ConnecTV officially launches, gives you more ways to bug your buddies

ConnecTV officially launches in US, gives you more ways to bug your buddies

We went hands-on with the ConnecTV app while it was in open beta earlier this year. Now the social TV app is officially, uh, official -- launching nationwide with backing from television's old guard. Although ConnecTV doesn't double as a remote a la Dijit or BuddyTV, it does play nice with Facebook and Twitter, allowing users to socially rave about Alton Brown's cherry couscous pudding or razz followers of a rival team while watching a game on TV. ConnecTV says the app also syncs with content from Apple TV, Boxee, Hulu, Netflix and Roku from the past seven days. Do note that "nationwide" currently means integrated content from 85 local stations across the US' top 40 TV markets. ConnecTV also plans to expand that number to 215 stations. The app is available for free for PC browsers and the Apple iPad, with iPhone and Android smartphone and tablet versions set for release within the next 45 days. For more details, feel free to dip your toes into the celebratory PR after the break.

Continue reading ConnecTV officially launches, gives you more ways to bug your buddies

ConnecTV officially launches, gives you more ways to bug your buddies originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 11:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceConnecTV.com  | Email this | Comments

Broadcast TV networks, Dish Network file lawsuits over new Auto Hop ad skipping feature

Dish Network shocked us just a couple of weeks ago by upgrading its new Hopper DVRs with "Auto Hop" ad skipping that targeted prime time programming on broadcast TV captured via its PrimeTime Anytime feature, and predictably, the networks aren't happy. After several executives took shots at the service during upfronts for the new fall programming in the past few weeks, Fox has filed suit in US District Court, while Dish Network responded with its own request for a court order specifying that it does not infringe on the TV network's copyrights. Just in the last few minutes, the New York Times reports NBC (Update: Add CBS to the list as well, THR has copies of the complaints from Dish and Fox.) has filed a lawsuit against Dish Network as well, and it likely won't be the last one to do so. ReplayTV folded under similar legal pressure, but clearly Dish Network thinks it has a workable solution and now it's going to be up to the courts to decide who wins.

Continue reading Broadcast TV networks, Dish Network file lawsuits over new Auto Hop ad skipping feature

Broadcast TV networks, Dish Network file lawsuits over new Auto Hop ad skipping feature originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 May 2012 17:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceHollywood Reporter, Reuters, New York Times  | Email this | Comments

The Big Bang Theory S1 and S2 will finally hit Blu-ray July 10th

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Considering the usual subject matter of The Big Bang Theory it's a bit bizarre that the first couple of seasons weren't already available in high definition, but Warner Home Video has now announced they will be released on Blu-ray July 10th. While later seasons have already seen Blu-ray releases, those looking to start back at the beginning for Leonard, Sheldon, Penny and the rest of the crew had been stuck with DVDs. Assuming you're a fan of CBS' comedy series, you can preorder each Blu-ray / DVD combo release now, priced at $23.99 for the first season and $54.97 for the longer second season. Of course, what we're really wondering is what this means for other orphaned releases that only have some or none of their seasons available on Blu-ray as studios have shifted strategies, we're still waiting for How I Met Your Mother season one. Drop a note about any other shows you're following that have holes in their HD releases in the comments below, or just check out a video clip of the show with the canned laughter cut out -- it's... different.

Continue reading The Big Bang Theory S1 and S2 will finally hit Blu-ray July 10th

The Big Bang Theory S1 and S2 will finally hit Blu-ray July 10th originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAmazon (S1), Amazon (S2)  | Email this | Comments