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Hulu Plus, HBO Go and Max Go apps for Android updated with support for closed captions
Sound familiar? Just days after the mobile apps for HBO, Cinemax and Hulu added closed captions support on iOS, a similar slew of upgrades have come to their apps on Android. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any change in the number of supported devices for any of them at this time. Hulu's upgrade also adds on the option to share videos via Twitter, Facebook and other services, although the 10 second rewind button added on iOS does not appear to have made the cut. As usual you should see the new versions rolling around in the app store, hit the source links for more info.
Hulu Plus, HBO Go and Max Go apps for iOS updated with support for closed captions
In a move that should please the hard of hearing and anyone trying to watch a video quietly sans-headphones, the Hulu Plus, HBO Go and Max Go apps for iOS devices have all recently been updated with support for closed captions. The portable apps for HBO and Cinemax got their refresh yesterday along some unspecified enhancements and bug fixes. For Hulu Plus, the update to version 2.6 not only brings a subtitle toggle for English and other languages, where available (on iOS 4.3 and higher), but also sharing via Twitter, Facebook and email, a 10 second rewind button and the usual unspecified other tweaks. Due to its market share Netflix has gotten most of the pressure when it comes to offering captions, but its good to see other streaming options getting on board as well. All the apps are free, even though the services aren't, hit the source links below to grab the latest versions.
Fanhattan updates iOS app with WatchList feature, content from Cinemax, HBO and NBC
Fanhattan's often been praised for offering a one-stop hub where folks can keep track of all their cherished entertainment shows, which has led it to become a crowd favorite amongst iOS users. Well, today the application's expanding its TV guide services a little more, announcing it's now showing content from 10 new providers, including HBO, Cinemax, NBC and, better yet, The CW -- you know, because we just can't miss out on the latest Gossip Girl episodes. In addition to these channel inclusions, Fanhattan's also introduced a novel, Amazon-esque WatchList feature that pushes out alerts as soon as added shows (movies, too) are ready to be watched. If you've yet to give the handy application a try, you can do so now by grabbing it at no cost from Cupertino's well-known app mart.
HBO Go and Max Go get Android 4.0 phone support, skip tablets for now
Those with Android 4.0 phones like the HTC One X have been left out of watching HBO Go and Max Go on the road so far. New updates to the respective mobile apps take care of that: either premium channel will now stream directly to a phone running Google's latest OS (assuming you're subscribed to pay-TV, that is). Speed-ups and bug fixes are in the upgrades, too. Oddly, Android 4.0 tablets have yet to make the leap, ruling out your Transformer Pad TF300 for catching up on episodes of True Blood.
With beta trial completed, Time Warner Cable launches HBO Go, Max Go
Well, that didn't take very long. Just four days after launching a beta trial, Time Warner Cable has decided to bring HBO Go and Max Go to its HBO and Cinemax subscribers, fulfilling its promise to launch the services this month. With today's announcement, TWC customers will have instant streaming access to a chunk of the two channels' back catalogs, including 1,400 titles from HBO, and 400 from Cinemax. Both services, of course, will be available at no additional cost. Stream past the break for more details in the full PR.
It's not TV, it's HBO Go, and it's finally coming to Cablevision
Being a Cablevision customer was hard. Watching your colleagues with FiOS subscriptions stream Carnivale on their iPads, the guy who pays Dish Network for his programming could get Cinemax on his smartphone -- and all you had was YouTube for entertainment. Fortunately, the final major provider not to carry Home Box Office's online services has relented and you'll be able to enjoy both HBO Go and Go Max as soon as it's launched in "the next few months." Just remember that while you can now enjoy all those episodes of True Blood in public places, it doesn't necessarily mean that you should.
Time Warner finally cuts a deal for HBO Go streaming, launches 'in the next month'
Ever since it launched early last year, the HBO Go library has quickly become one of the best parts of having the premium channel, however it wasn't part of the package for Time Warner Cable customers -- until now. The two companies just announced they have to an agreement which will see access to the streaming back catalog of films and TV shows (including Max Go) open up to TWC subscribers "in the next month" after a short beta period. We're not sure if this access extends to streaming via the Roku box or if it will be blocked (as it is on Comcast and DirecTV), but iOS and Android mobile devices are definitely in on the action. Check the Time Warner blog or press release ( after the break) for more details.
