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Discovery+ is the latest streaming service to land on Comcast Xfinity set-top boxes
It's available on Flex now, and it's coming to X1 boxes soon.
Disney+ and ESPN+ are coming to Comcast Xfinity set-top boxes
Both services should be available to all X1 and Flex subscribers in the coming weeks.
Vudu has arrived on Amazon's Fire TV platform
Now Amazon Fire TV users can rent or buy videos from Vudu.
BMW will offer fully electric versions of the 5 Series, 7 Series and X1
BMW has a mixed electric history, as it pioneered the sector with pure EV models like the i3 and i8, then decided to focus on plug-in hybrids instead. Now, in a major revamp of its lineup, the automaker has announced that it will offer fully electric versions of its mainstream 5 Series, 7 Series and X1 vehicles.
Comcast brings Hulu to its cable and streaming boxes
Comcast has already relaxed some of its policies -- like suspending data caps and making Xfinity WiFi free for 60 days -- for people stuck at home due to the coronavirus. Now, Comcast wants to provide customers with more content to watch while they're social distancing. Today, it's bringing Hulu to Xfinity Flex, and the streaming app will arrive on X1 soon.
Comcast customers can now play Amazon Music on their TVs
Comcast users will soon be able to access their Amazon Music playlists with their voice remote. The cable company announced today that the streaming music service will be integrated with Xfinity's X1 and Flex platforms and will roll out over the next few weeks.
Comcast launches Xfinity Flex internet streaming TV
Comcast's latest bundle isn't a cable TV service, exactly, since it's aimed at the increasing number of subscribers who only have internet. Xfinity Flex will tie together paid internet video services as well as free ad-supported options in what VP Matt Strauss called a "unified experience, similar to what we've done on X1." Xfinity Flex costs $5 per month (in addition to the internet service customers already have) for access and comes with a 4K and HDR-ready wireless set-top box with an X1 voice remote. It's scheduled to launch March 26th, and will be available to customers who have Comcast internet.
YouTube 4K support arrives on Comcast X1 boxes
If you have a compatible Comcast Xfinity X1 setup, you might be pleased to learn you can watch YouTube videos in 4K resolution through your cable box starting today. Netflix and (as of this month) Amazon Prime Video were already available on X1 in 4K, so it's nice to see support for ultra high-resolution on YouTube, which has a large library of 4K videos.
Comcast's X1 boxes get Amazon Prime Video this week
As promised, Amazon Prime is becoming available this week on Comcast's X1 platform, joining other third-party streaming services like Netflix and YouTube. Beyond just having access to the app, that means content on Amazon is now searchable through the X1 UI, and with voice commands delivered via its remote. Comcast executive VP Matt Strauss told Engadget that X1 handles more than 8 billion voice commands per year, and it's number one platform for Netflix consumption among Comcast customers. Even with cord-cutting and ways people can stream via apps in their TVs, set-top boxes or dongles, being able to get to Amazon Prime without switching remotes or inputs should make everything a lot simpler. X1 integration also means it can snap together content that's available across both streaming services like Amazon and current seasons on live TV or Comcast's video on-demand. According to Amazon VP Greg Hart, expanding onto these Comcast boxes was a natural evolution, with Prime Video already available on many set-top boxes around the world. This way, customers can launch into series like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or Jack Ryan directly from the guide, or open the app just by saying "Amazon Prime Video." Unlike Netflix, there's no billing integration between Amazon and Comcast, but it should be easy to link as long as you're a Prime customer and if you have the right hardware, then, like Netflix, 4K will be available. Plus, it's arriving just in time for you to watch It's A Wonderful Life, which is an Amazon Prime exclusive. There won't be a beta rollout or anything, although it may take a few days for the app to reach everyone's boxes.
Comcast's X1 set-top box helps you buy concert tickets
Comcast isn't stopping at offering movie tickets through the X1. It's using Ticketmaster's platform to sell Kelly Clarkson tickets with the help of its set-top box. Say "Kelly Clarkson Tour" to the remote and you'll go to a promo screen that will show you nearby concert dates and start the ticket purchasing process if you just have to see a show. Unfortunately, you can't complete the purchase on your TV -- you'll instead receive a text code on your phone that you use to finish the process. Still, it might be easier to browse on the big screen if you've already been curled up on the couch.
Comcast and Fandango try selling movie tickets through X1
The latest wrinkle for Comcast's X1 platform is an ability to kick-start the movie ticket purchasing process from your voice remote. A link with (NBCUniversal-owned) Fandango means that after pulling up the Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom trailer on your TV, if you say "get tickets" or hit the info button it can pull up show times at local theaters, although actually buying them requires completing the process on Fandango's mobile app or website. Comcast VP Nancy Spears said in a statement that "Xfinity X1 enables us to continually explore one-of-a-kind experiences that complement the TV viewing experience, allowing viewers to interact with content where and when it is convenient for them. We're launching this experience starting with Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom in conjunction with the film's trailer and look forward to further enhancing additional movie titles with this functionality throughout the year." Even if it's limited just to corporate partners, the list of eligible movies could grow if Comcast manages to pull off a purchase of Fox's assets, and for Fandango it follows a similar integration with Instagram. Whether or not that happens, the interactive element could be the start of a trend as the cable company tries to find more ways to increase revenue from the customers who still have pay-TV at home. While we're usually heading to YouTube for our trailer viewing, the boxes already have a YouTube app (and Netflix of course) trying to keep viewers in the ecosystem as much as possible. For the new Jurassic Park flick, it's pulling together a curated selection of videos accessible by saying the title into your voice remote that has the previous films plus clips and trailers.
Comcast is bundling Netflix into cable packages
It may sound strange at first, but the latest option in Comcast's Xfinity cable bundle is... Netflix. Despite their differences, the two have forged a partnership lately, with the Netflix app included on Comcast's X1 platform since 2016 (with access by voice, universal search and recommendations) and already available as an add-on through customer's cable bills. Comcast wasn't specific about the "new and innovative" offers it will roll out, saying they will vary by market and are available to both new and existing customers. No matter how customers pay for or access Netflix streaming, though, it still counts as part of their 1TB data cap.
Comcast brings Jackbox's Party Packs to X1 set-top boxes
Comcast is rolling out some new gaming options for its X1 set-top box users. Multichannel News reports that Jackbox Games has begun to show up on X1 this month with two gaming packages being offered. Jackbox Party Packs 3 and 4 are available for $25 each and include games like Quiplash, Trivia Murder Party, Fibbage and Monster Seeking Monster.
TiVo sues Comcast again over alleged patent infringement
Though TiVo and Comcast just wrapped up a round of patent infringement litigation, TiVo's looking for another go. Yesterday, it filed lawsuits in California and Massachusetts alleging that Comcast's X1 set-top boxes are infringing on no less than eight of its patents. "Through decades-long investment in research and development, Rovi has created innovations that delight consumers in their day-to-day entertainment experience. Our commitment to our customers and stockholders compels us to protect these valuable inventions from unlicensed use," TiVo CEO Enrique Rodriguez said in a statement. TiVo was acquired by Rovi in 2016. The merged companies took the more recognizable name TiVo and at joining, they together held over 6,000 patents.
Comcast cable service goes box-free on LG TVs in early 2018
Comcast has already started offering access to Xfinity TV without a set-top box, but your choice of TVs has been limited -- we hope you like Samsung. However, you're about to have a wider selection. LG's 2017 and 2018 televisions will have access to Xfinity TV directly through the set once a beta app arrives in early 2018. You'll get the same X1 guide as well as access to live and on-demand programming (including your cloud DVR), just without the hassle and cost of extra equipment. Logically, it'll start with 2017 4K sets before moving to the as yet unannounced 2018 hardware.
YouTube meets cable on Comcast's X1 boxes
Last year Comcast plugged Netflix streaming into the X1 setup and starting today it's rolling out YouTube access nationwide. Just as the company announced earlier this year, the service's videos will be available via the YouTube app, or in Comcast's video on-demand section. According to YouTube exec Robert Kyncl, "The living room is YouTube's fastest growing platform. We are excited to supercharge our distribution there and bring Xfinity X1 users a seamless way to consume all of the content they love. Voice is a key enabler to discovery and we are looking forward to bringing it to Xfinity X1 users."
CBS, Comcast deal brings fantasy football to your cable box
We've seen a few attempts to put fantasy football on TV screens over the years, but despite the game's increasing popularity none have really made an impact (we never did see more fantasy leagues appear for the Xbox One). Now CBS has struck a deal with Comcast to integrate its game with the X1 platform. That's not particularly helpful if you use a different TV setup or have a fantasy league on a different platform, but those are the breaks. If you do have the right combination of circumstances, however, you can keep track of your dominating victory/crushing loss in real time without looking away from the game.
Comcast's new sports guide makes it easier to find games and scores
Comcast has made some useful tweaks to its sports guide for X1 on set-top boxes and the Xfinity Stream App just in time for the NFL preseason. On X1, the top of the sports guide now has landing pages for every major league and sport including soccer, tennis and even cricket. And live scores of ongoing games will appear just below. Comcast has also made it simple to jump into any game that's currently on, preview upcoming games and get stats and analyses via the Sports App. Like X1, the Xfinity Stream App is also now sorted by league with ongoing games and upcoming game schedules easier to get to.