The world of online streaming video is heating up. Netflix is finally recovering from a problematic 2011 and HBO has had great success with their HBO Go app which allows HBO subscribers to watch their favorite programs on any device. Add one more device to the list, as HBO Go and Comcast’s digital video service are both coming to XBox.
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YouTube has already tackled the web and mobile. Now they are moving on to full domination, bringing their service to television as well with the launch of a YouTube app for Xbox Live.
Microsoft’s Ben Rudolph provided a teaser preview of the upcoming Xbox Companion App for Windows Phone at Nokia World in London this week. The app will be free when it becomes available. The app is more than just a remote control. The app can, for example, search for a movie, provide detailed information about the movie on the phone (synopsis, cast and crew, etc.) and then start playing the movie on the Xbox 360 and its connected large screen TV. At this point, the Windows Phone can be used as a remote control for the movie playing on the TV through the Xbox.
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The introduction of the LOOT Active Camera opens the door to new realms of social video content experiences.
The programs will require subscriptions or payment to other TV services. Technically speaking, the Xbox should make it easier for users to access HBO shows. But, they will also need a subscription to the Xbox Live Gold online service — $60 a year.
All looked bright for the company, but in July, Netflix announced they would be changing their subscriber price structure on September 1, 2011, increasing the monthly fees by $6 without any improvement in service. Speculations were positive and even Wall Street thought the change would do the company good. But that didn’t happen. Last week, their stock prices took a dive of almost 19 percent.
Streaming video through a game console makes sense because the game systems are so versatile and user friendly. Still, forty-two percent of the Netflix users report watching video stream on their computers.
“Clearly the consumer appetite is there, and it’s growing. In responding to that, and to create even more value, choice and flexibility for our customers, we are now going to offer online and mobile access to Sky content at no extra charge. The future support of a nationwide Wi-Fi network will help us supercharge that experience further still,” adds van Rooyan.
Kinect which officially became the hottest selling gadget, will now be used by Microsoft to serve social and interactive ads on the Xbox platform. According to NYTimes, Kinect users will soon be able to interact with and share ads with friends using voice and motion commands. Microsoft is naming the new ads NUads, an abbrevaited form for natural user-interface ads.
One of the new features for the Xbox 360 is the ability to give your avatar a prop. Microsoft has a free Windows Phone 7 prop for your Xbox avatar that shows up with your Xbox avatar on your Windows Phone smartphone too.
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