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STARZ Streaming Now Offers Spotify Integration[teaser]The video streaming platform now includes access to Spotify tracks from its series and films.[/teaser] STARZ and Spotify have announced the integration of Spotify music into the STARZ streaming platform. With the mingling of both services, STARZ customers can now play back music tracks from select series and films. "Starz is thrilled to share plans to soon integrate Spotify's industry-leading streaming audio capabilities into the STARZ app," said Jeffrey Hirsch, Chief Operating Officer at Starz. "Spotify integration will complement and fortify the STARZ app's appeal for distributors and consumers alike. Boasting great premium content, download capabilities, and wide availability for free use by participating cable, satellite and telco providers and a low monthly price of just $8.99 for direct subscriptions, the STARZ app has burst onto the OTT landscape, quickly become a leading player in the space." With Spotify integration into the STARZ streaming app, users will now gain access to an extensive collection of songs and soundtracks from TV shows like 'Power' and 'Outlander,' and movies like 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens,' 'Annie' and Disney's 'Inside Out.' Spotify Premium users can login and listen to full tracks while Free users can access 30-second track previews. In addition, customers can now save and follow Spotify playlists from directly within the STARZ app. Likewise, Spotify users will be treated to customized STARZ video recommendations based on their Spotify listening preferences. The STARZ streaming service provides access to more than 2,700 titles each month, including STARZ original series like 'Outlander,' 'Power,' 'The Girlfriend Experience,' and the upcoming 'American Gods,' as well as popular movies including 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens.' Likewise, subscribers can also watch content from STARZ sister networks STARZ ENCORE and MOVIEPLEX .The service lets up to four users watch programming simultaneously along with support for virtually unlimited downloads. STARZ streaming is available for Chromecast, Apple TV (4th gen and newer), iPhones and iPads running iOS 7.0 or higher, Google Nexus Player, Sony Android TV, Roku media players and Roku TVs, and most Android phones, tablets and TV devices. Customers can subscribe to the STARZ digital service in-app from their supported devices or through PCs and MACs. Likewise, current STARZ cable and satellite subscribers can also use the app by authenticating their memberships. The service costs $9 per month and new users can receive a free 7 day trial. Source: STARZPosted Wed Dec 14, 2016 at 05:30 AM PST by: -
LG Unveils New Monitor Lineup, Including 32-inch Ultra HD 4K Model with HDR Support[teaser]Two new monitors have been revealed.[/teaser] LG has announced the latest additions to its monitor lineup. The HDR 32-inch Ultra HD 4K Monitor (32UD99) and 34-inch 21:9 UltraWide Mobile Monitor (34UM79M) will both be on display at CES 2017. "As the availability of HDR (high dynamic range) content continues to expand across a wide range of categories, from movies to games, LG is leading the way in bringing this enhancement to desktop monitors," said to Tim Alessi, head of product marketing at LG Electronics USA. "The enhanced picture quality offered by HDR technology is instantly recognizable to even the most casual user, and manufacturers are already pushing this promising technology to its fullest potential. From high-resolution displays compatible with HDR technology, to UltraWide monitors optimized for multitasking and gaming, LG is committed to delivering the most state-of-the-art and premium monitors in the industry today." The 32UD99 features a 32-inch In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel with a resolution of 3840 x 2160. In addition, the display includes high dynamic range support (HDR10 standard) and is capable of displaying over 95 percent of the DCI-P3 color space. A USB Type-C port is integrated as well, allowing users to stream images, charge a connected laptop, and execute data transfers simultaneously, all with a single cable. Likewise, the monitor includes built-in speakers with LG's Rich Bass technology. Meanwhile, the 34UM79M features a 34-inch IPS panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio. In addition, the display is the world’s first Chromecast-enabled multimedia monitor, allowing users to stream movies, music, games, and more from a mobile device directly to the screen. Likewise, the monitor uses LG's Dual Controller Plus feature to enable users to control both a PC and a smartphone/tablet through a single keyboard and mouse. Finally, buyers can also use the LG Mobile+ Monitor app to control many of the display's settings -- such as input, volume, aspect ratio, PBP/PIP, etc. -- remotely. Beyond the new 32UD99 and 34UM79M, LG will also be showcasing its UltraFine 27-inch 5K and UltraFine 21.5-inch 4K monitors, and 34-inch 21:9 UltraWide curved gaming monitor (model 34UC99) at CES. Source: LGPosted Tue Dec 13, 2016 at 05:30 PM PST by: -
