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Cox brings HD VOD to Northern Virginia
Not even a month after Cox Communications blessed those in Northern Virginia with 11 new high-definition channels, the cable company is now giving NoVa residents even more HD options. Similar to the rollout seen last summer in Southern California, Cox is giving customers in Fairfax County access to over 20 Starz! and Showtime on-demand flicks in HD. Interestingly, it's still a bit unclear whether any additional HD VOD content was added aside from films on those two channels, so for any Cox subscribers located in this here region, why not fire up your service and give us the skinny?
Microsoft lends support to On Broadband
At this year's National Association of Broadcasters conference, Microsoft announced that it will providing software and consulting for Showtime's On Broadband gaming network.The service, which will be available as a PC client, will allow users to download full games as well as view related content such as reviews, tips, and cheats. Company officials have also expressed interest in trying to make titles available the same day they are out on retail, as well as more "niche" titles. Games will be available for free and for a price; On Broadband will also be offered as a subscription service.With all this talk regarding disparate pricing schemes and game selections, we're wondering if the scope of the program is too grand. On Broadband is being licensed to DSL and cable TV providers for use under their respective names. Above all, quality of games will matter most, and announcement of support from a game publisher would probably soothe our worries.
Showtime to launch On Broadband gaming network
Subscription cable network Showtime has announced plans to launch On Broadband, an online gaming service, in second quarter 2007. Although a subscription model will be available, games will be available for purchase a la carte to download for your PC.The service will be sold to cable TV and DSL companies to function under their name, although all the work will be done by On Broadband. No details have been given as to what games will be offered or what prices will be set (and whether that will be up to Showtime or the individual providers).Any comparisons to GameTap might be unfair as this service is not working under an unified name. However, if their intention is to compete with Turner's subscription gaming network, then their next few announcements better be partnerships with some major publishers.
iPod games "no substitute" for DS
We could have told you that, Macworld! Looks like the handheld powerhouse of the DS (and some other system) is tempting even Apple to get into the game. As part of Apple's huge Showtime event, they announced not only a new video iPod, but games that can be purchased from iTunes for it as well, priced at $4.99. "Apple's been hard at work on new games for the iPod -- while it still may not be a substitute for a Nintendo DS or Sony PSP, the new iPod can play versions of popular casual games including Bejeweled, Mahjong, mini-golf, Pac-Man, Tetris, Cubis, Texas Hold 'Em, Vortex and Zuma ...."For DS owners, this can't really compare. Those of us who enjoy the occasional casual game already have a few on the system, and the more tech-savvy DS owners can cook up just about anything they want with their homebrew powers. It's hard to gauge exactly which market Apple is trying to snag here. We can only speculate that Apple is going to try to hit mobile gaming where it lives, by offering easy downloads and a better interface. We so often hit the five instead of the six, after all. And who knows -- for those folks out there who use their PSPs primarily for media and only the occasional game, this may tempt them out of the Sony camp. So who's planning on snagging Bejeweled 2 or Pac-Man just to see how it plays? We're pretty sure Apple can't tempt us away from our Tetris, but some of the others may be worth a go.
Watch today's It's Showtime event live
Wow, it's been a while since Apple has offered a live stream of an event, or even a video or streaming link prior to the event itself. Nevertheless, here it is: Apple's official It's Showtime event page, which looks like it will offer a 'video-on-demand' of the event, though the word 'live' isn't explicitly used.Either way, stay tuned to TUAW and our sister blog Engadget for live coverage, especially since Apple's event streaming has been known to get a tad flaky during and right afterwards (with all this PR and hype, can you blame them?). Don't worry though, we've got you covered.Thanks to everyone who sent this in
iTunes to be rebranded as "Showtime?"
There might be more to the iTunes store being down than we originally thought. A little bird sent us a tip that belies the possibility that the 'Showtime' buzzword Apple's been using to promote their special event today could be the actual new name of the iTunes/Music/Movie Store and software. This link points to a phobos.apple.com/showtime page which echoes the same phrase we've been seeing elsewhere. Those phobos.apple links, if you haven't seen them before, are iTMS-specific links, allowing users to link directly to items inside the store. The fact that there's a /showtime/ after this one makes it all the more suspicious.Could this be a complete iTunes rebranding? Or Apple just covering their tracks by throwing off the scent?Or this just might be a temporary thing for today, either way stay tuned.
Apple's agenda for the media event?
