Redbox Instant app arrives on Xbox Live
Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is getting yet another video service with the launch of a Redbox Instant app. This marks the first time Redbox Instant is available on a game console. Read more »
Microsoft plans to launch its own interactive TV shows before the end of the year
Microsoft’s Los Angeles studios is working on interactive TV content for the Xbox Live platform. First shows are set to launch before the end of the year. Read more »
Why many are unlikely to switch to Windows Phone or BlackBerry 10
Current Windows Phone 8 and upcoming BlackBerry 10 handsets look great, but will people switch? Not likely, and even first-time smartphone owners may balk. It’s a perfect example of old phrase, “timing is everything” as most smartphone innovation has already taken place. Read more »
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Connected consumer third-quarter 2012
The third quarter saw many parts of the traditional media business in flux. Other developments included the rollout of new device-based content ecosystems, red flags and red ink for traditional consumer electronics makers, and a resurgence of consumer purchases of movies. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
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Takeaways from connected consumer’s second quarter
Tablets featured prominently in the connected consumer space, both as a product category and as a component of broader platform strategies by major OS providers Microsoft, Google and Apple. Meanwhile Facebook began laying the groundwork to add payment processing to its platform. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Consumers ignore new Microsoft policy, sue company over Xbox Live
Microsoft this year joined a growing number of companies that forbid users from filing class action lawsuits. The new policy, however, has failed to stop at least one disgruntled Xbox user. Read more at paidContent »
Microsoft turns iPhones into Xbox remotes, adds Android client
Microsoft released an an updated iOS version of My Xbox Live that turns the iPhone into a remote control for an Xbox 360, while Android owners get their first version of Microsoft’s app. Microsoft ‘s new Smart Glass service will be on non-Microsoft platforms too. Read more »
Does it matter that Windows Phone has 100k apps now?
Microsoft unlocked an new achievement this month, surpassing 100,000 apps for its Windows Phone mobile platform. But there are several reasons why this number isn’t equating into sales of Windows Phones. There’s a still a key question Microsoft hasn’t answered about its mobile platform. Read more »
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Who and what to watch in the new era of the living room
The adoption of tablets, social media and new interfaces and the changing nature of the TV itself mean the digital living room will continue on its path of rapid change, thanks to new ways of creating, viewing, bundling, distributing and selling content. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
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How Wal-Mart could move ahead in the cloud-based storage race
Wal-Mart is looking to use its leverage in Hollywood to accelerate the movie industry’s move to cloud-based storage and digital commerce. In the process, it could steal a march on other providers of cloud-based media lockers like Apple, Google and Amazon, whose platforms to date are ... Read more at GigaOM Pro »
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Q4 Wrap-up: SOPA and the future of digital content
From SOPA to Microsoft’s expanded Xbox live platform to cloud-based content storage from Apple and Google, the fourth quarter in consumer electronics and media was all about the continued battle for digital living room dominance. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Verizon’s live iPad streaming, LG TV app coming later this year?
Verizon is working to increase the number of connected devices that can be used to access its live and on-demand streaming channels, with plans to finally bring its live iPad app — and possibly an app for LG TVs — to market later in 2012. Read more »
How Samsung plans to out-Kinect Microsoft
Samsung is putting some effort behind its smart TV lineup, with plans to add new functionality for consumers to interact with their TV screens. Its next-gen smart TVs will include voice, gesture and facial recognition features that will enable even smarter TV applications. Read more »
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Connected Consumer 2012: A year of consolidation and integration
Call it the year of lessons learned, if not quite bubbles burst. In 2011, several trends in the connected consumer space that appeared inexorable at the start of the year seemed disorganized by the end. What does that mean for the next 12 months? From cloud-based media storage to daily deals to the fight for the digital living room, 2012 will be a year of consolidation and integration. Both entrepreneurs and investors will figure out that many once-promising standalone business models need to be grounded on more solid, integrated platforms to create real value. Companies mentioned in this report include Hulu, LivingSocial, Netflix and Zynga. For a full list of companies, and to read the full report, sign up for a free trial. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
2012 prediction: The slow death of coax begins
A couple of new videos from Verizon show that wireless technology will eventually replace coaxial cable for video distribution within the home. That’ll mean more TV content available on more devices, as well as huge potential cost savings for pay TV operators. Read more »
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Want to watch TV? There’s an app for that
With the rollout of its massive Xbox Live update, Microsoft has made a strong bid for the pole position in the digital living room. And with dozens of new programming partners also included with the update, the company now offers perhaps the most comprehensive, versatile and ... Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Microsoft debuts official Xbox LIVE client for iOS devices
Microsoft may have launched its companion app for Xbox consoles on Windows Phone 7 devices exclusively, but it isn’t leaving iOS users completely out in the cold. The official My Xbox LIVE app, which works on both iPhone and iPad, is in the App Store now. Read more »
Xbox Live is the first big step to true video convergence
The new Xbox Live update launching tomorrow is the start of a rollout of lots of new content partners on the platform. But the big innovation will be allowing them to be navigated from a unified search mechanism powered by Microsoft’s Bing. Read more »
Windows Phone is an Xbox 360 video remote control
