NovaScene

Microsoft Zune, now with added TV shows

Administrator — Wed, 07 May 2008 09:00:30 +0000

One thing you can say about Microsoft, they sure are persistent. Based on their track record, they only get things really right by the 3rd / 4th versions of their products (example : Internet Explorer, Windows). Even the much-criticized Zune Digital Media Player is getting the continuous update treatment. The latest Zune 2.5 update adds the ability to purchase TV shows from the Zune Store and view them on the media player.

TV Shows cost 1 cent more from Microsoft compared to Apple (US$2, or 160 MS Points), but you get access to NBC Shows like The Office which are no longer available on iTunes Store.

Apple TV “Take 2″

Administrator — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 03:20:48 +0000

One of the less-than-successful products for Apple last year was the Apple TV. Apple did not release an updated version of the hardware at the recent Macworld show, but it did revamp the software (user interface) and made the Apple TV much more useful.

With the introduction of movie rentals via the iTunes Music Store, you can now buy or rent movies directly on your Apple TV device. Movies cost between $2 and $5 to rent. The more expensive movies are the new releases and movies in HD.

Apple also reduced the price of the Apple TV from $300 to $230.

Hulu launches

Administrator — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:46:47 +0000

Just about everyone pooh-poohed NBC’s plan to go their own way with offering TV series online. Having broken off their relationship with Apple, NBC Universal formed a joint venture with News Corp. The joint venture, called Hulu, was the object of much discussion. Now, Hulu has launched a private beta. The initial reactions are more positive than negative.

Hulu will also be offering movies, TV shows, and mashups on AOL, Comcast, MSN, MySpace, and Yahoo! Expect to see hit TV series such as Battlestar Galactica, Hill Street Blues, Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents on Hulu.

Noticeably absent in Hulu’s distribution list are NBC’s old partners, the Apple iTunes Store and Google’s Youtube.

US presidential campaigning heats up online

Administrator — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:34:19 +0000

Quick : who is the presidential candidate with the fastest growing online support base? If you answered Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, or even Ron Paul, you would have been wrong. Less than 2 weeks after declaring his candidacy, comedian and TV show host Stephen Colbert is making waves (again).

It took Barack Obama’s campaign eight months to get 400,000 followers on Facebook. It took Stephen Colbert’s team just eight days to get to 1 million. It just goes to show that in the US, showmanship really is everything. Now, wouldn’t it be cool if Colbert actually won?

FiOS gaining ground against cable companies

Administrator — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:03:38 +0000

Verizon Communications invested US$18 billion to develop its FiOS service, and it’s just beginning to reap the benefits. Verizon has gained roughly 500,000 TV subscribers on FiOS, which uses uses fiber optics to deliver television, broadband Internet and phone services.

Verizon is currently the ninth largest TV service provider in the US, and is rapidly gaining ground against established cable TV and satellite TV providers. By end of 2008, Verizon is targeting 2 million subscribers.

Number one TV provider Comcast is well aware of the threat that Verizon poses, and investors in number 7 (CableVision) are worried about the company’s prospects against competition.

The clear winner will be the customers, as the telcos and the cable guys fight it out with better services and lower prices.

[ via WSJ ]