Verizon is clearly looking to make itself the front door for Internet video this year. Bolstering its tie-ins with Color and Redbox, it's now kicking off Viewdini, a carrier-specific Android app that will help you find video across multiple services: along with Internet-only providers like Hulu Plus, mSpot and Netflix, it will sift through the online component of Comcast's Xfinity brand, taking a little bit more advantage of that cross-sales deal coming out of the proposed spectrum handover. Even Verizon's own FiOS video will be late to its own party, coming "soon." Viewdini will only be available for 4G LTE-equipped Android phones and tablets later this month, with "other operating systems" and services due in the future -- given the currently very short list of non-Android 4G devices, we have a few ideas as to where the app might go next. Either way, get ready to collide with bandwidth caps faster than usual if you love what Verizon plans to offer.

[Image credit: AllThingsD]

Continue reading Verizon's Viewdini for Android hunts streaming video on Comcast Xfinity, Hulu and Netflix, strains our 4G

Verizon's Viewdini for Android hunts streaming video on Comcast Xfinity, Hulu and Netflix, strains our 4G originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With the exception of tweaks for new features like HD video and closed captioning Netflix's Silverlight-based web player has been largely unchanged for years, but today everything is being reworked. As detailed in a post on the company's blog, PC and Mac users (no word on ChromeOS) the size of the player controls now scale to the window they're in and replace words with icons. Other new features users will notice is the ability to preview additional episodes of TV series without stopping the stream, title information that pops up when the stream is paused and that full screen viewing now has the same options as the windows player. The finale tweak is that the back to browsing button that brings viewers back to their queue has shifted from the bottom right to the top left. Hit the blog for the full breakdown, or just expect a surprise tomorrow when you're watching Downton Abbey at work Drive in the comfort of your own home during leisure time.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Netflix web streaming interface gets a new look with bigger icons, embedded previews originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Complaints by Netflix's Reed Hastings and a handful of politicians must have rankled Comcast CTO Tony Werner, as he just posted a particularly detailed explanation of why Comcast believes the Xfinity TV app on the Xbox 360 isn't violating net neutrality. We'd previously heard the argument that the Xfinity app's traffic is simply being routed through Comcast's internal network and isn't the same as the Internet data of Netflix, but Werner now contends that the Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) tags that some think are breaking FCC rules by favoring Xfinity video are really just necessary switches. They're not prioritizing traffic, they're setting it aside, the claim goes. Of course, Hastings and others believe that setting Xfinity video aside is prioritizing, and Comcast's point of view sidesteps the practical reality that watching Netflix, Amazon Instant Video or iTunes will lead you closer to that ever-present 250GB cap while Xfinity doesn't. The FCC during its rulemaking warned against special private services being used as end-runs around neutrality concerns; it's up to the agency to decide whether or not that's true here, or whether Comcast is just offering its usual service in a new way.

Comcast fires back over Xfinity TV on Xbox 360, says no way, no how it's violating net neutrality originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With the recent spring TiVo Premiere update we figured it was as good of a time as any to spend some quality time with the newly-renamed TiVo Premiere XL4. The highest model in the TiVo line, the XL4 costs $399 plus $15 a month, or $499 for lifetime service. For the money, it records four HD shows at once with a single CableCARD and offers 2TB of storage. More tuners and space aren't the only things that have changed since we gave the original TiVo Premiere a once-over just two years ago. No, there have been a few notable releases as well as the release of the TiVo Slide Remote and a number of TiVo companion apps for phones and tablets. How all that comes together is exactly what you'll find out should you choose to click on through to the other side.

Gallery: TiVo Premiere XL4 review

Continue reading TiVo Premiere XL4 review

TiVo Premiere XL4 review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

As promised at CES earlier this year, TiVo has released its Spring update with the anticipated new Netflix and YouTube apps, as well as porting parental control options to the Premiere's HD user interface. Netflix is the most intriguing of the additions, but while TiVo Premiere owners can now watch Netflix 1080p programming with Dolby Digital Plus discrete surround sound, like Hulu Plus, it isn't a TiVo experience. The new Google-built YouTube app is also like any other streamer and with the exception of search, there isn't much integration at all. Parental control options can finally be set when using the HD UI, but still isn't as full featured as it was with the old UI and is a far cry from KidZone. What the update doesn't do yet however, is complete the HD interface transformation that some Premiere owners have been waiting two years for. Still, we suspect that caveat won't stop owners from rolling the dice on an update check for their TiVo every day over the next few weeks.

TiVo Spring update brings new Netflix and YouTube experience originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Twentieth Century Fox and Netflix have announced a partnership that will bring additional television and movie content to avid streamers living in Latin America and Brazil later this year. Beginning on July 15th, TV mainstays -- including 24, Prison Break, Bones and Glee -- will be available via the movie rental company's Instant service in the aforementioned geographies. What's more, Twentieth Century's classic films division will add several movie titles, including cult-classics like Office Space and Wall Street, to the streaming menu. If you currently reside in Latin America or Brazil and are itching to know more, mosey on past the break and have a look at the full press release.

