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DirecTV drops NFL Sunday Ticket price for current subscribers
After raising the price of its NFL Sunday Ticket package last season, this year DirecTV is dropping it back down for current subscribers, to just $199. Of course, most of the impetus for the price drop is probably because so many current subs are people who signed up for the service last season with Sunday Ticket as a freebie, but we're sure regular customers will gladly keep the cash in their pockets. Another change for the 2012 season is the NFL Sunday Ticket Max package, which includes all the extras of SuperFan and To-Go (RedZone Channel, streaming to iOS and Android mobile devices, Short Cuts, VOD highlights, etc.) extras as a part of the bundle for an extra $100 to existing customers, or for $299.95. There's no word on any additional game consoles or internet only packages yet, but at least with the lockout a distant memory, football fans have all offseason to decide if they want to shell out for it.
Martin Jetpack hits the 5,000 feet milestone, could come to market within 18 months (video)
OK, so the Martin Jetpack may not have gone into commercial production quite as soon as we'd anticipated, but there's still hope on the horizon. Over the weekend, Glenn Martin's flying machine successfully climbed some 5,000 feet above sea level, marking a new milestone in the 30-year, $12 million project. Remotely controlled by a tailing helicopter, the 250-pound craft used its two "superfans" to power itself skyward at about 800 feet per second minute, before safely parachuting back to Earth from a height of about 3,000 feet. As with its last test run, however, the Martin Jetpack was equipped not with a human being, but with a crash dummy. It may have been for the best, though, considering that the machine sustained some damage upon concluding the ten-minute flight. Nevertheless, Martin seems confident that yesterday's test "brings the future another step closer," and is hoping to deliver his brainchild to customers within the next 18 months -- plenty of time for us to hawk enough family heirlooms to afford that $86,000 price tag. Soar past the break for a video of the jetpack's big launch, or check out the source link for a more extensive interview with Martin and some background footage of his invention. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket adds SuperFan (HD games, Red Zone) for all, streaming is extra
With football season ready to kick off yet again there's still no good news for those who want Sunday Ticket without DirecTV, but if you do have the right satellite hookup then there are a few new wrinkles in 2010. First the bad news, at five payments of $59.99 the price has risen yet again to $299.95, but this year features that used to require the $99 SuperFan add-on -- every game in high definition, Game Mix Channel, Red Zone Channel, Short Cuts -- are included, so if that's what you wanted then the price has actually gone down. One SuperFan feature that's still extra is access to streaming games, now broken out on its own at NFL Sunday Ticket To-Go, it brings 14 Sunday ticket games every week, Red Zone Channel, highlights, stats and more via the internet (PC, Mac, Android, iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, webOS, Windows Mobile) for an additional five payments of $9.95. Check the press release after the break for all the details, but we're pretty sure this is the kind of decision that makes itself for most NFL fans.
DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings SuperFan gets down with HD
As if DirecTV customers didn't already have three good reasons to party down this week, the satcaster has just announced that its MLB Extra Innings SuperFan service will be four times better than last year. Or, there will be around four times more games in HD each week -- same difference, right? During the 2008 season, subscribers to the SuperFan package will be able to catch up to 40 out-of-market matchups in high-definition, and for the first time ever, the so-called Strike Zone Channel will be available in HD. 'Course, the interactive Game Mix channel, which shows up to eight tilts on a single screen, will be back (in SD, sadly) to satisfy popular demand. Those interested in getting signed up can save a few bucks by doing so before April 6th ($179), and current Extra Innings subscribers can upgrade to SuperFan for $50.
NFL and DirecTV partner on streaming games
You can now watch NFL football over the interwebs, free from regional restrictions! Excited? We thought so -- here's what you'll need. First, sign up for DirecTV's Sunday Ticket ($269/year). Second, add in the "SuperFan" program (an additional $99/year). Third, you'll need a Windows PC (sorry Mac users). Once all that is squared away, you can enjoy watching live games webwide in Internet Explorer. Meh, says we, especially when you look at MLB.TV. Admittedly, the SuperFan package is required for HD delivery of the games on DirecTV anyways (which the internet feed definitely won't be), so chances are that football nuts may already have these packages lined up. The NFL is keeping tight control over their content, but this is a step in the right direction. Meanwhile, "misplacing" a Slingbox at your buddy's place in another region is looking better and better.
DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket SuperFan subscribers to get mobile games
Those so desperate for football that they're watching preseason showdowns should certainly enjoy this one. Reportedly, subscribers to DirecTV's Sunday Ticket SuperFan package will be able to access NFL games on their mobile for the first time this season. Users who plunk down the necessary coinage will soon be able to view "the entire weekly lineup of live NFL Sunday Ticket games" via the internet, which can be accessed through a computer or one's handset. Additionally, customers can even look forward to in-progress highlights, scores, and clock updates, which means that you'll never miss a moment of pigskin action so long as you've got a signal on Sundays.[Via MultiChannel]
Wii superfan does not sleep (it's for babies)
In checking in with some of those who waited in line overnight for the Wii, we might have just been shown the world's biggest fanboy. While it is obvious he has some sort of speech impediment (could be sleep deprivation, but we think it wouldn't cause someone to talk like that), it hasn't stopped the internet from making fun of him by putting his face on a T-shirt.[Via Joystiq]
