So Long Netflix. We had a good run…

That’s it. We pulled the plug.

We got the announcement from Netflix that our Basic plan was being discontinued. We would no longer get ad-free viewing on one screen. Netflix had the gall to frame this as a way to reduce our spending by incorporating ads in our content. We paid for the Basic plan specifically to avoid ads in our streaming. If we wanted to pay more for content AND watch ads, we’d just sign up for a cable streaming package.

We broke the news to our daughter, and she took it remarkably well. Maybe it was because she was watching Big City Greens on Disney+ and wasn’t really paying attention. Kids are funny like that.
This month we’re cancelling Amazon Prime and Netflix, but Netflix stings a bit more. Continue reading “So Long Netflix. We had a good run…”

The ‘Three Body Problem’ Problem: Impressively Grand, Yet Disappointingly Small

[I try to write my reviews as spoiler-free as I can, but there still might be comments or ideas that could ruin your experience watching the show. If you’re curious about the show, it’s best to watch it on your own first, before watching/reading ANY review or “explained” analysis.]

It took us a while to chew through the eight episodes of Netflix’s adaptation of The Three Body Problem. I’ve read Liu Cixin’s ‘Remembrance of Earth’s Past’ trilogy. I love ‘The Three Body Problem’. I really like ‘The Dark Forrest’. I was critically deflated by ‘Death’s End’.

I was ready to binge the whole series on launch day, but Marie had not read any of the books. The show proved a touch too dense for Marie, and we opted to spread out our viewing over several days. We finally wrapped it up last night, and I have a lot of thoughts. Mostly good thoughts, but I am a bit disappointed in a few of the structural decisions demonstrated.

Continue reading “The ‘Three Body Problem’ Problem: Impressively Grand, Yet Disappointingly Small”

Is HBO Max Worth $14.99/Month? | SlickDeals

Is HBO Max Worth it?

HBO has always been the top name in premium television. But a lot has changed in the last 20 years. Now it is consumed as a subscription streaming service more than it is as a cable add-on. Now people have the opportunity to pick and choose streaming services, subscribe for a month or two at a time, cancel, and be more selective.

In this video, we take a look at HBO Max’s offerings, compare its service to competitors, and decide whether the average consumer should pay $14.99 per month to get the HBO Max content library without ads.

Do you have any tips for maximizing one month of HBO max service? Any watching schedules? Tell us in the comments!

Mirror your Android Screen on Your TV Through Chromecast

One of the most requested features asked of Chromecast was the ability to broadcast our phone or tablet’s screen on our TV. Looks like that’ll be finally coming our way!

Announced on the Chrome Blog today, there will be a new menu setting in the Chromecast app allowing you to broadcast what’s on your screen. Through other apps we could send videos, photos, and music, but now we’ll be able to cast a game or even just a home screen if we want to show off on a larger TV screen.

The 1.7 update of the Chromecast app will be rolling out soon supporting popular handsets from LG, HTC, Samsung and more. Nexus devices will of course be able to jump in on the fun too.  Full PR below.

Continue reading “Mirror your Android Screen on Your TV Through Chromecast”

Spotify Removes Time Limit Caps for Music Streaming

spotify nomorelimits1This one’s short and sweet.

Do you use Spotify? Well now Spotify is removing time limit caps for free accounts across all devices. iOS, Android and through a browser, now all devices have the same access to unlimited music streaming. Super handy.

For those wanting to step up, their premium monthly plans will also remove ads and allow for offline storage, but those of you streaming in your cubicle are in for a treat.

More info at Spotify, or read the PR below:

Continue reading “Spotify Removes Time Limit Caps for Music Streaming”

Microsoft launches Xbox Video and Music apps for Windows Phone

xbox music screenshotFinally some synergy!

When you have good video and music services on your popular game console, and you have a struggling phone platform, how does it take you this long to pair them together? Well wait no more Windows Phone users. If you’re tied into Xbox Music and Xbox Video, you can now utilize those services on your Xbox Windows Phone.