Continue reading Netflix and Twentieth Century Fox ink deal to bring additional Instant content to Latin America, Brazil

Netflix and Twentieth Century Fox ink deal to bring additional Instant content to Latin America, Brazil originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 04:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Amazon has had a content development division for some time but today it's announced plans to expand from just movies to developing (and distributing, via its Instant Video service) original comedy and children's series. The new focus follows the competition like Netflix and Hulu which have both dived headlong into developing original TV show-style content that mirrors the content consumers seem to gravitate towards on streaming services. According to the press release Amazon Studios is willing to option one "promising project" per month for $10k and pay $55k to a creator if their series is selected for distribution. Submissions of 22-minute pilot scripts for comedies and 11-minute pilot scripts for children's shows are being accepted, which Amazon will either option within 45 days or the creator can choose between pulling it back and leaving it up for community feedback. There's more info at the site or in the press release after the break, but just remember: if we see any series picked up about dashingly handsome tech bloggers and the fast-paced lives they lead, we're coming for our cut.

Continue reading Amazon Studios expands into TV series, looks to load up on content for streaming

Amazon Studios expands into TV series, looks to load up on content for streaming originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

CES came and went without an update on the status of an alleged cable TV alternative the Wall Street Journal claimed Sony was building to push ahead its four screen strategy, but now Sony Network Entertainment VP Michael Aragon has given the rumor new life. Variety reports that during its Entertainment & Technology Summit Monday Aragon confirmed the company is considering offering TV services over the internet, but is waiting to see what happens with ISP bandwidth caps. Specifically referring to the Comcast 250GB limit that has recently come under fire from Netflix and others now that its Xfinity TV app on Xbox 360 skirts the cap entirely, Aragon noted cable companies have the pipe and the bandwidth and can restrict competing services. We've heard Netflix has been trying to negotiate its own path around such restrictions even as Redbox partners with Verizon on a video service, and rumors have periodically popped up linking Apple, Microsoft and any other tech giant you could name to similar plans. What does all this mean for the future? No one can say for sure yet, but unless some of the key players start to partner up instead of go to war we may need the FCC to step in before anything significant changes.

Sony exec confirms IPTV aspirations, says they're on hold due to bandwidth caps originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 21:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Britons and citizens of the ROI! Sony's bringing Netflix to all Sony Entertainment Network-connected devices. It looks like Kaz Hirai's plan to "unify" the company and its media offerings is beginning to gain a little momentum. If you have a SEN-connected 2012 Bravia TV or Blu-ray player, then the app should be available soon -- although no-one seems to know precisely when. If you're on PS3, or in the States, then Netflix is old news, so don't bother with the press release after the break

Continue reading Netflix brought into the Sony Entertainment Network fold for British Bravia buffs

Netflix brought into the Sony Entertainment Network fold for British Bravia buffs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 06:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you've been itching for Sony to take your money since it announced its flagship BDP-S790 Blu-ray player, then get ready to open up that wallet. The device is now available at Sony's online store for $249.99, with an estimated ship date of April 24th. The dual-core player (yes, there's a dual-core CPU in here!) will also be available in stores on May 6th for folks who prefer schlepping their electronics the old-fashioned way. Besides 4K upscaling and 3D playback, the BDP-S790 features DLNA, Netflix, VUDU, Amazon Instant Video, Slacker, Pandora, Twitter and Facebook capabilities. For more details, feel free to peruse the PR after the break.

Continue reading Sony's 4K-upscaling BDP-S790 Blu-ray player available online, hits stores May 6th

Sony's 4K-upscaling BDP-S790 Blu-ray player available online, hits stores May 6th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix has posted its earnings report for Q1 of 2012, and reveals its streaming subscriber count in the US is currently 23.4 million, after reaching 21.67 million back in January. While the company noted a net loss of about $5 million, the letter from CEO Reed Hastings and CFO David Wells claimed it is still on a "rapid return" to profitability after last year's missteps and international expansions. Worldwide it now counts a total of 26 million subscribers to the streaming service, although it lost another million or so subscribers to discs, which currently number 10.09 million. That old disc business is still highly profitable however, adding $146 million to the bottom line. Internationally, Netflix added more customers in its first three months of UK / Ireland availability than it did in the same period for Latin America or Canada, and expects its Canadian service to be profitable a quarter earlier than expected.

Reed Hastings also took the opportunity to toss another barb at Comcast for its bandwidth cap-exempt Xfinity TV Xbox 360 app, claiming it should either raise its caps, make them apply to all services including its own or eliminate them entirely. Another development in Q1 was the loss of streaming titles from Starz but it claims that caused no discernible change in viewing or subscriber hours, while customers continue to lean towards streaming TV episodes over movies. Hit the source links below to paw through the PDF and spreadsheet for yourself, we'll let you know if any interesting tidbits are revealed on the earnings call later today.

