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The Weather Channel's mixed reality tornado lesson was actually fun
This morning, The Weather Channel debuted the first of its upcoming slate of immersive, mixed reality (IMR) content that's meant to let "viewers truly see the weather like never before". In this segment, meteorologist Jim Cantore explained the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale that's used to categorize tornadoes. Throughout the 7-minute segment, he dodged faux flying debris and falling cars, making the segment seem not only more relatable, but also entertaining.
The Weather Channel's mixed reality broadcasts debut tomorrow
In April, the Weather Channel announced that it would be incorporating immersive, mixed reality content into its broadcasts that will give viewers a realistic look at weather events. Well it's ready to debut that content and tomorrow morning, you'll be able to watch meteorologist Jim Cantore follow the development of a hyper-realistic tornado from its early stages all the way up to it becoming a destructive EF5 behemoth. Cantore will also share ways you can keep safe if faced with severe weather events.
Twitter livestream will chase the eclipse across the US
Twitter is teaming up with The Weather Channel to live-stream the eclipse. But, this isn't just any live video feed, oh no. After all, Twitter's competing for your attention with the likes of CNN and NASA (both of which will have their cameras trained on the sun for your viewing pleasure). Ditching a static transmission, the livestream will track the solar eclipse across the US. The Weather Channel's sun chasers will make pit stops in 10 locations, including Stanley, Idaho; Hopkinsville, Kentucky; McMinnville, Oregon; and Nashville, Tennessee, among others.
Google adds allergy forecast info to mobile search results
One antihistamine or two? Google is making sure hay fever sufferers can answer that question in double quick time, thanks to the new addition of pollen measurements in search results. Plug an allergy- or pollen-related query into your Android smartphone and search results will now include a simple breakdown of current and predicted pollen levels. The new type of rich card result is populated by data from The Weather Channel, and as always, you can get more detailed info by tapping on the card itself.
The Weather Channel's odd local news service is coming to iOS and Android
The Weather Channel is a shining example of cable TV's heyday -- but it's become increasingly irrelevant with the rise of the internet and smartphones. The company started working to get more into localized news and weather with Local Now, a channel that covers news, weather, sports, traffic and other such updates for specific geographic areas, but it was only available on Dish's Sling TV service. Now, Reuters says its Local Now's reach will greatly expand with the launch of apps for Android and iOS.
The Weather Channel comes back to DirecTV, but now with less reality TV
After dragging on for months, a standoff between DirecTV and The Weather Channel has ended and the winner is pretty clear. In mid-January TWC went dark on the satellite service and DirecTV started pushing the three people left who don't get their weather info from the internet to another channel, WeatherNation. There hadn't been any movement since, but after news a few days ago that DirecTV signed a multiyear deal with WeatherNation, it appears The Weather Channel finally blinked. A statement announcing the deal includes an apology to DirecTV and its customers from Weather Company CEO David Kenny, plus a promise to cut TWC's reality TV programming by half on weekdays (Deadliest Space Weather is a real show). Other throw ins include the return of instant local weather and letting DirecTV subscribers stream The Weather Channel's video feed to other devices over the internet no matter where they are. Now that this long national nightmare is over (DirecTV is still duking it out with the Dodgers, PAC-12 and CSN Houston networks), we're hoping they go back and add a line ending TWC's silly new practice of naming winter storms -- that's not a thing, stop it.
DirecTV drops The Weather Channel, accuses it of loading up on reality TV
Usually, when there's a dispute over a pay-TV system carrying a channel, it hinges on sports or in-demand shows like Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead and Mad Men. This time, it's DirecTV sparring with ...The Weather Channel? Believe it or not, as of midnight ET, the venerable forecast standby -- and former good friend of the satellite broadcaster -- has been switched out for another channel since the two couldn't reach a new deal. As usual there's a war of words over who is in the wrong, with The Weather Channel claiming DirecTV's move puts lives in danger by replacing its experienced forecasters with a "cheap startup." In response, DirecTV says that TWC has shifted nearly half of its programming to reality TV and that besides WeatherNation (now broadcasting on 362 in TWC's place), it has weather news on local stations and emergency channels. This fight is a surprising one, but we probably should've seen it coming once TWC launched an array of new shows and started randomly assigning names to winter storms. The only real question? With constantly updated weather info available from Google's search and almost any phone's home screen (TWC itself offers apps on platforms from Android to Apple TV), how long will it take before viewers notice the channel is gone?
