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DirecTV adds an app store, but compelling reasons to visit remain elusive

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 23rd 2009 at 3:08PM

Confirming the theory that "everything must have an app store" DirecTV has followed the lead of Verizon and launched a central, online-accessible location for subscribers to choose TV Apps which are then downloaded onto their set-top boxes. Currently holding apps including ScoreGuide, weather forecast, Starz On Demand Feature and more the only question remaining -- judging by the cool reaction to the technology so far -- is why? Our friend Dave Zatz points to a subscriber's YouTube video demoing the Flickr browsing experience that has the same performance problems we observed while reviewing Samsung's latest HDTV. From here you can hit the read link to check out what's available, queue up downloads plus view demos from DirecTV or check the user video after the break. While there is surely an effective way to combine TV and the internet, it looks like this implementation isn't it, yet.

[Via Dave Zatz, thanks Longhairbilly]

Continue reading DirecTV adds an app store, but compelling reasons to visit remain elusive

Boxee locks up additional funding, plots route from underground to mainstream

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 12th 2009 at 9:48PM


We're not sure how this affects the zero-dollar revenue goal for 2009, but popular media player software Boxee announced it has closed a $6 million round of financing including a new partner, General Catalyst. We'll let the money men assess value, the key point for users is how this affects the company's plan to take the platform from underground darling to mainstream hit - embedding the software in connected TVs, Blu-ray player, game consoles and set-top boxes. With a Windows alpha release in the bag and latest support from MLB.tv Boxee seems well on the way towards reaching larger audiences, CEO Avner Ronen says to look forward to the beta release this fall, more content deals and extending the App Store and API support. Our advice is to avoid tearing an ACL itself dancing on stage like another recent independent performer turned-mainstream star, what would you like to see from Boxee now that the company has more resources to provide it?

SlingPlayer 1.1 for iPhone promises DISH integration for US, 3G streaming elsewhere (maybe)

by Ross Miller posted Aug 10th 2009 at 6:31PM

As history tells us time and time again, iPhone apps / updates submitted to Apple aren't a sure deal for approval. Still, we can't help but like where SlingPlayer Mobile is going with the recently-submitted version 1.1. In addition to providing true 16:9 widescreen support that stretches across the whole screen, Slingbox owners with DISH Network can now navigate using a touch-supported native browser, instead of pushing through the TV-standard browsing screen being streamed in. That last bit's great for US customers, but it's what the rest of the world might get that has our interests very piqued. The company's submitted a version for use outside of AT&T's homeland that would finally allow for streaming over a 3G connection -- again, not a certainty for approval, but we'll be most interested to see if that one makes its way through the system.

Verizon gives FiOS TV some app store, social media flavor

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 15th 2009 at 9:09AM


Confirming the theory that one day soon everything will have an app store of some kind, Verizon has launched its Widget Bazaar for FiOS TV, dedicated to bringing new interactive experiences to FiOS TV subscribers, starting with Facebook, Twitter, and ESPN Fantasy Football. Don't expect to tap out 140 character missives via remote for now, at launch viewers can only view tweets, not post them or log in to their own accounts, although updating Facebook status and personalized ESPN Fantasy Football info is available. Verizon has promised to publish its SDK to enable "open development" (limited to a select group of developers of course) which should bring many free & for-pay apps to join the current (free) offerings by year-end. Also made official is the addition of searching and viewing video from blip.tv, Dailymotion and Veoh, plus the long awaited ability to stream personal videos from a connected PC, available free of charge to Home Media DVR customers. No word yet on what codecs the updated Home Media Manager software will support for transcoding to MPEG-2 and streaming to the set-top box so keep those MKVs holstered for now and check a few screens of the apps in action in our gallery or a quick video walkthrough embedded after the break.

Update: Verizon let us know it will support FLV, WMV, MPEG-1, AVI, MPG, PM4/M4V, 3GP/3G2

Gallery: Verizon FiOS TV social widgets

Continue reading Verizon gives FiOS TV some app store, social media flavor

AT&T's U-Verse iPhone / iPod touch app launched

by Laura June posted Jun 26th 2009 at 10:03AM

We're pretty big fans of AT&T's U-verse (though, alas, we're not lucky enough to live in an area where we can have it!), and we sort of figured a few days back when the company rolled out some new tweaks to its Total Home DVR that something like this might be on the horizon, and here it is. AT&T's rolled out a free app for the iPhone app store that allows users to access the entire program guide, search for specific shows, and schedule, manage and delete programs and settings. The Mobile Remote Access App -- as it's not-so-creatively called -- sounds like a real winner for those with both U-Verse service and an iPhone... but then, we still communicate primarily with quills and parchment, so what would we know? One more screenshot of the app (plus a video!) after the break.

Continue reading AT&T's U-Verse iPhone / iPod touch app launched

Netflix launches "App Gallery" directory of related apps and websites

by Richard Lawler posted May 15th 2009 at 7:54PM


We know, lots of you use Netflix. Whether your flavor is streaming, Blu-ray or plain old DVD there's something helpful that's been built via the company's API, including queue managers for iPhone or other mobile device, or websites offering a different level of organization for the Watch Instantly directory like InstantWatcher or Flicks-Now and to organize all those bits and pieces it's launched the App Gallery to let users see them and rate which are the best. Take a sec and check it out, there's only a dozen or so items listed so far but we wouldn't be surprised if there's already one that makes your rental experience a little easier.

[Via The Netflix Blog]

Firmware update brings file conversion, iPhone access to HP's MediaSmart ex485 / ex487

by Darren Murph posted Apr 13th 2009 at 12:01AM


HP's MediaSmart Server ex487 (1.5TB) and ex485 (750GB) both received copious amounts of praise when launched late last year, but considering just how many issues the original two had (the ex470 and ex475), it wouldn't take much to best 'em. Today, HP is issuing its second firmware update of the year for the series, but the first ever for the newest duo -- and make no mistake, it's a big one. The v2.5 update adds in loads of new features, far too many to cover in this space, in fact. If you're interested in hearing more, follow us past the break for all the details.

