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Boxee delays Netflix integration again, cites security requirements as the culprit
We hoped Boxee would surprise us at the eleventh hour and announce it had finally added Netflix to the service -- technically making good on its end of January deadline. Instead, the company's blog is now reporting that the service is "anticipated soon." Apparently, the service is running fine on the device in the company's offices -- which, mind you they said back in December too, -- but it still failed to satisfy Netflix's security requirements. While that sounds like a big thing to miss in our books, a comment by Boxee's VP of Marketing, Andrew Kippen, suggests the company just discovered the issue only an hour before midnight. This marks the second time users have been asked to re-adjust their expectations for when the big red box might pop up on their favorite media manager, but to Boxee's credit, we were glad to see the company come right out with the situation instead of leaving us all on pins and needles. Now, let's just hope this whole incident gets sorted out pronto, so we don't have to break bad news to our Watch Instantly lovin' hearts ever again.
Netflix's ISP report card is much less interesting now that it's out
As promised, Netflix has released performance statistics for U.S. and Canadian ISPs, culled from the many HD streams it provides. Unfortunately there's not much enlightening information to be found, while Charter did rank at the top in overall average bitrate the other major cable ISPs like Comcast, Cox and Time Warner weren't far behind, with only the smaller DSL providers appearing to lag behind and Clearwire's 4G service at the absolute lowest (no mobile data here, these were averaged from HD streams and devices only.) The most interesting data at first glance is Verizon mired squarely in the middle, although it's hard to tell if its own DSL customers are actually dragging down the lightning performance one would expect to experience on FiOS. Also potentially impacting performance are the number of lower-speed capped packages in use, mostly on DSL lines. Ultimately, it's really difficult to pull any useful data from the charts provided but given time we may be able to observe any notable shifts in performance, if they occur. Go ahead and click through for the Canadian chart and a breakdown of the data presented and how it was accumulated. Update: We confirmed with Netflix that the Verizon stats are combined DSL and FiOS numbers, so we probably wouldn't cancel the order for that 40Mbps fiber for a cable connection just yet. There's absolutely no way to extrapolate any kind of potential personal viewer experience from these numbers the way they're compiled.
Poll: Would you switch ISP's for Netflix streaming?
In its Q4 results earlier today Netflix broached the idea that, just as internet service providers can block its content, it could also restrict access to certain providers if they continue to force its CDNs to pay for network access. Given its incredible growth, there's certainly a large number of high value users making use of the service and potentially something users would actually switch providers to keep access to. While that's just an idea, more immediately it plans to release detailed statistics on ISP performance tomorrow on its blog. So let us know, if your ISP either doesn't measure up or potentially was actually blocked by Netflix, would you switch in order to keep the streaming movies coming? %Poll-59282%
Netflix passes 20 million subscribers; focuses on ISP disputes, HBO, Facebook in Q4 results
Netflix just released its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2010 and of no surprise to anyone who was paying attention last year it did quite well by passing 20 million subscribers, more than double its base at the start of 2009. However, per Biggie's Law mo money = mo problems, and it took the opportunity to respond, surprisingly sharply, to potential threats from its Hollywood content providers and the ISPs its Watch Instantly service streams over. News of note going into 2011? A huge focus on personalization including new integration with Facebook and a mention that Apple TV has already surpassed the iPad in viewing hours. It also showed off the one-click Netflix button on an unspecified (looks like Toshiba to us) remote and compared the "consternation" over its success to the rise of Fox as a broadcast network two decades ago. We'll hop on the earnings call in a few minutes for more details, check after the break for more of the details.
Netflix pulling 'add to DVD queue' from Watch Instantly devices, planning new Facebook integration
As if we didn't already know how inclined Netflix is to tweaking its services on the fly the company recently announced on its blog a few new developments that could be of interest to customers. Most recently, Director of Product Management Jamie Odell chimed in to inform that users will no longer be able to add movies to their DVD queue from streaming devices. As far as we know, the functionality has only been available on a few platforms, but if you're apt to do all or most of your queue management then it could be an issue, if you only use the website then everything will be the same. Also recently announced by fellow DoP Tom Willerer was news that Netflix's rarely-functional ability to share ratings over to users Facebook profiles has been officially scrapped with plans to "add new ways for our members to find interesting TV shows and movies to watch based on friends' recommendations" in coming months (guess that's someone's new job) -- no word on any potential Farmville or MyTowns plugins but we're figuring that's in the works.
