Apr 22
While it may not be quite the total overhaul some were hoping for, Netflix has just released a not-quite-major but definitely more convenient update to its iOS app. More »
Apr 22
Netflix added 3 million subscribers worldwide in Q1, will offer a 4-stream $11.99 plan
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Netflix has reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2013, and in that period it’s added over 3 million customers worldwide. Domestically it added 2.03 million customers alone, pushing its total number over 30 million (including trial users) in the US. That means it’s passed HBO in paying subscribers for the first time ever, while notching $2.69 million in net profits on $1.02 billion in revenue for the quarter. Internationally there were over a million new sign-ups and it’s planning to launch in a new European market during the second half of this year, which we should hear more about on its Q2 earnings call in July.
One change all users will notice is to its package of streaming plans, as CEO Reed Hastings mentioned an $11.99 per month option is incoming that will allow subscribers to stream as many as four videos simultaneously, up from the current official limit of two. There’s some question over whether Netflix will begin to crack down harder on account sharing, but Hastings claims he expects less than one percent of users to opt for the new plan. The company is also continuing to test the personalized profiles we got a peek at during CES, and expects to roll them out “in the coming months.” Another major note is that as it expands its suite of original content, it’s shifting focus away from some of existing “bulk, nonexclusive” licensing deals and will let a major one from Viacom expire in May. Specifically referenced is content from Nickelodeon, MTV and BET, although it’s negotiating for access to particular shows. In the future, its preferred option will be exclusive deals with the studios that produce the shows, like the one it announced earlier this year with Warner. Check after the break for a few more details, including updates on the progress of some of its original series.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Apr 22
Netflix has released an update to its iOS app, bringing a few subtle design tweaks in addition to a feature that wasn’t available in version 3.0. Along with a redesigned audio menu and subtitle selector, the refreshed app includes a button for switching episodes within a series while an episode is playing. This is an essential feature if you, like us, occasionally forget where you left off in sagas like The West Wing. Check it out via the source link.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Software, HD
Source: iTunes
Apr 21
Last month we heard that Amazon Studios was moving in to the production of original content, which would bring it at par with its rivals such as Netflix and Hulu. They have now started streaming all new 14 original series pilots. The way this works is that only those shows will become series whose pilots get enough votes by Amazon Prime members. The pilots are available now and are streaming for free, it is now up to Amazon Prime members to decide which shows the studio will keep on producing. The company has previously said that they believe adding original content will make Prime more enticing for its users, as well as those who’re thinking of being Amazon Prime members.
There are a total of 14 pilots, six for children and eight for adults. Alpha House, Betas, Browsers Dark Minions, Onion News Empire, Supanatural, Those Who Can’t and Zombieland are for adults. For children Annebots, Creative Galaxy, Positively Ozitively, Sara Sovles It, Teeny Tiny Dogs and Tumbleaf are available. As they say, voting is a huge responsibility. Do vote wisely Amazon Prime members!
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Elastic Touchscreen Could Be The Future, Russian Cosmonaut Is Oldest Spacewalker At 59, 
     |
Apr 18
Netflix’s latest original series ‘Hemlock Grove’ is available for streaming
Posted in: Today's Chili 
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
Source: Netflix
Apr 18
Rethinking Netflix’s Design
Posted in: Today's Chili
Design firm YOUi Labs believes that Netflix needs to completely rethink the way it handles its UI if it wants to stay ahead of competition like Redbox. Here’s their imagination at work on what a new Netflix would look like on the iPad. More »
Apr 16
The Daily Roundup for 04.16.2013
Posted in: Today's Chili 
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Apr 16
Those of you who have been using Netflix on your computer instead of a set-top-box or video game console are probably familiar with Microsoft Silverlight as it has been the plugin of choice to be able to stream Netflix videos onto computers for some time now. But it looks as though Netflix’s time with Silverlight will soon be coming to an end as the company is announcing it plans to move on from it to deliver their video content to computer users by way of HTML5.
Netflix has some work to do in order for its service to fully adopt HTML5, primarily support for DRM. The company says it has been collaborating with three W3C initiatives which when combined will offer the kind of functionality Netflix would require for its streaming video services. The combined extensions, dubbed the “HTML 5 Premium Video Extensions,” will allow Netflix to deliver its streams via JavaScript, allow DRM encryption and a third extension that will keep communications secure. (more…)
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Adobe Launching Primetime To Tackle TV Everywhere, South Korea Blames North For TV Stations, Banks Cyberattacks, 
| |
Apr 15
When Microsoft announced that Silverlight would be coming to an end in 2021, it gave companies that utilize the video technology less than a decade to gravitate to an alternative. Perhaps the biggest and most prolific user of Silverlight is Netflix, which takes advantage of its “high-quality streaming experience” for Watch Instantly. Today the company announced that in light of Microsoft’s announcement, it will be switching to HTML5 video.
Netflix talks about the reality of video plugins, making specific mentions of browsers that don’t support them (Internet Explorer in Metro Mode, for example), as well as the security risk using plugins can pose. Moving to HTML5 from Silverlight will take care of these two issues, and will open up the ability to watch instant video via the service on a wider range of devices and browsers.
For now, Netflix is waiting to make the switch on what it calls three “premium video extensions”: Media Source Extensions, Encrypted Media Extensions, and Web Cryptography API. The company says it is working with industry leaders, and that these initiatives will be the solution to current issues with delivering video in the absense of a plugin like Silverlight.
The first iteration of this has been pushed out for the Samsung ARM-based Chromebook, which takes advantage of the Media Source Extensions and Encrypted Media Extensions in Chrome browser to deliver Silverlight-free video content. According to Netflix, Web Cryptography API isn’t in use on the Chromebook yet, instead being replaced with Netflix’s own Pepper Plugin API. The PPAPI plugin will be swapped out with WebCrypto when it is available via Chrome, at which point HTML5 video testing will start for OS X and Windows.
[via Netflix]
Netflix switching to HTML5 video from Silverlight is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Apr 15
Netflix currently uses Microsoft’s Silverlight plugin to run its streams. It’s an inelegant solution that sometimes makes for subpar and bogged down streaming experiences. But Silverlight is possibly dying! And Netflix wants to get better! So Netflix is planning to move on from streaming on Silverlight and move towards HTML5 video. When that happens, streaming movies on Netflix might suck less. More »
Who's in charge here?
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.