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CW Storming the 360 and Xbox SmartGlass[teaser]'Vampire Diaries,' 'Supernatural,' and 'Arrow' among the free app's offerings. [/teaser] The new CW app for the Xbox 360 is free to download and free to use for US Xbox Live Gold members. Microsoft's strategy to promote the Xbox 360 as a set-top box and sell users Xbox Live Gold memberships continues even as rumors swirl around the possible features of the new Xbox. The CW app offers free episodes of CW the day after their premiere, no cable subscription required. Along with episodes of popular CW shows such as 'Beauty & the Beast,' 'Arrow,' 'Supernatural,' and 'Vampire Diaries,' the app offers trailers and interviews. The app also supports Xbox SmartGlass, which allows for a second screen experience with Windows 8, Android, and iOS devices. For 'Vampire Diaries,' Xbox SmartGlass offers: A map that follows the characters through town, revealing events throughout the town’s history Biographies of each character Legends and lore of New Orleans and the world of "The Vampire Diaries" The CW on the Xbox 360 supports voice and gesture control through Kinect. Similar CW apps are available for iOS and Windows devices. Source: Major NelsonPosted Wed Apr 24, 2013 at 07:30 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Stock Soaring As Membership Swells to 29 Million Members[teaser]$100 million 'House of Cards' gamble pays big dividends.[/teaser] Netflix is scoring on all fronts today as the company announced the addition of 3 million subscribers in last quarter alone. That growth, when combined with the followed statement of the company's current strategy has sent the stock soaring, "During the quarter, we continued to grow members and revenue faster than content spending and our domestic streaming contribution margin increased 20 percent." Investors had feared that Netflix's plan to acquire the pricey 'House of Cards' would not pay off, especially with Netflix electing not to parcel out episodes over a traditionally lengthy period of time. The specific concern involved potential customers initiating free trials and then cancelling. In contrast, Netflix announced that out of the millions of new subscribers (2 million in the US, 1 million internationally) only 8,000 joined and then cancelled. Likewise, Netflix addressed two concerns with a single stroke. The company introduced a $12 family that ups the current $8 two stream limit to four. While the company only expects one percent of customers to take advantage of the new plan, those families watching more than two streams at once now have a reasonable option, and investors impatient for Netflix to alter its $8 plan can take a breath. At 29 million subscribers, Netflix edges the 28.7 million that HBO had at the end of last year. More importantly, analysts from Hastings foresee the potential market ceiling for Netflix to be far above a premium cable channel at 60 to 90 million customers. Source: The VergePosted Tue Apr 23, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
CEA Says There's No Day like Earth Day to Start Living Green[teaser]The Association has some tips for being green with electronics including where to recycle that BetaMax.[/teaser] In preparation for today, Earth Day, the Consumer Electronics Association has put together some tips to help consumers "to Live Green, Buy Green and Recycle Responsibly." Samantha Nevels, coordinator of environmental policy communications at CEA,"CEA wants to help Americans celebrate Earth Day, and GreenerGadgets.org can show you how. You can recycle an old TV, use an ENERGY STAR-certified device, or just unplug a device you're not using." The first tip, Live Green, involves a simple concept. Consumers who know more about their energy use and maintain a relative idea of how to impact their energy usage tend to apply that knowledge and use less energy. Along with the provided GreenerGadgets.org Energy Use Calculator, are tips to police chargers and devices in standby that suck energy while serving as warm paper weights and a suggestion to upgrade TVs and other displays to newer, more energy efficient models. The Buy Green tip asks that consumers remember some certifications that are either often assumed or disregarded, ENERGY STAR and EPEAT. More than 27,000 electronics products meet EPA's ENERGY STAR specs. Of course, central heating and cooling dominates energy usage in the home, but the CEA knows that those who enjoy consumer electronics the most have a great ability to understand and mange their energy needs. Finally, the CEA wants to help consumers make the right choice when it comes to electronics that are beyond anymore use. Each circuit board is filled with bits needed for the latest and greatest electronics. Plus, devices that still work can find new leases on life with programs like Close the Gap. Once the decision to terminate has been reached, say with an old tape deck, consumers can use the GreenerGadgets.org Recycle Responsibly page to track down both ways to pass the equipment on to developing countries or to find the nearest and most sensible recycling option. Source: WSJPosted Mon Apr 22, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