Netflix 'one click' remote button coming to nearly every device it streams to
We got a hint of this when Boxee announced one, but it's clear now that Netflix's plans are much larger as many of its hardware partners including Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba, Dynex, Haier, Memorex, Iomega and Roku will also offer one-touch Netflix buttons on remotes for TVs, Blu-ray players and media streamers. It's pretty obvious, Netflix Watch Instantly is a killer app for any connected TV platform at this point and one of the most used features, making access quicker and easier is a no-brainer.
Netflix: 'we're going to continue our international expansion next year'
Three months after Netflix invaded Canada with a bizarre combination of paid actors and $8 instant streaming plans, CEO Reed Hastings the company has declared the move a success and says it will expand its service to other countries in 2011. "Based on the early success of Netflix.ca we're going to continue our international expansion next year and we're going to allocate significant dollars to it," spokesman Steve Swasey told The Canadian Press, without specifying which territories or how many might be blanketed with Albanian soldiers next. However, Canadians and others hoping to get an experience completely on par with the original US service shouldn't hold their breath, as Swasey says there are no plans to establish a movie queue for the streaming-only service, calling it a "strategic decision." Update: The above quotes were attributed to Netflix's Steve Swasey, not CEO Reed Hastings. Our bad.
Netflix adds streaming content for Canadians including The Kids in the Hall
Forget any press conference shenanigans, the real problem for many Canadian subscribers to Netflix Watch Instantly since its launch has been a lack of content, a problem that should be eased slightly by today's news it has reached a licensing deal with CBC and FremantleMedia Enterprises, and extended existing deals with New Video, Maple and Sony. That means there's lots of new content available now and arriving soon on the service, consisting of TV shows like The Tudors, Saturday Night Live, Weeds and The Kids in the Hall, check the press release after the break for more details.
Netflix licenses even more TV for streaming from ABC/Disney
We're not sure if Netflix ended up paying the $100,000 per episode it was rumored to be offering to put new TV shows on Watch Instantly, but it has reached a new deal with Disney-ABC Television Group that keeps episodes of shows like Lost on the streaming service while also adding new ones. The delay time for adding new episodes is at least 15 days for new programming so keep that ABC.com / Hulu bookmark handy if streaming video is your viewing method of choice, but with every single episode of older favorites like Scrubs, Ugly Betty and Reaper due up in 2011, plus expanded offerings from Disney Channel and ABC Family including Greek and the High School Musical / Camp Rock series of movies we're sure everyone can find something to watch in the meantime. ABC/Disney has been down with Netflix streaming since early on, not to mention 99-cent TV sales/rentals, whether the rumored popularity of cord cutting is true or not, it seems both companies have found a balance they can agree upon for now, check the press release after the break for more details on what's available and when.
Google TV receiving an updated Netflix app?
One of the many gripes about Google TV so far has been the ancient version of Netflix's Watch Instantly app it shipped with, but Scott Greczkowski from Satellite Guys appears to be the first to receive a new version on his Logitech Revue. Pictured above, it seems to reflect one of the (many) versions of the PS3 Netflix app, with queue management and search functions available. Android Central notes that the last update arrived less than a week after the date of the build and this one is marked November 22 so hopefully it should arrive any day now, until then check out the video (embedded after the break) or more pics at the source link.
