying hard to close the gap. It has just commissioned two seasons of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, which is written and directed by Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino. The series follows the titular character, a 1958 New York City woman, as she "discovers a previously unknown talent" as a standup comic that takes her from her perfect, wholesome life to... "a spot on Johnny Carson's couch."
Nintendo sorta cares about getting Netflix on the Switch
Nintendo will bring streaming video services to the Switch, but don't hold your breath, because it'll probably take a while. That's the main takeaway from a Washington Post interview with the company's Reggie Fils-Aime that was published earlier today. When asked why Nintendo didn't have the major names in video on its latest console, the executive said that they would come, "in time."
Amazon's spring Pilot Season debuts five new shows on March 17th
Amazon is continuing its proud tradition letting you decide the fates of brand-new shows in a viewer-rated deathmatch. On March 17th, pilots for five potential series are dropping on Amazon Video and await your vote for which get made into full-fledged titles.
A 'Costume Quest' animated series is coming to Amazon Video
One of Amazon's upcoming original kids series should be very familiar to fans of a certain Double Fine title. The online retailer announced today that a Costume Quest animated children's series based on the popular video games will debut in 2018. Will McRobb of The Adventures of Pete and Pete fame will serve as executive producer while Frederator Studios (Adventure Time, The Fairly Odd Parents) will produce the show.
Nintendo's Switch won't have video streaming apps at launch
We've been up close with the Nintendo Switch, tried some of its games and heard the company's pitch for the system. But still, questions remain. Thankfully, the folks at Kotaku have managed to prise some new information out of the house of Mario. Namely that the system does support multiple users -- up to eight accounts can be registered on a single system -- and that Nintendo's colorful Miis will be making a return. "There is a Mii Maker on Nintendo Switch," a spokesperson confirmed. "Mii characters can be used to represent a user profile, but are not required. [They] can still be used in games if developers choose to include them."
Neil Gaiman is making a 'Good Omens' miniseries for Amazon Video
Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett fans, take note: Good Omens, a novel written by Gaiman and Pratchett, is being adapted into an Amazon miniseries. The six-part series will debut in 2018, with Gaiman serving as sole writer and showrunner. It's a timely release, too -- Amazon's description says that "Good Omens takes place in 2018 when the Apocalypse is near and Final Judgment is set to descend upon humanity," a feeling that some of us can relate to today.
Amazon plans a big digital-only sale for December 30th
You can call Amazon's Prime Day an excuse to clear out slow-moving products, but there's no question that it was a success -- and now, the internet retailer is hoping to replicate that success for online-only sales. It's launching a Digital Day sale on December 30th at 3AM Eastern that will offer discounts of up to 50 percent on apps, e-books, games, movies and music. The extent of the bargains isn't clear, but it's already teasing a few of the items on sale. You'll get breaks on games like Destiny: Rise of Iron, Rocket League and Titanfall 2, multiple Amazon music and video titles, comic books at Comixology, numerous productivity apps and some mobile titles.
Amazon picks up 'Lore' TV series
Though comic conventions might traditionally be the domain of superheroes and space epics, Amazon Studios used its New York Comic Con panel today to announce that Amazon Prime will be the home of the upcoming Lore TV series, based on the popular nonfiction podcast of the same name. Producer Gale Anne Hurd and program creator Aaron Mahnke were on hand to talk about the show, set to debut on Amazon Prime in early 2017.
Amazon Fire TV update gives you much wider voice search
Amazon's Fire TV devices just became much more useful if you prefer to talk to your media hub. An update rolling out to the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick gives you dramatically improved search: you can now use voice to search over 75 apps and services, including Netflix and (soon) HBO Now. If the show you're looking for is available on multiple services, you'll see all your choices. And if you're content with watching Amazon Video, you're still getting an upgrade. You now have voice control of playback with Amazon's service, so you can skip to your favorite Transparent scene without using the fast forward button.
Amazon will stream show pilots on Twitch for 24 hours
Amazon is no stranger to showing you series pilots to gauge your interest, but it's trying a different strategy this year. The internet retailer will stream its version of The Tick and Jean-Claude Van Johnson on Twitch for 24 hours on August 31st, roughly two weeks after their Amazon premiere on August 19th. That may sound like an odd move when Amazon-owned Twitch is still primarily known for gaming, but it makes sense considering the service's broadening horizons. There are plenty of people watching content on Twitch besides games, and it could attract viewers who otherwise wouldn't bother to visit Amazon to watch.
