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Netflix CEO dreams of iPhone, TV, and game console ubiquity

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 22nd 2009 at 5:37AM

When a CEO is asked to dream we shouldn't be surprised when he dreams big. In an Reuters interview with Netflix CEO, Reed Hastings, we learn that Netflix is working in parallel to bring its services to "all the game consoles, all the Blu-ray players, all the Internet TVs." Naturally, he added that the Xbox deal is exclusive for the time being. The company is currently focused on the big screen but "will get to mobile eventually, including the iPhone." And while the streaming business is "booming," he says the DVD business is still growing as well, likely peaking in "5 years or so" with people still doing DVD-by-mail over the next 20 years. Reed then adjusted his monocle and disappeared in a flash of cigar and brick-and-mortar ash.

[Via All Things Digital]

A first hand look at the Netflix Movie Parties on the Xbox 360

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Aug 16th 2009 at 5:49PM



Like any true HD fan would, we took some time out of our crazy busy Friday night to get a group of HD fans together and test out the new Netflix Movie Party feature in the latest Xbox 360 update. At first we thought the idea is kinda cheesy, but we admit that we did actually like it -- when it worked. We're not sure what the cause was, but during the two hour movie, it stopped to re-syncing about 10 times because someone was disconnected and then rejoined. This is way too often, but hard to know if it is because of a bad connection or if the service just isn't ready for prime time. The other problem we experienced was all on us. The movie we watched was way too serious, and most people weren't talking. Honestly it just seems unnatural to talk during a movie, and we have to say that the novelty of avatars and emotes wore off rather quickly. That being said, we'd like to thank everyone who helped us test it out though, as their chit chat during the interruptions ended up being the best part of the experience.

Xbox 360 officially the only console to stream Netflix -- sorry, PS3 and Wii

by Darren Murph posted Aug 11th 2009 at 7:27AM Breaking News


We actually had to brush the fog off of our spectacles to ensure that hazy conditions weren't clouding our comprehension abilities, but sure enough, that Netflix streaming that Xbox LIVE members have grown to love won't ever land on Sony's PlayStation 3 nor on Nintendo's Wii (PlayOn notwithstanding). At the very bottom of Microsoft's long list of details surrounding today's Xbox LIVE update, we're clearly told that the Netflix Watch Instantly integration is now an "exclusive partnership," with Microsoft going so far as to say that the "Xbox 360 will be the only game console to offer this movie-watching experience, available to Xbox LIVE Gold members who are also Netflix unlimited plan subscribers." Of course, we'd heard rumors over the years that Netflix could sashay over to other consoles in due time, but it looks like the suits in Redmond had the foresight to lock things down while they still had a chance. So, are you reconsidering that Xbox 360 purchase, or just looking that much more intently in Roku's direction? Full blurb is after the break.

[Thanks, David]

Continue reading Xbox 360 officially the only console to stream Netflix -- sorry, PS3 and Wii

Xbox 360's new Netflix Movie Parties disabled for Starz Play titles?

by Ross Miller posted Jul 25th 2009 at 4:54AM

Ever get a sinking feeling in your stomach, like it's November 2008 all over again? Yes, just like when Sony Pictures blocked its films from Netflix on Demand for a then-fresh New Xbox Experience update, so too are the early adopters of the new Xbox Live Dashboard update seeing select films excluded from the joys of its group sharing "Movie Parties" mode. Our BFFs at Joystiq have done some preliminary testing on the issue, and it seems the common link is that all guilty videos hail from the Starz Play catalog. In other words, you can all but forget about watching Pineapple Express synchronized with your Xbox 360-toting friends and family thousands of miles away -- for now at least. With any luck, like the previous issue with Sony Pictures, this problem will eventually fix itself, and with any luck, it'll be smooth sailing by the time the Xbox Live Dashboard update is officially pushed out to the masses on August 11th. Video proof of the misdemeanor can be seen after the break.

Continue reading Xbox 360's new Netflix Movie Parties disabled for Starz Play titles?

