TV

Apple airs new ‘Strength’ TV ad focusing on fitness apps and accessories

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Apple has just uploaded a new TV ad called "Strength" to its YouTube channel, centered upon the various health and fitness accessories for the iPhone 5s. The one-minute spot debuted just a few hours ago on national television, during the first period of the Stanley Cup Finals on NBC between the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers. The upbeat commercial is backed by a song called “Chicken Fat” by Robert Preston, released in 1961 to get schoolchildren to do more daily exercise…

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AT&T announces acquisition of DirecTV for close to $50 billion

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

As expected, AT&T has announced today that it has reached a deal to acquire satellite TV heavyweight DirecTV. The buyout will come in the form of a stock-and-cash transaction—$95 per share based on AT&T's Friday closing price—worth in upwards of $50 billion.

Between DirecTV’s satellite business and AT&T’s U-verse arm, the move results in a combined 26 million TV subscribers. That essentially makes AT&T the number one pay-TV provider, second if the long-rumored Comcast/Time Warner Cable deal ever goes through...

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Apple airs new ‘Powerful’ iPhone 5s ad

Cody Lee ∙ April 22, 2014

Apple has this evening posted a new TV commercial for the iPhone 5s to its YouTube channel. The ad, which was spotted airing during tonight's episode of ABC's 'Agents of SHIELD,' touts the handset's ability to morph into a useful tool for people in various lines of work.

Set to the tune of "Gigantic," by the Pixies, the spot shows iPhone 5s owners using the device to do things like play music, control stage lighting in a theater, create short movies, create art installations and more. The tagline of the ad is 'You're more powerful than you think.'

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A&E and History Channel apps updated with live TV streaming

Cody Lee ∙ April 15, 2014

A little over a year ago, A&E Networks updated its iOS clients with on-demand programming. It was a fairly big move, as it allowed users to watch their favorite episodes of TV shows like Duck Dynasty and Storage Wars while on the go.

Today, A&E issued another major update for its mobile clients, this time adding live TV streaming to both A&E and History Channel iOS apps. So now you can watch live programming from each of the channels on your iPhone or iPad...

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Google building Android set-top box with voice input, apps and games

Cody Lee ∙ Updated July 1, 2017

In 2011, Google's Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said that, "by the summer of 2012, the majority of the televisions you see in stores will have Google TV embedded." But here it is, 2014, and a quick search of BestBuy.com confirms that the lofty goal never came to fruition.

The company hasn't given up on the living room though. In fact, according to a report from The Verge, it's readying a new Android-based set-top right now. The site has obtained screenshots and other documents outing the project, which is apparently named Android TV...

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TinyCo posts teaser video for upcoming Family Guy game

Cody Lee ∙ April 5, 2014

We've been following the progress of the Family Guy mobile project since it was first announced last year. The series is one of the most popular on television right now, and many believe the game has the potential to give The Simpsons: Tapped Out a run for its money.

In fact, the two games will be very similar. TinyCo has said that 'Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff' will be a free-to-play title with various resource management elements. And today, the developers offered up even more information on the project along with a new teaser...

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Amazon said to be launching its set-top box next week

Cody Lee ∙ March 27, 2014

Following reports from last week that Amazon is planning to launch its long-awaited Apple TV competitor in next month, Amazon has sent out invites for a media event scheduled for April 2nd. The invitations ask that reporters join the company for an 'update' on its video business.

And according to a new report from Recode, the e-commerce giant is going to use the event to unveil a new set-top box device. Citing sources familiar with Amazon's plans, the outlet says the device will be capable of streaming media to TV sets, competing directly with Apple and Roku...

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Study shows mobile game developers are seeing success with TV ads

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

With more and more users moving to smartphones these days, some major mobile game publishers have taken their advertising business to television in an effort to cast a wider net. Chances are you've seen one of these commercials within the past month, including this one for Clash of Clans.

And you're probably going to start seeing a lot more of them, because apparently they're working. According to new data from analytics firm App Annie, some mobile game developers are seeing significant boosts in App Store and Google Play Store rankings for their titles following TV campaigns...

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WSJ: Amazon launching its Apple TV competitor next month

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Building on previous reports, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that Amazon is set to begin shipping its long-awaited video-streaming device next month. The device will thrust the e-commerce giant into a highly competitive space occupied by Apple, Google and others.

Citing sources familiar with the product, the outlet claims that the device will carry a variety of apps available on Roku and Apple set-top boxes and run on a version of Google's Android software. And like Amazon's other hardware devices, it will likely carry the Fire brand...

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Steve Jobs told executives Apple would not release a TV

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

When the magic dust of the iPad settled, pundits and analysts alike began to wonder out loud what Apple was going to do next. What product category was the company going to revolutionize next? And for the longest time, a lot of folks thought it was going to be televisions.

Some even believed that's what Steve Jobs was referring to when he said he had "finally cracked" the secret of TV. But according to a passage from Yukari Kane's new book 'Haunted Empire: Apple After Steve Jobs,' the co-founder never wanted Apple to release its own TV set...

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Roku announces new $50 Apple TV, Chromecast competitor ‘Streaming Stick’

Cody Lee ∙ March 4, 2014

As the race for the living room heats up, and rumors of an upcoming Apple TV refresh continue to swirl, Roku has announced its latest entry into the space called the Streaming Stick. The $50 accessory plugs into the HDMI port of your TV and streams a variety of content.

Looking at its size and price tag, the Streaming Stick seems like a direct competitor to Google's Chromecast. But the device features a remote control and on-screen navigational menus, which puts its functionality close to Roku's set-top box, and more on par with Apple TV...

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