FCC looking into Comcast / Netflix blocking threat, Level 3 responds as analysts chime in
News that Comcast had threatened to block internet backbone Level 3, which is one of the companies delivering Watch Instantly streams, sent shockwaves through the industry yesterday. Net neutrality advocates geared up for battle, Comcast insisted it was only enforcing the same arrangements other networks abide by while Roger Ebert and the rest of us fretted over Netflix access. Today, Level 3 issued a response to Comcast, claiming it is "distracting from the fundamental issue" which is free use of all content on the internet for its customers. Meanwhile, Multichannel News points out industry analysts say Level 3's claims of traffic discrimination "appear unfounded" while VideoNuze editor Will Richmond supposes Level 3 may have "bid too aggressively for the Netflix business and is now trying to recover." Most damaging to Level 3's argument are its own words from a dispute where it sought financial compensation from Cogent for using too much of its network's bandwidth: "For example, Cogent was sending far more traffic to the Level 3 network than Level 3 was sending to Cogent's network. It is important to keep in mind that traffic received by Level 3 in a peering relationship must be moved across Level 3's network at considerable expense. Simply put, this means that, without paying, Cogent was using far more of Level 3's network, far more of the time, than the reverse. Following our review, we decided that it was unfair for us to be subsidizing Cogent's business." Beyond analyst opinions and posturing the question of whether or not Comcast has the power to set pricing for access to its network, creating the toll road Level 3 is accusing it of being, is still at issue. That will certainly come into play at the FCC, where chairman Julius Genachowski mentioned at today's meeting that the agency is looking into Level 3's claims at the same time it continues to review the joining of Comcast and NBC. As far as your Netflix streams? Safe for now, though the company isn't commenting, Level 3 isn't the only provider it relies on for access and how any deal it might reach with Comcast could affect the service is still unclear. Update: Comcast has issued its own salvo of PR, including a video meant to breakdown exactly what internet peering is and what it wants to charge Level 3 for, 10 of its own facts about what it is, and is not doing, and a copy of the letter it's sent to the FCC about the issue. You can them all out in full after the break.
Comcast, Level 3 Communications square off over video streaming, network neutrality principles
According to networking company Level 3 Communications, Comcast just couldn't wait for its NBC deal to go through before getting all jerky with the access to online video, telling Level 3 on November 19th that it would need to pay a fee to deliver video to Comcast customers. Level 3 delivers videos from many companies over its networks, but the timing is particularly notable since on November 11th it signed up bandwidth-chewing Netflix as a major customer. While this sounds like exactly the kind of anti-net neutrality nonsense that makes us want to crank some OK Go, Comcast has responded saying it's doing no such thing, and it's actually Level 3 seeking a competitive advantage by suddenly sending far more information onto Comcast's network than it accepts. The cable company goes on to claim this situation is no different than its existing deals with Level 3's competitors, and that as long as traffic remains in balance it is willing to allow access settlement free, but if they want to push their growth (read: Netflix) onto Comcast's pipes, they'll have to pay up. We'll wait and see if this is all just a simple negotiating ploy or a true strike in the battle over net neutrality, but you may still want to get a refresher course on exactly what net neutrality is all about from our friend Tim Wu just in case.
Netflix executive reveals the method behind its multiple PS3 UI madness
Netflix doesn't make a move without testing things out first, which is evidenced by the many variations seen in its recently unveiled Watch Instantly interface for the PlayStation 3, pricing and even website redesigns. Chief Product Officer Neil Hunt opened up about the company's methodology in an answer on Quora, revealing it is currently delivering three different UIs for the PS3 and that testing often indicates simplicity trumps completeness. The idea is to find out more about people's tastes and how quickly they discover information as elements are moved around, though as proud as they are, we'd still prefer some choice in the matter instead of rolling the dice every time we load the service.
The Complete Metropolis Blu-ray delayed one week, available now on Netflix streaming
One item not on our list of weekly Blu-ray releases is the much anticipated The Complete Metropolis, which Blu-ray.com informs has been delayed due to region coding issues. Interestingly, the pushback hasn't stopped an HD stream of the new version with 25 minutes of recently recovered footage from popping up on Netflix today so if you just have to see this classic silent flick from 1927 in its entirety, Watch Instantly has your back. The discs aren't available yet so the special features will have to wait, but at least it's an option.
Netflix headed to 'select Android devices' early next year
Netflix has always been something of a fickle beast, lavishing treats upon just one platform at a time, but now that iOS, Windows Phone 7 and every game console under the sun are streaming its video, the firm's finally turned its gaze on Android. Come early 2011, Netflix will appear on "select Android devices," according to the company's official blog, which also promises a "standard, platform-wide solution" for Android in the unspecified future. What took so long, and why will Netflix be limited to particular handsets when it first rolls out? "The hurdle has been the lack of a generic and complete platform security and content protection mechanism available for Android," says the blog, stating piracy concerns. Apparently content holders aren't too keen on making movies available unless devices have DRM baked right in, so the solution is equip new phones with padlocks one at a time. Expect next year's high-end Android devices to have "Netflix" as a nice big bullet point. [Thanks, Connor B.]
