Netflix spins DVD-by-mail service off into Qwikster, says it’s ‘done’ with price changes (video)

Over on Netflix’s official blog, company head Reed Hastings has announced in a surprisingly humble blog post and video (embedded after the break) that it’s splitting the DVD-by-mail business away into a new venture dubbed Qwikster. While the recent price changes already split the cost for each service, when this takes effect in a few weeks it will result in two different websites, two different sets of movie ratings and queues, and two different charges on customer’s bills. He admits two separate sites may make it more difficult to manage a presence on both, but says dropping the need for compatibility between the two will enable new features to balance that out. Another change? Netflix Qwikster (is there anything good about that name?) is getting into video game rentals, available for an extra charge similar to the existing Blu-ray disc option.

While the blog post blames a lack of communication for much of the backlash (and obviously cancellations), it’s about to become very clear that Netflix is “primarily a streaming company.” Also mentioned is “substantial” additional streaming content coming in the next few months. Whatever the company calls itself, charges, or changes on its website, if Netflix wants to talk its way back into subscriber’s good graces, starting with something new to watch is the way to do it.

Continue reading Netflix spins DVD-by-mail service off into Qwikster, says it’s ‘done’ with price changes (video)

Netflix spins DVD-by-mail service off into Qwikster, says it’s ‘done’ with price changes (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceNetflix Blog, Qwikster  | Email this | Comments

Netflix abruptly yanks unavailable streaming movies from ‘saved’ view

Netflix’s website has suddenly changed (again), removing any queued Watch Instantly titles that aren’t currently available from view. Previously they entered the saved section of the queue, keeping a slot full and occasionally indicating when the movie would be licensed for viewing again. A blog post published after the fact suggests inactive titles on the list made things complicated (but not too complicated for the DVD queue, where the saved list remains), and that while they’re invisible, they’re not deleted and will still reappear when (if) a title is available to stream again. Users hugging the 500-item limit in their queue still have those ghost titles taking up a slot, although we’re told that will be fixed in the next few days.

If you want to see the list again just to go over it or queue them on disc, Hacking Netflix indicates FeedFliks (one of our favorite alternative queue management sites along with InstantWatcher) is still able to show your expired titles — for now. Just a bit of advice for Netflix: If you’re trying to show some appreciation to the millions of customers you expect to stick around through Q3 despite higher prices and an uncertain content licensing future, making arbitrary and unannounced changes to the way we access our data is the wrong way to do it. As it is, we’re forced to wonder if this move is less about streamlining and more about hiding the amount of titles that are going offline lately or in the near future.

Netflix abruptly yanks unavailable streaming movies from ‘saved’ view originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 19:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Hacking Netflix  |  sourceNetflix Blog, FeedFliks  | Email this | Comments

Gogo to bring enhanced WiFi to Virgin America, expands video streaming on American Airlines

Virgin America‘s in-flight perks are getting even perkier. This week, the domestic carrier announced that it’s bringing Gogo’s ATG-4 service aboard its fleet of aircraft, in a move that promises to enhance in-flight WiFi capacity by a factor of four. The upgrade is slated to roll out during the first half of 2012, when the company will begin outfitting its planes with Gogo’s directional antenna, dual-modem and EV-DO Rev. B technologies. But VA isn’t the only airline getting in on the Gogo game, as the in-flight entertainment company announced this week that it’s expanding its new video streaming service to American Airlines, as well. American, as you may recall, became the first airline to test the Gogo Vision service back in August, aboard its fleet of 15 Boeing 767-200 planes. Now, the streaming product is slated to expand to a full 400 of AA’s aircraft, bringing about 200 movies and TV shows to entertainment-starved passengers. Movies will be available for 24 hour rentals, with TV purchases good for a full 72 hours. Unexpired rentals, meanwhile, will still be available once you land and can be accessed with the same browser and device you used aboard the flight. No word on final pricing, though Gogo is extending its introductory offer ($1 per TV show and $4 per movie) through October 15th. Taxi past the break for more details, in a pair of press releases.

Continue reading Gogo to bring enhanced WiFi to Virgin America, expands video streaming on American Airlines

Gogo to bring enhanced WiFi to Virgin America, expands video streaming on American Airlines originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Can Streaming Music Services Survive Freemium?

As a response to Spotify’s successful US launch, MOG and Rdio have both offered freemium versions of their respective streaming music services. They’re scared of losing the war to the Scandinavian invaders. But is it a race to the bottom? More »

Netflix admits it will end up with fewer subscribers than predicted, shrinks DVD-only count

Back in July, after announcing it would decouple unlimited movie streaming from unlimited DVD rentals and charge more to keep both, Netflix predicted it would end up with 25 million subscribers at the end of Q3. This morning it advised investors that prediction has been slashed by 1 million, however most of that shortfall is predicted to come from fewer DVD-only customers than expected, which is expected to come up 800,000 short. While we’ll still have to wait for the actual Q3 results to see how things pan out, the company still claims its projection of 12 million subscribers to both services is right on. While it backtracked on the total numbers, it also outlined its reasoning for raising prices by improving the DVD business, raising more cash to spend on streaming licensing and ultimately “remain price aggressive” and keep its individual offerings at $7.99 each. Much of the kicking and screaming online indicted Netflix’s streaming library for failing to live up to the new price, anyone surprised many cutters seem to be coming from the DVD-only side?