DirecTV's iPad, iPhone, Android apps will (NOT) have HBO Go streaming May 2nd (Update)
Just like the web versions of HBO Go and Max Go are accessible both through their own sites and various provider portals, DirecTV has announced it will include access to them in its own apps on iPad, iPhone and "select Android devices" at the same time native Go apps launch. There's no word on what restrictions may be placed on Android, if it's just Froyo or higher hardware with Flash accessibility, then that's one thing, but Netflix-style DRM tie ups could prove to be much more frustrating to our Game of Thrones streaming plans. The announcement came from DirecTV's official Twitter account which indicated the apps would progress beyond mere remote control and DVR scheduling on the same May 2nd date previously teased in HBO's YouTube trailer -- we'll wait and see how long it takes to be integrated into similar apps from competitors like Comcast and Verizon FiOS. Update: We've just heard from DirecTV that this was a "mistweet", as it turns out they won't be adding HBO Go access through their own apps and DirecTV customers will have to use the native HBO Go app just like everyone else. Check the @DirecTV account for the latest tweets, we'll put this one on the shelf next to the DirecTiVo for now.
Dish adds HBO Go, Max Go to DishOnline package, tweaks Netflix in the process
Just after adding Epix to its assortment of wares, Dish is expanding DishOnline with HBO Go and Max Go streaming. This follows last week's announcement by DirecTV regarding the services, but instead of highlighting the upcoming mobile apps, Dish's press release chose to point out that the HBO shows and movies subscribers can access won't be available on Netflix. An interesting choice, but we suspect it won't matter much while you're busy watching some Boardwalk Empire on your laptop.
HBO Go, Max Go streaming comes to DirecTV; iOS and Android apps still due later this year
Starting today, DirecTV subscribers with HBO and Cinemax (or possibly without, in our experience) have access to the HBO Go and Max Go online portals that stream original content like the upcoming Game of Thrones and various movies. While DirecTV mentioned it would roll out TV Everywhere style offerings of its own, this is the first we've seen that actually offers viewers their content away from the dish. Also notable in the announcement was a mention of Android and iOS clients for the Go portals, since the last we'd heard of them was word of an iPad app expected in six months... eight months ago. No word on what's causing the delay (there's already an app for Samsung's latest TVs that support Flash) but they're expected later this year -- we won't even bother asking about the new DirecTiVo.
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.
HBO, Cinemax coming to Comcast's On Demand Online
Following Starz, HBO has announced plans to provide programming on Comcast's On Demand Online trial. Of course, this move shouldn't surprise anyone given previous hints HBO was looking for ways to brings its video online or previous trials it has participated in. Just like Starz, users can expect a mix of television shows and movies, basically reflecting the current on demand lineup, including series like True Blood and Entourage, further detailed in the press release after the break. Also like Starz, following the launch, HD streaming is expected -- clearly premium channel subscribers have the most reasons to be interested in being included in the 5,000 customer nationwide trial Comcast is launching in the coming weeks, but what about the basic cable only folks?
Cablevision's probable VOOM HD replacement channels: they're all premiums
Okay, so Cablevision isn't apt to come right out and say that these newcomers are the replacements for the 15 VOOM HD networks that were marked for deletion late last year, but it may as well have. Coincidentally, 15 new high-def channels are reportedly lined up to join the Cablevision EPG in short order, though every single one is a premium movie channel. Encore HD, Starz Kids & Family HD, Starz Edge HD, HBO Signature HD, HBO Family HD, HBO Comedy HD, HBO Zone HD, HBO2 HD, HBO Latino HD, Action Max HD, More Max HD, @MAX HD, Outer MAX HD and Showtime Too HD are all expected to show up starting on January 21st, with rollouts continuing across all markets until January 23rd. We know, your first reaction is probably something along the lines of "What? All movie channels?," but at least you're getting something out of the deal -- if you opt to pay up, of course. [Thanks, LI PC Tech]
More HBO / Cinemax feeds being added to U-verse?