Windows Phone 7, Canadian Xbox 360s get Netflix streaming today
Microsoft may have missed out on being the first to stream Netflix in 1080p with surround sound, but it's still improving access to the service with a new app for Windows Phone 7 arriving on the same day a dashboard update brings Watch Instantly access to Xbox 360-owning Canadians. The free app should be easily found in the Marketplace Video Store, but just in case you don't have an HTC Surround or similar device in your immediate vicinity check out this demo from March embedded after the break.
Yamaha brings Netflix, Blockbuster and YouTube access to BD-A1000 'universal Blu-ray player'
Calling this thing a "universal Blu-ray player" seems a bit disingenuous (at least compared to models that have used that moniker in the past), but there's no question that Yamaha's latest does a good bit more than simply play back your newest Blu-ray Disc. The BD-A1000 offers 1080p playback via HDMI, component outputs, coaxial / Toslink digital audio ports, an RS-232C control socket and an Ethernet port, but unlike many BD decks, you'll also find a pair of USB ports (one on the front, one on the rear). Moreover, this guy can tune into Netflix, Blockbuster and YouTube without any fancy software hacks, and as expected, it'll handle BD-Live and BonusView content as well. Too bad that $699.95 MSRP is bound to scare just about everyone away. %Gallery-106371%
Western Digital stuffs 1TB HDD into Live Hub networked media streamer
WD's no stranger to the media streaming game, but things apparently just got serious. Gone is the My Book-esque design that has been used on all of the units prior, and in is a sleeker, sexier box that's quite clearly designed to slip right on top of your existing cable set-top. The WD TV Live Hub is easily Western Digital's most feature-packed streamer yet, with a 1TB HDD within for storing who knows what locally. There's also an Ethernet socket for pulling down content via the web or your local network, and a pair of USB ports allow for storage expansion or transfers. Naturally, it'll handle Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, Blockbuster on Demand and UPnP / DLNA streaming to your favorite game console, but the lack of inbuilt WiFi (it's available via an optional adapter) puts a mild damper on an otherwise fantastic sounding product. It's available immediately around the globe, with Americans able to snag one for $199.99 directly from WD or at Best Buy. Update: Looks as if Desktop Review has a lengthy review on this guy, along with a slew of user interface shots. The botto line? It's the best player yet from the company, though the price tag did present a bit of sadness. Hit it up for the full skinny. %Gallery-105974%
Netflix testing $7.99 and $8.99 streaming-only plans in US right now, one is not a discount (update)
When CEO Reed Hastings called Netflix "primarily a streaming company that also offers DVD-by-mail," he wasn't messing around, as the company's quietly made streaming-only plans a reality on US shores. Strangely enough, however, it seems the firm hasn't quite decided how much the new plan should cost, as depending on which computer and web browser you use to navigate Netflix's website you'll see a different result. Our Windows desktop running Chrome was invited to sign up for the same $7.99 disc-less plan as our Canadian counterparts, while Firefox asked us to pay $8.99 for the same privilege, and in either case it'd cost us $9.99 in total if we wanted physical discs as well -- while a MacBook Pro on the other side of the country was given the choice between $8.99 for streaming-only or Netflix's previous plan of $8.99 for both. In short, there's a chance you might get a $1 discount if you only use the company's online service now, but if you like DVDs delivered to your door you may find yourself subsidizing those who don't. See a picture illustrating the discrepancy right after the break. Update: We've got Netflix's entire pricing breakdown for DVD-mailer plans after the break, and unless we're mistaken, the three cheapest tiers all cost an extra dollar now, while the more expensive plans stay the same. [Thanks, Michael S.]
Netflix 'now primarily a streaming company,' could offer DVD-less plan this year
It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating Netflix's 2 billionth disc sent, but in announcing the company's Q4 financial results, CEO Reed Hastings called his baby "primarily a streaming company that also offers DVD-by-mail." Other notes include an indication that a streaming only plan for US customers, mirroring its offering in Canada, currently in limited testing could become widely available later in the fourth quarter of this year, with a potential that "pure streaming" could become the core package for Netflix going forward while DVDs might require a premium service charge like Blu-ray does now. So what comes next? If all goes according to plan, expansion beyond North America in late 2011, continuing to add more streaming content and improving the UI on other devices.