Netflix admits it will end up with fewer subscribers than predicted, shrinks DVD-only count originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 08:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Vita’s Torne app pulls in live TV streams served up from a PS3

Need another reason to be interested in the PlayStation Vita? Sony announced during tonight’s press conference that it will tie in with the only-available-in-Japan Torne DVR adapter (PlayTV in Europe and nonexistent in NA) for the PlayStation 3. Once synced up, it allows users to remotely tune into live TV streams Slingbox-style, browse listings and remotely schedule recordings via an app on the portable device. It should be ready to go at launch, while the ability to export recorded shows to the Vita like one of Monsoon’s boxes will be added later. For now however, we can only look on in envy and hope rumors of a PlayTV 2 eventually come true, and come out here.

PlayStation Vita’s Torne app pulls in live TV streams served up from a PS3 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceJoystiq, AV Watch  | Email this | Comments

JetStreamHD starts shipping, leaves iPad media streaming vapor trails in its wake (video)

With Pogoplug Video out of the picture, Nuvyyo’s JetStreamHD is ready to become your default iPad media streamer. The tower plugs into your router and delivers streaming content like hi-def videos, music and photos from your home network to your Apple tablet. And the free JetSteamHD iPad app makes it easier to sort through your content, while promising the best available resolution for seamless entertainment streaming. The device is shipping now, for a suggested price of $199. Video and PR after the break.

Continue reading JetStreamHD starts shipping, leaves iPad media streaming vapor trails in its wake (video)

JetStreamHD starts shipping, leaves iPad media streaming vapor trails in its wake (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MOG FreePlay brings 11 million songs to the web gratis, makes you work for free tunes

Free? Yeah, we all like free, but when it comes to streaming music, there’s always a catch. This time it’s a FreePlay “tank,” which lets you stream any of MOG’s 11 million songs from the web without subscription fees — well, at least until that looming gauge hits empty. The system adds a rather unique social media twist, filling tanks to different levels based on virtual interactions. And MOG’s CEO says many users should never hit empty — there are a variety of ways to earn free music, such as “interacting with advertisers in meaningful ways.” Like Spotify, MOG’s ultimate goal is to convert freeloaders to paid subscribers, and forking over $5 (Basic) or $10 (Primo) per month does have its benefits, including hardware integration and mobile access — both of which won’t work with the free version. Now that we have several free streaming options, it ultimately comes down to availability — having access to 11 million tracks could be great, but only if you can play the songs you want to listen to. So, do you MOG? And no, we also have no idea what that means, but you can check it out when the site goes live tomorrow morning at 9AM ET.

Continue reading MOG FreePlay brings 11 million songs to the web gratis, makes you work for free tunes

MOG FreePlay brings 11 million songs to the web gratis, makes you work for free tunes originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Row 44 gets major studio support for in-flight VOD platform, can’t match Gogo’s reach

Southwest Airlines passengers now have something better to do on their cross-country jaunts than grip the armrests and pray that the kid behind ’em stops kicking the seat. Row 44 has partnered with Disney, Warner Brothers, Universal and Fox to create an on-demand streaming service for folks who bring their WiFi-enabled devices onboard. You’ll get a variety of archive content to watch as you cruise the friendly skies, including shows like Friends, Glee and The Office as well as big-ticket movies like Harry Potter, Avatar and Inception. The service also offers streaming IPTV, with CNBC, Fox News and NBC Sports on tap initially. Row 44’s market share is paltry compared to Gogo — which has the business of every WiFi-lovin’ airline in America outside of Southwest — but it’s certainly interesting news in light of the latter’s own video endeavors. Mum’s the word on pricing, but we’re told that the new material can be accessed “later this year.”

Continue reading Row 44 gets major studio support for in-flight VOD platform, can’t match Gogo’s reach

Row 44 gets major studio support for in-flight VOD platform, can’t match Gogo’s reach originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceRow 44  | Email this | Comments

Pandora’s song-finding flair comes to Spotify, IHeartRadio via separate initiatives

Ruh roh. That’s the sound emanating from Pandora’s stock price, which has taken a serious beating in the wake of two separate announcements in the past week. First off, Clear Channel and Echo Nest have teamed up to produce a self-proclaimed “Pandora killer,” with a new technology enabling IHeartRadio users to build out customized radio stations right on the app. As you’d expect, folks will be able to construct a custom playlist “based off the selection of a single seed song or artist, both online and on mobile phones,” and it’ll be featured when the app relaunches in beta form this week. In related news, Echo Nest has also concocted a Pandora-esque streaming radio feature for use in the Spotify app; it’s a gem called Echofi, and if you surf down to the source link, you’ll be able to give it a whirl. Type in a single artist, mash go, and watch as Spotify is launched and related music is spun until you decide you’ve heard enough. Here’s to competition… right?

Continue reading Pandora’s song-finding flair comes to Spotify, IHeartRadio via separate initiatives

Pandora’s song-finding flair comes to Spotify, IHeartRadio via separate initiatives originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Wired  |  sourceEchofi, Billboard, IHeartRadio  | Email this | Comments