Apple TV update brings apps for Disney, the Smithsonian, Vevo and The Weather Channel
Rumors that Apple was about to expand the Apple TV's channel selection have just come true -- the company has quietly rolled out apps for the Disney Channel, Disney XD, the Smithsonian, Vevo and The Weather Channel. The new portals deliver the on-demand video you'd expect from their respective services. There are live components, however: Vevo fans get non-stop music videos through Vevo TV, while The Weather Channel jumps to live broadcasts during major storms. Any locally supported channels should appear the next time you use your Apple TV, although you'll need to be a qualifying cable or satellite subscriber to run the Disney apps.
Weather Channel for Android gets tablet optimization, precise weather warnings
The Weather Channel has dwelt mostly on its iOS apps as of late, but don't worry -- it's lavishing attention on forecast-minded Android users today. As of version 4.0, the Android app is optimized for tablets and gives a better heads-up for the conditions ahead from your Nexus 7. Other tweaks are more for feature parity, including precisely-timed warnings for significant weather changes, faster radar maps and higher-detail forecasts. Favorites also help with Android-specific widgets. Should you need to know more about the rain or snow than a Google Now card can deliver, the Weather Channel revamp is ready at the source.
Foursquare Connected App platform lets other apps interact with check ins
It turns out Foursquare's massive 5.0 revamp was just the start of the changes, as the location sharing app unveiled a new twist with the launch its Connected Apps platform. Available as a developer preview, it lets the makers of apps like Untappd, Instagram or The Weather Channel connect directly with the Foursquare app. Many apps were already connected via the API, and once users upgrade to the latest version on Android or iOS their checkins pull information from those apps into Foursquare itself. That means they get things like the weather forecast on their first check in of the day from The Weather Channel, see what songs their friends have shared at a particular location via Soundtracking or beer recommendations from Untappd. Developers can get all the info on how it works at the overview, the rest of us can see the list of enabled apps on the official blog post.
Weather Channel distributes Android app via on-screen QR code
Google's been doing some pretty slick stuff with QR codes lately, and now it looks like The Weather Channel's getting in on the fun -- it's running a little on-screen graphic prompting Android owners to download their app by scanning their TV screens. Sure, it's not the craziest thing in the world -- it just takes you to the Android market listing -- but it's certainly fun, and one of the more mainstream uses of QR codes we've seen in a while. Check the video after the break. Update: We originally said it takes you to the webpage; in actuality, it takes you to the Android market. (Thanks, Caleb!)
The Weather Channel's HD feed gets interactive on DirecTV
A year after launching on The Weather Channel SD and receiving "nearly a billion impressions" there, DirecTV has added interactive Local on Demand and Local on the 8s widgets to The Weather Channel HD. Same as always, this lets viewers dial up weather alerts, the most recent updates for their area, or other weather info while still watching the main channel. While some may prefer the tried and true method of "looking out the window" to find out what the current weather conditions are, we're always glad to have options.
Oh, by the way: July 17, 2009
Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of mobile for Friday, July 17th, 2009: As Samsung goes, so goes LG -- usually, anyway -- and it stands to reason that Lucky Goldstar would want to be hot on Sammy's heels in the Android race. Indeed, it turns out that the unannounced LG GW620 Eve is running Android with a QWERTY keyboard, details we now know thanks to the official user agent profile for the device. No hint on pricing or availability, though. [Via NieuweMobiel.NL, thanks to everyone who sent this in] Palm has made a cute little RSS app for the Pre, but instead of making it available through any customer-facing channel, it's been outed through the Rough Cuts dev guide. If they were smart, they'd clean it up and push it through an OTA. [Via Gadgets on the Go] It turns out that The Weather Channel's developers are already cooking up an Android 2.0-compatible version of their app, and they've said it'll be available "late summer." Does that mean Android 2.0 devices and / or updates will hit around then? Food (donuts, of course) for thought.
