Netflix Still Contemplating Dedicated STB?

According to an Engadget tipster, Netflix has been conducting focus groups for two set-top box prototypes. The Watch Now-receiving hardware would reportedly clock in at $50 (composite & S-Video) or $100 (component & HDMI) — Which strikes me as extremely affordable… if they can pull it off. Though, I’d still prefer to have fewer boxes … Read more

A Few More Thoughts On iPhone

iphone-dc.jpg

Not only did I snap a line in NYC yesterday, I managed to make it home to DC before 6PM and on my walk home caught a few dozen people (above) lined up outside another AT&T store.

Surprisingly, I encountered the only American unaware of and unimpressed with this historical milestone. The teenager saw my camera and news crew across the street – and our conversation went something like this: “What happened?” “iPhone!” “Oh, that comes out today?” “6PM!” “Oh, hm.”

Later in the evening I headed back out to AT&T. They had sold their stock (a number they wouldn’t reveal) in under an hour and the store was pretty quiet… I only waited about 5 minutes for my turn on the iPhone.

Read more

Jaman: First Commercial AppleTV Plugin?

Jaman is a digital movie download service (Mac and PC) focusing on international and indie content. Om Malik caught up with his Bay Area neighbor for a demo of their upcoming AppleTV integration: Jaman has done a great job of (unofficially) integrating their service with AppleTV, and the experience was as seamless as say YouTube. … Read more

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of non-iPhone news… from our other blogs: Ten Things Only Industry Insiders Believe About CableCARD: Connected Home 2 Go Blockbuster <3 Blu-Ray or Shotgun Wedding: Davis Freeberg Intel on Board with OCAP: Connected Home 2 Go MySpaceTV to Compete With YouTube: Web TV Wire

Picture of the Day: Got iPhone?

I’m still in NYC, and on my one block walk to the Union Square Starbucks this AM I encountered about a dozen folks camping out for an iPhone. Despite all the hype, things seem much calmer than the PS3 and Wii campouts… Perhaps because no one knows (yet) how hard it will be to ebay … Read more

New GPL Due Today

As Todd reminded me (thanks!), the iPhone isn’t the only notable release expected today. An updated version (v3) of the GNU General Public License, which has been in draft form for some time, is expected. Among other modifications, GPLv3 is designed to keep open-source software (such as Linux) open by limiting digital rights management. Not … Read more

Intelliflix Drops Game Rentals

Intelliflix, a Netlix competitor, used to differentiate themselves by offering video games and “mature content” – in addition to standard movie rentals… Well, they’ll still offer the adult stuff. Intelliflix eliminated the game offering for new customers in June of 2007. Due to the continually changing market for games and game consoles, we made this … Read more

Transfer Lifetime TiVo Service

As most of you know, TiVo killed the Lifetime Service option because it wasn’t exactly profitable. (Damn that reliable hardware and replaceable hard drive. ;) ) So I find it particularly interesting to see TiVo offering up a Lifetime Service transfer with an 80 hour dual tuner Series2 for $300. I suppose TiVo wants everyone on newer hardware to experience broadband services, receive ads, and to be tabulated under Stop||Watch. You have until July 23rd to think it over.

The fine print:

Qualify current TiVo DVR
Enter the TiVo Service Number of your TiVo® DVR with Product Lifetime Service ACTIVATED PRIOR to June 15, 2003.

See the pretty picture after the break…

Read more