HBO Go
Latest
HBO boss Bill Nelson announces retirement, Richard Plepler will assume the throne
After five years as king of the HBO castle, CEO Bill Nelson has announced he's leaving the company to retire at the end of the year. During Nelson's near 30-year career, he bounced through a string of corporate roles before becoming top dog in 2007, subsequently overseeing the launch of the digital service HBO Go. While it might be impossible to replace such a commanding moustache, we're sure current co-President Richard Plepler will do a fine job when he takes the helm. He's responsible (in part) for bringing shows like Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones to our screens, after all. Enjoy your retirement Bill, and be glad you left on your own terms -- some aren't so fortunate.
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.
HBO Go 1.71 update adds support for Jelly Bean devices
When it first landed on the Kindle Fire, HBO Go for Android tablets seemed like a dead cert. And, sure enough, it wasn't long before the service found its way on to slates with version 4.x, with one minor exclusion -- those running Jelly Bean. Well, version 1.7.1 puts that all in the past, and now means the full gamut of Android users (unless you never made it past Donut) can join in the fun. Reading this on your Nexus 7? Make haste toward the source link for the download.
HBO Nordic to offer internet streaming subscriptions, no cable or satellite service required
While in the US, requests for an HBO Go subscription option that brings the channel's programming without being tethered to a cable or satellite-TV package go unheeded, HBO revealed today that its Scandinavian offering will do just that. While the HBO Nordic joint venture between HBO and Parsifal International will be available over "local distribution partners," it is also available strictly as an over-the-top service for VOD and subscription access to premium content for less than €10 when it launches in October. It brings all the HBO current and catalog content you'd expect (subtitled for the local markets in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark) and it's also tossing in content from other providers, like the popular Canadian show Continuum. CEO Hervé Payan says it will be available on "any" internet connected device, and says the decision to go over the top is because its target group of viewer have changed their consumption to multiple screens. Netflix revealed its own plans to expand to the region this fall on the same day HBO Nordic was originally announced, and CEO Reed Hastings welcomed the competition with a message on Facebook asking when HBO would bring the service to the USA, and joking that it expected the first match-up to be in Albania. In case you forgot, that last dig was a reference to Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes 2010 statement comparing Netflix to the possibility of the Albanian army taking over the world. The battle is on this fall, we'll see if it's just a dry run for other regions soon.
Fanhattan for iOS adds HBO, NBC, more
Fanhattan is a video aggreggator with an app on the iPad and iPhone, and as of today, that app became a little more useful. The service has added HBO Go, Cinemax, NBC, and CW content to its service, which means that you can now find those videos in the Fanhattan listings and follow the links out of the app to watch them on their respective networks. Fanhattan will also clue you in when certain shows or movies become available on all of the various streaming networks, so it sounds pretty handy indeed. The app is a free download on iOS right now. [via The Verge] #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
MMObility: Developments in Gaikai, OnLive shine light on streaming future
Video game streaming software and systems is a hot topic. I've mentioned more than once that I think browser-based gaming (specifically MMOs) will be the main way we get our MMO fix within five years. Browser-based gaming is already responsible for a massive chunk of our MMO gaming. All it takes is one look at the number of players of games like RuneScape, Club Penguin, Travian, Spacetime Studio's collection, War of Dragons, Glitch, Evony (and its "nearly 30 million customers worldwide"), Grepolis, Bigpoint's stable, and many, many others to see that the number of us who play MMOs through our browsers is pretty staggering. Streaming content is next. TERA recently invited players to try out the game using a streaming client that is hosted by Gaikai, a streaming service that was recently bought out by Sony for a cool $380 million. While it does not yet stream MMOs, OnLive has been adding games to its collection for quite a while, embedding itself into televisions, tablets, and PCs and now offering a mobile desktop that gives iPad users access to a virtual PC desktop. I have successfully played many browser-based MMOs through that virtual desktop's browser. Big Fish games, a non-MMO developer that produces "a new game ever day," announced that it too will offer a streaming service this summer. I squealed out loud when I heard that one. Does this mean streaming content is closer to mainstream than I previously thought?
