After much hinting, SteamOS was finally released by Valve. It’s based on Linux and designed for living room gaming PC’s; it’s also the first big step towards the much-anticipated release of the Steam Box, Valve’s vision for an open video game console. According to Valve, the company has an agreement with Linux to build triple-A game titles that will run natively on SteamOS in 2014. SteamOS boxes, however, will reportedly utilize streaming as a workaround for Windows-based games. The goal is to be able to stream games from your existing computer onto your TV, which will eventually come as a part of the SteamOS itself. Next up for the disruptive developer: video and music streaming. Valve is making big moves that could have a major effect on how gamers and regular TV users consume content.
Tag: streaming
Yahoo! Launches Yahoo Screen
Yahoo’s ongoing revamp continued with its recent announcement of Yahoo Screen, an iOS app that compiles all of its entertainment content for streaming. The library includes an extensive Saturday Night Live archive and select Comedy Central programming including the Colbert Report and the Daily Show. More than 1,000 hours of comedy programming is currently available to stream on the service. Other content comes from ABC News, GQ, Wired, Major League Baseball, UFC, among others. The app is designed to be highly gesture based, with swipes playing a key role. With more and more companies entering the streaming space, are we about to see a leap of innovation in web based multimedia programming?
Netflix Adds My List Queue
As part of its continued effort to make streaming video service more personalized, Netflix introduced “My List,” a feature that provides a new way for users to save a list of movies and TV shows to watch later. It’s designed to correct the common act of stumbling onto a film that one might want to watch, but not presently. In that case, the subscriber can now just click ‘Add To My List,’ and it will be added to a group of titles to be watched later. The idea is is a lineage of the DVD queue, when subscribers would have a list of DVDs to be mailed next; Netflix tried to mimic this model with the Instant Queue, but it wasn’t quite as effective and ultimately didn’t serve the same function. It seems as though “My List” finally gets back to that functionality – with potential future social features built in.
WatchESPN Updates Live Toolbar
One of the original streaming apps, WatchESPN, vastly improved its service today, through an update that includes a major face lift and real-time stats, scores, and on-demand clips via a live toolbar. The app provides access to live streams from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3, and ESPN Goal Line/Buzzer Beater, and now the toolbar gives access to clips across all of these channels, without the user having to navigate away from the live stream they’re watching. This means that users can turn the second screen – the iPad or other streaming device – entirely into the first stream for most sports entertainment.
Showtime Anytime Apps Updated For Live Programming
The Showtime Anytime app has brought mobile access to Showtime’s several series’ since 2011, but users will now have access to live episodes. Thanks to the app’s update, users can stream a live feed of whatever is presently airing on Showtime. This is a big addition to the already burgeoning second-screen ecosystem, and is sure to compete with streaming services like the recently announced Chromecast, as well as Apple’s Airplay.
Samsung Acquires Boxee For $30 Million
In an acquisition reported at around $30 million dollars, Samsung has purchased Boxee, the smart TV provider that looked to blend TV and the web. It might not be the greatest deal for the New York/Tel Aviv startup who raised $26 million in funding to date, but the negotiation has serious implications for the future of Samsung’s TV offerings. For starters, Boxee’s impressive interface will likely serve Samsung well with easier searchability and an open approach to third party developers. Even more interesting is Boxee’s suite of mobile apps which Samsung may borrow from to enhance their mobile integration for their “All-Share” product. With a slew of leading smartphones, there could be big business in a mobile component that lets users toggle between screens seamlessly–and what’s more are the advertising opportunities for cross-platform targeting. So while the smart TV space is relatively nascent (save for Xbox’s 60 million users), Samsung’s acquisition could make them a leader in the space and enable streaming media in the living room to break into the mainstream.
Apple Announces iTunes Radio
Apple announced the Fall launch of iTunes Radio, a Pandora-like streaming service geared towards music discovery and driving increased iTunes sales. Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac, PC, and Apple TV the service will be free and ad supported, or completely ad-free with an iTunes Match account. While it’s hard to call the offering a game changer, there are differentiating features like voice command integration with SIRI to make song requests. Apple’s biggest advantage though should be its ability to get exclusive tracks or album previews from big artists before you can hear them anywhere else.
Google To Launch Streaming Service
Google has announced a streaming music service called Google Play Music All Access built on top of their Play store. Let’s just say it contains all the features of Spotify–mobile and desktop access, a recommendation engine and social integration–with one major exception. Unlike most of Google products, Google Music will be $9.99 per month. iTunes is expected to launch their streaming service this year so expect the space to get cluttered pretty quickly.
ABC Offers Mobile Streaming of Live TV
ABC is providing a live-stream of local programming via their mobile app in a landmark move for a major broadcaster. Amidst competition from streaming services like Netflix and over the air service Aereo, ABC expedited their mobile viewing project initially planned for 2014 as they will be rolling out in select cities in time for the upfronts. The new offering is only available to paying cable subscribers however and will feature the same ads offered on abc.com.
Amazon Likely To Create Set-Top Box
Amazon is rumored to be launching a set-top box this fall, bringing their content into the living room. Amazon has already had quite a bit of success with their Instant Video service so it makes sense to expand their distribution platforms. While Amazon Instant Video can be accessed via other over-the-top services like Roku, their dedicated device would allow them to feature their services more prominently. Time will tell if they decide to include other competitive content providers like Netflix within their ecosystem.
