plex
Latest
Plex is shutting down its personal cloud streaming service
Media streaming service Plex is shutting down its cloud service at the end of November. The company is making the move because of technical issues and cost concerns. Once support ends, you'll have to stream media from your own server, computer or Network Attached Storage to your connected devices instead of your favored cloud storage service.
Plex adds offline podcast playback
Plex is shifting podcasts out of beta to make them a fully fledged part of its media streaming suite. The move brings a few more features too, including offline listening, which is essential for any podcast service. You can set the number of episodes you'd like to hoard on your device, and automatically delete episodes once you've heard them. Plex also lets you listen to podcasts through Sonos speakers, Android Auto and Chromecast devices. The new additions complement existing features, including cross-device playback and marking episodes you've listened to.
Plex's grid guide gives cord cutters a traditional TV look
Plex has offered DVR features and live TV viewing in its app for a few years, but now it's making it easier to surf through channels with a traditional-style grid guide. Over the years I've noticed that every "new TV" platform makes a show of using box art and personalized filtering as a better way to navigate video options, but for scheduled live television and audiences that grew up before streaming, things always come back to the old grid.
Plex now supports podcasts
Since its inception, Plex has been busy integrating multiple services into its media streaming software. Previous updates delivered curated news and virtual reality movies, but today the company is ready to welcome Plex Podcasts. The audio-centered feature is currently in beta, and accessible through iOS, Android, Roku and the web.
Engadget giveaway: Win a pair of Sonos One speakers courtesy of Plex!
Owning your music catalog is a rare thing for some these days, but since you've got it, flaunt it. Plex for Sonos has recently moved out of beta and includes some fresh new features. This means you can serve up your tunes on Sonos speakers anywhere using just the Sonos app. The latest updates bring faster browsing along with additional info on artists including top songs and even tour dates. Plus you can now play FLAC and AAC files. This week, Plex has provided us with two Sonos One smart speakers for one lucky reader, so they can put Plex for Sonos to the test in their own home. This also includes a Lifetime Plex Pass, so you'll be able to set up libraries for all of your music and movies to have at your fingertips whenever you want them. Just head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to five chances at winning this Plex for Sonos set up. Good luck!
Plex brings its virtual reality movie app to Gear VR with Oculus (updated)
Earlier this year, Plex jumped into VR with a Google Daydream app that puts you and up to four of your buddies into a virtual movie screening room. Now the media server company is bringing Plex VR to another platforms: Gear VR with Oculus
Plex adds DVR scheduling to its Apple TV app
Halfway through 2017, Plex started offering live TV and DVR features for users willing to cough up $5 a month. They still needed a tuner of their own, to avoid any Aereo-like shenanigans, but it was still great for cord-cutters. Now, Plex is adding more features to the Apple TV app for its DVR system, enabling users to schedule recordings and view closed captions.
Plex jumps into VR on Google Daydream headsets
Last year Plex's reach extended to cover live TV and automobiles, so in 2018 the company is jumping into yet another platform: virtual reality. As it has done before, the company brought in the developer of a community project, Plevr, to work on the new client and Plex VR looks like a nice addition. The content browsing experience I saw in a short demo looked excellent. It really made us of the virtual space with touches like selecting a title popping it out into a virtual DVD case that users could hold, rotate or put down on a table in front of them while they flipped through other options.
Plex's plan to serve all media will soon include podcasts
After adding new features like live TV and DVR (with automated commercial removal), news and Android Auto support over the last year, Plex didn't seem to bring anything new during tonight's CES event. However, soon the streaming platform will add another new element as it tries to cover all media consumed across devices: podcasts. We spoke to co-founder Scott Olechowski, who explained that when it launches, users won't need a server, and as you'd expect with Plex, it will sync access across devices like desktop and mobile. "Where it makes sense" you can expect downloads for offline listening as well. What could come next, however, is the integration of podcasts with other media accessible on Plex, like TV shows and movies. For example, if you get deep into a new show, it could suggest the official podcast, a fan cast or even a related online video series. By working with content creators to add their shows directly to Plex, it could make its platform even more interesting. TechCrunch mentions that it's in the "early stages" of talks about licensing its software to companies that sell combo TV tuner/antennas, which could also extend its reach. Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.
Plex’s incubator launches a Winamp-inspired music player
Plex's comprehensive media server, complete with live TV and all-round entertainment playback, is a big draw for cord cutters. But, it seems the company is itching to unleash even more products. To that end, it just unveiled Plex Labs, a new incubator that promises to deliver internal passion projects and give shout-outs to work from its community (as long as it's not piracy related, of course). The incubator's first product is Plexamp: a desktop music player that crams tons of features into its tiny, Winamp-inspired, package. If you already use Plex for music, then you'll probably want to check out the free player, which works on macOS and Windows.