'Jack the Giant Slayer' Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D Announced[teaser]Bryan Singer's epic fantasy will hit both Blu-ray formats in June. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is preparing 'Jack the Giant Slayer' Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack and 'Jack the Giant Slayer - 3D' Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD combo pack for release on June 18. 'Jack the Giant Slayer' tells the story of an ancient war that's reignited when a young farmhand (Hoult) unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants. Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing the young man, Jack, into the battle of his life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom, its people, and the love of a brave princess (Tomlinson), he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend, and gets the chance to become a legend himself. The releases will feature 1080p video, lossless soundtracks, and supplements will include: Become A Giant Slayer; Jack the Giant Slayer Deleted Scene; and Jack the Giant Slayer Gag Reel. Suggested list prices for these releases have yet to be determined. You can find the latest specs for 'Jack the Giant Slayer' and 'Jack the Giant Slayer - 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're both indexed under June 18.Posted Fri Apr 19, 2013 at 11:45 AM PDT by: -
Amazon Has 14 Pilots Ready For Viewers to Rate Including 'Zombieland'[teaser]Comedies and kid show pilots could turn into 13 episode seasons with enough 'likes.'[/teaser] Amazon is coming around to the original programming draw that HBO, Netflix, and several other premium content providers are already working towards. The Amazon method though seems to rely on Amazon Instant customers help for choosing which content to fund. Viewers can sign into Amazon and watch the pilots, and based off of which pilots are watched, finished, and rated well on Amazon and social media, an unspecified number will be funded for a full season. The 'Zombieland' pilot, and the John Goodman-starred 'Alpha House' lead the list of fourteen, but there is a tougher issue. Amazon is really looking for a strong fan base for each show. Collating a passionate fan base after only one episode is hardly simple, especially for comedies. Is it important to note that this is only one aspect of Amazon's original programming push. The company is looking more into movies, and still has plans for developing dramas. Heavier involvement in show development may see the company field some shows with a stronger commitment than one episode. In addition the Amazon Instant customers, the pilots are also available for LoveFilm UK and LoveFilm Germany customers. Source: DeadlinePosted Fri Apr 19, 2013 at 09:30 AM PDT by: -
Google Fiber's Expansion to Provo, Utah Based on $39 Million Network Acquisition at $1 Price[teaser]Google set to acquire existing municipal fiber network with some special terms.[/teaser] Hot off of the heels of Google Fiber's planned expansion to Austin,Texas, was another announced planned expansion. In the wake of the news of Google Fiber's planned expansion to Provo, Utah, details have emerged that see Google acquiring the city's existing fiber network for only $1. The network is valued at $39 million, and should Google elect to abandon the initiative, the network would be sold back to the city a $1. Kevin Lo, General Manager of Google Fiber, "In order to bring Fiber to Provo, we’ve signed an agreement to purchase iProvo, an existing fiber-optic network owned by the city. As a part of the acquisition, we would commit to upgrade the network to gigabit technology and finish network construction so that every home along the existing iProvo network would have the opportunity to connect to Google Fiber." Within the terms of the deal that still has to be approved by voters, Google would offer at least seven years of 5Mbps internet to every home on the existing Provo network, free of monthly charge, with the only caveat an initial $30 connection charge. Google would also provide free Gigabit Internet to twenty-five public institutions, including schools in the Provo area. Google Fiber currently offers Gigabit Internet and TV in Kansas City and plans to expand to several satellite cities such as Olathe, Kansas. If the Provo deal is approved, then Provo would join Austin as the next two cities to be part of Google Fiber. Source: ZD NetPosted Fri Apr 19, 2013 at 08:30 AM PDT by: -
'Hatchet III' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The Crowley Curse will claim more victims on Blu-ray in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, MPI has slated 'Hatchet III' for Blu-ray on August 13. The third chapter in the horror/comedy franchise follows a search and recovery team who heads into the haunted swamp to pick up the pieces, while Marybeth (Danielle Harris) learns the secret to ending the voodoo curse that has left Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder) haunting and terrorizing Honey Island Swamp for decades. Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but the suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Hatchet III' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 13.Posted Fri Apr 19, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Sonos Playbar Advertises Wireless HiFi Simplicity and Expandability[teaser]Nine-speaker sound bar offers wireless expansion and streaming.