Video streaming company Vevo, used by both Sony and Universal to showcase their artist’s videos on YouTube, was caught red-faced recently when guests noticed they were illegally streaming an NFL playoff game at their recent Sundance party. Sony and Universal have been loud voices in the fight against piracy. So what’s up with the blatant hypocrisy? On the VEVO blog, its CEO Rio Caraeff offered these words:

“A guest of our lounge asked for an NFL game to be aired. We said no. There was a laptop hooked up to VEVO.com that fed into the large TV screens around the bar. Unfortunately, the laptop was easily accessible to the public.”

It is really that surprising that they are pointing the finger at some mystery guest, rather than at themselves for leaving their computer in a vulnerable spot where anyone could mess with it? What if it had been porn rather than an NFL game that got streamed? Really irresponsible on Vevo’s part!

Google began teasing of an update for Google TV on Facebook yesterday. And well, it looks like that update has since been announced — the YouTube channel has been updated. Yup, those with a Google TV can fire up their unit and download the latest YouTube channel from the Android Market. Google makes mention that this update arrives with some “big improvements.” That being said, some of the goodies that were mentioned include how the app now “works faster with smoother navigation.” Otherwise, the key features and changes include new channel pages, the ability to see related videos and more videos from the same user a bit easier and the ability to thumbs up a video, leave a comment for a video or add a video to a playlist using the Info screen (all from your remote). And lastly, Google also added in a new feature called Discover which is described as being a way to “browse YouTube channels by categories.”

Via [Official Google TV Blog]

The Roku set-top box has officially begun shipping for those in the UK market. And nicely done, they will arrive with the BBC iPlayer channel. More specifically, the Roku players will arrive with more than 40 streaming channels including a few that are region specific. Some of the others that will join the BBC iPlayer channel include Netflix, Crackle, Ultimate Fighting Championship, MLB.TV and FoxNews.com. Plus, who can forget about Angry Birds. Otherwise, in terms of the players, there will be two available — the Roku LT and the Roku 2 XS (pictured above) and they will be selling for £49.99 and £99.99 respectively.

Keep reading to check out the full press release…

Roku Increases Selection of Entertainment Content; Begins Shipping Roku Players to Customers in the UK

Roku Players Feature More than 40 Streaming Channels Including Region-Specific Programmes

Saratoga, Calif. and LONDON – Feb. 10, 2012 – Roku ®, the leading streaming platform in the U.S., today announced the addition of BBC iPlayer to its growing selection of video, music and games in the UK. Joining Netflix, FoxNews.com and others, the new channel will allow Roku’s UK customers to catch up on recent BBC programming on their television sets without the need for a PC.

“Roku recognizes the importance of region-specific programmes so today we are excited to announce the addition of BBC iPlayer to our platform,” said Clive Hudson, vice president and general manager for Europe at Roku. “This is among the first of many significant content partnerships for Roku in Europe and we look forward to making additional announcements in the coming weeks.”

Roku streaming players are known for their low prices, simplicity and quality of content. Two models of Roku players – Roku LT and Roku 2 XS – are available in the UK and the Republic of Ireland for suggested retail prices of £49.99 and £99.99 respectively (customers can visit www.roku.co.uk to find retailers). Both models feature more than 40 channels of streaming entertainment including on-demand films and programmes from Netflix and Crackle (Crackle is available in the UK only); live and on-demand sports from MLB.TV and Ultimate Fighting Championship organisation; music from Classical TV and TuneIn; photos and videos from Facebook and Flickr; news and entertainment from WSJ Live from the Wall Street Journal, FoxNews.com and others from around the world – plus casual games like Angry Birds.

It doesn’t seem as if Disney’s restrictions will be as harsh as Warner Bros. Warner Bros. wants rental services to wait 56 days before renting movies for customers. Of course, no company is obligated to abide by Warner Bros.’ wishes, but they won’t get bundles of movies at discounted prices if they refuse to play ball.