Netflix Reveals Trailer for 'Gabriel Iglesias: I'm Sorry For What I Said When I Was Hungry,' Streaming Premiere Set for December 20[teaser]The fluffy comedian will hit the stage on Netflix later this month.[/teaser] Netflix has released a trailer for its upcoming comedy special, 'Gabriel Iglesias: I'm Sorry For What I Said When I Was Hungry'. The show will premiere exclusively through Netflix on December 20. One of the most popular comedians in the world with sell out concerts in over 24 countries, this special marks Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias' Netflix original stand-up comedy debut and sixth comedy special. Watch as Fluffy reflects on his life and more before a sold out house in Chicago, IL. Check out the trailer below! Other upcoming Netflix premieres include 'The OA' on December 16, 'Barry' on December 16, 'Travelers' on December 23, 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' on January 13, 'David Brent: Life on the Road' on February 10, and 'Iron Fist' on March 17. Likewise, the streaming platform is also prepping two new comedy specials from Chris Rock, new seasons of 'Chelsea,' 'Lady Dynamite,' and 'Real Rob,' the second season of 'Stranger Things' for 2017, the third season of 'Bloodline' for 2017, new episodes of the documentary series 'Making a Murderer,' 'Bill Nye Saves the World' for 2017, Marvel's 'The Punisher,' Marvel's 'The Defenders,' a second season of 'Luke Cage,' Spike Lee's 'She's Gotta Have It,' a feature film adaptation of the manga 'Death Note,' the final season of 'Longmire' for 2017, a new series called 'Atypical,' Duncan Jones' 'Mute,' the South Korean disaster film 'Pandora' for 2017, the Scandinavian thriller 'The Rain' for 2018, and a new series based on 'Lost in Space' for 2018. A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 for Ultra HD streaming. Source: NetflixPosted Tue Dec 13, 2016 at 05:00 PM PST by: -
Apple TV Adds Tinder Dating App for Living Room Swiping[teaser]Customers can now swipe for matches on the big screen.[/teaser] Tinder has announced the addition of its popular dating app to the Apple TV app store. Previously available on mobile devices, the app allows customers to swipe through potential dating matches. With Tinder for Apple TV, users can now sign into their profiles and swipe for dating matches on their big screen home theater systems. The new HD experience has been specially designed for the Apple TV and its swipeable remote, allowing the whole household to gather around the couch to offer their input on selecting a date. Once logged in, users can simply: - Click the trackpad to view more details about a profile.- Swipe Left to pass, Swipe Right to like someone, and Super Like by Swiping Up.- Shake the remote to Rewind your swipe if you're a Tinder Plus subscriber. If someone likes you back, the app will let you know that it's a match! With that said, the Apple TV app does not currently support messaging or editing your profile, so you'll still need to access your mobile app to makes changes to your bio or contact any matches. Tinder for Apple TV is now available for download in the app store. The Apple TV is now the first media player to receive Tinder support. Beyond the launch of Tinder, Apple also recently added a single sign-on feature for pay-TV providers on the Apple TV. With the new single sign-on feature, subscribers to supported pay-TV providers and platforms can now sign-in just once on their Apple device to enjoy immediate access to numerous apps that are part of their overarching pay-TV subscription. Source: TinderPosted Tue Dec 13, 2016 at 04:30 PM PST by: -
BBC Worldwide & ITV Prep BritBox Streaming Service for the US[teaser]The upcoming streaming platform will offer a variety of British programming.[/teaser] BBC Worldwide & ITV have announced plans to launch BritBox, a new SVOD service for the US market. The platform will include an extensive digital catalogue of British Content through an ad-free subscription plan. "The BBC and ITV are the two most prolific content producers and broadcasters in British television – both known for their unrivaled, ground-breaking shows," said Ann Sarnoff, President, BBC Worldwide North America. "BritBox will offer a streaming experience like no other, with thousands of hours of programs across a wide variety of genres – some of which will be available right after their UK broadcast. This will be a must-have service for lovers of British television." BritBox will include streaming access to several drama premieres never-before-seen in the US, including 'New Blood,' 'Tutankhamun,' 'The Moonstone,' and 'In The Dark,' along with season premieres of drama favorites like 'Cold Feet' and 'Silent Witness.' In addition, the platform's "Now" category will feature a collection of soaps and shows that will be available as soon as 24 hours after their UK broadcast, including titles like 'Eastenders,' 'Emmerdale,' and 'Holby City.' Likewise, the service will also offer a library of British classics like 'Brideshead Revisited,' 'Pride and Prejudice,' 'Upstairs Downstairs,' 'State of Play,' 'Inspector Morse,' 'Rosemary and Thyme,' 'Keeping Up Appearances,' 'Fawlty Towers' and more. "Britain produces some of the best television in the world and we're delighted to be bringing the creative might of the BBC and ITV together for the first time in this exciting new streaming service for U.S. fans," said Simon Pitts, ITV Managing Director of Online, Pay TV and Interactive. "BritBox will be the best and most comprehensive British streaming service in the U.S.; a rich catalogue of classic, new, and exclusive shows easily accessible to U.S. viewers all in one place. ITV is now a global production and distribution business and this marks the first step in our international ambitions for BritBox." An exact release date and pricing for BritBox have not been announced yet, but the platform is set to launch in Q1 2017. The service will be available through the web, mobile devices (iOS and Android), Roku, Apple TV, and Chromecast. Source: ITVPosted Tue Dec 13, 2016 at 01:30 PM PST by: -