[/teaser] Sonos has built a product line with an emphasis on wireless capabilities. With the Playbar, Sonos is really offering a hybrid sound bar. One the one hand, the Playbar is ready to replace paltry TV speakers for booming stereo sound for anyone, even those users made dizzy by a traditional receiver set-up. On the other hand, the system supports wireless streaming for audio playback, wireless smartphone control, wireless/wired multi-room audio networking, and wireless expansion to a either a 3.1 or 5.1 set-up. Sonos, Inc CEO John MacFarlane, "Sonos has transformed the way people listen to music throughout the home and now we’re bringing our wireless HiFi approach to home theater. PLAYBAR will change everything about the sound experience in your living room, bringing together amazing HiFi sound for your TV and wireless access to the world’s music in a radically simple way." The nine-speaker set-up breaks down into six mid-woofers and three tweeters, and is designed to project sound in two positions. The bar can be set in front of the TV or rotated 90 degrees for mounting without compromising the angles speaker design. The Playbar becomes a 3.1 system by adding The Sonos Wireless sub, and a 5.1 by adding a pair of Sonos Play:3 speakers. As a Sonos product, the potential for a multi-room audio set-up is just one-button and several purchases away from being realized. Even at $699, the Playbar depends on a optical jack for deriving Dolby Digital from the TV. Older TV sets are notorious for only supporting Dolby 2.0, so prospective buyers with 2008 era TVs should be wary. Still the Sonos' combination of audio quality, simple set-up and footprint, and advanced wireless capabilities may make the Sonos Playbar the best option for the right situations and family members. The Sonos Playbar is available to order here. Source: SonosPosted Thu Apr 18, 2013 at 09:30 AM PDT by: -
Can LG Bring Its Curved OLED TV to Market in 2013?[teaser]LG working to beat Samsung to market.[/teaser] The LG EA9800 represents the company's first attempt at a curved image-preserving OLED TV. The 55" "Paper Slim" design attempts to replicate the curved angle of cinema screens that when combined with the set's red, green, blue, and white organic LEDs hopes to increase viewer immersion. Kyung-Jin Kang, a lead engineer at LG's Home Electronics, "When you go to the cinema the screen is curved. By applying that to the TV you can enjoy being at the cinema in your living room." Naturally, the 55" screen size is just the beginning. Hung W.K. Shin, Home Electronics Product Communication Team Manger at LG, "We are preparing various types of curved TV. Not only 55-inch models but larger as well. Consumers will be most strongly immersed with this curve." As LG vies with Samsung, the immediate goal with OLED is to be first to market. Trusted Reviews has derived from several LG interviews that LG EA9800 is being be pushed for release this year, but the exact date is not yet known. Thomas Lee, LG’s Vice President of Home Entertainment, "curved TVs are coming in the second half of this year." Source: Trusted Reviews via The VergePosted Thu Apr 18, 2013 at 08:30 AM PDT by: -
Warner Bros. and Microsoft Agree to Bring Flixster to the Xbox 360[teaser]Flixtser on the 360 features Rotten Tomatoes scores and UltraViolet access. [/teaser] Even as the current generation of game consoles prepares to make way for successive models, the defining characteristic of the generation, the ability to add new functionality, shows no sign of waning. And thus Warner Bros. is bringing its robust digital film rental and ownership system, Flixster, to the 360. Flixster has been available for the PC, Mac, Android, and iOS platforms, and its 360 incarnation offers another way for consumers to access their UltraViolet digital film collection. At the same time, the discerning viewer can peruse Flixter's offers alongside Rotten Tomatoes ratings. Joe Greenstein, Co-Founder and President of Flixster, "The mission of UltraViolet is to allow consumers to enjoy their content on any device and platform they desire. Launching Flixster on Xbox is an exciting step forward for us as it's one of the most popular platforms for consumers to enjoy entertainment in their living room." The Flixster 360 is free to download but does require Xbox Live Gold membership for full access. Flixster features include the following: Buy or rent standard and high definition movies Browse current movie listings in theatres Watch high quality movie trailers Look up movie details, including film posters and synopses and Rotten Tomato scores Access “My Movies” (UltraViolet Playback) to easily sort and watch movies from a family’s UltraViolet movie collection Browse new and upcoming DVD releases Experience cinematic 5.1 surround sound with Dolby® Digital Plus ™, the audio standard for online and connected entertainment Naturally, Flixster for the 360 supports Kinect for voice and gesture control and is available now on the Xbox Marketplace. Source: EngadgetPosted Wed Apr 17, 2013 at 05:30 AM PDT by:
