Song skipping feature reportedly stalling iRadio talks

By Cody Lee on May 18, 2013

Industry chatter regarding ‘iRadio’ is really starting to pick up. Yesterday, a report surfaced claiming that Apple is struggling to reach deals with record labels because such a service has never been tried before. And today, we have even more details on the talks.

Citing sources with knowledge of the negotiations, CNET is reporting that the labels are actually very keen on Apple’s music service, but there’s a single issue keeping them from signing on the dotted line. Apparently, they can’t agree on song skipping terms… Read More

 

Tough negotiations could see iRadio miss WWDC launch

By Cody Lee on May 17, 2013

It feels like the summer of 2011 all over again. Both Apple and Google were rumored to be working on a music service, and Google has beaten Apple to the punch by announcing theirs well in advance. Back then it was cloud storage. This time it’s streaming.

Earlier this week, Google unveiled its new ‘All Access’ streaming music service. And according to a new report, unless Apple can reach a deal with the remaining hold-out record labels, it’s going to again have a several month head start on Apple’s release… Read More

 

Google takes on Spotify and iTunes with $9.99 music streaming service

By Christian Zibreg on May 15, 2013

The Internet giant kicked off its annual Google I/O developer conference with a three-hour long (!) keynote at San Francisco’s Moscone West, the same venue Apple reserved for its own five-day event next month. During the keynote, Google executives announced a much-rumored streaming music service that’s bound to give headache to the likes of Spotify, Rdio and Pandora.

Dubbed somewhat confusingly Google Play Music All Access, Google’s Android executive Chris Yerga noted on stage that “music unites us” and is “universal”. And with computing and mobile devices intertwined into our lives “there’s potential to bring that joy together.” Go past the fold for full details… Read More

 

Disney’s Watch ABC live streaming app launches

By Christian Zibreg on May 14, 2013

After major networks such as Time Warner and CBS (and even Blockbuster) in recent weeks enabled live streaming in their respective iOS apps, Disney-owned television network ABC has followed suit. I recently called the development a potentially disruptive move on Disney’s part and Cody likened it yesterday to a mini-revolution of sorts. Call it what you will, but it’s here. Disney basically took its existing ABC Player iOS software and re-branded it under the more suggestive Watch ABC moniker.

The big news is a new Live button that gives you access to ABC’s live television programming in select local markets. You can also stream full episodes of the previously aired shows. Not that live TV functionality requires a subscription with an eligible TV provider. Unfortunately, the Watch ABC app doesn’t have DVR functionality. Additional tidbits right below… Read More

 

ABC to start live streaming content via iOS apps this week

By Cody Lee on May 13, 2013

This is kind of interesting. ABC, a TV network under the Walt Disney umbrella, is set to revolutionize its iPhone and iPad apps this week. It’s going to be adding a new ‘Live’ viewing option to the software, which will [obviously] play live programming.

The live stream will work anywhere in a local market—as long as it’s supported— the same way an old-fashioned antenna would. And according to The New York Times, this is the first time that a major broadcaster has turned on this kind of technology… Read More

 

Netflix update brings better second-screen experience, new post-play features

By Christian Zibreg on May 9, 2013

After announcing a new $12 per month family plan and having rolled out a major version 4.0 update with a new episode selector on iPads, on-demand Internet streaming media provider Netflix today updated its iPhone and iPad mobile client with an enhanced second-screen experience, recommendations for movies and auto-play episodes for television shows. More information on the changes right below the fold… Read More

 

Amazon’s Cloud Player can now stream songs to Ford’s SYNC AppLink vehicles

By Christian Zibreg on May 7, 2013

Not to be outdone by the popular Swedish streaming music startup Spotify, which a month ago updated its mobile client with support for Ford’s SYNC AppLink platform, the online retail giant Amazon today issued a similar update to its Cloud Player mobile app.

The app integrates with AppLink vehicles so you can control music playback using your voice and the steering wheel buttons.

Other changes new accessibility features via improved support for the iOS VoiceOver features and an “improved experience” when adding songs to a playlist… Read More

 

T-Mobile releases new ‘T-Mobile TV’ app for iPhone

By Cody Lee on May 3, 2013

T-Mobile this week has quietly released a new app for iPhone owners called T-Mobile TV. As the name suggests, the app provides access to the carrier’s subscription-based streaming service that offers live and on-demand content.

The service has been around for quite some time now, with an Android version of the mobile app landing in 2010. And it includes a range of programming, including sports, news, and kid channels like Disney and Nickelodeon… Read More

 

Blockbuster finally brings its On Demand streaming app to iOS

By Cody Lee on May 2, 2013

You really have to feel for Blockbuster. After filing for bankruptcy in 2010, the one-time video rental giant has struggled to make any sort of comeback in a market now dominated by digital services like Netflix. But that doesn’t mean it’s going to stop trying.

Today, the company announced that it has launched a new iOS application for its On Demand streaming service. The app will allow you to rent and watch movies from Blockbuster’s library of over 100,000 titles (across all genres) from your iPhone or iPad… Read More

 

AT&T U-verse subscribers can now access streams in WatchESPN, Fox Now iOS apps

By Christian Zibreg on May 1, 2013

If you’re subscribed to AT&T’s U-verse, are a sports fan and love Fox shows, good news here as the nation’s second-largest carrier has cut deals allowing users of the WathESPN and Fox Now iOS apps to stream content and watch live feeds.