Gallery: Firmware update brings file conversion, iPhone access to HP's MediaSmart ex485 / ex487

Continue reading Firmware update brings file conversion, iPhone access to HP's MediaSmart ex485 / ex487

boxee's App Box and API go live, could come to other hardware soon

by Darren Murph posted Apr 9th 2009 at 9:24AM


Not that there should be any shock surrounding the formal introduction of boxee's App Box and API -- after all, both were teased sufficiently during last month's bleeding edge alpha release -- but we're still thrilled to see things moving along nicely. This week, the open source media platform launched both an API and an application portal, both of which will act to bring all manners of third-party gems to the media browsing world. boxee doesn't plan on being any sort of gatekeeper (at least for now), which hopefully will spur innovation and get more developers interested. In related news, ArsTechnica has also found that boxee is currently in talks with a few big players in the hardware space, essentially hoping to get its 1s and 0s onto game consoles, Blu-ray players and other set-top-boxes. There's no clue as to the whens and wheres, but we suspect this means there will be no dedicated STB in the near future -- for better or worse.

[Via ArsTechnica]

DirecTV's free iPhone app manages 100k downloads in its first week

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 7th 2009 at 8:11PM Breaking News


Shockingly enough, people seem to be interested in the possibility of easily browsing TV schedules and programming their DirecTV DVR from the iPhone / iPod Touch, for free. Available for just one week so far, it's already ticked over 100,000 downloads so yeah, it's popular, our only question is what's next? You've probably checked it out by now, let us know what features need to be changed or added, or just tee off on the fact that your TV or cellphone provider hasn't unveiled a similar setup yet, we're listening.

DirecTV iPhone app now available

by Richard Lawler posted Mar 30th 2009 at 3:21PM Breaking News


All those eagerly anticipating the DirecTV iPhone application, and all its remote scheduling, program browsing capability can download it right now from the App Store. All that's required is iPhone software 2.2.1 or higher; anyone can pick it up to check out channel listings, but you'll need a DirecTV subscription and DirecTV Plus DVR (models R15, R16, R22), DirecTV Plus HD DVR (models HR20, HR21, HR23) or TiVo Series 2 receivers with 6.4a software registered to DirecTV.com to take advantage of the remote scheduling over WiFi, EDGE or 3G. And did we mention that it's free?

DirecTV iPhone application gets previewed

by Darren Murph posted Mar 29th 2009 at 10:23PM


Well, wouldn't you know it -- there is a DirecTV iPhone application. The cats over at DBSTalk have had the privilege of toying with it, and they even assembled a lovely PDF with setup instructions and images of the show search, recording and show cards functionality. For iPhone lovers with DirecTV, there's absolutely no excuse to not check this out. Sadly, we're no closer to figuring out when it'll be available, but we're just relieved to know it'll be here someday.

Mysterious DirecTV iPhone app appears, imaginations run wild

by Darren Murph posted Feb 12th 2009 at 10:52AM Breaking News


You can already control your VUDU queue, home automation system and Netflix account with your iPhone, so really, why not your DirecTV set-top-box? As recent commercials have shown, the satcaster is pretty big on remote scheduling, and while this mysterious DirecTV iPhone app doesn't yet have a public purpose, it doesn't take much thought to conjure up a good guess. Word on the street is that this limited beta hasn't officially opened up for testers yet, but the image above shows otherwise. A staggeringly great Q4, an iPhone app on the horizon -- man, life's good at DirecTV. [Warning: Free subscription required for read link]

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Monsoon brings HAVA Player for Apple's iPhone

by Darren Murph posted Jan 9th 2009 at 3:52AM


Early last year, Monsoon Multimedia announced that the HAVA Mobile Player would be coming to S60 handsets; here at CES, we've learned that the same software is headed to Apple's iPhone. For those unaware, HAVA Player for iPhone allows HAVA customers to view and control their home television and services, including satellite and TiVo, from anywhere in the world. An on-screen remote enables users to change channels, browse the EPG and pause / view recorded shows from most any cable / satellite DVR in real time. Furthermore, iPhone users can also export their HAVA DVR recordings to iTunes (pictured after the break) to watch later, but those looking to take advantage will have to wait until sometime next quarter. Ah well, at least it'll be free. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Monsoon brings HAVA Player for Apple's iPhone

SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone demoed on video, coming in Q1

by Darren Murph posted Jan 7th 2009 at 1:40PM


No surprises here, but Sling Media has created a new SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone portal on its website in order to accomplish two important tasks. 1) To announce that it will indeed be submitted to Apple for certification this quarter and 2) to show off a new video of the software in action. If you just can't wait, head to the read link and mash play.

SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone, SlingPlayer for Mac HD make debuts

by Darren Murph posted Jan 6th 2009 at 12:00AM


Remember that proof-of-concept you saw way back in June of last year? You know, that one involving SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone? Here at Macworld, Sling Media is doing its darnedest to take the spotlight away from the looming Apple keynote by announcing that said app is almost ready for consumption. It'll be demonstrating a functional version in San Francisco, and it's planning to submit the software to Apple for certification sometime this quarter. In case you couldn't care less, it'll also unveil a prototype SlingPlayer for Mac HD, which will enable Mac-using Slingbox PRO-HD owners to stream high-def material to their Mac. As for the good stuff, pricing has yet to be determined for the SlingPlayer iPhone app, but the SlingPlayer for Mac HD will be made available gratis. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone, SlingPlayer for Mac HD make debuts





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