Netflix Q1 results: 3 million new streaming subscribers worldwide, record viewing hours originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

At the center of the revamped Google TV experience that rolled out last fall is its TV & Movies app, which is a blended guide of content currently airing live on TV and available for streaming from the popular internet services (Netflix, Amazon, HBO Go). As Product Manager Rishi Chandra mentioned when we caught up with him at CES, personalization is something Google will be focusing on going forward and that's shown in the updated app being pushed out today. When it's first opened, users will login and be asked to rate a few movies and shows so it can get a sense of their tastes to know what to present, Netflix-style. There's more information displayed up front too, with expanded descriptions, and details below each show so viewers can find out about the episode that's on more easily. For a few more details on what's new and refreshed, check after the break.

Continue reading Google TV's TV and Movies app gets to know you better with ratings, favorites and more

Google TV's TV and Movies app gets to know you better with ratings, favorites and more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings let loose a mini rant on Facebook Sunday, setting his sites squarely on Comcast and its data accounting practices. Highlighting one of the arguments for net neutrality, Hastings pointed out that viewing streaming videos using the Comcast Xfinity app on his Xbox doesn't count against his monthly cap, but other services do. "If I watch last night's SNL episode on my Xbox through the Hulu app, it eats up about one gigabyte of my cap, but if I watch that same episode through the Xfinity Xbox app, it doesn't use up my cap at all." It's slightly odd that different rules would apply to the same device using the same connection to stream the same content from different sources -- and exactly the sort of preferential and self-promoting behavior that net neutrality advocates are afraid will become the norm in an unregulated market. Of course, Hastings is also irate because his own company would love the same preferential treatment, but hasn't been able to close any deals. For the full rant hit up the source link.

Reed Hastings takes Comcast to task for skirting net neutrality originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix for Windows Phone hits v2.0, heads to the UK, Ireland and Latin America originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix for Android updated with fresher UI for volume controls, other 'stability improvements' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading D-Link releases budget-priced MovieNite streaming media player

D-Link releases budget-priced MovieNite streaming media player originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hasbro, the toy-maker behind pervasive long-form ads shows for kids like Transformers, GI Joe and My Little Pony, is bringing its back catalogue to Netflix. While the '80s hits will arrive some time in 2012, both Transformer Prime and the more recent Pony-based adventures are already available to stream now. Get a full list of the Hasbro heritage being readied for streaming in Netflix's proud press release below.

Continue reading Netflix signs multi-year deal with Hasbro -- and knowing is half the battle

Netflix signs multi-year deal with Hasbro -- and knowing is half the battle originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix for Xbox 360 updates with better contrast and episode navigation originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix explains its recommendation system, can't find a reason for Adam Sandler's last movie originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: TiVo's latest Netflix and YouTube interfaces

TiVo Premiere updates coming with new Netflix and YouTube apps; Bay Area gets Comcast VOD originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix snags DVD.com domain, invests in the future of optical media originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Lovefilm now streams more content than it mails

Lovefilm now streams more content than it mails originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix iPad app upgraded with Retina quality icons and images now, HD video soon originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Roku 4.3 update tweaks Netflix, device discovery issues originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TED expands its reach with streaming talks on Netflix originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix reveals Android app tests that keep it running on 'around 1000' devices daily originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix 'Just for Kids' comes to PS3 to enjoy some Thomas inbetween those MW3 marathons originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sky Store replaces Sky Box Office in the war against everyone else originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 07:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix on new Apple TV supports 1080p, all boxes get integrated signup and pay via iTunes originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix is in talks to partner with cable providers for bundles, could mean higher quality streaming originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix Watch Instantly's life after Starz includes Academy Award winners, more captions originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 23:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Fox, Warner, SanDisk and Western Digital's Project Phenix: promotes DRM, misspelling

Fox, Warner, SanDisk and Western Digital's Project Phenix: promotes DRM, misspelling originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Starz Play movies disappear from Netflix streaming this week originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Google, Microsoft and Netflix want DRM-like encryption in HTML5 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Netflix locks up Academy Award nominated exclusives from The Weinstein Company

Netflix locks up Academy Award nominated exclusives from The Weinstein Company originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: PS Vita apps: Netflix, LiveTweet and Flickr (US)

Continue reading 'Select' PS Vita apps hit the US PlayStation Store: Netflix, LiveTweet and Flickr (Update: video hands-on)

'Select' PS Vita apps hit the US PlayStation Store: Netflix, LiveTweet and Flickr (Update: video hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Comcast to launch Xfinity Streampix streaming video service, challenge Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon (update)

Comcast to launch Xfinity Streampix streaming video service, challenge Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix Android app adds onscreen volume slider, Facebook integration (where available) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Disney considering 28-day rental window, because 'On Stranger Tides' was that good originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Lilyhammer (or: 'Silvio in Norway') now streaming on Netflix originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.