Via [New York Times]

Telus Canada’s innovative TV service is about to get even more exciting with the launch of two new sub-products, the Optik TV for Xbox 360 and Optik on the go. According to Telus’ Chief Commercial Officer, Joe Natale, these two new products is aimed at continuously transforming the way their customers will enjoy Optik TV.  The Optik TV for Xbox 360 for instance will let you control both live and recorded TV using hand gestures and voice commands.  Say goodbye to your remote control and start using your Xbox 360 as a digital TV box as well as using your Xbox 360 Kinect sensor for employing a range of voice commands and hand gestures. Optik on the go on the other hand lets you you view a selection of commercial free TV On Demand shows and movies on your mobile devices, tablets and laptops – wherever you may be.  The service also lets you start, pause, rewind and fast forward the shows you are watching just like the way you do it when your at home watching. Optics on the go is available as a free app for your Android tablets, iPad or iPhone.

Via [Newswire Canada]

]]> http://www.technologytell.com/gadgets/90559/telus-launches-new-innovations-for-optik-tv/feed/ 0 http://www.technologytell.com/gadgets/90537/amazon-strikes-deal-with-viacom-to-add-more-shows-to-prime-instant-video/ http://www.technologytell.com/gadgets/90537/amazon-strikes-deal-with-viacom-to-add-more-shows-to-prime-instant-video/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:37:54 +0000 Shawn Ingram http://www.technologytell.com/gadgets/?p=90537 more »]]>

Amazon continues to beef up its Prime Instant Video offers, today adding more than 2,000 titlrs thanks to a new deal with Viacom.

The new deal with Viacom brings in TV shows from Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, Spike, CMT, and TV Land, among others. That means that Amazon Prime subscribers will be able to watch full seasons of shows like Avatar: The last Airbender, Chapelle’s Show, Jersey Shore, The Real World, Yo Gabba Gabba, and The Sarah Silverman Project. As with all Amazon Prime Instant Videos, these shows will be available on a variety of devices, from your PC or Mac to the Kindle Fire and Roku boxes.

The new deal with Amazon brings the Prime Instant Video selection to more than 15,000 titles. That’s a pretty large selection for a service that comes as a side effect of getting free two-day shipping on almost everything Amazon sells. Of course, there’s also the added bonus of being able to just buy titles that aren’t available for free through the service. It almost makes it seem like a better deal than Netflix, and it might be if Amazon has all the titles that you want.

Read [Amazon]

After Monday’s Redbox and Verizon announcement, the streaming video landscape is getting very interesting.

Via [Reuters]

The deal is worth up to $100 million. For its money, Redbox is getting DVD kiosks, DVD inventory and contracts with unspecified retail partners. Redbox’s parent company Coinstar will be obligated to purchase products and services from NCR once the transaction is finalized during the third quarter of 2012.

The obvious question here is what will happen to the Blockbuster Express kiosks. We’ve asked the folks at Blockbuster that very question and will update you when we learn more.

Read [Engadget]

If you are looking to check out the 2012 Super Bowl commercials, well then, it looks like YouTube is the place where you need to head. The video site has a special section set-up which is being promoted in conjunction with AdBlitz and NBC Sports. But regardless of who is offering it, the AdBlitz 2012 page on YouTube has 62 videos available and ready for your viewing pleasure. Plus, you can also take the time to vote on your favorite. Anyway, given we realize that everyone will have the most (and least) favorite video — we will leave you with these two (for no other reason then because we like the cars) and a link to YouTube so you can watch them all for yourself.

Via [YouTube]

Both companies are keeping specific details under wraps for now. We do know Redbox and Verizon will showcase its offerings in the “second half of 2012″ according to its press release. We also know the streaming video service will be accessible on a range of devices that are currently in homes across America.

Some potential customers may be concerned with the requirements to access Verizon’s and Redbox’s streaming service. With alternatives such as the Blockbuster Movie Pass, an existing membership with Dish Network is required. It sounds like that won’t be the case with Verizon’s venture. The press release says “all consumers across the U.S.” will be able to take part in viewing new and popular video entertainment.

Via [Verizon]