Hasta La Gadget!

Netflix scored a big coup with its semi-exclusive Disney deal late last year, but the newly expanded content didn’t reach everybody in one shot — just ask the British and Irish, who’ve been left high and dry so far. To viewers’ relief, the companies have mended that gap with immediate availability of Disney and Disney-Pixar movies in Ireland and the UK. The initial mix includes not-quite-recent movies like Wall-E as well as back-catalog classics like The Aristocats; the months ahead will see Netflix’ selection catch up slightly by introducing the most recent Pirates of the Caribbean movie, among other titles. Combined with the upcoming additions of some DreamWorks and Marvel movies, the Disney pact should hopefully keep the kids (and, we’ll admit, ourselves) entertained just as the summer is about to start.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD

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Source: Netflix (1), (2)

As most carriers have now moved toward using data caps and effectively got rid of unlimited data plans, it seems there are still some big companies out there that feel bad for the users, ESPN being one of them. The sports media network has reportedly been in talks with at least one major carrier about paying them as a subsidy so that streamed ESPN video wouldn’t count against users’ data caps.

According to the Wall Street Journal, ESPN has been discussing possible solutions for the data cap issue, but the specific carriers that are said to be in talks with ESPN haven’t been disclosed. Essentially, ESPN wants to pay carriers to not have their mobile streaming content count against users monthly data caps, since many data plans only allow for a couple hundred megabytes per month.

If these discussions are true, the possibility of this kind of deal happening would still be up in the air, and they know that. The company says that they’re not sure if the deal would work financially, but at least they’re giving it a try, and it goes to show that not all company’s are evil — some actually want to make life easier, even if that also helps out the company.

However, data caps can also have a direct negative effect on companies like ESPN, where they partially rely on mobile ad revenue. With data caps in place, smartphone users are less likely to stream mobile content knowing that it will obliterate their monthly usage in no time. So, by going to carriers to make a deal like this would not only benefit ESPN, but also ESPN customers.

This kind of deal could also bring in more money for carriers. While they would have to give up a portion of their bandwidth, they would be getting paid by content providers on either a monthly or yearly basis (or possibly just a multi-year contract of sorts). The WSJ reports that both Verizon and AT&T are at least interested in this kind of concept, and it would introduce new sources of revenue without having hike up fees for customers.

SOURCE: Wall Street Journal

ESPN streaming content subsidization: mobile carriers mull partial payment is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Netflix has updated its iOS app today with a couple of new features that are mostly minor, but are said to improve the app’s experience overall. Just as with the web-based version of Netflix and other app versions, the new iOS app now automatically plays the next episode of a TV series after the previous episode ends. The update also includes recommendations that appear after a movie ends.

Both of these features could be a convenient addition to some users, as it encourages binge-watching while you’re away from home. Of course, watching anything more than an episode of a TV show on your iPhone is enough to make your eyes hurt, so we’re guessing that iPad users will most likely get more use of these new features.

The updated app also improves on its second screen options, as well as comes with the usual slew of bug fixes and performance enhancements. These updates were included in the Android app update that was released yesterday. It wasn’t a big update by any means, but iOS users are now getting the bug fixes from yesterday.

The Netflix app is available for free to download, and it’s compatible on pretty much any mobile device. However, you’ll need to pay $8 per month in order to take advantage of the unlimited streaming. The service’s movie options are bit limited, but you can get access to quite a bit of good TV shows and stream them while on the go.

Netflix for iOS update brings auto-play and more recommendations is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

When Slacker launched its big software overhaul in February, many were skeptical that a refresh could bring it back to prominence. Apparently, all that doubt was misguided: Slacker says it’s racked up 6 million new listeners in the past three months, 3.5 million of which are on mobile. They’re more involved, too — there are 100,000 new paying customers, iOS installs have tripled and members of all kinds tune in for an average of 25 percent longer. And did we mention that Slacker may even benefit from the rush? Where some peers face a constant fight to stay above water without enough premium customers, Slacker says both its ad-supported free radio and paid on-demand service are profitable. While there’s no guarantee the company will hold on to those bedazzled new users, it’s good to see renewed competition in a field with fewer and fewer participants.

Filed under: Cellphones, Internet

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Source: Slacker

Remember how TV Guide relaunched its mobile app for iOS last summer? Well the company’s Android app, One-Stop TV, is finally catching up with the iOS version thanks to a complete redesign. The app includes TV Guide’s popular Watchlist feature, a personalized profile which lets you find different ways to watch shows — from sources like TV, on-demand, streaming and DVD. One-Stop TV automatically links to the HBO GO, Hulu Plus, The CW, MAX GO and Crackle apps, allowing you to access shows instantly. Another new feature, New Tonight Trending, provides a “social hot list” of what others are watching. But wait, there’s more! The app gains a heavy dose of social networking integration plus content filtering, curated watchlists (including topics such as celebrities and sports) and original editorial content. Want to try it out? Follow the Play Store link below, then check out the PR after the break.

Filed under: Software, HD, Mobile, Google

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Source: Business Wire, Play Store