Sony begins testing faster, more efficient video streaming for PlayStation Store

Sony begins testing faster, more efficient video streaming for PlayStation Store

Video offerings through the PlayStation Store should be getting a bit of an upgrade soon. But, before rolling out a brand new streaming tech to the entire catalog, Sony is beta testing the faster and more adaptive format with select discounted titles. Though the company is being a bit tight-lipped about what exactly the new tech entails, it’s letting anyone who wants to take part in the trial period. Simply log into the store, scroll down to movies and you should see the “beta” section right on the front page. Movies in here will be delivered at a steep discount as a thank you for helping Sony put the more efficient format through its paces. HD films will set you back $1.99, while SD videos are just $0.99. Let us know in the comments if you notice any discernible differences.

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Source: Sony

Soundhalo beta for Android lets us buy concert videos before the show is over

Soundhalo beta for Android lets fans buy concert videos before the show is over

The urge to record video at a concert can be distracting for fans and musicians alike — enough so that some bands now forbid it altogether. Soundhalo’s new media service and Android beta might just keep both sides happy, as long as they’ve got the money to spend. The platform lets a backstage team make audio and video available for purchase from the app, as soon as a song is done; theoretically, you can start a replay before you’ve left the front row. Downloadable copies are DRM-free, and concert-goers can always grab tracks again from the app or the web. Soundhalo is still working on an iOS release, but Android users who’ve been to Alt-J’s recent Brixton shows (or just missed out) can already relive the memories at about $1.50 a pop.

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Via: The Guardian

Source: Soundhalo

Mixed messages on Nexus Q support suggest Google doesn’t know what to do with it, either

Mixed messages on Nexus Q support suggest Google doesn't know what to do with it, either

Yesterday there was some pretty damning news for owners of Google’s Nexus Q musical orb: the device isn’t supported in the current version of the its Play Music app. This much is undoubtedly true, and verified by many owners. What’s less clear, however, is whether this really is the end of the road. All the signs may be there, but some readers have forwarded us emails received from Google Play Support advising that a fix for Nexus Q streaming is definitely on the way. We contacted Google directly, but it was unable to give an official statement on the issue. We were simply told that the developer product never made it to commercial release, and as such the company can’t promise either way. Mountain View isn’t shy about shuttering much-loved services, so Nexus Q owners might take a small amount of solace from this current ambiguity, at least enough to delay taking matters into their own hands.

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Amazon lands Prime Instant Video exclusives for five NBCUniversal shows

Amazon lands Prime Instant Video exclusives for five NBCUniversal shows

Amazon is still determined to snag every TV exclusive possible, and it just scored one of its better deals — or at least, one of the more forward-thinking. It now has the sole unlimited subscription streaming rights to the previous seasons of five NBCUniversal shows. The highlight could be Hannibal, which will reach the service later this year; gamers may also like the crossover SyFy series Defiance, which should be ready in early 2014. Those who just can’t wait to stream something will get their fill through exclusives for Covert Affairs, Grimm and Suits, all of which are in the catalog today. Amazon isn’t completely shutting out rivals like Netflix, however: its expanded NBCU deal includes regular deals for Alphas, Eureka, Smash, Warehouse 13 and a collection of children’s shows destined for Kindle FreeTime Unlimited. While we’d prefer that there be as few exclusives as possible, there’s no question that some Prime members will feel better about springing for that $79 yearly fee.

[Thanks, John]

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Source: Amazon

The CW will stream TV shows on Apple TV for free, the day after they air

The CW's TV shows will stream to the Apple TV for free, the day after they air

This week many TV networks are putting on “upfront” where they lay out their content plans for the next year, and The CW President Mark Pedowitz announced it’s bringing full TV episodes streaming to the Apple TV. The CW already has ad supported full episode streaming on several platforms including iOS and Android, Windows 8 and it launched last month on the Xbox 360 (pictured above). Pedowitz indicated the network is working to reach more viewers on more platforms, so Apple TV is probably not the last. In a note to MacRumors The CW confirmed it will mirror the experience on other platforms, with episodes available the day after they air, no cable TV authentication required and supported by advertisements. Les Moonves is president of CBS (which is a part owner of The CW, along with Warner Bros.) and previously remarked on turning down participation in an Apple subscription service funded by advertising revenue. Of course, CBS now does full episode streaming on mobile iOS devices, so we’ll see if this a sign of more changes on the way, although with no release date we don’t know how long we’ll have to wait.

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Via: MacRumors, 9to5Mac

Source: Deadline

YouTube expands Live Streaming feature to more accounts

YouTube began experimenting with live streaming a few years ago, offering it to show a few big events as they happened. In 2010, the feature was expanded a tad to a few networks, with plans to expand it again in the future. It has been a slow process, but the offering is being expanded again, this time to a wider range of users who have “eligible accounts.” Along with the expansion is a tool to give users a thumbs up or down about whether they qualify.

YouTube Live Streaming

In addition to being in good standing, the YouTube channel must have a minimum of one thousand subscribers. The sticking point, however, is that neither of the two alone seem to guarantee that you’ll be granted access to the feature, instead making you eligible to apply for it. Says YouTube, after enabling the Live button, users will gain access to the feature “in the following weeks,” all of which is a rather obtuse explanation of the expansion.