Xbox Live gets 1080p Zune video store, Netflix browsing, Twitter and Facebook integration

by Nilay Patel posted Jun 1st 2009 at 2:12PM Breaking News


Microsoft is busy announcing a slew of upgrades to Xbox Live, and the biggest news so far is relaunch of the video service, now Zune-branded with 1080p instant-on streaming content in 18 countries. XBL is also now integrated with Facebook -- your Facebook account can be linked to your Gamertag, and games will support Facebook Connect for sharing content online. That's pretty huge -- but if that wasn't enough, you're also getting Twitter and Last.fm in the deal. Want more? Netflix users will now be able to browse the entire catalog instead of simply loading their queue, and Microsoft has also gotten its Party Watch system in order, so you'll be able to heckle videos with your online friends. Last but not least, there's now live TV streaming for UK and Ireland gamers, who'll get Premier League soccer live from Sky. All in all, a solid set of updates for XBL -- but we'll wait and see how that "1080p" video looks before we pronounce Blu-ray dead. PR blurb after the break.

Continue reading Xbox Live gets 1080p Zune video store, Netflix browsing, Twitter and Facebook integration

Sony calmly responds to Microsoft / Netflix streaming gains

by Richard Lawler posted Feb 5th 2009 at 9:13PM

Good thing we didn't think Sony PR was sweating the Microsoft / Netflix joint announcement about cracking 1 million Xbox Live / Watch Instantly users, because we might misinterpret this press release as a sign of desperation. We might just be confused enough to think reinterpreting a lack of access to services and options as a money saving bullet point was questionable, or that pooh poohing video streaming, and then touting the ability to stream online content in consecutive bullet points was a somewhat curious strategy. We'll stop the sarcasm now, mentioning our incredibly slow firmware updates in the face of a cited "study" proving faster PSN download times or pointing out our issues with the PlayStation Video Store would likely be going too far. Check the read link and let the straight-laced fellows over at Joystiq (also to thank for the Quincying picture at right) bring you unfettered, intelligent analysis of these points.

Xbox Live tallies 1 million Netflix Watch Instantly activations, 1.5 billion minutes served

by Richard Lawler posted Feb 5th 2009 at 3:01AM


Bad news first: there might be a bit more competition than you expected for that home theater giveaway. Good luck bringing down Netflix's shooting star though, as if last week's good news train wasn't enough comes news that over a million Xbox Live Gold members have already downloaded and activated the Watch Instantly app since its NXE debut last November. That's more than 10% of Netflix's just announced 9.4 million subscribers who've already watched over 1.5 billion minutes of TV and movies through their consoles. They're not the only ones happy, while streaming may be eating into DVD rentals, Xbox Live Marketplace rentals are up 174 percent year over year. The streaming library is up to 12,000 titles, with a "growing percentage" in high definition, for the rest of the celebratory details check the full PR after the break. Nothing left for us to say but congratulations and hey, if you get a minute, could you fix Nilay's HD streaming on the Xbox? Thanks.

Continue reading Xbox Live tallies 1 million Netflix Watch Instantly activations, 1.5 billion minutes served

Xbox 360 Netflix watchers can win a new home theater

by Richard Lawler posted Feb 3rd 2009 at 6:55AM


If you're one of the many streaming Netflix Watch Instantly videos through your Xbox 360, take a sec and download the special contest gamerpic and get entered to win a brand new home theater system plus Xbox accessories. On Xbox Live and for some reason not already streaming Helvetica in HD? Sign up for the trial, download the gamerpic and enter, if you don't then the only one you're hurting is yourself.

[Via Joystiq Xbox]

Netflix HD streaming shootout goes down at Engadget Classic

by Darren Murph posted Jan 19th 2009 at 11:39AM


This is it, folks -- the shootout you've been waiting for. We've worked with our brethren over at Engadget Classic to assemble an end-all HD Netflix roundup, which pits the BD-P2500, BD300, TiVo HD, Xbox 360 and Roku Netflix Player against one another. We know you're salivating at the thought of it, so rather than just telling you who emerges victorious, we'll point you over and let you dig in yourself.

