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Sky's digital movie and DVD combo store is now open to everyone
If you want to buy the latest movies digitally, where do you go? There are countless storefronts to consider, including iTunes, Google Play and Blinkbox Movies. But Sky has a simple reason to choose its 'Buy & Keep' service over the others: purchase a movie from us, and we'll throw in the DVD too. Before the offer was only available to Sky TV customers, but now anyone can use Buy & Keep through Sky Store. You can order movies through skystore.com or the Sky Store apps, before watching them on a mobile device, or Roku, YouView, Now TV or Sky+ HD box. Four devices can be registered to a single account and two devices can stream the same movie simultaneously -- useful if you watch a lot of movies on the go. A new "follow me" feature means you can also pause a film on your smartphone or tablet and pick up where you left off on your big-screen TV.
Virgin Media customers can now access the Sky Movies Android app
While Virgin Media customers have been able to access Sky Movies and Sky Sports on their iPhone or iPad for over three months now, Android users have been left twiddling their thumbs. Luckily, that wait is now over, for film fans at least, after a new update to the Sky Movies Android app unlocked access to the broadcaster's bumper collection of motion pictures. If you subscribe to the M+ Virgin TV package or above, then you should be able to log in with your Virgin account details. However, if your device is running Android 5.0 Lollipop, then you'll have to wait until early next year to get your streaming on. There's currently no word on when the Sky Sports Android app will get the same treatment, but Virgin Media says it's "working hard" to get it ready.
Apple news bites for Tuesday, August 5, 2014
It's been very, very quiet in the world of Apple the past few weeks, but that doesn't mean that there's nothing happening out there. Here are a few little snack-sized bits of news that we've picked up this morning: Did you break the screen on your iPhone 5s? Just walk into your local Apple Store soon and you will be able to have it repaired on-site. AppleInsider reports that as of yesterday, Apple Stores are doing iPhone 5s screen replacements in as little as one hour. Previously, damaged screens meant that your iPhone 5s would need to be sent offsite for servicing, a process that could take up to five full days. Dutch Apple fans who live in Den Haag (The Hague), Netherlands can attend the grand opening of the new Apple Store in that city this upcoming Saturday (August 9) at 10 AM local time. Grab me a t-shirt if you go to the opening, OK? The Apple website lists the address of the new store as Passage 39, 2511 AB Den Haag. Apple has been granted more patents ... totally unsurprising considering the number of patents that are applied for each year by the company. There's a patent for a "magnetic resonance power system" that could eliminate the need for batteries in keyboards and mice, another for a "microwave frequency communication system covering a wireless disposable wristband," and one for "backside iPad gaming controls." As usual, none of these patents may ever see the light of day in a future Apple product. UK Virgin Media users who are also subscribers to Sky Movies or Sky Sports can now watch those channels on their iPhones and iPads via the Sky Movies and Sky Sports apps. The Sky Sports app provides "second screen" capabilities when you're watching football games, cricket matches, or Formula 1 races on the big screen, while the Sky Movies subscription lets you watch all 11 channels or over 800 on-demand films on the go. The Mac Observer's Jeff Gamet reports that Apple has a social media secret weapon in the form of Musa Tariq. Mr. Tariq was hired as Apple's retail Digital Marketing Director, coming from Burberry (where he was a marketing director working with new Apple retail VP Angela Ahrendts) and Nike, where he was the social media director.
Virgin Media customers to get Sky Sports and Movies access on their mobiles in August
As part of its expanded alliance with Sky, Virgin Media said its customers would be getting easier access to movies and sport on the go through Sky's mobile apps. Today, the cable company's shed some more light on how the process will work, announcing that you'll be able to log into Sky's Sport and Movie apps using your existing Virgin Media credentials from next month (if you're already a TV subscriber). At launch, only Sky's iOS apps will support this login option, meaning you'll have to wait for a future update to enjoy the same content on your Android device. Virgin, however, recently added more HD sports channels to its TV listings and enabled access to Sky's entertainment channels (not including Sky Atlantic) from its TV Anywhere app, keeping you sweet until that update comes.
