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Amazon's Fire TV Stick arrives in the UK next month for £35
Google's Chromecast streaming dongle has proven to be quite the hit, but it does come with some drawbacks. There's no physical remote, for instance, and the lack of menus or any overarching UI can be alienating for some. Amazon took a swing at the idea last October with the Fire TV Stick, and after launching in the US it's ready to tackle the UK too. It'll begin shipping on April 15th, although Prime members can pre-order the device today for £19. That's a sizeable discount on the regular £35 asking price, which is just a smidge higher than Google's offering (£30) in the Play store. If you've been weighing up a new Prime subscription, this could be the time to take the plunge; the company will knock the stick down to £7 for anyone that's willing to sign up for a new 12-month membership.
TiVo's Android app now supports streaming
It was nearly a year ago that TiVo brought streaming to its iOS apps, enabling you to watch recorded shows anywhere with a WiFi signal. Eleven months later, and the company has finally added the same functionality for TiVo's Android app. The feature will work on most devices running Android 4.1 or above, but there are a few caveats, like the fact that it won't work on devices with Intel's mobile chips, and you're still at the mercy of whatever copy protection restrictions is placed upon the shows. On the upside, the app will also access content from Hulu Plus, Netflix and Amazon Instant Video - the latter being another service that's belatedly gotten around to adding Android support for its users.
Amazon Prime Instant Video finally comes to Android
We've been waiting for what seems like forever, but today's the day that Amazon finally lets Android users watch video on the go. The company has updated its core shopping app to bake-in Prime Instant Video, enabling users to catch digital re-runs of The Sopranos whatever device they're rocking. The updated app also now lets customers access every part of Amazon's online retail catalog, so they can pick up a kitchen appliance or two in line at the DMV. The app is available for free on Google Play, with 5GB of free cloud photo storage with Amazon Cloud Drive thrown in as a sweetener. [Thanks, Anthony]
Amazon Instant Video app now offers free, ad-supported TV episodes, new HBO shows
Apple today released an updated version of its Amazon Instant Video app for iOS with free TV show episodes that include in-video advertising, new HBO content and improved playback controls. According to the app description, Amazon Instant Video users will be able to stream the first episode of selected TV shows for free, including classic shows such as 21 Jump Street, Eight is Enough and others. These free videos will feature advertisements before and during playback. Many of these free episodes are part of Amazon's Prime Instant Video catalog, which means Prime subscribers won't have to watch the video ads. Advertisements will be shown to non-Prime subscribers and in TV shows that are not part of the Prime video service. The free first episodes are already available on Kindle Fire devices and the Roku, but this is the first time ad-supported content from Amazon is available on iOS. Besides the free TV shows, Amazon also added new content from HBO that debuted online last month. The list of HBO titles includes The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The Wire, Big Love, Deadwood, Eastbound & Down, Family Tree, Enlightened, Treme, early seasons of Boardwalk Empire, True Blood, select mini-series such as Band of Brothers and comedy specials featuring well-know comedians like Lewis Black and Bill Maher. Additional HBO shows will be made available three years after their original airing date. Last but not least, the updated Amazon Instant Video app offers new video playback controls with 0-second skip and "Next Episode" buttons to improve the streaming experience. iOS device owners can download the Instant Video app from the App Store for free.
Netflix is now being used to measure inflation in the UK
Video streaming has grown so much in the UK that authorities are now using it to help calculate inflation rates. The Office of National Statistics announced today that it has added Netflix and Amazon Instant Video to the UK's "basket of goods," measuring consumers' love for House of Cards to get a better idea of what people are spending their money on. Recognizing the shift away from discs, the UK body has also dropped DVD recorders and replaced them with digital TV recorders (DVRs), including Sky+, Virgin Media TiVo and YouView boxes. Interestingly, interchangeable lens cameras have been added for the first time, driving home just how much of an effect the smartphone has had on sales of point-and-shoots. Smartphones and tablet sales are already being tracked, of course, as are ebooks, but now demand for Frank Underwood and co. (as well as hundreds of other products and services) will be used to help shape UK interest rates, pensions and even train ticket prices.
Daily Roundup: Lumia 1320 review, NFC iPhone case, Beats Music hands-on and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Amazon brings Instant Video to Japan, offers over 26,000 movies and TV shows
Folks in the Land of the Rising Sun will be pleased to know that there's now another option where they can rent or buy movies and TV shows. Today, Amazon announced the arrival of its Instant Video service in Japan, bringing with it a selection of more than 26,000 series and films from local and international studios -- such as Shochiku, Toho, TV Asahi, TBS and Warner Bros., to mention a few. Of course, this means viewers will have access to Amazon Instant Video on a number of different platforms, including PCs and the company's Kindle Fire line of tablets. So what are you waiting for? Start building out your very own Watchlist right about now -- and we'd definitely recommend placing Pacific Rim in there.
