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AirTV Mini delivers streaming and local TV in a dongle
A couple years ago Dish revealed AirTV, an Android TV-powered set-top box. The company has been relatively quiet since then, but today, it launched the AirTV Mini. The new device is a 4K HDR-compatible streaming stick that brings users Sling TV, Netflix and over-the-air (OTA) channels, as well as other apps built for Android TVs.
Netflix pulled 66 episodes of Chelsea Handler's canceled talk show
A few years ago, Netflix and Chelsea Handler set out to "revolutionize the talk show." The plan was to run three 30-minute, near-live episodes each week. But the show, Chelsea, took nearly two years to launch, and after just two seasons, Netflix pulled the plug. It didn't stop there though. Netflix also removed 66 episodes. A company spokesperson told The New York Times that it's the only instance in which Netflix has pulled content it owned and created.
Netflix's pop-out player test is perfect for procrastination
Netflix appears to be testing a "pop-out player." The feature lets users watch videos in a small floating box that hovers above other windows and applications, and the tool could be ideal for multitasking.
What’s coming to Netflix in July: ‘Stranger Things' and 'Queer Eye'
There's a good chance you know what's coming to Netflix in July: Stranger Things 3. It's arguably the most anticipated release of the summer, and you won't have to wait much longer -- it arrives on July 4th. Stranger Things 3 certainly isn't all we have to look forward to. This month, Netflix will release the seventh and final season of Orange is the New Black, the recently announced fourth season of Queer Eye and another season of Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
With Disney in charge, Hulu plans original content push
Now that Disney is in charge of Hulu, the streaming service is going to get more original content. Hulu CEO Randy Freer told CNBC that Hulu's "investment in original programming will increase significantly." Freer credits the change to "the capacity inside of the Walt Disney Company," including its ability to invest in the best stories and creators.
CBS All Access show 'The Good Fight' comes to TV June 16th
When The Good Fight debuted on CBS All Access, it became the streaming service's first exclusive show. It's kept audiences hooked since 2017 and was recently renewed for a fourth season. Now, season one is coming to CBS, meaning you'll be able to view the first episodes without an All Access subscription.
What’s coming to Netflix in June: ‘Black Mirror’ and the final 'Jessica Jones'
Netflix packed May with new movies like Wine Country, the animated series Tuca and Bertie, a Ted Bundy biopic and more. Now, it's bringing just as much new content and star power to June. In just the first half of the month, Netflix will release season five of Black Mirror -- a three episode run, which you can watch trailers for now -- and the third and final season of Jessica Jones.
T-Mobile's streaming TV service will include Viacom channels
T-Mobile hasn't given up on its plans to introduce a TV service. Rumors circulated that the company would launch a TV offering in 2018, and while that clearly didn't happen, it looks like we might actually see it this year. Today, T-Mobile and Viacom announced a content distribution agreement that will bring Viacom's channels -- including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET and Paramount -- to T-Mobile's "uncarrier" TV service.
AT&T is increasing DirecTV Now prices by $10 per month
If you subscribe to AT&T's DirecTV Now, keep an eye on your bill -- prices are going up again. Last July, AT&T increased the cost of its live TV streaming bundles by $5 per month. And according to Variety, beginning in April, AT&T will add another $10 per month. That means the cost of a monthly subscription has gone up more than 40 percent in less than one year. In addition to the price changes, AT&T will streamline its DirecTV Now plans offering just two, rather than its current five (though existing customers will not be kicked out of their packages).
Engadget giveaway: win an over-the-air HDTV package courtesy of Tablo!
Just because you cut the cable cord, doesn't mean you can't enjoy live TV. Devices like the Tablo DVR can help you snag free over-the-air (OTA) HD content, record it and watch it on any of your connected devices. The company has even provided us with two cord-cutting packages for two lucky Engadget readers this week. The prize includes a Tablo 2-Tuner DVR (record up to two shows at once), a 500GB external hard drive and an HDTV antenna to help get things rolling right out of the box. To watch this content on your TV, you'll need to connect to an existing Roku, Apple TV or Chromecast on your network, but up to six users can stream shows simultaneously to PCs and iOS or Android devices. All Tablo owners get a 30-day trial of its Guide Data subscription with advanced features and the out-of-home streaming service. All you need to do is head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning one of these OTA streaming solutions. Winners: congratulations to Justin A. of Katy, TX. Second winner TBC.
Editorial: Is Chromecast the little dongle that could change things?
It is sold out at Amazon. It is sold out at Best Buy online. It is sold out at the 16 Best Buy stores closest to my home in North Carolina. The nearest Best Buy availability is in Roanoke, Va. (Amazon and Best Buy are the retail outlets sanctioned by Google.) You can buy it directly from Google at the Play Store, but as of this writing, the wait time for shipping has been extended to three to four weeks. In a world where people line up for hours to buy a $500 tablet, selling out a $35 dongle isn't necessarily a milestone, or an indicator of anything significant. But I'll hammer a prediction stake into the ground: Chromecast will create change in media consumption habits disproportionate to its price. Its power will come partly from its tech-candy pricing, but only partly. This little invention hits a few other sweet spots.
ITV Player revamp brings ad-free TV rentals, keeps the free catch-ups
As a profit-driven network, ITV has its work cut out in the online streaming world when the BBC's iPlayer looms overhead. How do you compete with a cultural institution? Its solution these days is one of sheer choice: it's launching a publicly available beta of its ITV Player refresh that offers TV show rentals. While viewers will have free, ad-backed viewing for the last month's worth of programming, they'll also have the choice of renting 30-day access to archived episodes at 49p (79 cents) each without the pesky commercials in between. Anyone who just can't get enough Collision can spring for a 90-day rental of a whole series at a lower total price, and the broadcaster is even planning trials of streaming-first episode premieres -- if only we were so forward-thinking in the US. We'd question the wisdom of anyone who really, truly needs an uninterrupted The Only Way is Essex, but at least those who want fodder for water cooler chats can blast through their pseudo-reality TV at a record pace.