You can find out rather quickly if you meet the requirements by heading into the Account Features page and scrolling to the bottom of the listing. At the end of the list is the “Live” feature with a radio button. If you see a clickable button that says “Enable,” you’ll eligible to apply. If you’re not for whatever reason, such as bad standing or too few subscribers, you’ll see the following instead:

Not eligible

There are three categories in which an account is monitored for good or sub-par standing: Community Guidelines, Copyright Strikes, and Content ID Claims. All three are likewise listed on the Account Features page, each with a radio button and rating next to it. All three radio buttons must display a green light and the phrase “Good Standing.”

YouTube Standing

YouTube specifies the standards for gaining – and remaining – in good standing in its Community Guidelines. If you are granted the live streaming feature, you’ll be able to use any live video stream, with the ability to implement various camera angles, advertisements, slates, and close captioning. The live streams are supported across multiple devices, and can be watched from a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

SOURCE: YouTube


YouTube expands Live Streaming feature to more accounts is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Google Play Music All Access: Android / US-only rollout is just the start

Google Music All Access Android  USonly rollout is just the start

Nearly two years ago to the day, Google introduced Music Beta at I/O 2011. But in reality, it was little more than a gigantic cloud to store 20,000 of your favorite tracks. Despite a plethora of rumors that the search giant would beat Spotify to the punch by launching a subscription-based music service in the United States, we got a digital locker that has done little to distract most listeners from giving Rdio, Pandora, iTunes and other like services at least a piece of their heart. Fast forward to today, and Google’s finally joining the bandwagon… in majorly limited fashion.

Google Music All Access is presently only available for mobile as an Android app, and only to users in the US. Moreover, it costs $9.99 — the exact same sum as practically every one of its rivals. Rivals that have multi-year headstarts in terms of mind and market share. (Yes, it’s $7.99 per month if you sign up prior to June 30th.) Google has landed deals with the same “major labels” as everyone else, but even product manager Paul Joyce affirmed to us here at I/O that All Access doesn’t have access to any exclusives. In a post-keynote meeting with Joyce, he noted that this is only the start for the product. Naturally, Google’s going to do its finest work on its own platform, but it’s certainly odd to see iOS users left out in the cold given Google’s acknowledgement of its importance just minutes earlier.

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Source: Google Play

YouTube live-streaming now available to channels with over 1,000 subscribers

DNP YouTube Live now available to channels with over 1,000 subscribers

Initially, YouTube’s live-streaming service was limited to select partners and special events, but that’s about to change. Starting today, all channels in good standing with over 1,000 subscribers will be able to sign up for this broadcasting option. When using YouTube Live, account holders can insert ads, display multiple camera angles and add closed captions. Meanwhile, viewers can control a broadcast stream’s playback by rewinding and skipping (previously aired content, of course) ahead à la Google Hangouts On Air. To add YouTube Live to your channel, visit your Account Features page and click the “Enable” button in the Live Events section. Google notes that eligible accounts will start gaining access in the coming weeks, which hopefully gives you enough time to save up for a teleprompter.

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Source: YouTube Creators Blog

Google Play Music All Access takes on Spotify with music streaming

We heard rumors during the calm of the storm last night before Google I/O, and now it’s official. Google today announced what they’re calling Google Play Music All Access, which is the company’s own take on music streaming, and they look to take on Spotify and Rdio, which are the two main heavyweights in this category.

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The mobile app looks to have all of the same features that we’ve seen in music streaming subscription services in the past, including personalized recommendations, featured music, and the ability to create radio stations out of the music that you enjoy the most. This gets based on a certain artist or song, similar to how Pandora creates different stations.

While a song is playing, you also have the choices of giving it the thumbs up or thumbs down, as well as the ability to rearrange future songs in the automated playlist, as well as swiping away the songs you don’t want to listen to. Google says that All Access is a music player “without rules,” meaning that you can have be as interactive as you want, or just let it do it’s thing.

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Basically, it’s nothing that we already haven’t seen before in Spotify, Pandora, or Rdio, but there are a few minor features that music enthusiasts may enjoy greatly. Plus, if you’re already deep into the Google ecosystem, this could be a great addition to your app collection. And like Spotify, you can upload your own music to the app and have it appear right along side all the other content. All Access will also be available as a web app for cross-platform enjoyment. As for price, you’re looking at $9.99/month for unlimited access.


Google Play Music All Access takes on Spotify with music streaming is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Time Warner to begin live-streaming TNT and TBS channels starting this summer

Time Warner to begin live streaming TNT and TBS channels starting this summer

Oh, how the times are a-changin’. Hot on the heels of ABC revealing its plans to start streaming live TV in some areas, Time Warner’s now let it be known that it will be taking a similar route with its own TNT and TBS networks. According to the Los Angeles Times, Steve Koonin, head honcho of Turner Entertainment Networks, confirmed these online services are due to kick off this summer and will allow interested streamers to watch content “anytime, anywhere, on multiple devices.” Just don’t go thinking you can join the cord-cutting crowd, as you’ll still need a proper cable subscription to enjoy TBS or TNT on the interwebs.



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Source: Los Angeles Times