All of the Xbox One launch-window apps, broken down by territory
Microsoft has laid out the media apps available on the Xbox One in each of its 13 launch markets, with the US claiming 19 entertainment options, the most of any territory. Between November 22 and spring 2014, the US will get Amazon Instant Video, CWTV, Crackle, ESPN, FOX NOW, FXNOW, HBO GO, Hulu Plus, Machinima, MUZU TV, Netflix, Redbox Instant, Target Ticket, TED, NFL on Xbox One, Twitch, Univision Deportes, Verizon FiOS TV and VUDU. UK Xbox One owners will see a different mix of 13 apps, including 4oD, Amazon/LOVEFILM, Eurosport, NOW TV and Wuaki.tv. Enjoyment of these apps, and every app on Microsoft's list, requires an Xbox Live Gold account. Xbox One will offer incentives to open its entertainment options, with achievements for watching a certain number of shows or specific content. Check out the complete lineup of Xbox One apps below, along with some clickable pictures of the new dashboard.
Amazon adds Amy Sedaris, Wanda Sykes and Cynthia Nixon to 'Alpha House' cast
Amazon Studios clearly isn't messing about. One of the more notable series in its original round of pilots is getting a bit more star power. Comedians Amy Sedaris, Wanda Sykes and Sex and the City alum Cynthia Nixon are set to join the cast of Alpha House, which already includes the likes of John Goodman. The Garry Trudeau-penned show is shaping up to be the largest of Amazon's first round of five green lit series. The show will premier through the company's streaming service later this year. Billy Steele contributed Photoshopped magic to this report.
IMDb app adds support for Amazon Instant Video links, Oscars
Amazon's latest update to its IMDb app makes it easy for users to watch a movie when they are done reading about it. The new feature will let users click a link in IMDb and watch the title in the Amazon Instant Video app, if the movie is available as part of Amazon Prime video. It's a welcome link between two of Amazon's entertainment-focused properties. Besides support for Instant Video, the updated IMDb app also has a new section just for the Oscars. Users can browse a list of nominees before the February 24th event and then watch the ceremony unfold live on their iPad or iPhone. You can download the IMDb app for free from the iOS App Store. [Via The Next Web]
NintendoWare Weekly: Fire Emblem demo, Tokyo Crash Mobs
Fire Emblem: Awakening has strategically issued a demo in advance of its February 4 release date. You can engage with its forces and then make the tactical decision of whether or not to enter the battle in earnest.Also available on 3DS today: Tokyo Crash Mobs, the puzzle game about lining up people dressed in the same color (by throwing them at one another).
Amazon Instant Video is live on Wii
Already available on Nintendo's latest console, the Wii U, Amazon Instant Video is now procurable for the original Wii. The House of Mario announced today on the Twitters that the streaming service is now downloadable through the Wii Shop Channel in the States. There's no mention of availability in any other region.As noted in the handy-dandy picture above, the process is as simple as downloading the app through the system and then registering it by following this link we've got right here: Ta-da!
Amazon Instant Video app updated to support to iPhone and iPod touch
iPhone and iPod touch users now have yet another streaming video option. Amazon has updated its free Amazon Instant Video app to a universal version that supports Apple's smaller mobile devices, after originally releasing an iPad-only version in August. The app retains all of its previous functionality on iPhone and iPod touch, including the ability to watch Amazon Prime videos in addition to those purchased or rented through Amazon's site. It's still not possible to purchase or rent content through the app itself, however. The app still lacks AirPlay support for video and does not offer video out over 30-pin or Lightning connectors, both features users have been clamoring for. Playback is not available over 3G/4G or LTE connections (WiFi-only), but users can download videos for later viewing. [Via TechCrunch]
Wii U picks up Amazon Instant Video, YouTube apps
The Wii U's complete TVii service is set to launch in December, but some of the programs within it are already dropping onto the console. Netflix hit on launch day (with a rocky, yet resolved start), and now YouTube and Amazon Instant Video are on the Wii U.With the YouTube app, videos can stream up to 1080p on the television, while the video details stay on the Wii Pad. Browsing uses the Pad's on-screen keyboard. Amazon Instant uses the same browsing method and can stream video directly on the Wii Pad. Both apps are free to download directly from the Wii U menu.Happy viewing!
