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Cablevision's Optimum for iPad app adds streaming even when users are away from home
It's been about two years since Cablevision introduced its Optimum for iPad app that brought its live TV channels streaming to the tablet, and now it's finally ready to offer the feature even when users are away from their home WiFi network. That ability is coming in an update rolling out tonight, however currently it only applies to the News 12, News 12 Traffic & Weather & MSG Varsity channels. All of those are at least partially owned by Cablevision, which should help it avoid the sort of legal challenges suffered by its initial rollout. Other tweaks in version 3.1 include improved guide info for shows, the ability to delete multiple recordings and an indicator when scheduling an in-progress recording. Of course, most subscribers will want to stream other, more popular channels to their mobile devices and PCs no matter where they are -- we'll see if they start popping up soon, and how quickly the lawsuits fly afterwards.
Cablevision Optimum apps for iPad, iPhone upgraded with new UI, ratings and discovery features
Cablevision unveiled its Optimum for iPad app with live TV streaming in the spring of 2011, then upgraded it to 2.0 with remote control and DVR scheduling plus an iPhone-compatible edition last fall, and now 3.0 has arrived on iOS with a whole new UI. The updated look makes the app more consistent with the web-based Optimum experience for PCs that launched in April, making it easier to find shows and view the guide well into the future as well as up to two hours into the past. Key to the upgraded discovery experience is the ability to rate TV shows which it uses to make recommendations on other content. The DVR section has even been revamped,making it easier to see what's been recorded and programs that are scheduled, as well as remaining storage space. The full changelog is available on iTunes, subscribers can grab the free apps for their respective devices at the links below.
Cablevision and Viacom settle lawsuit over live TV on iPad
Well, that was anticlimactic. Viacom quickly sued Cablevision after the Optimum for iPad (now on iPhone and iPod Touch) app launched and allowed cable customers to stream the entire channel lineup on their tablets, but now they've resolved that and "an unrelated business matter". Viacom's case against Time Warner's similar offering is on hold while they also try to work out a deal, but Cablevision's stance from the start is that its approach fell within the existing agreements and they appear to have gotten their way. Just like most other channel carriage disputes, it was likely a deal on the supposedly unrelated issue that got things moving, but as long as we can keep watching Teen Mom in the kitchen, bathroom or out on the patio it doesn't really matter. Check the official statement from both companies after the break.
Viacom sues Cablevision over its TV-streaming Optimum for iPad app
A day after Viacom took a break from courtroom battling over Time Warner Cable's iPad app, the media giant has filed a lawsuit against Cablevision over the Optimum for iPad app. Viacom wants a revised agreement before it sees its content appear on new screens, but Cablevision claims that cable service on the iPad is the same as on any TV. While their lawyers argue over the details you can check out the complaint from Viacom in the PDF linked below, or peruse official statements from both companies after the break.
Poll: Are you watching TV with/on a tablet?
Adding a tablet component to your TV service is all the rage among providers and set-top box manufacturers these days (Comcast, DirecTV, Dish, TiVo, Motorola, FiOS, Cablevision, Time Warner, Boxee just to name a few) but our question today is how many of our EHD readers are putting any of them to use. Check out the poll options below and find the one that fits you best, then tell us why in the comments below. Are all these iPad apps just a fad or is the tablet here to stay? %Poll-62573%
Cable iPad app roundup: Cablevision counts 50k downloads, Time Warner adds channels, Comcast increases VOD
For whatever reason, cable companies have fallen in love with extending their offerings to Apple's tablet, and as a result we have a glut of news centered around the devices from Cablevision, Time Warner Cable and Comcast. First up is Cablevision's Optimum app, despite upsetting a few sports networks it has passed 50,000 downloads from the App Store and as the press release (included after the break) notes, has been the #1 app in the Entertainment category since Sunday. The TWCable TV app also has good news, it's adding seven channels including Oxygen and Lifetime. While Comcast's Xfinity TV doesn't stream live TV like the other two here, it does have access to video on-demand and the company just announced it's added more viewing options bringing the total up to 4,500 hours of video available, up from 3,000 two months ago. More info is available at the source links, we're just wondering how many of you are actually dialing up any of this content on your iPads?
Cablevision Optimum for iPad app now available, streams hundreds of TV channels plus VOD
The new Cablevision iPad app is out, taking on broadcasters (Fox, Discovery, Viacom) attacking Time Warner's live TV streaming TWCable TV app by offering subscribers the same channels as their iO TV package and video on demand. The Optimum for iPad app also includes the ability to set up DVR recordings, delete recorded shows and browse TV listings, although it doesn't act as a direct remote for the cable box. The last time Fox and Cablevision squared off subscribers couldn't watch their shows on Hulu or two games of the World Series which, along with a long battle over network DVRs, suggests the cable company is prepared to dig its heels in deep on this issue. Multichannel News points out subscribers need at least one cable box to make use of the new app and the TOS states it can only be used within the customer's residence. Subscribers suitably equipped can grab the app at the iTunes link below, check out pics in the gallery or a video demo by a user embedded after the break. Update: Now we have the press release and fact sheet from Cablevision (included after the break) so here it is by the numbers: 300 channels, can be registered on up to three iPads per account and used on any two simultaneously. Remote control functions are scheduled for the summer, and the company states that since it is delivering channels over the digital cable network and not the internet (no 'net service required) it believes this use is covered by existing carriage agreements. [Thanks, johnnydop, jcdesimp & Michael] %Gallery-120267%
