Plex is continuing its push into streaming. Originally a service that allowed users to organize their personal media collections and stream them from a PC or home server to a phone, TV, or other device, now you can use Plex to watch live TV. The company has added a new Live TV tab to its […]
streaming
Amazon launches Prime Video Watch Party: watch and chat with up to 100 distant friends
With the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe, it can be tough (and maybe even illegal) to arrange group activities with a bunch of friends in person. But folks have been finding ways to arrange unofficial Zoom Karaoke, and Netflix Party activities. And recently some content providers have gotten in on the action, launching official tools […]
Lilbits 389: Group video chatting during the pandemic
Zoom has been grabbing a lot of headlines for a user base that ballooned from 10-million daily users to 200-million during the pandemic (and the increased scrutiny that comes with increased use). But other video communications services have also seen an uptick in usage as folks stuck at home try to stay connected to one […]
HBO Max launches May 27 for $15 per month
The streaming wars are getting… more complicated again. HBO Max is launching in just over a month and for $15 per month subscribers will be able to access the entire HBO content library plus TV shows and movies from Warner Media and some original new content. HBO Max goes live on May 27th and it’ll […]
Lilbits 384: Stay inside and stream (or game, or read, or whatever)
Last week I put together a list of 40+ free things to stream, play, read, watch, or listen to while you’re stuck at home trying to flatten the curve and maybe load up on carbohydrates. But companies kept offering up more freebies. So as of now the list has ballooned to become 70+ freebies for […]
Netflix to temporarily reduce streaming quality in Europe to cut down on network congestion (Update: YouTube, Amazon, Apple, and Disney too)
One side effect of the coronavirus pandemic is that a lot of people across the world are staying home… and getting online. In Europe, that’s led to increased network usage… and congestion. So EU officials reached out to Netflix, and asked the company to do its part to reduce network congestion in order to ensure […]
AT&T TV delivers TV over the internet with an Android TV set top box
AT&T, which already offers a bunch of ways to pay for live TV, now has another — but for the first time if you sign up, you’ll get a set top box powered by Android TV. That means the new AT&T TV service, which delivers live TV over the internet, lets you access apps like Netflix […]
Amazon Prime Video may finally let you sort by videos actually included in Prime
Sign up for Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, or most other services that stream movies and TV shows, and you can browse the content library, hit play, and start watching. Amazon Prime Video has always been a little different — because Prime Video isn’t all that Amazon offers. The company also rents and sells new releases […]
Streaming updates: Spotify free comes to Alexa speakers, Sling TV works with Nest Hub
Just a few days after Amazon announced that its free, ad-supported music streaming services was now available on devices other than Echo smart speakers, rival Spotify has announced that its ad-supported music streams are now available on Echo speakers… along with just about anything else that supports the Alexa voice service, including Amazon Fire TV products. It’s […]
Netflix testing option to speed up or slow down playback on Android
Those of you who stream Netflix on an Android device may soon have a bit more control over video playback. According to a few scattered reports, Netflix is currently testing variable playback speed in their Android app. As you can see in the screenshot shared by Android Police, there are two options to slow playback […]
Amazon Music HD provides lossless streaming starting at $12.99 per month
Amazon has added a premium tier to its music streaming service: the new Amazon Music HD lets you stream lossless audio at up to 24-bit/192 kHz quality. The service is compatible with most iOS and Android devices launched since 2014, most Amazon Fire tablets, Fire TV devices, and 2nd-gen or later Echo devices), and many […]
Valve retires Steam Link in-home game streaming device
Valve’s Steam Link is a small device that lets you stream PC games to your TV. Connect the $50 device to your TV with an HDMI cable, plug in an Ethernet cable, and connect a game controller and it’s like having a gaming PC in your living room… without having to actually move your gaming […]