Amazon.com removing Apple TV & Chromecast products
Amazon will stop selling competing streaming media players Apple TV and Chromecast this month in a bullish move to sell more Fire TV players. While some analysts warn this could hurt Amazon by not offering the popular brands customers want to buy, it could certainly boost sales of Amazon’s video and game-delivery platform. Read more
New GoPro model bridges entry-level & $299 model
The new GoPro HERO+ will bridge the gap between the entry-level $129 HERO and $299 HERO+ LCD. Appropriately named the HERO+, the $199 model is essentially the HERO+LCD without the LCD display. With built-in Wi-Fi (for app control and remote viewing), 1080p video at 60fps, and Trim & Share functions, the model is a more cost-effective choice for those who don’t need a touch-display on their action cam. Read more
Amazon’s Fire TV will support 4k, but not 4k?
The specs for the soon-to-be-released next-gen Fire TV player show 4k video playthrough, but upon digging deeper those specifications do not indicate support for HDMI 2.0, the standard required for 4k video at 60 frames-per-second and HDR (High Dynamic Range) content. We first got notice of this caveat via a Consumer Reports article that notes the irony of Amazon pushing its HDR original content while selling a device that does not support it. Read more
Google intros next-gen Chromecast & new Chromecast Audio
This past week Google introduced a new, faster version of the Chromecast streaming dongle that plays up to 1080p video and supports Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4GHz/5Ghz). They also introduced the Chromecast Audio device for streaming audio wirelessly to speaker systems in the home. Both devices sell for $35. Read more
Netflix & Hulu now streaming more movies
Last week Netflix lost EPIX, while Hulu gained it, adding much-needed blockbuster movie titles to the platform. But Netflix also added a bunch of new titles starting October 1st, making this a good week for both streaming platforms. Read more
Verizon launches Go90 video service
Verizon has launched its new streaming video service named Go90 (that refers to the act of turning a smartphone horizontally to watch videos). Considering its brand name, you can imagine the service is geared towards an audience that watches more videos on smartphones rather than traditional big screen TVs. Read more (TechCrunch)
Netflix now streaming in-flight
Long flights would be so much more tolerable with access to Netflix, but until now most streaming video services on planes have been blocked. But Virgin America announced they will be offering enough bandwidth to support the service starting this month, accessible once an altitude of 35,000 feet is reached. How many episodes of Orange is the New Black can you fit into your flight? Read more (Multichannel)