Columbia Pictures flicks restored to Netflix Instant Watch

by Richard Lawler posted Jan 6th 2009 at 8:21PM


We all remember the terrible tale of NXE-eve, when Superbad, Karate Kid and more went from fully available to not-on-Xbox and in some cases eventually disappeared entirely. Fear not, as whatever the licensing issue was, it appears to have been amicably resolved, sending Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and many of the rest flowing though a series of tubes near you.

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

Netflix proclaims Roku, Xbox Instant Watch streaming problems resolved

by Richard Lawler posted Dec 5th 2008 at 4:26PM


And there was much rejoicing, as Roku and Xbox 360 owners that noticed a distinct lack of clarity in their Instant Watch streams should be seeing much better today. Netflix didn't say which lever was pushed / pulled to achieve the desired result, but thanks to work with "content distribution partners and key carriers" the dreaded one-dot should be long gone. The final report is yours, with boxee users the most recent to logon, anyone still enduring vintage VHS-quality video and lackluster HD, or enyoing the high quality promised land thanks to a newly unclogged series of tubes?

[Via CNET]

Columbia Pictures flicks -- mostly -- back on for Xbox 360 Netflix streaming

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 25th 2008 at 10:29PM


We never got a satisfactory answer for why they disappeared in the first place, but it seems the majority of the Columbia Pictures' movies on Netflix Instant Watch lists suddenly switched to "not available on Xbox 360" are once again open for streaming to all devices. The Karate Kid series, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day and others now stream to Microsoft's box, however Columbia Pictures movies tagged with the "available through Starz Play" logo -- including Bad Boys and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story -- are still out. Hopefully the remaining relevant parties are contacted soon, as Detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett have work to do, but this is a great start.

[Thanks, Hunter!]

Poll: How are you enjoying HD Netflix streaming on the Xbox 360?

by Darren Murph posted Nov 22nd 2008 at 12:00PM


Now that HD Netflix streaming has finally arrived on the Xbox 360, we have no doubts whatsoever that legions of you have already given it a spin. We've heard mixed impressions right out of the gate, but we're hoping some of the first day glitches have worked themselves out by now. At any rate, how has your experience been so far? Are you impressed with the quality? Are there any aspects that could be improved upon? Break off a paragraph or three in comments below.

How are you enjoying HD Netflix streaming on the Xbox 360?

Xbox 360's lack of Sony Pictures films streaming on Netflix "unrelated" to competition

by Laura June posted Nov 20th 2008 at 9:35PM


You probably recall that two days ago, when the new Xbox Experience launched, sadly, about 300 Sony Pictures films were unavailable for Netflix Watch Instantly on NXE, thus quashing your hopes of streaming The Karate Kid series. At the time, it seemed possible that missing titles were due to the fact that Xbox 360 manufacturer Microsoft and Sony are direct competitors. Well, according to a Sony spokesperson, the problem isn't specific to the Xbox, nor is their beef competition-related in any way. Sony also says it is in talks with the several "relevant parties" to work out these vague licensing issues, though there was no word on when the issue would be resolved. We really do hope it's soon because we're dying to see how everything turns out with the Cobra Kai.

[Via Joystiq]

HD Netflix streaming goes live on Xbox 360

by Darren Murph posted Nov 20th 2008 at 7:19PM


For anyone with a Netflix subscription, an Xbox 360 and a broadband internet connection, you probably don't need a reminder that the first glimpse of high-def Netflix streaming launched this week. With the public release of the New Xbox Experience came HD Netflix streaming, and Rachel over at Tom's Guide couldn't wait to give it a rip. Sadly, her initial impressions weren't filled with elation, but that could have something to do with the overload of users tapping in today and her lackluster TWC internet connection. At any rate, we figured we'd give you a heads-up to give it a go if you haven't already, and if you're far away from your console at the moment, hit the read link for a first take.

[Thanks, Caleb]




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