Microsoft's Xbox One is promising even more second screen support than we saw on the Xbox 360. An improvement of the SmartGlass integration we've seen pop up on the Xbox 360, Microsoft says it can make your mobile device feel like it was "built" to work with your console. The current SmartGlass app has seen over 10 million downloads, and it looks like Microsoft is aiming for more this time around. It will also be able to screen scrape video, encode it to h.264 and send it over to your second screen, although what will work on which devices is still unknown. What is mentioned in the press release is that it will support multiple devices at once, for multiplayer and shared entertainment. It's also promising exclusive experiences with its NFL partnership that attach to SmartGlass and Skype integration, so we'll expect to see more about that in the future.

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft

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It's just been a few weeks since Netflix for iOS was suited with a novel audio menu and episode selector, but the app has now already reached version 4.1. While this particular release isn't as major as, say, v2.0, some of the post-play features that have rolled out on TV connected devices and PCs are trickling down to the mobile platforms. Namely, once an episode is over, the next one starts playing automatically without any intervention required (it requires a prompt to proceed after every other episode). In the case of movies, you can expect to see a new recommended selection once the credits roll, and Netflix also promises some other more minor improvements elsewhere in the app, including under the hood tweaks to its second screen experience. Finally, Netflix also announced today that it's signed a multi-year deal for five Disney Junior and Disney XD shows: Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Tron: Uprising, Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso, and JoJo's Circus.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Software, HD, Mobile, Apple

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Via: 9to5Mac

Source: App Store, Netflix Official Blog

Samsung's desire for deep integration of TV services was painstakingly obvious when it unveiled the Galaxy S 4's WatchON feature. However, that may prove to be just the tip of the televisual iceberg: it's buying MOVL, the developer of Samsung's own SwipeIt media sharing as well as the MOVL Connect Platform and KontrolTV. We don't know exactly how the two sides will mesh, but MOVL expects to merge its connected TV savvy with the "scale and innovation" of its new overseer, according to a company statement at TechCrunch. The only safe prediction is that existing support for generic Google TVs and iOS will likely take a back seat.

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, HD, Mobile, Samsung

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Source: TechCrunch

If you're constantly on the lookout for more second screen apps to enhance your television viewing experience and you happen to be a big fan of Psych, NextGuide's newly minted integration with the USA Network might be right up your alley. In its latest update, the TV Guide replacement app now has a handy "USA Sync" button whenever you're watching the network's shows, which include Psych, Burn Notice and Suits. During their live broadcasts, hitting that button will bring up related content like trivia, polls and bonus clips. This is yet another arrow in NextGuide's quiver of second screen features, which includes the ability to seek out programming from traditional broadcast channels along with streaming services like Amazon, Netflix and Hulu Plus. The USA Sync function is already available via the network's own site and app, but it's nice to see it play nice with third-party apps as well. You can go ahead and download the latest NextGuide from the Apple App Store or just head to the source below.

Filed under: Software, HD

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Via: The Next Web

Source: NextGuide (App Store)

Second screen experiences connected to TV shows haven't exactly set the world on fire, but NBC will give it another try with a new game show this fall. The Million Second Quiz is being promoted as a non-stop, twelve day trivia game with an "unprecedented level of interactivity" for viewers. In a move that harkens back to our memories of 1 vs 100 on Xbox Live a few years ago, viewers at home can play along and possibly win a spot on the show. While the competition will go on around the clock, the show airs during prime time. It will broadcast live from an "hourglass-shaped structure" located in Manhattan where the four reigning champs will reside as long as they can stay on top throughout the two week competition. Once the million seconds are up, the four champions will face off for a cash prize of up to $10 million. We'll need more details before we can decide if this is more Ultimate Ninja Warrior or Oh Sit! / Splash / Bet On Your Baby (these are all real game shows, we promise), but it's one to keep an eye out for when the all new shows debut.

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: The Million Second Quiz (Facebook), Million Seconds (Twitter)

While Discovery and TLC have offered some show-specific second screen content before, the latest updates to their apps put a new spin on it. Referred to as Discovery Plus and TLC Plus, the new features are currently iPad-only (coming soon to iPhone), bringing behind the scenes info, photos, quizzes and more for shows on the networks, ready to audio sync with live broadcasts or DVR viewing. Other changes in version 2.5 of the apps include new schedule info that lets you know when new episodes are airing for a show, and what's next up to premiere. We're still not sure if this approach to the second screen is enough to consistently make viewers remember to grab their mobile device while watching, but you can try it out during an episode of Dual Survival and let us know how it goes.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD, Apple

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Source: Discovery Channel HD (iTunes), TLC (iTunes)

Amazon's just updated its Appstore today with a much welcome offering for avid gamers: Xbox SmartGlass. Microsoft's app-based second screen solution has been available on iOS and Android since late last fall, but despite sharing a kernel with Google's OS, hadn't been made dispensable to Kindle Fire / Fire HD owners until now. The app's been configured to scale natively on Amazon's refreshed tablet line, letting users navigate their Xbox 360 remotely, push and pull streaming content, as well as access achievements, messaging and Xbox Music. So if it's the living room of the future you're after, you might want to hit up the source and make that free download your own.

Filed under: Tablets, Software, Mobile, Microsoft, Amazon

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Source: Amazon