ATTU-Verse
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U-Verse app gets more live TV channels, launches on Amazon devices
AT&T is making U-Verse more appealing with each passing day. After the carrier revealed it would beat Google to the punch on bringing gigabit internet to Silicon Valley, now U-Verse is getting a great deal of fresh content and making its way to additional mobile devices. Aside from launching on Amazon's Kindle Fire HD and Fire HDX, as well as the Fire phone, the U-Verse app today also welcomed over 50 new channels to its catalog of live TV streaming channels. This includes Cartoon Network, CNN, EPIX, ESPN, GolTV, HBO, HGTV, TBS, TNT and Travel Channel, plus many others -- most of which you can watch even if you're away from your home network. All in all, definitely a boost for U-Verse subscribers, and if you aren't, it's at least good to know that U-Verse looks to be a solid choice, especially now that DirecTV is joining AT&T's ranks.
AT&T U-verse adds live TV streaming on iPad, iPhone to follow
AT&T has added live TV internet streaming to its U-verse iPad app. Now U-verse subscribers can stream 108 television channels when in their home and about 25 channels when outside of it. AT&T's move comes after several carriers began offering similar live streaming features. In-home streaming include several Viacom channels, like MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon; NBC Universal channels like Syfy, E! and USA; and a host of sports and premium channels (but not ESPN). Additional channels include the Travel Channel, HGTV, Food Network, Showtime and Starz. Right now live TV streaming is limited to the iPad, but AT&T has said iPhone support is coming on October 16. AT&T U-verse for iPad is a free download, but of course users must be paying subscribers to get access to all content.
AT&T's U-verse gets new On Demand hub, promises simpler discovery for movies and TV shows
Considering it's not one of the company's key operations, it's safe to say AT&T's been successful in its efforts to build out U-verse. Now, in an effort to make life on the couch a little less complicated for subscribers, the Rethink Possible network is introducing an all-new On Demand storefront. With a focus on making content easier to discover, AT&T says the UI will make for an intuitive way to navigate the menus. Additionally, you'll find some novel search tools that should make it easier to find movies and TV shows. U-verse customers will now also see a "My" section, allowing them to quickly access rentals, queued up flicks and promos that AT&T may be offering. The newfangled U-Verse On Demand will be available in more than 45 markets starting today, with more being expected to join "on an ongoing basis throughout the year."
AT&T U-verse gets Starz Play, Encore Play and Movieplex Play access
A little bit of good news for users who fall in the overlapping area of the AT&T U-verse / Starz Venn diagram -- those who subscribe to both services will get access to Starz Play, Encore Play and the newly debuted Movieplex Play. The three services are available as iOS apps or via the browser on a PC / Mac to subscribers of their premium channel counterparts. More information can be found in the press release after the break.
AT&T stops offering Xbox 360 U-verse bundle until it can deliver an updated version
In a relatively strange fashion, AT&T's quietly pulled the plug on its U-verse kit for the Xbox 360 -- at least for the time being. According to a note on its own site, the company's taking some time to focus on "improving and enhancing" its U-verse bundle. This is probably a reference to the updated app (that would also require XBL Gold) AT&T promised for the new dashboard with Kinect support and a new UI, but has yet to deliver. As Multichannel points out, earlier last week Netflix had filed a complaint with the FCC, claiming that AT&T's U-verse on Xbox violated network neutrality regulations -- though, it's unclear whether this had anything to do with the outfit's decision to suspend the service. AT&T has said the set-top kit won't "be available until the new enhancements and functionality are added," so we'd recommend not holding your breath for too long.
AT&T U-verse set-tops go wireless, free you to herniate yourself moving your HDTV around
Chances are, you put your TV in the most convenient spot based on where the requisite cables are feeding into your abode. And putting a set in a new room usually means someone is breaking out a drill. Well, starting October 31st, AT&T U-verse customers will no longer be constrained by wires! (Besides HDMI and power cords, that is.) The company's new wireless receiver pairs with your AT&T-issued residential gateway and pulls in broadcasts over WiFi. What the provider claims is the first consumer wireless receiver of its type should simplify installation and free customers from the worry of running coax around their homes. You could even drag your big screen out to the patio and try to enjoy the "big game" under the glare of the sun. Just don't make lugging your 42-incher around a habit -- hernias aren't covered by the warranty. The receivers will be available to order on Monday for a one-time fee of $49 and a $7-a-month rental fee there after. Check out the (bizarre) demo video and PR after the break.