Amazon Video for Android adds support for SD cards
Amazon just pushed a small, but important update to its Android video app: starting today, users can choose where downloaded files are stored. It sounds insignificant, but for heavy users, this is a really big deal -- until now, Amazon Video would only store content on a device's internal storage, severely limiting how much content one could keep on the device. Not anymore. Now, if you have an SD card, you have room for more movies. The feature is rolling out to customers in the US, UK, Germany, Austria and Japan. It's about time.
Dolby's wide color range technology comes to Amazon Video
Amazon has already dipped its toes into the waters of high dynamic range video, but it's now ready to get its feet wet. The internet giant has started integrating Dolby Vision HDR into its video subscription and purchase services. Watch the right shows (currently Amazon's Bosch and a handful of Sony movies, like Fury) and you'll get a wider color range as well as more details in highlights and shadows. The big catch? Right now, you'll need one of LG's HDR-capable 4K or OLED TVs to notice the difference -- until there's more content and hardware support, this is more of a technology showcase than anything else.
Amazon announces a simple way to put your videos on its platform
Amazon has spent the past few years emulating Netflix with its many streaming video offerings. Now with Amazon Video Direct (AVD), it's taking a cue from Vimeo and YouTube by making it easier than ever to get your videos streaming, and most importantly, get you paid. You'll be able to upload your own videos and choose exactly how you want people to access them with AVD. You could, for example, make them available to all Amazon Prime viewers, or just go the typical video on demand rental and purchase route. Alternatively, you can also make it open to all Amazon members with ad support, or create a whole channel available via subscription through Amazon's Streaming Partners Program.
Amazon offers NBC's Seeso comedy service as a streaming add-on
NBC's Seeso comedy streaming service has been available to all since January, and now Amazon Prime members are getting easy access. The online retailer added NBC's lineup of comedy TV shows and movies, which includes new episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Myers the day after they air. You'll have to shell out an extra $4/month for Seeso on top of that Prime subscription, but doing so puts the comedy library alongside your other Amazon videos.
Amazon Video gets an NFL reality show this summer
NFL Films isn't confining its efforts to conventional TV and movies. The sports video producer has unveiled All or Nothing, a football reality show destined solely for Amazon Video. The series will follow a given NFL team's internal drama through a whole season, starting with the Arizona Cardinals' 2015 path to the NFC Championship Game. The initial eight-episode run will be available this summer on any device that can handle Amazon's internet video services, so you'll have no shortage of gridiron action to watch on your Fire TV while you're waiting for the next season to start.
Amazon job posting reveals it's forming a VR team for Video
Amazon is cooking up a virtual reality initiative, a job posting on Glassdoor has revealed. In the ad spotted by UploadVR, the company wrote that it's looking for a Senior Software Development Manager to lead a team that will build a VR experience within Amazon Video. It's still not clear what Bezos and cohorts are planning, and if it's more than just an app for VR headsets similar to Netflix's and Hulu's.
T-Mobile adds more channels to Binge-On
T-Mobile announced on Thursday that it is expanding its Binge-On catalog to include four new streaming services -- Amazon Video, Fox News, WWE Network and Univision NOW -- bringing the total up to more than 40. The "Un-carrier" also released new data on its users' usage of the Binge-On service. According to T-Mobile, its "customers on qualifying data plans are already watching more than twice the video than before from the free services with Binge On." In all, users have streamed 34 petabytes for free.
LG's 2016 4K OLED TVs promise 'superior' HDR experience
LG's TV lineup for 2016 includes eight new 4K OLED TVs in addition to the new LCDs -- including an 8K model -- that it announced earlier. They come in various shapes -- some of them are flat, while others are curved -- sizes, designs and components. The 77- and 65-inch G6 series and the 65- and 55-inch E6 series flagship models, for instance, are extremely thin with a depth of a tenth of an inch behind the screen, translucent glass backs, barely-there bezels and forward-facing soundbar speakers.
Amazon Video gets a bunch of new features on iOS
Amazon has released a ton of new features for its Video app. The update includes 3D touch support, Next Up (which is basically auto-play), picture-in-picture and X-Ray, which offers a wealth of IMDB information and trivia at the touch of a button. Even though some of these features are iPad exclusive (like picture-in-picture) they can help Amazon stand up against competition like Netflix when content alone won't carry the day. The 3D touch option is only available on Apple's latest smartphone offerings, the 6s and 6s Plus, and lets you access a number of features faster, but offers nothing in the way of exclusive functionality. Also, the app has been customized for the iPad Pro, meaning Amazon-exclusive content is bigger and better than it's ever been before. What more could you ask for?[Image credit: AOL]
