BrianRoberts
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Comcast will launch its own wireless service next year
Rumors have suggested a WiFi-powered wireless service from Comcast for years, and today at a Goldman Sachs event its CEO confirmed the move. Brian Roberts said that by mid-2017 Comcast will launch a wireless offering that combines access to hotspots with Verizon service, which is apparently based on access included in a 2011 spectrum deal. Although he said it was too early to give much detail, the revelation came just after Roberts demonstrated Netflix on a Comcast X1 set-top box for the first time, so apparently, it's just that kind of day.
Comcast CEO talks about the merger, 'cool new devices' like the iPad and why he doesn't fear Netflix
Now that the world has had a few weeks to get used to the new Comcast/NBC collabo (but not that ugly purple logo), CEO Brian Roberts talked to the Wall Street Journal about plans for the future, including his claim that Netflix is actually a good thing for his company. Roberts referred to Netflix as the new version of reruns, and explained his view that it raises the value of NBCUniversal's content while reiterating statements made earlier about lower-than-expected subscriber losses being tied more to the economy than anything else. Beyond the soft jabs, he discounted the possibility that Comcast might launch its own internet video service for non-cable subscribers, pushing the vision of adding internet video streaming options for existing customers and explaining how they'd "be able to use the devices that are cool and new, that they typically purchased themselves, to now control and interact with the device they also love, which is a brand new high def 3-D TV." Of course, it doesn't look like we're closer to choosing our own UI for browsing content, but with nicely designed apps for tablets, phones and connected TVs maybe the platform for future innovation he references has something for us to look forward to after all -- we'd consider new cable boxes that don't suck to be a good start.
Xfinity iPad app getting streaming update 'in the coming weeks,' Android app 'later this year'
An update for those of you rocking Comcast's Xfinity TV iPad app, patiently waiting for the availability of streaming On Demand content on Apple's tablet and the app itself on the billions of upcoming Android-powered tablets. When we first spotted the functionality during November's Web 2.0 Summit, we were told it was coming either "by the end of the year" or in "a couple of weeks." A quick glance at our Hunks of Kabletown calendar indicates we missed that goal, but a press blast today says we can expect the capability to "be available on the iPad in the coming weeks and which will enable the viewing of On Demand programming on the iPad." It's also adding live news and TV shows to the list of streaming content, so you won't be limited to archived On Demand programming. But that's not all! The Big C will "add the same functionality and content to Android powered devices later this year" as well as a less tablet-centric offering at XfinityTV.com right now, so you can change channels sans-remote with just about any device you want. Now, can you get on that Newton app, Comcast?
Comcast Xfinity iPad remote app changes channels and invites friends to watch RHONY
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts just hit the stage at The Cable Show and displayed the company's prototype iPad app, the Xfinity Remote. At least so far it doesn't appear to let you stream television programs directly to Apple's media consumption device, but it does let you turn it into a TV guide browser and remote for your set-top box that outpaces even its already released iPhone prog. They pulled in G4's Kevin Pereira for the quick video demo (embedded after the break) highlighting not only the remote DVR scheduling but also a social feature that lets you invite friends to watch live TV with you -- as long as they have Comcast, and the app, and an iPad. Of course, the innovation we'd like to see is a new UI for our cable boxes like the one shown on the iPad... or the one we saw a few years ago. So far the reaction to Facebook and Twitter chat on the screen via widgets has been mild at best, but social tie-ins to another screen could be just what our Real Housewives of New York viewing parties need.
Comcast CEO not sure 24x7 3D is in our future
Everyone in the home entertainment industry is talking 3D, and because most of the details remain unknown, we are left speculating more than not. One of the questions is if 3D will be like HD in the way that we'll demand all programming be in 3D and this is one we're just not sure about. We're not the only ones either as Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts is wondering the same thing. In a Q&A session at the a Congressional Internet Caucus event last Wednesday he said "The question is, are you going to want to sit there and wear glasses four hours a day to watch TV. I don't think so." And we couldn't agree more, in fact we believe 3D will be used more like surround sound -- sure some use it all the time, but most just turn it on for big events or movies. We'll all have to wait and see how this turns out, but we just can't imagine a day when all TV is viewed in 3D, at least as long as glasses are required.