U-verse TV gets social with help from Miso, TV Foundry, Wayvin and BuddyTV Guide
The fact is watching TV has always been social, which of course means it was only a matter of time before technology removed the physical proximity requirement from the mix. We've seen said requirement disappear from various content providers and now it's subscribers to AT&T U-verse's turn. The initial slew of options include Miso, TV Foundry, Wayvin and BuddyTV Guide. All four let you share what you're watching while at the same time help you discover new content by being exposed to what your friends are watching. Of course none of them are exactly Facebook and U-verse isn't anywhere near the most popular content provider in the country, but we're glad to see someone pushing hard into social TV that moves beyond just sending status updates via our remote.
New Mediaroom clients to bring Microsoft's TV platform everywhere this year
The days of being tied to a traditional TV to watch your favorite shows is becoming less and less of a dream -- at least for Mediaroom 2.0 users, like those who subscribe to AT&T U-Verse. It hasn't even been a full year since Xbox 360 owners were first able to launch a U-Verse blade to watch TV, but it has been about nine months when we first heard rumors of Mediaroom clients for Windows Media Center (aka Monaco), Silverlight (aka Taos) and Windows Phone (aka Rome) would see the light of day. A recent post on William Zhang's blog, a Microsoft employee, confirms the rumored code names in addition to giving us reason to believe those using Mediaroom 2.0 software might still realize the three screen dream by the end of 2011 after all.
AT&T U-verse adds Fox Soccer Plus HD for $15 / month, 1 week free preview
U-verse subscribers looking to catch the most exclusive soccer and rugby matches now have the opportunity to do so, since it's offering Fox Soccer Plus HD on channel 1653. Like other providers, it'll add a pretty steep $15 premium to your bill, but all can check out the channel's offerings for free through this weekend. Check the press release after the break for more details before you doublecheck your Premier and Champions League broadcast schedules.
HBO GO, MAX GO now available on AT&T's U-verse
U-verse subscribers with HBO and Cinemax can start getting their fix online now, since their U-verse login now access the HBO GO and MAX GO websites. According to the press release, HBO and Cinemax content will soon be accessible on U-verse Online as well, if you're not to clear on what having 1,200 hours of content at your fingertips from anywhere with internet access might be like, check out our eyes on from when the service launched on FiOS TV earlier this year.
HTC Mondrian render teases AT&T U-verse Mobile for Windows Phone 7, looks fatter than last time
Not that the connection between AT&T and HTC's Mondrian WP7 handset was under much doubt anymore, but here's the first image purporting to show the carrier-branded version of the device. The render is provided by 911sniper, whose long and distinguished record of leaking legit HTC ROMs leads us to believe it is indeed the real deal. It's curious then to juxtapose the somewhat bulky Mondrian on show here against the press imagery recently unearthed by BestBoyZ -- are we still looking at the same device? Our eyeball geometry would suggest not. Anyway, there's not too long left to go until Microsoft tidies this alphabet soup of codenames up for us, and until then we suggest just enjoying that tantalizing tile titled AT&T U-verse Mobile. [Thanks, Kamal]
AT&T U-verse customers can use Xbox 360 as a set-top box starting November 7th
If you'd given up hope of using your 360 to watch AT&T U-Verse after over three years of waiting, we wouldn't think any less of you; but for those still holding on to the dream of one less set-top box under the TV, this latest tip says the wait is all but over. As you can see from the internal memo above, a so-called Wired Release will roll out to AT&T U-Verse customers next Sunday, and it'll bring the long awaited feature with it (though you'll have to wait until November 7th for that particular aspect). This means AT&T U-verse customer's Xbox 360 will have a Dashboard app, and when launched, it'll let it function exactly like any other U-verse set-top. The only major catch is that it can't be the only set-top -- you'll need at least one DVR at another TV in the house to enjoy one of the four HD streams that could be funneled into your home. But hey, at least it's on the way, right? Update: A second anonymous tipster has chimed in with some interesting slides -- looks like your Xbox will need a hard drive! %Gallery-104584% [Thanks, Anonymous]
AT&T technical support tool suggests Xbox 360 will bring IPTV to U-Verse households soon
Originally the fevered dream of Microsoft executives circa CES 2007, the Xbox 360 IPTV box is rapidly becoming a reality, first sneaking into Canadian carrier Telus' Optik TV outlay and now reportedly in development at AT&T. Now, we wouldn't have blamed you for doubting Microsoft when it briefly mentioned U-Verse subscribers would get Mediaroom functionality in their game console later this year, but it's looking more likely now: a tipster just forwarded some legit-looking screenshots of Xbox prompts in AT&T U-Verse's technical support database. Our source claims the Xbox is presently being tested internally with friends and family of AT&T employees, and that it's likely only a couple of months away at this point. Not discussed: whether or not Xbox 360 will provide closed captioning for the "TV impaired." See what IPTV on Xbox might look like in our January eyes-on.