Samsung 2012 Smart TVs get Amazon Instant Video streaming app, synchronicity with your Kindle Fire
Samsung just sweetened the streaming video pot for current and would-be owners of its modern Smart TVs. Viewers who've been craving Amazon Instant Video can download an app today to watch movies and TV shows through their 2012 set's internet link, in the event options for Blockbuster, Hulu Plus, Netflix and Vudu weren't already enough. It's not necessarily a cut-and-dried port, either -- Samsung is flaunting a redesigned interface tuned for big-screen distances and quick access to queuing, recommendations and captioning. Amazon junkies who wanted a larger canvas than their Kindle Fire HD now can't get much larger.
Verizon sends invitations to closed trial of FiOS TV app for iOS with live streaming
Want to know the definition of frustration? Try being teased with a FiOS TV app that supports live streaming, only to be denied when the app shows up. The end to that (admittedly mild) form of torture may be in sight. Engadget has learned through a tip that Verizon is sending invitations among a limited group to test a new FiOS TV iOS app with the usual schedule browsing, DVR control... oh, and live TV. Flex View On Demand videos and local media should be on tap as well, although it's not clear whether or not any of the options will require an active link to Verizon's fiber or cellular networks to watch. The trial leaves some time to go before we're tuning in through a bedside iPhone 5; even so, it suggests the gap between hope and reality is about to close. [Thanks, Anonymous]
TV Catchup for Android arrives on Google Play
TVCatchup, the excellent little TV-watching service has brought its app over to Android. The service, which we've found to be much more reliable than the BBC's live streams on our flaky connection, lets you watch nearly 60 free-to-air channels available in the UK. The ad-supported app is available for free on Google Play right now -- as long as you've paid your license fee, folks.
BBC iPlayer reaching Windows Phone within 'weeks,' will catch up with Sherlock on your Lumia (update: perhaps not)
We've see BBC iPlayer reach many devices over time, but it's been conspicuously absent on Windows Phone. Nokia has stepped into give us some relief, and it's now promising that a port of the TV catch-up service will be ready for your Lumia 800 "in weeks." Good news no doubt, although Nokia's encyclopedic knowledge of British TV streaming is also dashing hopes of using the Sky Go mobile app on Windows Phone anytime soon: the same Nokia rep doesn't see Sky being ready for a "good few months" at the earliest. As such, you'll have no problems keeping up with Doctor Who and Sherlock when they're airing, but we wouldn't count on watching live football matches for awhile. Update: Pocket-lint is reporting that it quizzed the BBC over this issue and got a firm denial about a Windows Phone version, which suggests that The Inquirer's report, or its Nokia source, may have made an illogical deduction.
Aereo gets unfair competition claim dismissed, still faces two claims of copyright infringement
Aereo's mini-antenna arrays started streaming OTA television broadcasts in Gotham a couple months ago in spite of the lawsuit filed by a few of New York's local stations to stop them from doing so. Today, it was able to dismiss its opponents' state law unfair competition claim under the theory of federal preemption. Essentially, Aereo argued (and the judge agreed) that the anti-competition claim was actually an attempt to vindicate the broadcasters' rights to control the performance of their copyrighted materials. Because those rights are granted under federal law, the state law claim was preempted and dismissed from the lawsuit pursuant to the Copyright Act. Despite this courtroom victory, Aereo still has a lot of legal legwork to do, as it still faces two copyright claims that could still shut down the OTA streaming party. Stay tuned.
Steve Jobs approached Leslie Moonves about streaming service, CBS exec says
At this point, it'd be more of a shock if Apple wasn't working on a streaming media service. Still, we're surprised to hear that Steve Jobs was personally involved in trying to corral support from the entertainment industry. CBS CEO Leslie Moonves revealed during a talk at the UCLA Entertainment Symposium that he has spoken with the Apple founder directly about providing content to subscription-based video service, but declined the invitation. Moonves was concerned about how signing on to such a service would impact existing revenue streams, including those from competing properties like Hulu. The CEO allegedly told Jobs at one point, "You know more than me about 99 percent of things but I know more about the television business."[Photo credit: David Shankbone]
New York Post discusses Apple TV, subscriptions
A report from the New York Post, relayed by The Loop, suggests Apple is negotiating with content providers for a new streaming TV service that'll launch by the end of the year. SVP Eddy Cue has been the point man in the negotiations, which are not proceeding as quickly as Apple would like. Apple is supposedly pushing for a service that will offer channels as apps on its Apple TV and other devices. The report claims Apple is also talking with telecommunications companies like Verizon and AT&T, hoping to strike a single deal that will encourage others to follow. Though it's probably too early for Apple to unveil this TV service, the company may show us a new Apple TV at the upcoming March 7 event. Earlier rumors from 9to5 Mac suggest Apple might be ready to unveil a new Apple TV and, along with other signs, pointed to the lack of inventory at retailers like Best Buy and Amazon as proof. The Verge today also noticed that many Apple Stores are out of stock of the Apple TV and will be restocked on March 7. [Via The Loop]
Switched On: New world recorder
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. When it comes to time-shifting television viewing, the conversation these days usually involves premium streaming services -- namely, Netflix and Hulu Plus. But consumers routinely shell out more than they do for either of these services -- in fact, sometimes more than for both of them combined -- simply to have more convenient access to the television from their existing cable or satellite subscriptions. Not only that, they're often willing to put up with a large, relatively noisy (and failure-prone!) box for this privilege. That box is the digital video recorder.