The latter app also added another provider for TV episodes, Suddenlink. U-verse subscribers should go download these updates to immediately gain access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPNU live feeds and such shows as Hell’s Kitchen and Family Guy, straight in these apps… Read More

 

Netflix announces new $12 per month family plan

By Cody Lee on Apr 23, 2013

Following the version 4.0 release of its iPhone and iPad app yesterday, Netflix announced that it was going to be rolling out a host of new “family friendly” features over the next few months. And it looks like the first is going to be a new family plan.

Traditionally, folks pay $8 per month for Netflix’s service, which allows for unlimited streaming of its content to up to 5 devices—2 devices simultaneously. But with the new family plan, families can stream to up to 4 devices at the same time… Read More

 

Time Warner to enable live TV streaming in its iOS app tomorrow

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 16, 2013

Time Warner Cable, a major U.S. cable telecommunications company, confirmed to Bloomberg that it will be adding out-of-home live television streaming to the iPhone, iPad and iPod devices via its free TWC TV software, which will gain new features via an update tomorrow. In addition to on-demand television shows and movies available from 26 networks, the refreshed TWC TV app will also make ten live television networks available for out-of-home viewing on iOS devices. Go past the fold for the full breakdown… Read More

 

YouTube app enables iOS live streaming, My Subscriptions, TV queuing and more

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 15, 2013

I’m loving Google’s native YouTube iOS app a lot although it’s lacking in some key areas.

Specifically, I’ve come to appreciate its sleek user interface, especially on the iPad, along with social sharing, the ability to browse my individual subscriptions, AirPlay playback and other capabilities.

Today, the Internet giant pushed another update and it’s kind of a big deal.

For the first time, the software is able to access Live Streams and that’s huge because I can now watch those live events and news conferences on my iPhone or iPad as they happen. But that’s not all. Read on for more… Read More

 

Apple to sign Universal on iRadio next week, agrees to rates ‘neck and neck’ with Pandora

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 11, 2013

Another piece of the puzzle has fallen into place as a new report sourced from multiple people familiar with the matter claims that an agreement between Apple and Universal Music on iRadio is “imminent.” History teaches us it only takes one major record until others others eventually back Apple’s rumored Pandora-like streaming music service. Besides, Universal Music is the largest record label in the world. Warner Music is “right behind,” though negotiations with Sony reportedly are not as far along… Read More

 

HBO Go, now with AirPlay multitasking and Games of Thrones interactive enhancements

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 8, 2013

HBO’s free iOS streaming software is a nice companion app provided you’re already subscribed to the service.

And if you believe the continuing ramblings, the Time Warner-owned premium cable network is considering offering additional subscription options in the not-so-distant future, potentially allowing cable-cutters to subscribe to HBO for online-only access.

In the meantime, HBO has updated its Go app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch with two new useful features. The first will appeal to the fans of HBO’s Game of Thrones series as they can now enjoy enhancements related to the show’s interactive experience. The other improvement includes AirPlay multitasking capability. What’s that, you ask? Read More

 

Apple nearing deal with record labels, iRadio on track for summer release

By Cody Lee on Apr 5, 2013

From what we’ve been hearing, Apple’s been having major problems with its so-called iRadio project. The music service was expected to launch earlier this year, but a recent report claimed things were delayed due to a dispute with record labels over royalty terms.

It appears, however, that there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel. According to a new scoop from CNET, Apple is very close to signing a deal with both Warner Music and Universal Music Group, and it’s planning to rollout the Pandora-like service this summer… Read More

 

Potentially disruptive live-streaming app from ABC in the works

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 19, 2013

After CBS last week unveiled its free iOS app that gives you access to the network’s popular shows 24 hours or more after they air, we learn now that ABC is working on its own app for tablets and smartphones, one potentially making ABC the first of the American broadcasters to provide a live Internet stream of national and local programming, potentially very disruptive given the incumbent’s existing business models. Of course, you won’t get to stream premium ABC programming free of charge as a paid cable or satellite subscription will be required to use the app.

Nevertheless, the ability to watch such ABC shows as ‘Good Morning America’ and ‘Nashville’ on your iPhone or iPad as they broadcast could finally blur the artificial line between mobile devices and the traditional venues through which content providers distribute their linear programming… Read More

 

CBS releases free iOS streaming app

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 14, 2013

Eager to watch episodes of CSI or Survivor on your iPhone, iPod or iPad? Now you can, as CBC this morning released a major new streaming software which gives Apple’s iOS devices free access to the network’s popular shows like The Late Show with David Letterman, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Survivor, Catch NCIS, How I Met Your Mother, The Young and the Restless and Elementary. Some of the shows will stream via the app 24 hours after they air, but most of the shows are being offered eight days following their initial broadcast… Read More

 

Netflix rolls out the improved social experience to US viewers

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 13, 2013

Netflix, the popular provider of on-demand Hollywood movies and television shows, Wednesday showed off a slew of new features aimed at making the experience more social and engaging. After being available internationally for well over a year, Netflix customers in the United States can now finally connect their Netflix account with Facebook.

This enables you to check out what your friends are watching and optionally share your favorite shows with them. Interestingly enough, there’s a new Do Not Share button to mark those kinky videos you don’t want your parents to know about. More Social Settings are available in Your Account on Netflix.com, where you can turn on additional sharing to Facebook or stop sharing altogether… Read More

 

Lowball royalty offers said to be causing delay in Apple’s streaming music service

By Cody Lee on Mar 7, 2013

Multiple reports are out this morning, claiming that the reason we haven’t seen Apple’s streaming music service—which was expected to launch as early as Q1 of this year—yet is due to negotiation woes with record labels.

As usual, the problem stems from money. Apparently Apple is only offering the labels half of the royalty rate that they are receiving from Pandora. And the service could be delayed until the summer, or possibly longer… Read More

 
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