Streaming

Google said to be working on streaming music service

This is pretty interesting. Hot on the heels of rumors that Apple is looking to get into the streaming music space, a new report popped up late last night alleging that Google too is working on a service of its own.

Citing 'people familiar with the matter,' The Wall Street Journal is claiming that the search giant's Android unit has been negotiating with music companies to start a paid subscription music streaming service...

Netflix gives its iOS app better playback controls

Netflix has a pretty decent app on the iOS platform that really becomes indispensable if you're among the growing number of people subscribed to its service that streams Hollywood movies and television shows to your home.

Today, the company has issued a new version 3.0 build of the iOS app, tweaking the user interface while adding a few improvements. For starters, the zoom icon is back so you can control your experience when in full screen.

And if you're on an iPad, you can also touch the player UI screen to see the title of the currently watched show...

IMDb app updated with Amazon Instant Video links and new Oscar section

Amazon-owned IMDb issued a nice little update for its iOS app last night. The update, which brings the app to version 3.1, adds a handful of new features, including a new Oscar section—just in time for the Award show this Sunday.

Also on the list of additions are new direct links for titles that can be viewed on Amazon's Instant Video service (if the app is installed), a new 'Recommendations' facet that will offer up suggested movie/TV show content, and more...

Slacker iPhone app gets major makeover in brand relaunch

If someone asks you what a good streaming music service is, who do you recommend? Pandora? Rdio? Spotify? What about Slacker Radio? Yeah, despite the fact that the company has been around for 6 years, Slacker rarely gets mentioned in the same breath as the others.

But it's looking to change that. Yesterday, Slacker Radio essentially relaunched itself as a brand—touting complete redesigns of its web and mobile clients. The new iPhone app looks particularly sharp, with a revamped visual interface and new Slacker "Music Guide" feature...

Rdio app updated with new design and other improvements

Rdio, one of the more popular streaming music subscription services on the market, released a solid update to their iOS app this afternoon, making it quicker and easier to browse and interact with your content.

Version 2.1 of the application features some gorgeous new design touches, and some other cool enhancements like a new long press-activated content menu, and music badges. The full change log is after the fold...

Intel VP confirms it’s working on new set-top box and TV service

If Apple is really planning on revolutionizing the TV business, it may want to hurry up and do so before Intel beats it to the punch. Confirming rumors from earlier this year, the company's Media VP Erik Huggers said today that it's working on a set-top box.

But that's not all. In addition to the new hardware, Huggers says that Intel is also working with 'the entire industry' to bring a new Internet TV service—an all-in-one solution that will incorporate live TV, catch-up TV and on-demand TV—to the market...

HBO Go gains AirPlay streaming, Apple TV app due later this year

Good news, Apple TV users: later today, HBO will enable AirPlay streaming in its HBO Go iOS app. Speaking at The Wall Street Journal-sponsored D: Dive Into Media conference on Tuesday, HBO’s Eric Kessler said that “effective today, we will be enabling AirPlay” for HBO Go. Bloomberg last month reported that Apple and HBO are working on a content deal.

He also re-iterated that HBO Go will eventually land on the Apple TV later this yeare. Until the Apple TV app materializes, Time Warner Inc.'s HBO Go subscribers can use the existing iOS app to stream HBO shows from their iPhone or iPad to their Apple TV over AirPlay...

How to watch the Super Bowl on your iPhone

Over 100 million people are expected to gather in front of their TV sets tomorrow to watch the Super Bowl. But for those of you that for one reason or another can’t get in front of a television, there’s other ways to catch the Big Game.

If you're going to have access to a computer, you can watch it there. The game will be streamed live via CBS Sports. No computer? No problem, iDB has you covered. We've compiled a list of ways to follow the action on your iPhone...

Bloomberg: Apple and HBO working on Apple TV content deal

HBO fans will be happy to hear that the premium TV network is reportedly working with Apple on a content deal that would bring a large chunk of its programming to the Apple TV.

As most of you know, HBO already has an iOS app for viewing content, called HBO GO. But it doesn't support AirPlay, meaning it can't be watched on a TV via the set-top box...

HypedMusic: listen to millions of tracks for free

Rdio, Pandora and Spotify are all nice options to stream unlimited music rather than buy individual tracks (so last century). But these services cost north of ten bucks per month, which amounts to a $100+ annually. With so many music tracks readily available on the Internet for free, in the form of music videos and what not, Luke Li launched the HypedMusic web site in January 2011 as a legally compliant option to enjoy music on your computer free.

And with an iPhone app launched yesterday, HypedMusic has become a whole lot more useful an alternative to the commercial streaming music services. I've included additional info and a few more screenies right past the fold...

Netflix-like Watchever streaming video service launches on Apple TVs in Germany

Apple today added a brand new streaming option for Apple TV owners in Germany, the new Watchever video service. No firmware update is needed: the service appears as a new app on the user's home screen. Watchever just launched in the country yesterday as the first premium, monthly fee-based video-on-demand provider. The Vivendi-owned streaming service requires a monthly subscription of €8.99, or about ten bucks.

And just like Netflix over in the United States, it provides access to television shows and movies on a number of compatible devices. It is only available on Apple TVs in Germany, indicating Eddy Cue & Co. are now pushing deals with local content owners outside the United States...

Beats CEO spent years trying to convince Steve Jobs to do a music service

This is pretty interesting. Former chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M and Beats Audio CEO Jimmy Iovine recently sat down for an interview to discuss the popular headphone-maker's upcoming streaming music service, Project Daisy.

During the conversation, Iovine talked about his relationship with Apple, and more specifically Steve Jobs. And he said that he spent at least three years trying to convince the then-CEO to do a subscription-based streaming music service...