Comcast adds The Weather Channel HD in Houston, Texas
Typically, we can count on Comcast to bring along at least three newcomers whenever it decides to bulk up an HD lineup, but for whatever reason, it decided to drop just a single, lonely high-definition station on the residents of Houston this week. For those too lazy to check the forecast online, The Weather Channel HD is now showing on slot 289. Who knows -- maybe this is just the calm before the proverbial storm.[Thanks, Stacey and Brandon]
DirecTV & The Weather Channel team up on new interactive TV apps
The Weather Channel's the latest to get a taste of DirecTV's interactive treatment, adding new severe weather alerts, Local on the 8's weather reports, Local On Demand weather and a featured spot on the DirecTV Active application. The Weather Channel HD feed doesn't feature the local on the 8's app yet, but it is on the way, while the Local On Demand feature lets customers click through a bevy of information while still watching TWC live. A ticker at the bottom of the screen plus the red button on your remote should shed more light on the subject for the interested.
The Weather Channel snapped up by NBC
Just as hurricane season gets up to speed, The Weather Channel itself has been swept up by NBC. Along with Bain Capital and The Blackstone Group, the Wall Street Journal reports the weather broadcaster sold from Landmark Communications for $3.5 billion. Don't expect them to abandon those new high definition digs anytime soon however, since it will still be based in Atlanta, although Broadband TV News mentions NBC's own Weather Plus may find itself in dire straights as a result. As long as we still get to see some guy yammering into a microphone about strong wind gusts while leaning almost horizontally to keep from being blown away in 1080i, we'll be happy with the deal.Read - VarietyRead - Multichannel NewsRead - Broadband TV New
Hurricanes in HD, courtesy of The Weather Channel's new field coverage
We're not saying anyone wants a hurricane to strike the United States (or anywhere else) anytime soon, but just in case one did, The Weather Channel's got its new HD cameras, production trucks and studio all ready for Hurricane Preparedness Week. in the meantime, look out for tips from homeowners who've already built up their residences to survive the next big storm, plus tips on what you can do. All of this is will air during the SD/HD simulcast of Evening Edition, which will give people their first look at TWCs new HD field coverage, sure to make the flooding and debris look like its happening on your actual street - even though (hopefully) it's not.
The Weather Channel to broadcast from new HD studio on June 2
Though we had previously heard that The Weather Channel's new HD studio wouldn't open until July, it looks like things will be getting started a touch early. Based on a dedicated page on the network's website, we're told that June 2nd is the date in which it will start broadcasting from an all new "state-of-the-art, eco-friendly" high-definition studio. The channel doesn't hesitate to give props to Cisco for its help in constructing the facility, and it has even posted a slideshow and video to give viewers a look at how it all came together. Head on down to the read link if that sounds like something you'd be interested in.[Thanks, Kevin]
The Weather Channel HD keeps expanding
We've noticed The Weather Channel HD slowly finding its way into various communities but now the network is touting all of its recent additions and letting us know what's on the way. An all new studio opens July 2, resulting in almost all programming originating in HD, especially its famed severe weather coverage going HD from the first day of hurricane season. Comcast, Time Warner, Charter, Cox, DirecTV and Dish already have carriage agreements and have the network online at least in some areas, while RCN, Service Electric Cable, Blue Ridge, ETC and Bresnan subs should either have the channel or receive it soon. If you dig your weather coverage in HD -- and the numbers indicate you do -- it's on the way in '08.
The Weather Channel's first HD series sets viewer records
The Weather Channel's aptly named When Weather Changed History drew the most viewers of any launch ever on the network when it debuted January 6. The first HD produced series on The Weather Channel, increased viewers by about 27% with its debut episode, focusing on the Challenger shuttle explosion. Airing every Sunday at 9 p.m., HD footage is giving people a reason to stay on TWC to watch for other reasons than seeing some poor guy with a mic getting almost blown away in a hurricane.