Plex on Android now works more like a 'real' DVR
Plex recently turned your devices into virtual DVRs through its live TV update, but there have been limitations: you couldn't timeshift to replay an important moment, and watching a show while it recorded required a second TV tuner. Not much of a replacement for a real DVR, is it? The situation just got much better, however, as Plex has updated its Android app with support for both timeshifting and, as you might expect, watching a live show while in mid-recording. If you missed a crucial play in the big game or just want to repeat what someone said, you can skip back just like you would with a conventional DVR.
Plex DVR can now automatically remove commercials
Plex, the service that collects media and streaming channels into one application, has been fine-tuning its offerings with new features that have recently improved viewing quality. But its next addition came with little fanfare: Enabling its DVR, which it launched back in June, to automatically remove commercials.
Plex for Android Auto simplifies server-based music streaming
In-car entertainment will have to step up to accommodate our automated driving future. With an AI at the wheel, we'll be free to watch movies, play games, and conduct video calls. It's easy to imagine an all-round media player, like Plex, fitting into that scenario. For now, it's making its way into regular cars, courtesy of Android Auto. Google's in-car operating system is currently available in newer vehicles, head units, and as a mobile app. And, the next time you reach for its interface, you'll have the option to stream your Plex music library. Okay, so that's not the same as watching a 4K HDR flick, but it will have to suffice while your eyes are still needed on the road.
Plex can beam Live TV broadcasts on Roku
With the launch of Live TV and DVR in June, Plex took a big step toward becoming an all-round media replacement. Since then, it's wasted no time in introducing the feature to more platforms, including Android and Apple TV. Not to be left behind, Roku devices are now getting Plex Live TV, too. But there's a catch: You can't yet schedule recordings through Plex DVR on the streaming player. Plus, the perk is still reserved for Plex Pass subscribers (who pay $5 per month, $40 per year, or $120 lifetime for a bunch of extras). To soften the blow, Roku owners will be able to watch recordings from other supported platforms, including iOS, the Plex web app, Android, Android TV, Apple TV and iOS. The release is currently in beta, and is expected to roll out to all Plex Pass subscribers next week. All you need to get set up is a compatible tuner connected to a TV antenna or cable jack, and you can leave the rest to Plex.
Plex makes its adaptive streaming tech available to all
If you own a giant personal media collection (legally or otherwise), few services are as useful as Plex. The media server and streaming apps combo makes it easy to watch your favorite movies and TV shows from anywhere, and on any device. Now, the company behind Plex is adding a few nifty features to keep your streams running smoothly. The first is Auto Quality, which had previously been limited to Plex Pass subscribers. Switch it on and Plex will automatically adjust video quality depending on your connection and how many other people are hammering your Plex server.
Plex News launches to keep cord-cutters informed for free
Plex has continued to grow beyond its simple media playback roots, and today it adds another new feature that brings something extra to your library of video, music and pictures: news. Plex News builds on the acquisition of Watchup earlier this year by using a machine learning-powered system for finding news from 190+ publisher partners (including CNN, CBS and Al Jazeera) that it presents to you -- for free. The ad-supported service is ready for you to personalize, but it can also use that AI brain to monitor what you like and get smarter about finding related content -- which may be linked to recent privacy policy changes.
Plex for Kodi is now free for everyone
If you're all about a customized media center then you'll be familiar with Plex or Kodi, but getting the best of both services meant having a Plex Plus subscription. Until now, that is, as Plex has quietly made its Kodi add-on free to everyone. Now you can run both media centers simultaneously without losing any customizations, enjoying what Plex calls "settings nirvana", without paying for the privilege.
Plex says recent policy changes don't mean it's sharing your data
Last week, the makers of media player software Plex sent an email to users informing them of a privacy policy. In effect, the new terms would remove the ability to opt-out of the software's data collection. Predictably, there was some pushback over the weekend, with subscribers worried about two things: that Plex would sell their data and also be able to see into their media libraries. That's a big deal if you've got a ton of illegally-downloaded movies or music on your media drive. On Monday, however, the company's CEO promised that Plex would update its policies for better clarity and user privacy.
Plex pushes Live TV broadcasts to Apple TV, Android
It hasn't been that long since Plex launched live TV and DVR support, but now it's officially out of beta testing. While it's still a premium feature tied to the Plex Pass subscription ($5 per month, $40 per year or $120 lifetime), it's available on a few more platforms via the Plex app. Already out for iOS and Android TV devices, now Apple TV Plex users can tune into live TV, while on Android they can do that plus create a DIY DVR to record shows just by connecting a TV tuner. Roku, Fire TV, Smart TVs, and the Plex Web App are now on deck for live TV features, and at this pace we'd expect to see them join the fold rather quickly.
Plex update brings local video playback to its Android app
Plex's last few big announcements include unveiling live TV streaming for its premium subscribers and launching Plex Cloud, which lets users pipe media stored on cloud-based services (like DropBox) to any device with Plex's app installed. But the software provider hasn't forgotten folks who like locally storing content. The newest version of Plex's Android app now lets you play any video file on the device (or SD card) without needing to route it through a media server or a third-party app.