We know AT&T just unloaded 30 new high-def channels, but we're seeing reports from all across U-verse nation that even more premiums are popping up. We're hearing that some folks now have a Coming Soon screen for a variety of HBO and Cinemax feeds, mostly derived from the west coast. Some of the mentions include 5MaxHD, WMaxHD, HBOFHW, HBOSHW, HBOCHW, HBOZHW, HBOLHW, MMAXHW, ACTMHW and TMAXHW. Anyone else seeing the same? Different?[Via U-Talk Forums, thanks Anthony]
Cinemax going 100% high-definition on September 1st
We already knew that Home Box Office was champing at the bit to rid itself of anything less than pure, unadulterated (okay, maybe just a little bit) HD, and now the outfit is announcing that its Cinemax channel will be going 100% high-def on September 1st. Granted, we're talking about the main channel only here, but this fall / winter is shaping up to be a good one for Cinemax HD. Subscribers will see the pay-TV premieres of The Bourne Ultimatum, Rendition, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and The Darjeeling Limited, and in the near future, viewers will see I Am Legend, Juno, Alien vs. Predator: Requiem and In The Valley of Elah. Of note, the release states that "true HD (1080i)" won't begin until September 6th -- odd, but we suppose a few extra days won't kill us. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
Cinemassively: Molotov Alva and His Search for the Creator
In 2006, Douglas Gayeton, of Millions of Us, ventured into the virtual world of Second Life as Molotov Alva. Here and there, he made a few friends, and documented the entire process. When he looked back, he had hundreds of hours of footage and began to sift through it to weave a story. After completing it, he posted it to YouTube, where HBO executives took notice, finally premiering it last night on Cinemax.com.Molotov Alva and His Search for the Creator: A Second Life Odyssey is about a man that gives up his real life to escape in a virtual one. With new friend, Orhalla Zander, by his side, they venture forth in a search to meet the Creator of this magical place they're in. Along the way, he is tempted into griefing, tries out relationships, and learns a lot about himself in the process.[Via Cinemax]If you have machinima or movie suggestions from any MMO, please send them to machinima AT massively DOT com, along with any information you might have about them. Read on for more on the series ...
Cinemassively: Molotov Alva machinima contest
Last year, Douglas Gayeton made the headlines as Molotov Alva, the avatar that lived his life in Second Life. The series, of which only episode one was released so far, was sold to HBO for a whopping $200,000 USD. Now Cinemax is finally ready to air it, but first, they want to hold a machinima contest!Machinimators have from now until May 18th to enter. However, it looks like a popularity contest, as the community gets to vote for the top 10 finalists, with Cinemax choosing the top three. There are $3,500 USD in prizes being given away, though! For complete rules, check out the official contest page on Machinima.com.[Thanks to everyone who submitted this!]If you have machinima or movie suggestions from any MMO, please send them to machinima AT massively DOT com, along with any information you might have about them.
HBO to go HD on all 26 of their channels
Currently only two of HBO's channels are available in HD: HBO and Cinemax (they count both East and West as one). But today HBO's CEO Bill Nelson announced that HBO will upgrade all 26 of their channels to HD. They would also like to upgrade their video-on-demand service, but cite "copy-protection concerns relating to older HDTV sets." We're guessing he's referring to concerns about using "selectable output control," which could cause component outputs to be downconverted. The next obvious question is, who's going to carry all these new HD channels? And once again DirecTV is the only provider who has already announced carriage, but unfortunately they will only carry 10 of them. The new channels will start to roll out later this year, and all 26 are due by the end of Q2 2008.Full list after the break.
Star Wars HD marathon going on right about...now
Cinemax is bringing home all six Star Wars movies in high definition back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back, starting at midnight tonight. If you miss one don't worry, they will be repeating and also are available in many areas in HD on video-on-demand. Otherwise, this is the first time to catch all three original flicks formatted for your HDTV, if you'd like to avoid Jar-Jar Binks in 1080i, take a nap and catch Episode IV: A New Hope at 7:10 AM on Saturday.
All six Star Wars films coming to Cinemax HD
Star War fans everywhere join hands and rejoice! Cinemax has struck a deal with Lucasfilm to broadcast all six Star War movies in high-def for the very first time come this November. Sure, there have been times in the past when the Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith have ran on both HBO and Cinemax in high def, but Lucasfilms have never allowed the original trilogy to be aired in the higher resolution. Plus, this makes the first time all six films will be shown on the same station. The deal apparently allows the station to run a few times throughout the month so if ya got to work for the first time through, there is sure to come a time again in a few days that will allow you to sit back and enjoy 15-hours of Star Wars in HD. Dare we speculate that maybe this signals George Lucas's bow to everything that is good and just about high definition?[Via HomeTheaterBlog]