HBO Go update supports Android tablets up to ICS
When HBO Go launched for the Kindle Fire a few weeks ago it seemed odd that the app still didn't officially support other Android tablets, but now that has changed. v1.5 is now available on Google Play, and the release notes indicate it supports Android tablets running software up to 4.04 Ice Cream Sandwich. That would appear to lock out the Nexus 7 for now but since it hasn't been widely released yet, we'll let it pass (although it is worth noting that Netflix was updated with Jelly Bean support last week.) Another recent change across the tablet apps is that Time Warner Cable is a supported provider. The usual caveats still apply (you'll need HBO and of course, pay-TV to sign in) but the updated app is available now at the source link.
A conversation with Microsoft's Marc Whitten on SmartGlass and the quest for a better living room
Microsoft SmartGlass hands-on Xbox SmartGlass: did Microsoft just render the Wii U controller obsolete? Microsoft's Marc Whitten: SmartGlass is the 'enabling technology' of IE on Xbox 360 What good is a surprise if you already saw it coming? When I mention to Microsoft's Marc Whitten, corporate vice president of Xbox Live and the man who has shepherded SmartGlass to its debut, that we kind-of-sort-of knew that his baby was set to be announced at E3 before the company got a chance to do so, he lets out a frustrated laugh. "Yeah..." He'd hoped the unveiling at the company's pre-show keynote would be the first time we, and everyone else in the industry, got eyes on the fruit of his and his team's labors. But, when I tell him we were still genuinely surprised at the scope of SmartGlass, and genuinely impressed at the potential, he seems genuinely pleased and reminds us that what we've seen is "all just the beginning." Join us after the break for an exploration of what comes next for Microsoft SmartGlass.
HBO Go launches for Kindle Fire but continues to avoid other Android tablets
The HBO Go streaming app has been available on Android since it launched last year, however despite a steady flow of updates and even Android 4.0 support, until now it hasn't supported Android tablets. That changes today, however for now at least the only one on the list is Amazon's Kindle Fire, while other tablet owners will have to fall back to their browser and Flash streaming workarounds for access. There's a press release and quick video trailer promoting the launch after the break, while Fire owners who are also HBO subscribers (and satellite / cable TV subscribers, of course) can grab it for free on Amazon's Appstore now.
Time Warner job listing points to HBO Go on Nintendo systems
HBO Go could be heading to Nintendo consoles, as indicated by a job posting on Time Warner's website. The posting is for an HBO partner manager position, described as "responsible for the day-to-day relationship and ongoing marketing activities with several key Mobile, Tablet, Connected TV and Game Console digital partners for HBO GO and MAX GO."Among the listed partners are Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, the latter having no current HBO apps on its consoles. With nothing confirmed yet, it's possible that Nintendo will announce plans to bring the service to its systems during E3.
HBO Go Xbox 360 app now available to Time Warner users
Finally – FINALLY – Time Warner and Bright House cable customers have a way to watch HBO on their televisions. The HBO Go app for Xbox 360 previously only worked for Comcast and a variety of other services, but not TWC, so even if you were an HBO subscriber, you couldn't use the app. Which is terrible. Today, Microsoft announced Time Warner compatibility.Celebrate by watching some Not Necessarily the News tonight, or some episodes of Fraggle Rock. Look, it's been a while since we've had HBO, okay?
Time Warner Cable confirms HBO Go streaming is now available on Xbox 360, Samsung and Roku
As we revealed yesterday, Time Warner Cable has finally activated HBO Go streaming to TV connected devices. As seen on the new activation pages for Samsung Smart TVs and Blu-ray players, Xbox 360s and Roku boxes, TWC and Bright House Networks are now among the available options (sorry, still no word on ESPN3 for the Xbox 360). The only bad news? DirecTV and Comcast have not (yet) followed suit, so for those customers HBO Go streaming on the TV is still a hit-or-miss affair. We're not sure what is behind the change of heart or policy, but while Comcast reportedly had authentication issues to resolve before switching on the Xbox 360's HBO access, it's worth noting that Time Warner Cable could have its app coming to some or all of these platforms very soon. An official blog post indicates it may take a few hours for things to switch on every where so if you don't see this in your neck of the woods just keep checking back. Update: Cablevision too, as noted by a post on the Roku blog. [Thanks, Ben]
HBO Go on Roku, Samsung and Xbox opens up to Time Warner (and possibly others) tomorrow?
