Hasta La Gadget!

Vudu’s player for Android launched last year with tablet support, and now a new update lets it work on a limited selection of phones. Newer Samsung handsets, the Nexus 4, HTC One and several other devices round out the list, as the app works for either streaming or downloading movies. It worked without issue on our Nexus 4, however since its UI hasn’t changed from the tablet version some of the buttons were smaller than we’d like. Also, we couldn’t get the video to play in any res beyond SD so it wasn’t the sharpest, but there was a high enough bitrate to make movie-watching enjoyable on the small screen. As usual, the app is free, if you have an account with the VOD / Ultraviolet service hit the Play Store link below to see if works on your hardware of choice.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Mobile

Comments

Source: Google Play, Vudu Blog

ABC dipped its toe into live network TV streaming with the Watch ABC app on the web and iOS earlier this month, and now it’s followed up with a version for Amazon’s Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD tablets. Unfortunately, despite the Amazon Appstore listing it’s still not in Google Play so other Android devices can’t get easy access yet. At launch the press release mentioned Samsung Galaxy hardware will also be supported this summer, but there’s no word beyond that.

Of course, the same location restrictions still apply no matter what platform, with Watch ABC currently available in NYC and Philadelphia only. Through the end of June anyone in those areas can tune into the live streams, however after that it will require authentication with a participating cable or satellite company. Viewing areas will also start to include into other markets throughout the summer and fall based on ABC’s agreements with its affiliates. The Watch strategy has worked well so far for Disney’s cable networks (ABC Family is up next), whether its push to bring live network TV to the internet is spurred by Aereo or Nielsen’s new ratings, we hope more can watch it soon.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD, Amazon

Comments

Source: Amazon

Netflix’s original content assault continues today with the debut of Hemlock Grove, a “supernatural” series directed by Eli Roth. This series takes place in a small Pennsylvania town which has suddenly come down with a bad case of werewolf attacks. Previous releases Lilyhammer and House of Cards chased viewers interested in quirky foreign humor and political drama, respectively, so this series represents a bit of a shift. Later this year, the streaming service will debut Orange is the New Black from Weeds creator Jenji Kohan and the second season of Lilyhammer. Cards is also due for a second season, and sci-fi fans have Sense8 to look forward to in 2014.

We’ll see if its data-based approach to picking series has found another quality option in Hemlock Grove, however early reviews suggest that may not be the case for all viewers. Hitfix’s Alan Sepinwall referred to it as a “streakbuster” between Cards and the upcoming season of Arrested Development, and a New York Times evaluation of the first few eps notes “it barely gets around to telling its story.” Of course, it may just be targeted to viewers with different priorities, who will appreciate its style more than they did, and the company’s algorithms are just waiting to dig those people out of the crowd. Whatever the case, with Netflix’s characteristic all-episodes-at-once release schedule you can power through all 13 episodes and find out for yourself right now.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Comments

Source: Netflix

After a debut this summer, YouTube’s visual refresh hasn’t rolled out to all of its users, but the folks at OMG! Chrome! have stumbled upon a way for you to get in on the action a little early. Simply point Chrome or Firefox to YouTube, open up the browser’s console, enter a line that’ll fiddle with a cookie and you’ll be able to cruise Google’s video service with its fresh coat of paint. To open up your console in Firefox, just punch Control+Shift+K on Windows or Command+Alt+K on a Mac. For Chrome, hit Control+Shift+J on a PC or Alt+Command+J on machines running OS X. Can’t wait to take the new look, which gives Google+ a nod, for a spin? Hit the source link below for the code snippet to get started.

Filed under: Internet, Google

Snag YouTube’s redesign early with a quick browser cookie change originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  OMG! Chrome!  | Email this | Comments

There’s more than a few apps (and even DVRs) that promise to help you find something to watch, but one of the more interesting efforts came from Dijit Media’s NextGuide app for the iPad. It launched its assault on the old grid-style layout last month, and an update rolling out is adding listings for more content from Amazon VOD and Prime streaming, plus support for new gestures like two finger swipe between show cards, pinch to hide and more. The “Your Picks” algorithms that attempt to figure out what else you may like before you do have been tweaked, and it can also pull up more information about any show or movie with saved searches and Wikipedia bio lookups. Hit iTunes to give the free app a shot, and see if this is a push in the right direction for your TV watching experience.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD

NextGuide iPad app continues its fight against boring grids, adds Amazon, gestures and more originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 18:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  iTunes  | Email this | Comments