Xbox Music is a subscription service designed to compete against Spotify, Google Play All Access, and Pandora. It’s been available for Android and iOS, and now those of you using Windows Phones can get a piece of the action too.

Xbox Video is the movie purchase/rental service found on Microsoft’s game consoles. Now when you buy or rent films and TV shows you can watch them on your phone, tablet, PC or Xbox. It’s the next step towards total Live Tile domination, offering Windows solutions and services for every single screen a consumer might want.

xbox video screenshot

Again, it’s been a little frustrating seeing how divisive the Microsoft ecosystem had become, with services not moving fluidly between different screen sizes. It’s one area Apple and Google were cleaning up, but now Microsoft looks like it’s finally getting it’s ducks in a row. Microsoft can a dangerous competitor when you give them a chance to catch up.

The branding is crucial here too. Notice these aren’t “Windows” services (what with Windows 8 still struggling to find positive consumer mind share), but “Xbox” services. Not a bad play considering the popularity of the Xbox.

Go get ’em folks!

Xbox Music for Windows Phone (Microsoft App Store)

Xbox Video for Windows Phone (Microsoft App Store)

Youtube Offline Viewing will allow viewers to store video on device for up to 48 hours

somegadgetguy youtube htc one app softwareWe finally have more details!

Announced last month, Youtube will be rolling out an offline mode for Youtube, allowing users to buffer videos on devices to watch later if they don’t have an internet connection, or if you’re trying to be frugal with your data plan. What we didn’t know was how and when this was going to implemented, but now Google’s explaining a bit more.

Through the Youtube app, there will now be an option to allow offline viewing. The videos stored through this setting will stay on the device for up to 48 hours. If the phone or tablet doesn’t connect back to the internet within that time frame, then the videos will no longer be available. For people who operate a Youtube channel, viewing stats will be updated once the device connects to the internet. This service will also work for certain types of Google ads, helping to keep monetized channels paying out.

This is pretty great. There have been a number of times I wished I could buffer videos before taking a flight, or where I might not watch a video because I don’t want to use a ton of data, but I could’ve pre-loaded the video while on WiFi. Google expects the offline mode should be available in November.

And if you aren’t already, you should subscribe to my channel on Youtube, so you can watch all my awesome gadget reviews offline. I’m shameless like that.

(via Youtube FAQ)

Boston Judge Rules Aereo can continue streaming TV over the Internet while awaiting Copyright trial

Scale_of_justice_goldScore one for the little guy.

Currently available in only seven states, Aereo streams TV over the internet for $8 a month. Unlike Hulu or Netflix which have to enter into costly negotiations and pay huge licensing fees for content, Aereo streams basic HD TV, much like you can get on an Over the Air Antenna. The company is able to skirt that expense by pulling a little old school trickery. For every customer who signs up, Aereo operates a separate HD antenna just for them. You’re essentially paying for mobility and cloud storage, the ability to watch TV on any gadget you want, anywhere you have data.

Unsurprisingly, TV networks aren’t thrilled with this business model, and you can imagine the courtroom battles taking place over who owns what, and how content can be distributed. The most recent salvo is a copyright dispute, and leading up to the trial broadcasters filed an injunction to pull the plug on Aereo.

aereo_logoThis morning Boston Judge Nathaniel Gorton refused to grant the injunction, saying in his ruling that Aereo better resembled a DVR, and that Aereo did not resemble other services which illegally rebroadcast content. When elaborating on claims that this service was financially harming broadcasters, Judge Gorton acknowledged that Aereo could pose a long term threat to traditional distribution, but that it didn’t appear to be causing any such harm currently.

Aereo is free to continue operating leading up to the trial, and then there will be another fight to help define the boundaries of digital media and distribution. It’s clear that consumers are increasingly looking for alternatives to their current relationships with carriers and broadcasters.

Read the full court transcript after the jump.

Continue reading “Boston Judge Rules Aereo can continue streaming TV over the Internet while awaiting Copyright trial”