HBO subscribers currently locked out of streaming HBO Go to their connected TV devices (namely Samsung HDTVs / Blu-ray players, Roku boxes and Xbox 360s) could be in for a treat soon, as our sources indicate Time Warner Cable is preparing to announce access for its customers on all three platforms tomorrow. There's also a few small pics of the updated menus for Xbox 360 and Roku flashing the TWC logo, as well as currently unsupported providers Bright House Networks (both), as well as DirecTV and Comcast (Roku). We've contacted both HBO and Time Warner Cable for comment but have not received a response yet, but we'll keep an eye out for an expanded activation menus hitting our devices soon.
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.
Google TV's TV and Movies app gets to know you better with ratings, favorites and more
At the center of the revamped Google TV experience that rolled out last fall is its TV & Movies app, which is a blended guide of content currently airing live on TV and available for streaming from the popular internet services (Netflix, Amazon, HBO Go). As Product Manager Rishi Chandra mentioned when we caught up with him at CES, personalization is something Google will be focusing on going forward and that's shown in the updated app being pushed out today. When it's first opened, users will login and be asked to rate a few movies and shows so it can get a sense of their tastes to know what to present, Netflix-style. There's more information displayed up front too, with expanded descriptions, and details below each show so viewers can find out about the episode that's on more easily. For a few more details on what's new and refreshed, check after the break.
Comcast access to the HBO Go app on Xbox 360 is live
After a short delay, Comcast subscribers are now on the list of users able to access the HBO Go streaming app via their Xbox 360s. Although some HBO content was already included in the Xfinity TV app, it wasn't all there however a change in the policy was rumored and then eventually confirmed late last week. We're still left to ponder what exactly cause the hold up, and why there's still no hint of streaming access on Roku or Samsung. The news was tweeted earlier from the HBO Go official account, you can head there and check out another one of those promotional teasers, or just take your Comcast account credentials to your Xbox and get to streaming.
HBO Go on Xbox 360 comes to Comcast customers next week
If you're a Comcast customer, the arrival of HBO Go on Xbox 360 was little more than a tease. Starting next week you'll be able to watch HBO content (see: Game of Thrones) on your Xbox 360. You'll need to use your Xfinity login information to gain access once the HBO Go app is available, which Comcast says should be "early next week."
Comcast confirms full HBO Go access on Xbox 360 coming next week
Just as the rumors indicated, Comcast has revealed its subscribers will be able to access the standard HBO Go app on the Xbox 360 starting "early next week." The only bad news? There's still no news on when / if those Comcast logins will ever give HBO Go streaming access through other connected TV platforms like Samsung's Smart TV apps or the Roku box, and Time Warner cable customers are still on the outside looking in altogether. That's the business for now, Comcast customers can check out the app's video preview after the break to see what they've been missing
HBO Go on Xbox 360 may be coming soon for Comcast customers
The rollout of HBO Go to connected TV devices hasn't been entirely smooth, while a lack of surround sound leaves Ben-o-vision incomplete many users are locked out because their providers don't allow access. Last week the new Xbox 360 app was the most recent casualty but the New York Times is reporting that could change soon for Comcast subscribers, who already have access to some, but not all HBO Go content via the Xfinity TV app. Multichannel News sources indicate access could open up this week, now that "other business issues" between Comcast and HBO including how subscriber information is handled with third parties have been cleared up. Unfortunately, there's still no word on streaming access for Time Warner Cable customers, or for access on Roku and Samsung devices, but we'll see if this gets resolved in time for the next episode of Game of Thrones.
Interactive Game of Thrones content comes to HBO Go iPad app
Home Box Office has been pushing its "interactive viewing experience" for Game of Thrones over at the HBO Go site, but if you weren't sitting in front of a computer there was no way to take part in the fantasy world fun. Now the premium channel is bringing the commentary tracks, interviews, maps and loads of other extra features to the Go iPad app. But, having that content available for season one isn't particularly exciting. What has our little nerd hearts aflutter is that all of the same features will be available for season two, starting immediately with the April 1st premier. As you watch, if the seemingly bottomless well of characters and their rival houses trip you up, you'll be able to pull up a guide to help you separate your Arryns from your Tullys and Redwynes. For a quick preview check out the video and PR after the break.