Oppo Details UDP-203 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player, Price Set for $549[teaser]The company's first Ultra HD Blu-ray player is now available for pre-order.[/teaser] Oppo has fully detailed its first Ultra HD Blu-ray player model. The UDP-203 is currently listed for $549, and pre-orders are scheduled to re-open through the company's site on December 16. The player offers support for 4K UHD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD, DVD-Audio, SACD, and CD through a high-precision, well-balanced laser optical disc loader, along with HEVC, H.264, VP9 4K, and Hi10P playback from connected USB hard drives and thumb drives up to 16TB in capacity, and DLNA servers and SMB shares over a local network through built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi or Gigabit Ethernet. In addition, the device features dual HDMI outputs, 7.1 channel analog output, two rear USB 3.0 ports, one front USB 3.0 port, and digital coaxial and optical connections. Likewise, the unit includes HDR and wide color gamut support with HDR10 playback from discs and video files, along with future Dolby Vision support via a firmware upgrade set for early 2017. Under the hood, the UDP-203 incorporates a customized quad-core video decoder/processor and a 32-bit 8-channel DAC from AKM. Finally, the player provides high-res audio playback, including support for AIFF, WAV, ALAC, APE and FLAC, as well as immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It also directly plays Direct-Stream Digital audio files in stereo DSD64/128 or multi-channel DSD64. The Oppo Ultra HD Blu-ray player will now join previously released US consumer Ultra HD Blu-ray players like the Samsung UBD-K8500 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player ($278), Philips BDP7501 Ultra HD Blu-ray player ($230), Panasonic DMP-UB900 Ultra HD Blu-ray player ($699), and Microsoft Xbox One S ($249). Likewise, Sony has announced its upcoming ES Series UBP-X1000E Ultra HD Blu-ray which will be exclusive to the custom installer market. Source: OppoPosted Tue Dec 13, 2016 at 08:15 AM PST by: -
Netflix Debuts Trailer for 'The OA,' Streaming Premiere Set for December 16[teaser]The new original series is coming later this week.[/teaser] Netflix has released a trailer for its latest original show, 'The OA.' The series stars Brit Marling, Emory Cohen, and Jason Isaacs. From Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, the visionary filmmakers behind Sound of My Voice and The East, comes a powerful, mind-bending tale about identity, human connection and the borders between life and death. The Netflix original series The OA is an odyssey in eight chapters produced in partnership with Plan B Entertainment, Netflix and Anonymous Content. The groundbreaking series offers audiences a singular experience that upends notions about what long-format stories can be. Check out the official trailer below! All eight episodes of 'The OA' will premiere exclusively through Netflix on December 16. Other upcoming Netflix premieres include 'Barry' on December 16, 'Gabriel lglesias: I'm Sorry For What I Said When I Was Hungry' on December 20, 'Travelers' on December 23, 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' on January 13, 'David Brent: Life on the Road' on February 10, and 'Iron Fist' on March 17. Likewise, the streaming platform is also prepping new seasons of 'Chelsea,' 'Lady Dynamite,' and 'Real Rob,' the second season of 'Stranger Things' for 2017, the third season of 'Bloodline' for 2017, new episodes of the documentary series 'Making a Murderer,' 'Bill Nye Saves the World' for 2017, Marvel's 'The Punisher,' Marvel's 'The Defenders,' a second season of 'Luke Cage,' Spike Lee's 'She's Gotta Have It,' a feature film adaptation of the manga 'Death Note,' and a new series based on 'Lost in Space.' A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 for Ultra HD streaming. Source: NetflixPosted Mon Dec 12, 2016 at 04:00 PM PST by: -
Chris Obi, Shazad Latif, and Mary Chieffo Join Cast of 'Star Trek: Discovery' as Klingons[teaser]Three new cast members have been announced for the upcoming streaming show.[/teaser] CBS has announced the addition of Chris Obi, Shazad Latif, and Mary Chieffo to the cast of 'Star Trek: Discovery.' All three are set to play Klingons when the series premieres on CBS All Access in May 2017. Star Trek, one of the most iconic and influential global television franchises, returns to television 50 years after it first premiered with STAR TREK: DISCOVERY. The series will feature a new ship, new characters, and new missions, while embracing the same ideology and hope for the future that inspired a generation of dreamers and doers. According to the press release, Chris Obi will star as "T'Kuvma," the Klingon leader seeking to unite the Klingon houses. Meanwhile, Shazad Latif will play "Kol," the Commanding Officer of the Klingons and protégé of T’Kuvma. Finally, Mary Chieffo will play "L'Rell," the Battle Deck Commander of the Klingon ship. Obi, Latif, and Chieffo now join previously announced