Ok, it's time for some last-minute rumor mongering. A little birdie just flew into TUAW headquarters (a little birdie who wishes to remain anonymous) and told us the following. Remember, this is all rumor, folks, but it sounds like it could be legit to us. Here we go."...Let's just say I have been informed by a little reliable birdy about Tomorrow's event. The line-up will follow this similar structure: Welcoming of Media Members Discussion on iTunes software, iTMS integration into iTunes, and iTMS sales and facts. Announcement of iTunes version 7.0 Announces better search feature for Music Store Announces Movie Store. Available Immediately will be movies from Disney and Pixar, among other studios. New iPod Nano Announcement (nice brushed casing, while it will have same features as first gen, only a longer battery life) New iPod Announcement (Widescreen, Bluetooth, and featuring virtual touchweel. Does not include Wi-Fi, or any other protocols) One More Thing....TubePort. A $99 2-piece set that includes a dongle that connects via USB to your mac, and another dongle that connects via included HD cables or regular Component cables to your TV. The movie is accessed on your Mac via an iDisk-like storage component hosted by Apple. Jobs will then explain the pricing structure of the Movie Store. Movies will be available as either a smaller iPod-format (which will cost $9.99 per movie), or as a larger, streamed movie to be streamed to your TV via TubePort. This cost $14.99 per movie. To purchase an iPod-formatted movie and a streamed version of the same movie, it will cost you $19.99."Do with that what you will (We agree that "TubePort" is a really lame-sounding name).
Showtime Rumor Roundup
In the weeks leading up to an Apple Special Event, much of our little corner of the internet is abuzz with prognostication, rumors of what might be announced, and more editorial analysis than you can shake a stick at. Historically, all this speculation rans rampant with little to no new reiable information added to the discussion until the actual product announcements. This is how it has been since time immemorial (well, at least as long as Steve has been back at Apple), and how it would ever be... or so we thought. The announcements of updated iMacs and Mac minis throws a wrench into the workings of the rumor mill, stopping the coolant pumps, and causing the already heated debate to flare into a full fledged iClonflagration usually reserved for Macworld Stevenotes. The fact that the products announced on the 6th were accurately predicted means that at least some of the info floating around the web in regards to product announcements was correct, even if they were off by a week. If they were right about the iMac and Mac mini, who's to say they're any less correct in their other predictions? And if they are correct, what does that mean in terms of what we'll be seeing on Tuesday?
Video iPod banner for September 12th?
Last time we saw a banner shown at an Apple event was, well, last month for the WWDC 2006 extravaganza. But this banner, supposedly taken at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco for the event intended this Tuesday the 12th, pretty clearly depicts what appears to be the touchscreen (true) video iPod -- that is, if it's real. Of course, we can confirm nor deny anything, but obviously the churning machine that is the Apple rumor mill right now should not be discounted, friends. Two days until we all find out!
Poll results: New Apple products
We asked, you answered. If cost were not an option, which of the rumored Apple products would you be most likely to buy? You can see the results of our informal poll above: the video-streaming Airport Express was a clear winner. The remaining other votes were evenly divided between the other options. For all of you who selected "23" iMac," we hope you aren't too disappointed with the 24" model released today. Close, but no cigar.
Summer shows in HD
The new summer shows in HD kicked off last night on HBO and for the first time ever HBO brought us 30 minute comedies in HD, which is one more reason to look forward to Curb Your Enthusiasm . For whatever reason the summer is the time for reality shows, but thankfully cable networks bring us new shows in HD. Last night's shows on HBO were to par from previous seasons and the new show Lucky Louie was hilarious, it is married men comedy at its best, without a doubt the funniest since Married with Children. Yes that is a fake gun in the picture that the uncle brought as a gift for the four year old girl. HBO isn't the only one with news shows, TNT and Showtime both have a few HD offerings to look forward to. June 11th Deadwood Entourage Lucky Louie June 12 Closer Saved July 9th Brotherhood July 12 Nightmares & Dreamscapes Did I miss any?
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is made for HD
So, here I am watching Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow on Showtime and it is simply amazing. This movie is made for high definition. The depth of the "color" is what makes this so spectacular. This movie was made entirely in front of a "green screen" and the graphics were digital put in. There are no bright colors in the movie at all - well, besides the scene where Wizard of Oz is playing in the background. But that is what makes this movie so unique. True videophiles will love the deep, rich gray-tones that you just can't find anywhere else. Showtime loves to run the same movies over and over again, so I am sure that you will be able to check it out sooner or later. Or...wait till the Blu-Ray version is released.
Dave Chappelle, Wildfire in iTunes
The good news: Dave Chappelle is in the iTunes Music Store. The bad news: It's not his show from Comedy Central. "I'm Rick James..." Well, you know how it goes. The Chappelle video [iTunes link] is a nearly one hour stand up special he filmed for Showtime, and costs $1.99.Wildfire [iTunes link] is an ABC Family series (I admit I've never seen it), and seasons 1 and 2 are both available.
HDTV Screams: Masters of Horror coming back for a second season
There's not much in the way of high definition thrillers yet, but Showtime's Masters of Horror series fills the spot well, even if some of the episodes are a bit campy. Our friends at TV Squad have let us know that the series will be returning for a second season, no word on which directors will do episodes yet.