On Tuesday, Microsoft is launching a new app for Windows Phone handsets to help Xbox 360 owners navigate their game console. The timing is in conjunction with the company’s living room push to bring more music and video content to the Xbox 360 console. Read more »
Verizon’s Xbox Live rollout lacks broadcast content
Verizon is taking a big step toward making its FiOS TV service available through connected devices, with the launch of a new app for Microsoft’s Xbox Live next month. But the new app will be missing a lot of the most popular networks and shows. Read more »
Why Microsoft bought VideoSurf for $70 million
Microsoft has acquired video search specialist VideoSurf, reportedly paying upwards of $70 million for the Silicon Valley startup. The software giant plans to integrate the VideoSurf technology into its Xbox Live platform, providing more granular data about what’s happening on-screen. Read more »
Sony proposes over-the-top TV service
Sony could be the latest company to try taking on the cable industry with an over-the-top video service. The CE manufacturer is in talks with media companies about launching a TV-like service that would be delivered to its PlayStation 3 game console and other connected devices. Read more »
No HBO Go for Roku users on Comcast or DirecTV
Roku scored a huge coup with its release of the HBO Go app. But not everyone who subscribes to the network will have access to it. In fact, the two biggest pay TV operators in the U.S., Comcast and DirecTV, have decided not to support it. Read more »
A voice-controlled future is finally upon us
Science fiction writers and futurists have long imagined a world in which we control everyday devices with our voice. That future seems a little bit closer to reality with the news that Apple’s Siri voice control technology will likely power its long-rumored iTV device. Read more »
Microsoft readies Silverlight for Xbox Live update
Microsoft is targeting a Black Friday release of its Xbox Live update, which will add apps from the likes of Comcast, Verizon and HBO. But the code that those apps will run on, which is a modified version of Silverlight, is still being finalized. Read more »
Microsoft Shifts Strategies To Expand Xbox Live TV, Go Global
After years of effort and speculation, Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) has pieced together nearly 40 broadcast services from around the world to boos… Read more at paidContent »
Microsoft’s cable play: Verizon, Comcast, HBO and more
Microsoft unveiled partners that will be part of a major expansion of content available through the next update of its Xbox Live service, and it’s a pretty impressive list. In addition to Comcast and Verizon, Xbox will also add content from networks like HBO and Epix. Read more »
Pay TV’s future and the battle for Input 1
Pay TV operators are increasingly enabling viewers to browse, navigate and watch their programming on third-party devices like connected TVs and game consoles. But when they do that, are they ceding control to CE manufacturers? And who ends up really owning the consumer relationship? Read more »
It’s no game: Microsoft improving Xbox Live on phones
Microsoft continues to push its game service on Windows Phone 7 as a key differentiator from other platforms. In addition to the Mango improvements hitting Microsoft phones soon, the Xbox Live experience is gaining four new functions, including Parental Controls and in-game add-ons available for purchase. Read more »
BSkyB shows how streaming could be the future of pay TV
Long before TV Everywhere became a reality in the United States, U.K. satellite TV provider BSkyB was allowing viewers to stream live TV to their PCs and Xbox 360 game consoles. Could it provide a model for streaming video services here in the U.S.? Read more »
Should Microsoft introduce a disc-less 360?
Microsoft just released its Q2 results, and it’s clear the 360 has gone from being a drag on financials to contributing in a positive way. But one surefire way to expand the market further is by making the 360 available at the $99 price point. Read more »
Can Microsoft become the next big subscription VOD player?
Microsoft could be rolling out a new subscription video service later this year, pitting it against services like Netflix and Hulu Plus, as Microsoft seeks to grab more revenues from Xbox subscribers. But it will need to be available on other devices, too. Read more »
Finding videos on connected TVs is personal
CE manufacturers are creating universal search applications to find content on across platforms. But the Holy Grail for content discovery will be a user interface that lets users find content they’re looking for, while also serve up a stream of videos relevant to their interests. Read more »
A better Xbox Live to help Microsoft Windows Phone 7
Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 platform is set to improve later this year, and part of the software improvements focuses on something rivals don’t have: a thriving Xbox Live game community boasting 35 million members who average 60 hours per month on the service. Read more »
In hunt for content, Xbox could open up its walled garden
The Xbox team is expanding the amount of content available on its the Xbox Live service and is especially working on bringing live TV to the console. To do so, Microsoft has released an SDK for partners to build applications for the service. Read more »
Sony: The PS3 makes up 30% of Netflix streaming usage
Sony Computer Entertainment America CEO Jack Tretton said in front of an audience in its E3 press conference that the game console is the leading provider of Netflix streams to consumers. In fact, the game console is accountable for 30 percent of Netflix’s streaming usage online. Read more »
Microsoft brings Bing, YouTube and live TV to Xbox
Microsoft is boosting the number of content choices available to Xbox Live users, starting with millions of video assets available from YouTube. It will also be partnering to add more live TV streams. And to navigate all of those choices, it’s adding Bing unified search. Read more »
Xbox 360: The Living Room’s 800-Pound Gorilla?
Microsoft is trying to position its six-year-old Xbox 360 less as a video game console and more as an “all-in-one entertainment device.” But it might have difficult getting content providers on board, unless it makes its platform easier to develop for. Read more »
How Microsoft’s Skype Purchase Can Help Windows Phone
Microsoft’s $8.5 billion purchase of Skype is official, giving the Redmond company an instant voice and video calling user-base of more than 170 million globally connected customers. With only an estimated 2.5 million Windows Phone 7 handsets sold, there’s ample opportunity here to boost smartphone sales. Read more »
Can Game Center Ever Be the Xbox Live of the Post-PC Era?
GigaOM recently sat down with ngmoco CEO and co-founder Neil Young to talk about the future of gaming and mobile apps. While he loves Apple’s platform, he’s not so keen on its own efforts to connect its gaming user community through Game Center. Read more »