cast members Doug Jones, Michelle Yeoh, and Anthony Rapp. A special premiere episode of 'Star Trek: Discovery' will air on CBS in May 2017. Following that initial broadcast, all first run episodes of the show will be available exclusively through the CBS All Access streaming platform in the US. In addition, the series will stream globally (outside of the US and Canada) through Netflix. CBS All Access offers next day streaming for new episodes of many popular shows and a library of over 8,500 on demand episodes, including content from current programs like 'Limitless' and 'Elementary,' and classic series like 'Star Trek' and 'Cheers.' Likewise, customers in more than 150 markets across the US -- including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia -- can watch live local CBS broadcasts through the app. The service is available in two subscription plans: reduced commercials for $5.99 per month or commercial-free for $9.99 per month. The commercial free option offers ad-free playback of on demand content and upcoming original shows. With that said, live streaming will still include the same commercials found in standard over-the-air broadcasts. The service is currently available through the Xbox One, PS4, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick with Voice Remote, Roku players, Roku TVs, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox 360, and Windows 10, iOS and Android products. New customers can sign up for a one week free trial now at https://www.cbs.com/allaccess. Source: CBSPosted Mon Dec 12, 2016 at 01:00 PM PST by: -
Netflix Releases VR App for Google's Daydream Virtual Reality Platform[teaser]Daydream View users can now watch Netflix in a virtual living room.[/teaser] Netflix has announced the release of its VR app for the Daydream virtual reality platform. The app previously launched for the Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus. With the Netflix VR app for Daydream, users can now watch all their Netflix content on a simulated big screen TV in a virtual living room designed to look like a comfy log cabin. To use the VR app, users will need a Daydream View headset and a Daydream-ready smartphone (like the Google Pixel). Unlike most VR headsets, the Daydream View is made with flexible and soft breathable fabrics, allowing the device to be 30% lighter than similar products while providing added comfort. Likewise, the headset has also been designed to fit over glasses. In addition, the product includes a compact controller packed with sensors, letting customers interact with content through movements and gesture. And when not in use, the controller can slide right inside the headset for easy storage. Beyond Netflix, the Daydream VR platform offers a growing collection of virtual reality apps from over 50 partners, including the recent addition of HBO Go, HBO Now, and NextVR. With the HBO apps for Daydream, users can now watch every episode of every season of original series like 'Game of Thrones' and 'Westworld,' along with iconic favorites and popular films on a virtual big screen. HBO Go requires an authenticated pay-TV subscription while HBO Now is a standalone subscription service. Meanwhile, the NextVR app offers live concerts, sports, and events in virtual reality. The Netflix VR app for Daydream is now available in the Google Play Store. The Daydream View headset is now available in Slate, Crimson, and Snow from the Google Store for $79. Source: Google via EngadgetPosted Mon Dec 12, 2016 at 10:30 AM PST by: -
Hulu Now Offers User Profiles for Personalized Viewing[teaser]Separate users on a single subscription can now create individual profiles.[/teaser] Hulu has announced the launch of profile support for its streaming service. The new feature allows each account to add up to six specific profiles. With separate profiles, different members of a household can now get a personalized Hulu experience. When setting up a profile, Hulu will ask users about their viewing habits and favorite movie and TV show genres, allowing the platform to tailor its experience to the specific viewer. Once finished, each profile offers its own name, personal info, viewing history, recommendations, and Watchlist. In addition, Hulu is also adding a new Kids profile type, which will let kids browse appropriate content in the Kids Hub without access to mature titles. And as household members change, users can always create, edit, and delete profiles directly in their Hulu app or via the internet. The Profiles feature for Hulu is now rolling out to a small subset of viewers. Expanded support for more users and devices will continue to be added in the coming weeks. Beyond profiles, Hulu also recently launched 4K Ultra HD streaming support. The initial lineup includes original series like 'Shut Eye,' 'Chance,' 'The Path,' and '11.22.63,' along with more than 20 James Bond movies, including 'Spectre,' 'Die Another Day,' and 'Golden Eye.' Hulu 4K streaming is currently supported through the PS4 Pro and the Xbox One S. More Ultra HD content and support for more devices will be added throughout 2017. A current Hulu subscription starts at $8 per month with commercials. In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month. A Hulu live streaming platform is also planned to launch in early 2017 with content expected from Turner Networks, Fox, ABC, ESPN, FX, and the Disney Channel. Source: HuluPosted Mon Dec 12, 2016 at 10:00 AM PST by:
