Hasta La Gadget!

If you’re still looking for gift ideas for that special someone, Amazon is looking to lend a hand. The online retailer has announced that customers can now give a $79 one-year membership to Prime. Recipients will get an email on the day of the giver’s choosing with instructions on how to get started. For folks in the US, this means unlimited streaming of certain titles from Prime Instant Video on top of a Kindle book each month from the Owners’ Lending Library, Kindle First and free two-day shipping that also come with the annual dues. In a giving mood? Jump down to that first source link below to add 12 months of access to your shopping cart.

Filed under: Internet, Amazon

Comments

CNBC (Twitter)

Source: Amazon (1), (2)

Vizio’s Co-Star hub is still one of the cheapest points of entry into the Google TV world, so it’s comforting to see the set-top box getting an update — albeit somewhat behind Google’s own pace. The previously promised release mostly focuses on giving it the third-generation Google TV interface, including the mini-guide, YouTube pairing and (through a future Android app update) voice-guided search. Viewers on the prowl for more content get a few additional perks through new apps for M-Go and Vudu video streaming, as well as a truly native Amazon Instant Video app. Should Vizio’s tiny media center inhabit your living room, you can expect the upgrade to arrive over the air within the next few weeks.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google, Amazon

Comments

Source: Vizio

Anyone who’s planning to catch up on Downton Abbey on their preferred service may want to plan a viewing marathon very soon: Amazon has struck a deal to become the exclusive home of the period drama on subscription-based streaming video platforms. Starting June 18th, only those Amazon Prime Instant Video members will have access to the third season and beyond on a commercial service without paying per show. The terms don’t stop there — seasons one and two will be pulled from other services later on in the year. While we’re sure Kindle Fire owners will be happy, the move won’t thrill those who want more of a choice as to how they keep up on their pseudo-historical intrigue.

Update: We’ve since gotten in touch with a source near the agreement that supports what The Verge heard: season one will disappear from Netflix on July 1st.

Filed under: Internet, HD, Amazon

Comments

The video streaming arena is only seeing more competition in 2013, and Amazon’s latest attempt to get a leg up is the “Instant Video Finder” feature it just announced it’s beta testing. Similar to the way Netflix and others have attempted to sort movies by more than just the top few genre categories, it sorts flicks by more nuanced definitions like Feel-Good, Nonlinear or Sea Adventure. What categories you see are based on “viewing history for genre, theme, plot, and mood.” So, can an algorithm (and probably some careful categorizing by real human viewers on the back end) solve the problem of “57,000 video on-demand options, but nothing is on”? Hit the source link and try it out yourself.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Amazon

Comments

Via: Amazon (Twitter)

Source: Amazon Instant Video Finder

Truth be told, Amazon’s Prime Instant Video selection isn’t the most comprehensive library on the net, but it’s well on its way, thanks to a new licensing agreement with the Epix. The entertainment network, which partners with studios that include Lionsgate, MGM and Paramount, brings access to recent blockbusters like The Avengers, The Hunger Games and Thor, along with evergreen gems like Justin Bieber Never Say Never. Most importantly, it means Netflix is no longer the only subscription streaming home for those titles after its two year exclusive deal ran out. Amazon’s streaming service, which includes thousands of movies and television shows, enables customers subscribing to Prime for $79 per year to stream content without additional monthly fees, in addition to benefits that include discounted shipping and a Kindle book loan program. The terms of the deal have not been announced, but the press release (available in full after the break) lists the partnership as a “multi-year licensing agreement,” benefiting customers in the US.

Continue reading Amazon joins up with Epix, adds thousands of flicks to Prime Instant Video roster

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Wireless, HD

Amazon joins up with Epix, adds thousands of flicks to Prime Instant Video roster originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 10:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Amazon  | Email this | Comments