iPad, News/Rumors

CBS brings full streaming to the iPad

iPad and iPhone owners will soon be getting access to hit shows like NCIS, CSI, and How I Met Your Mother, as CBS announced on Thursday the launch of its new app for iOS with full-episode streaming.

The new CBS app lets users stream full episodes of daytime and late-night shows within 24 hours of their airing. New episodes of primetime television programs will be available for streaming on the eighth day after broadcast.

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The app will by the start of the Fall TV season, integrate with the existing CBS Connect App, allowing users to take advantage of the iPad or iPhone as a second-screen device. The app will have integrated social feeds, live events where fans can engage directly with talent, and content synched to live broadcast shows.

CBS will also roll out similar full-streaming apps for “all major mobile and tablet platforms later this year,” including Android and Windows 8.

Bringing full-episode streaming, even in the limited form in which it exists in the new app, is a considerable step for CBS, which has usually been reluctant to move its programming away from its traditional broadcast television setting. Speaking on the new app’s release, CBS CEO Leslie Moonves said the company had been cautious to step forward onto mobile devices while protecting its home turf.

“We have been methodically and strategically finding new ways to satiate the appetite for our content on new platforms, while tapping into the tremendous revenue provided by doing so,” said Moonves. “Our announcement today achieves both of these objectives, while protecting our very healthy current ecosystem. In addition, by making our shows available on all the leading mobile devices out there, we are confident we will bring a whole new set of viewers to the CBS Television Network and build upon our standing as the #1 network in the business.”

The new app is available as a free download in the iTunes App Store. The 20.6MB app is compatible with iDevices running iOS 5.0 or later.

Accessories, iPhone

Looxcie 2 Instant Streaming Video Camcorder for your Apple gadget

Never let a moment get out of your sight with a gadget that has the same features of a video looping, video recording and live video streaming. Ideal for outdoor activities, when you’re having too much fun and can’t afford to stay aside and record events with a real camera. What captured our attention was the fact that it records 5 hours of video and you get to share via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or iCloud the last 30 seconds of the recording.

It practically records with the best angle, so this time you don’t have to look at a screen for resting assured that you captured the best view. With the click of a bottom the user can upload the video to social media sites so there is no need for using a computer to transfer data. It’s available for $149.00 from Amazon and $149.99 from NewEgg Shop.

Looxcie LX2 Wearable Video Camcorder’s features:

  • Instant clip creation and sharing to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, i-Cloud
  • Compatible with iPhone or iPad (iOS 4.2.6+),or Android (2.1+) smartphone or tablet.
  • Adjustable design for optimizing fit and comfort
  • Up to 5 hours of video storage
  • Lightweight design: only 22g (less than 1 oz. )
  • Clips saved in iTunes-compatible format (mp4)
  • Size (LWH): 5.12 inches, 2.52 inches, 5.12 inches
  • Weight: 7.2 ounces

News/Rumors

Both Apple and Microsoft charge Motorola of making FRAND patent abuse

Just couple days passed from the moment Apple’s complaint against Motorola Mobility came public, and now, Microsoft decided to take position, and press charges against Motorola at the European Comission, as well. Both, Apple and Microsoft, claim that Motorola (now owned by Google) is making FRAND (fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory) patent abuse.

These FRAND licensing obligations state that a company which owns an essential technology to a particular industry, should make efforts to license that technology even to competition.

“Motorola is on a path to use standard essential patents to kill video on the Web, and Google as its new owner doesn’t seem to be willing to change course” said Dave Heiner, vice president and deputy general counsel at Microsoft.

This complaint is the response to Motorola’s patent suit for H.264 technology, that demands Microsoft pull its products, Xbox and Windows PCs, from stores, or remove their video streaming capacity and the possibility of connecting to the Internet wirelessly.

“The only basis for these actions is that these products implement industry standards, on which Motorola claims patents. Yet when the industry adopted these standards, we all were counting on Motorola and every contributor to live up to their promises.” says Heiner again.

“In a searing example, Microsoft says Motorola demands $22.50 on any $1,000 Windows laptop sold to satisfy its 50 patents on H.264. To use the standard at all, Microsoft says, it must satisfy 2,300 other patents, which costs the company a grand total of two cents. Microsoft says Motorola’s demands not even “remotely close” to reasonable, and it’s hard to disagree.”

Patent expert, Florian Mueller from Foss Patents, seem to agree with Apple and Microsoft complaints. He wrote in a blog post:

“If every owner of standard-essential patents behaved like Motorola, this industry would be in chaos, and grind to a halt.”

We are all curious about what EU will do, because these patents may affect fundamental capabilities of thousands products and it is a move that could seriously damage the tech ecosystem.

Source: mashable