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Sony ends Ustream game broadcasts on PlayStation 4
When Sony released details about the PlayStation 4 ahead of its 2013 launch, it promoted a feature letting gamers broadcast their playing on the streaming service Ustream. Today, Sony announced that that partnership was over: On August 1st, PS4 players will only be able to livestream their gaming on Twitch, YouTube, and DailyMotion.
IBM buys Ustream to power its new video services division
Well, that was fast. Hours after reports surfaced that IBM was planning to nab video livestreaming company Ustream, the deal is official. The internet broadcast outfit will join IBM's new Cloud Video Services division for live and on-demand video with "consistent delivery across global industries." Ustream targeted business customers to flex its streaming muscle, including live CES coverage for a few big name companies at this year.
IBM might buy live video service UStream for $130 million
The first name that comes to mind when you hear "live-streaming video" might be Twitch, but even despite how that service has grown, it isn't exactly something you'd use for video conferencing or at work. Regardless of how much you want to drop a few Kappas to spice up a meeting. Which is why the Fortune report stating IBM is looking to buy UStream (which has been targeting business customers of late) doesn't seem too far-fetched. The publication's sources peg the deal in the neighborhood of $130 million cash in addition to "possible earn-outs and employee retention packages." It's a pretty paltry sum when compared against Amazon's $970 million Twitch purchase.
Sony Action Cams are ready to stream live internet video
Sony Action Cam owners: if you're eager to share your sporting adventures with the world, your moment has come. The company has just rolled out a firmware update for the AS100V (installable on Macs or Windows) that lets you broadcast live video on Ustream, complete with social network alerts when you're on the air. The higher-end camera also gets a new Motion Shot Mode that composites several photos into one, while burst shooting and self-timer modes are useful for both action-packed images and self-portraits.
Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 9:30PM ET
It's Tuesday, which is time for the Engadget HD Podcast and we hope you'll join us for the live recording at 9:30PM. The non-stop onslaught of conferences are actually over, so we're back to the regular topics; the FCC and new streaming options. There are a few other items of note we'll be covering on the show tonight too, like a leaked Slingbox, IMAX 4K in 3D and a look back at the CGI that changed Cinema. Finally, we'll finish the show by discussing what we're watching this week, as usual. If you'll be joining us, take a peek at the topics after the break and then get ready to participate in the live chat.
Join the 400th Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 9:30PM ET
It's Tuesday Wednesday, which is time for the Engadget HD Podcast and we hope you'll join us for the live recording at 9:30PM. This might be our 400th show, but that doesn't mean we're taking the week off from covering the latest news. Sure, we'll pause to reflect about the last eight years, but we'll also cover the latest in net neutrality -- again -- and the latest content from our favorite providers. We will have at least one surprise for you too, as we work our way to the end where we'll cover what we're watching this week . If you'll be joining us, take a peek at the topics after the break and then get ready to participate in the live chat.
PS4 1.70 firmware goes live, has a bunch of extra tweaks
The latest major firmware update for the PlayStation 4 is available to download now, adding SHAREfactory, HDCP disabling, Twitch and Ustream archiving, auto-downloading and pre-loading for pre-ordered games, and a few extras besides. A large chunk of the 1.70 update centers around video capture and streaming, headlined by the new SHAREfactory suite that lets players edit and customize their gameplay vids. The HDCP off option allows people to record with capture cards (external recording devices). On the streaming side, broadcast resolutions are upped to 720p and streams can be archived to watch later on Twitch and Ustream - that was originally expected in a separate update, so its inclusion in 1.70 is an early bonus. There's a bunch of smaller extras in the update too, including brightness settings for the DualShock 4 light bar, sorting trophies by rarity, PayPal support for the PS4 Store, and more voice commands for the PS Camera. The updates aren't limited to the PS4, either. A Vita update brings automatic detection of devices for Remote Play, while the PS App has one of the coolest little additions: being able to change your profile picture to a stored image or photo on your mobile. For the full list of updates, head over to the PlayStation Blog.
Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 8:30PM ET
It's Tuesday, which is time for the Engadget HD Podcast and we hope you'll join us for the live recording at 8:30PM. The latest trials and tribulations of the FCC's attempt to regulate the internet, in what we have come to call net neutrality, is the first order of business on tonights HD podcast. We pivot from there to the all-so-related Comcast and TWC merger and slide right into our favorite regular topic, Netflix, and its opinion on the merger as well as a deal with Big Red. A few miscellaneous HD topics fill some airtime until we bring it home with what we're watching this week. If you'll be joining us, take a peek at the topics after the break and then get ready to participate in the live chat.
Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 9PM ET
It's Tuesday, which is time for the Engadget HD Podcast and we hope you'll join us for the live recording at 9PM. The big news we kick this week's show off with is from Time Warner Cable in the way of a Fan TV box that delivers content from multiple sources. The Aereo case has finally had its, so we'll discuss the latest news from the Supreme Court. A few newsy streaming stories, some interesting content news and the usual odds and ends round out this week's show. If you'll be joining us, take a peek at the topics after the break and then get ready to participate in the live chat.
Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 6:15PM ET
It's Tuesday, which is time for the Engadget HD Podcast and we hope you'll join us for the live recording at 6:15PM. Big news from Amazon kicks off this week's show as the long awaited streamer from Bezos and company is in the house. We'll also dig in to Comcast's big day in front of the Senate, and there's lots of streaming news from Amazon, HBO and YouTube too. If you'll be joining us, take a peek at the topics after the break and then get ready to participate in the live chat.
Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 8:45PM ET
It's Tuesday, which is time for the Engadget HD Podcast and we hope you'll join us for the live recording at 8:45PM. We start this week's show with news from Verizon about its new Quantum TV DVR. The Xbox One finally has some new TV features coming its way too, and Vudu comes to Chromecast. Content news from Amazon rounds out the coverage, along with some other streaming news, of course. If you'll be joining us, take a peek at the topics after the break and then get ready to participate in the live chat.
Future PS4 firmware to allow gameplay capture without HDCP restrictions
Upcoming PlayStation 4 firmware is bringing the option to turn off High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) for high-definition gameplay capture, along with the ability to save videos and screenshots to a USB drive. Sony noted it previously announced the impending removal of HDCP restrictions as a post-launch feature, but it's still welcome news for YouTube users, as is the introduction of a "rich video editor" in the 1.70 update. "We recognize that some gamers want to record and share longer clips of their gameplay sessions, and we're excited to deliver this option with PS4," wrote SCEA's Scott McCarthy. "There's a lot more coming in this update as well, so stay tuned for more - there will be plenty in the update to excite everyone." As for gameplay streaming, Sony is also upping the resolution on Ustream and Twitch streams to 720p in a separate, future update. McCarthy also reiterated Sony's plans to bring Twitch archiving to the PS4 in that future update, but didn't provide a timeline for when users can expect it. He did note the 1.70 firmware is due "in the upcoming weeks." [Image: Sony]
Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 9:15PM ET
It's Tuesday, which means it's time for the Engadget HD Podcast and we hope you'll join us for the live recording at 9:15PM. Aereo is in the news again, so we'll lead off with that news tonight, as well as the next chapter in Dish's spectrum grab, Chromecast developments, and more speculation about DirecTV and Verizon. There's always plenty of streaming news too and a few other home theater related items. If you'll be joining us, take a peek at the topics after the break and then get ready to participate in the live chat.
Sony says the PlayStation 4's 'Share' button has been used 100 million times
Sony has a released a bunch of statistics covering the first four months of life of its new baby. Beyond regular sales figures (six million units so far, and nearly 14 million game sales), some of the more interesting numbers relate to how PlayStation gamers are engaging with the console's online features. We're told that half of all PS4 owners have been persuaded to cough up for a PS Plus subscription, which grants access to online multiplayer gaming as well as a number of discounted and free titles. Meanwhile, the 'Share' button on the DualShock 4 controller has apparently been used 100 million times to share recorded game highlights with the PS4 community, and 3.6 million gameplay broadcasts have been streamed over Twitch and Ustream -- a feature that still hasn't been enabled on the Xbox One. And who knows? The PS4's Twitch numbers might have been even higher if people hadn't gotten themselves banned for playing real-live strip poker.
