Hasta La Gadget!

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…)

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This past weekend, Coachella chose YouTube to be the platform to stream its concerts all over the world, which we’re sure a number of you might have caught, that is, if you weren’t outside enjoying the spring weather. Now that Coachella is over, what better time to make its live-streaming feature available onto its iOS YouTube application than right now.

YouTube for iOS version 1.3 is now live on the App Store which adds a number of improvements such as being able to quickly access new uploads from the “My Subscriptions” feed on the Guide and the ability to queue up videos to play on your TV through the app’s Send to TV feature. But by far, the most exciting addition in today’s update has to be the ability to stream live content to your YouTube app. (more…)

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Roku, the nifty streaming video device that brings a variety of easily-accessible content to your television, just reached its newest milestone: the shipment of its 5 millionth device in the United States. The massively popular device is used to stream what has amounted to billions of hours of TV shows and movies, among other content. As part of its celebration, the company has released an infograph on the evolution of streamed television.

Roku has bragging rights as having offered the first video streaming device for televisions back in the early summer of 2008, with the device first being called the Netflix Player (due to Netflix being the only content platform available at the time). Following this, it was eventually renamed to Roku, gaining both additional content services and, years later, gaming via the addition of Angry Birds.

In addition to Netflix, users now have access to content from Amazon, VUDU, and others, as well as streaming music via Pandora and more. Several different models are available, with one of the device’s elements helping drive sales (besides being awesome) is its low price, starting at only $49.99 for the purple LT version, with more expensive models offering better and additional features.

All of these things have helped propel the small device, which has a diameter a tad larger than the size of your palm, to 5 million shipments in the US. To mark the occasion, Roku has released an infograph that contains the evolution of streaming television as seen from the perspective of its streaming device, starting in 2008 when it was launched to 2013 and its 5 millionth sale.

[via Roku]

Roku hits 5 million players shipped milestone is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

It’s been far too long since Netflix was fullscreen on all Windows Phone devices – this week the app has been updated to include 720p displays for Windows Phone 8. As an added bonus, this update will work for not just Windows Phone 8, but Windows Phone 7.8 devices as well. As Microsoft’s push for a fully-stocked app store continues, big names like Netflix kicks like this are a bit of a high-five on the way up.

As the Netflix app is updated for larger resolution displays, it’s apparent that updates are still needed before this iteration of the video environment is up to snuff with the rest of the smart device universe. You’ll still not be able to get HD video on your Windows Phone 8 device, and though it’s not Netflix’ fault, we’re still not at a place where essentially every new Windows Phone 8 device is able to have its picture output to a larger screen via HDMI.

This update will ring in at 2MB as a download to your device this week. Remember that you’re going to need a Netflix account to take full advantage of the app, but you can still make with a trial period if you like. You’ll get addicted real quick.

Have a peek at the Netflix timeline below to see what else this streaming video giant has been bringing to the universe over the past few weeks. The Netflix app has quickly become one of the must-have apps on every mobile platform over the past few years, right along with Hulu and your everyday collection of YouTube-like apps. Stay up to date!

Netflix app hits 720p on Windows Phone 8 is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Spotify is looking to change things up by adding exclusive video on-demand (VOD) content to its list of services. It wants to compete with the likes of Netflix, Amazon, and HBO, all of which who have their own exclusive video series that help generate revenue and attract subscribers. Spotify hopes that by developing its own original video content or TV series, it can increase its profit margins.

Sources have told Business Insider that Spotify is currently looking for partners to fund its video on-demand content. Right now, Spotify, even with its large list of subscribers, is suffering from extremely thin profit margins. It has been negotiating with music labels to lower their royalty fees so that it can both increase its profits and perhaps add a free music streaming service to mobile devices in the future.

While exclusive video on-demand content would help Spotify generate income (and one it doesn’t have to pay royalty fees for), it does seem out of Spotify’s niche. The VOD content would most likely be live concert footage and video interviews with various artists. Nothing is set it stone however. It would make more sense if Spotify finally brought music videos to its music streaming service.

On another note, Spotify is also looking to expand its subscriber base by finally entering into the world of television marketing. Its set to launch its first commercial today during the season 4 premiere of The Voice. This may be the first time that Spotify has ever aired a television ad in the United States. The company had previously shunned the idea of marketing, but now that it’s so successful, it’s decided to change its tune.

[via Business Insider]

Spotify reportedly plans to add video on-demand service is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.