Wii U's 'TVii' launching in December, video on demand (Netflix, etc) in 'coming weeks' [update]
Originally thought to be out at the system's launch, the Wii U's "TVii" feature is now slated for December. The TVii functionality, exclusive to the US and Canada, puts a TV program guide on the Wii U GamePad, and allows users to use the pad to view and control programming from cable and satellite, along with YouTube and popular video on demand services. Through the Wii U, TVii also allows commenting and sharing via Twitter, Facebook, and Miiverse.Speaking of those video on demand services, don't expect Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, and Netflix to work on day one. Nintendo now says that those services will be available "in the coming weeks."[Thanks, Eric!]Update: Netflix tells Engadget that its service will be on Wii U "at launch," but won't be part of TVii until Q1 of next year.
Roku update adds cross-provider search over Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO, Vudu and Crackle
We've seen web portals that let you search for TV and movies on the internet across different services, but a new update for Roku is bringing that capability directly to its set-top boxes. Whether you're searching by movie, TV show, actor or director it will sniff out related content across some of the higher profile services it offers, including Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, Crackle, Vudu and HBO Go. The new Roku Search function is front and center (once your second gen HD or higher player has been updated to the latest version) and in our tests worked quickly, pulling up content wherever it was available and mentioning if it was available in HD. The only downside is navigating the onscreen keyboard via remote, although you can always sub in your mobile device thanks to those recently upgraded remote apps for iOS and Android. All in all Roku says it can reach its tendrils across around 130,000 titles and almost 100,000 actors and directors. Check after the break for a couple of screenshots and a quick demo video, hit the official blog for more info or force an update on your hockey puck to check it out yourself.
Samsung 2012 Smart TVs get Amazon Instant Video streaming app, synchronicity with your Kindle Fire
Samsung just sweetened the streaming video pot for current and would-be owners of its modern Smart TVs. Viewers who've been craving Amazon Instant Video can download an app today to watch movies and TV shows through their 2012 set's internet link, in the event options for Blockbuster, Hulu Plus, Netflix and Vudu weren't already enough. It's not necessarily a cut-and-dried port, either -- Samsung is flaunting a redesigned interface tuned for big-screen distances and quick access to queuing, recommendations and captioning. Amazon junkies who wanted a larger canvas than their Kindle Fire HD now can't get much larger.
Amazon adds closed captions to select Instant streams
Amazon is finally catching up to the rest of the streaming industry and adding closed captions to some of its Instant Video selections. For the moment the library of CCed content is pretty slim, with only 169 shows and 74 movies, but we'd expect that to grow pretty quickly. That does put the burgeoning media giant quite a bit behind competitors like Hulu and Netflix, who have been catering to the hearing impaired for some time. For now, captions are only available when streaming from Amazon's website, but the company promises to expand support to "additional devices" soon. For more info check out the Amazon help page at the source and the email notice forwarded to us by a tipster after the break. [Thanks, Linda]
Fox kicks off its Digital HD initiative by joining Google Play and YouTube, offering movies early
Fox embraced a radical thought when it outlined its Digital HD initiative earlier this month: customers are more likely to buy digital movies if the content isn't artificially delayed and priced to match the releases on conventional discs. The studio is about to see if that gamble on common sense pays off. As of today, you'll find 600-plus Fox movies ready to buy or rent in HD across every major digital video store in the US, with many downloads cleared to arrive ahead of their physical counterparts at lower prices that reflect a disc-free reality. The media giant has also decided to play nicely with Google after a longstanding absence, putting its movies and TV shows on Google Play Movies and YouTube. Its tentpole movie release Prometheus is unsurprisingly being used as the prime incentive to try Digital HD; the title is available online three weeks before the Blu-ray launch at a more reasonable $15 price. The sci-fi thriller is even Fox's first movie destined for UltraViolet cloud lockers. Only Americans will have expanded access to movies and TV at first, but it shouldn't be too long before many countries can be creeped out by Michael Fassbender's android -- including on their Android devices.
Revamped Flixster.com gives one-stop digital movie access for both UltraViolet and non-UV stores
Since its purchase by Warner Bros. the Flixster brand has been used to push Ultraviolet via apps on mobile and connected TV devices, and now it's bringing its website into the mix. The refreshed site is available as an open beta starting today that focuses on making it the center of your digital movie watching. Still using Rotten Tomatoes' Tomato Meter as a method for ranking the quality of movies, the new site gives streaming and downloadable access to flicks in your UltraViolet locker as well as direct access to copies from iTunes, Vudu, Amazon or Netflix for purchase, rental or subscription viewing. Of course, while the studio proclaims it to be retailer and studio agnostic, there are plenty of opportunities to start or expand your UltraViolet library through promotions that do things like give away free digital copies of movies for sharing a link to friends, navigating the UltraViolet signup process or downloading one of the apps, which should be getting their own redesign soon. It's not the only site in the business of making navigating the multiple online stores easier -- Clicker immediately comes to mind -- but the backend of the Flixster database of movies in theaters and at home, plus any registered digital copies is a specific advantage. Hit the source link to give the beta a shot and see for yourself.