Virgin Media to soon offer access to Sky Sports and Movies on mobile
Virgin Media might be locking horns with Sky in a battle over broadband and phone lines, but when it comes to programming, cable customers have enjoyed the results of a content truce. Having delivered many of its channels for a number of years, Virgin today announced it has extended its deal with Sky by another five years, ensuring that it can deliver more content in high definition and also bring some Sky channels to its mobile streaming apps for the very first time. To begin with, subscribers already paying £7 a month to access to Sky's high-definition content will see Sky Sports 3 HD, Sky Sports 4 HD and Sky Sports F1 HD added to their set-top box, with Sky Sports News HD and Sky News HD set to follow later. Virgin customers will also be able to access Sky's entertainment channels (not including Sky Atlantic) via the TV Anywhere app and, perhaps more importantly, will be given access to movies and sport via Sky's dedicated apps in the coming months. Best of all, as long as you're already paying for Sky content, you'll soon get more stuff in more places for no extra cost.
Sky Movies comes to BT TV, hell braces itself for cold snap
With Sky and BT muscling in on each others business, the animosity between them makes Miley v. Sinead look like playground hijinks. Despite this, both recognize the growing threat of Virgin Media's Netflix offering, which is why the pair have teamed up to offer Sky Movies via BT's subscription TV packages. From October 26th, customers can subscribe to 11 Sky Movies channels in SD as well as on-demand content for an additional fee. It'll all be done via existing Vision+ and YouView hardware, so there's no need to buy any more gear, although HD-enthusiasts might just have to bite the bullet and sign up with Rupert directly.
Now TV launches in the UK, brings pay-as-you-go streaming to Mac, PC and Android
Sky is going online and ditching the contracts... sort of. The UK TV provider is launching a new service called Now TV that will take on more established properties like Lovefilm and Netflix. The streaming video service will initially be available on OS X, Windows and Android with iOS to follow shortly. By the end of the year it will also be available on Xbox, PS3, Roku and Youview. Initially Sky Movies will form the backbone of the service, with titles costing anywhere from £0.99 to £3.49 for playback, or you can purchase unlimited monthly access for £15. Eventually Now TV will expand to include Sky Sports, Sky 1 and plenty of other BSkyB owned properties. For more, check out the PR after the break.
Sky mobile apps on the way include Movies channel companion for iOS, Go for Android
Back in June,the UK's Sky TV said we would see an Android version of its mobile viewing Sky Go app, and while it may not have arrived in time to fall back (in Europe, don't ask us to explain DST around the world, it makes our heads hurt) the company says it's still on track. Telling Tech-Radar the app is still due "in the coming months", Sky has already indicated in a recent earnings report that it has more than 1.6 million viewers of its aggregated mobile VOD on iOS. Speaking of, iOS users will be getting a new app designed to work alongside the Sky Movies channel. It can show what movies are on the channel at the moment, schedule recordings, display info on movies in theaters, and even launch streaming flicks in the Sky Go app when it hits iTunes next week. The screenshot above gives a hint of what it will look like and expect more like it -- the company plans more individualized companion apps that work together, as opposed to the all-in-one approach of a DirecTV or TiVo.
Sky Movies gets serious with HD flicks
Following the lead of BBC HD, Sky Movies has also announced its intentions to get its high-def program in gear during the run-up to Christmas. The channel is gearing up to show UK premieres of over 15 films, with a number of those being available in stunning HD. Additionally, Sky Movies HD will be showing the entire Rocky saga on Boxing Day, and certain fresh releases (like Beowulf, Stardust and The Golden Compass) will also be delivered in high-definition. The full schedule awaits you in the read link.
Sky to launch seven new HD channels in the UK
Simmer down, UKers -- it's not nearly as good as it sounds. Sure, seven HD channels is seven HD channels, but aside from Real Lives HD, you'll be getting six channels of (mostly) the same stuff. Reportedly, the half dozen other high-def additions will simply "bolster Sky Movies," offering viewers the ability to watch horror, sci-fi, action, family, comedy and other genres by simply flipping the station. We suppose it's a good sign to see Sky ramping up its Sky+ HD lineup, but can we get a little more variety the next time you folks get the itch to expand?[Thanks, Adam]
Sky Movies receiving name tweak
Nothing too major here, but apparently, Sky Movies is getting all set to undergo an official name change. Starting next February, Sky Movies SD 1 will be dutifully renamed Sky Movies Screen 1, while its HD counterpart (you know, the one we watch) will become known as Sky Movies Screen 1 HD. Not surprisingly, the same nomenclature will be applied to Sky Movies SD 2 and HD 2, too. So yeah, don't be too shocked to see your favorite channel vacate its regular spot -- only the name's a-changin', programming (and channel slot) is set to stay the same.
