Television

Carl Icahn puts faith in Apple’s mythical 4K television set and sketchy Apple Car rumor

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Activist investor Carl Icahn today issued yet another open letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook. In it, he predictably pushes for an ever expanding increase of Apple's share repurchase program.

More important than that, this time around Icahn is basing his valuation of the Cupertino firm in part on the prospect of the mythical Ultra HD Apple TV set and the Apple Car project, another sketchy rumor that had briefly entertained the press earlier in the year.

The feared investor is now valuing Apple at $1.4 trillion, expressing his belief that AAPL should be trading at more than $100 higher than its current valuation.

Apple TV picks up new channels in UK, Australia, Japan, Ireland and Scandinavia

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 12, 2015

After adding CBS Sports and USA NOW channels for Apple TV owners in the United States last week, Apple has now enabled four localized content sources for fans of its set-top box in the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Ireland and Scandinavia, 9to5Mac first noticed.

These newly added channels have been pushed silently over-the-air, but may not be available in your region yet as it typically takes a couple hours for the changes to propagate through the servers. You can also update your Apple TV manually by choosing Software Update in Settings.

Sony’s new PlayStation Vue streaming TV service coming to iPad soon

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 19, 2015

Yesterday, Sony launched its long-anticipated streaming television service called PlayStation Vue in select markets like Chicago, New York City and Philadelphia. The online video subscription service doesn't require a cable or satellite subscription.

It will be initially available on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 consoles and is coming to Apple's iPad “in the near future,” the Japanese giant has confirmed.

Director explains how Modern Family episode was filmed using iPhones and iPads

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 22, 2018

The highly anticipated episode of ABC’s popular sitcom "Modern Family" that was shot entirely using iPhone and iPad cameras airs tonight, and to celebrate, BuzzFeed News got in touch with the episode's director Steven Levitan to find out how they pulled it off.

In a video conversation, which you can download here, Levitan explains that the iOS devices were placed in holsters operated by cameramen and held by the actors. This allowed the pros to control the shots, while still appearing as though the actors held the devices.

Sling TV’s latest update lets jailbreakers in on the fun

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

I can't say for sure whether or not it was intentional, but ever since Dish's Sling TV launched, I haven't been able to view video on my iPhone 6 Plus. That's because my iPhone 6 Plus was and still is jailbroken, and it appears that the app won't play video on jailbroken devices. Other jailbroken users have reported the same problem in the comments of our Sling TV review, and I've seen other complaints elsewhere online. In other words, this definitely wasn't just a problem with my device.

Yesterday, Sling TV pushed an update that appears to have fixed the issue. Nothing has changed on my iPhone 6 Plus, but I can now watch Sling TV video from my jailbroken device. Coincidence?

Dish’s Sling TV launches live, adds AMC network

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 9, 2015

Following a limited invite-only launch last month, Dish's Sling TV service is now available to everyone in the United States, the company announced Monday.

In addition, the service has added AMC to the basic channel lineup so you'll be able to watch Better Call Saul, Mad Men and Walking Dead, for example.

Reuters TV hits App Store, a personalized TV news reportage in the palm of your hand

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 5, 2015

If you prefer watching news footage over reading articles, don't pass on a brand new app from Reuters, a global news-gathering organization owned by Thomson Reuters.

Their free Reuters TV for iOS app just went live in the App Store, bringing you personalized video news when you want it, straight from the source and made to fit your day.

Offering both on-demand and live news programming and reportage from over 2,500 journalists in 200 countries, Reuters TV is personalized (swipe to skip the stories that don’t interest you), highly customizable (you can set your preferred show length) and relevant (news is tailored to your location).

Apple TV picks up a new channel for Sports Illustrated’s 120 SPORTS network

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

As spotted by MacRumors, Apple TV has just gained a brand new channel with content from Sports Illustrated's 120 SPORTS network.

120 SPORTS provides on-demand and streaming coverage from major sports networks, including content from the likes of MLB, NBA, NHL, PGA Tour, NCAA Football, NCAA Basketball, NASCAR and leading college leagues.

It's is an over-the-air update that doesn't require a restart. If it's not available on your box yet, choose Software Update in Apple TV's Settings. The new channel arrives just a few weeks following the addition of the Tennis Channel Everywhere channel to the set-top box.

Cutting the cord gets real: $20 per month Sling TV service rolling out

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 26, 2015

Better late than never — at last it's possible to get premium entertainment without having to become a cable subscriber.

Sling TV, Dish's new web-based subscription service, promises a revolution: in exchange for a flat fee of twenty bucks per month, it taps the Internet to deliver a package of ESPN and a bunch of other premium live feeds to a plethora of different devices, no contract and no commitment required, Re/code reported Monday.

The staggered roll-out begins today: just register on the Sling.com website and wait patiently for that invite to hit your inbox (they'll start sending them at midnight). The service will be “widely available in the next couple weeks.”

Time Warner Cable’s new app lets you use their home phone service on iPhone at no additional cost

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

Your Home Phone service from Time Warner Cable is no longer limited by physical location as the nation's second largest cable company behind Comcast revealed a new iPhone application Tuesday.

Dubbed Phone 2 Go and available as a free download from the App Store, the software allows existing TWC Home Phone subscribers to use text, voice and video calling for no additional fees.

In addition, you can decide whether you'd like to use your Home Phone service to receive voice and video calls and text messages on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad anywhere there's Wi-Fi or cellular coverage, including overseas.

CBS is cutting the cord: launches $5.99 per month video subscription

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

Just ahead of Apple's keynote (see our roundup) and less than 24 hours after HBO said it would finally start offering online-only video subscription service in 2015, the world's second largest major network, CBS, has now appeased cord-cutters by announcing immediately availability of a new on-demand video service priced at $6 per month.

Fourteen cities in the United States can now stream their local CBS stations and watch the network's new shows as they air for the first time. NFL games, however, won't be available on the new service, CBS All Access.

HBO relents, says standalone HBO Go subscription streaming service launching in 2015

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 10, 2017

Cable cutters, rejoice! HBO has relented and will go forward with plans to enable a standalone streaming service in 2015, Re/code reported Wednesday.

Though details are scarce, the forthcoming service will allow people to watch HBO's original programming, TV shows, movies, documentaries and more, but without pay TV subscription.

According to HBO CEO Richard Plepler speaking at Time Warner Inc.’s investor day meeting on Wednesday, the company is indeed planning to launch a “standalone, over-the-top” subscription offering at some point next year. The disruptive move couldn't be overstated as it's going to be a major blow to the complacent American cable industry.