Streaming

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

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 6, 2020

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...

Disney’s Watch ABC live streaming app launches

Christian Zibreg ∙ 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...

ABC to start live streaming content via iOS apps this week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

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...

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

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

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...

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

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 26, 2017

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...

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

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

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...

Blockbuster finally brings its On Demand streaming app to iOS

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

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...

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

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

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...

Netflix announces new $12 per month family plan

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

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...

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

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 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...

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

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

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...

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

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 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...