Ustream starts a nonprofit program to back citizen journalists
Livestreaming is increasingly crucial to journalism -- in some cases, it's the only way to get around government censorship of TV broadcasts. With that in mind, Ustream is launching Ustream for Change. The nonprofit program helps citizen journalists and educators by supplying no-cost access to ad-free streaming, promotional efforts and tech support. The initiative is already supporting Spilno.tv and UkrStream.tv as they cover anti-government protests in the Ukraine; groups wanting to make an impact through live video can apply to join the program today.
PlayStation 4 companion app update highlights live game broadcasts
The latest update for Sony's PlayStation mobile app is out for Android and iOS, and it's surprisingly video-focused. Thanks to the new Live from PlayStation section, available game streams can be browsed directly from your device -- although they won't open in the app itself. Ustream feeds open in the service's own application (at least on Android), while Twitch.tv streams are relegated to your mobile device's browser. The change log also notes that video notifications from the PS Store are supported, and you'll find them under the What's New section on the home screen. Additionally, the update promises to not pull your PS4 out of sleep mode when you open the app to, say, accept a friend request or queue a game download -- perfect if you're looking to conserve a little electricity.
PS4's share button clicked 10.9 million times [Update]
The Cher share button on players' DualShock 4 controllers has been pressed 10.9 million times according to Sony, which revealed some impressive numbers behind its PS4 livestreaming services today. For starters, Twitch and Ustream have hosted nearly 800,000 gameplay streams and over 7.1 million spectator sessions on the home console since its launch. Sony says that ten percent of all Twitch-broadcasted content has come from PS4 systems since its US launch on November 15, based on the average number of minutes broadcast. That adds up to 20 million minutes of live broadcasting from the console, the length of 21,808.66 consecutive spins of Cher's entire discography. Additionally, PS4 Ustream broadcasts average 31 minutes in length, enough time to listen to "Heart of Stone" 7.35 times. Though let's be honest, we could croon "wish your heart was a heart of stone" much longer than that, but we really don't think we're strong enough. The livestreaming figures follow last week's announcement that over 2.1 million PS4 systems have been sold globally. Once new PS4 owners start to unwrap their new consoles over the holidays, this gameplay broadcasting beat will only go on. Update: Additionally, Twitch told Joystiq that the number of broadcasters using its services increased over 100,000 in the month of November since the launch of the PS4, up from around 600,000 in October.
PS4 will not support YouTube uploads, stream archiving exclusive to Twitch
Sony revealed as part of today's comprehensive PlayStation 4 pre-release FAQ that the console will not allow content sharing via YouTube at launch, though support for additional video-streaming services is in the works. At launch, the PlayStation 4 will only be capable of sharing recorded video via Facebook, while gameplay footage can be streamed via Ustream or Twitch. Sony did not completely rule out the possibility of YouTube support being added in a future update, however, as it hinted that PS4 owners should be on the lookout for "further news on other services to come after launch." Sony additionally notes that Ustream footage will not be saved for later playback. PlayStation 4 stream archiving is only available for Twitch users, and can be enabled via Twitch's website.
Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:15PM ET
It's Tuesday, the new regular day for the Engadget HD Podcast. We hope you'll appreciate us clearing up Monday for football and join us live when the Engadget HD podcast starts recording at 5:15PM. If you'll be joining us, go ahead and get ready by reviewing the list of topics after the break -- then you'll be ready to participate in the live chat.
Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 8:15PM ET
It's Tuesday, the new regular day for the Engadget HD Podcast. We hope you'll appreciate us clearing up Monday for football and join us live when the Engadget HD podcast starts recording at 8:15PM. If you'll be joining us, be sure to go ahead and get ready by reviewing the list of topics after the break, then you'll be ready to participate in the live chat.