Home Theater Review does its thing with U-Verse, comes away jaded
Reviewing service providers can be logistically impossible and this is especially true with a provider like AT&T's U-Verse because of its relatively small footprint. But if you've been waiting for U-Verse to become available in your area, you might want to read Home Theater Review's impressions. We used the word jaded in the heading, but that is putting it nicely. On top of the poor installation job and crazy restrictions -- like only being able to watch 2 HD channels at a time for the whole house -- the reviewer had reliability problems and didn't have anything nice to say about the picture quality. Ok, well there we go being too nice again, in reality we couldn't decide which quote we found the most entertaining. While "U-verse is about as bad as I've seen in a long while" puts it bluntly, "via U-verse you'd swear they [Discovery] filmed their programming with a store bought Flip camera" is better, but our favorite is "it appears as if they're catching red Legos and piloting through rough seas comprised of wet chunks of sand." So read though for all the gory details, but unless you are glutton for punishment, it seems that U-Verse should be avoided at all costs.
AT&T's 24Mbps U-verse broadband hits 22 new states, 120 new markets
Maybe you're sick of waiting for FiOS, maybe Time Warner or Comcast have rubbed you the wrong way, or maybe you just really want in on that mobile DVR action AT&T announced last week. Whatever the reason, if you're interested in U-verse the Max Turbo broadband service now available in 120 new markets across 22 states. That entails maximum download speeds of 24Mbps with 3Mbps upstream -- less than half the maximum speed offered by Verizon or most cable companies, but its cost of $65 per month actually makes it quite competitive against mid-tier broadband plans. What AT&T hasn't said is exactly which new states and markets can now join in the fun, but there's an availability checker on the site that will quickly tell you the good or bad news.
Microsoft has AT&T's back, sues TiVo for patent infringement
The DVR patent fight just got a little crazier, with Microsoft greasing itself up and jumping into the arena -- seemingly to preserve the honor of AT&T. You'll remember (maybe) that TiVo and AT&T have been having something of a fight over a few different patents primarily related to time shifting. Now Microsoft is suing TiVo, saying that it has stepped on two patents used in AT&T's U-Verse, which you'll recall relies on Microsoft's Mediaroom. Want to hear some of the legal verbiage in question? "A system that displays programmable information and a secure method for buying and delivering video programs." It's vague and all-encompassing, and that's just how we like our patent kerfuffles.
Windows 7 Media Center gets Mediaroom support
During the Microsoft keynote, Ballmer mentioned that customers of IPTV providers like AT&T U-Verse will be able to watch TV on Windows 7 PCs, but he glazed over the how. The how is Windows 7 Media Center -- according to the press release that is available after the jump -- and there's no special hardware like a tuner required. The when wasn't mentioned because it is dependent on the provider, but when they do upgrade to Mediaroom 2.0, Media Center fans will have access to all the same content as a set-top like HD and on-demand, which is something pretty cool.
Xbox 360 will support AT&T's U-Verse TV later this year
Just a quick little note from Microsoft's CES 2010 keynote, but man it's a surprise. AT&T U-Verse subscribers will soon be able to use their Xbox 360s as a set-top box. AT&T U-Verse is the one IPTV provider in the US -- admittedly there aren't many -- that utilizes Microsoft's Mediaroom platform and while it was announced at CES three years ago that the 360 could act as a Mediaroom set-top, up until now AT&T customers didn't have this option -- well, maybe not now as an exact release date wasn't mentioned. We also don't have a clue if AT&T will charge for this type of thing. Another thing cool that was mentioned was that a Windows 7 PC can also work as a Mediaroom set-top and Mediaroom was even demoed on a Windows Mobile phone.
