Cablevision and iO TV have announced a new agreement, one that means Cablevision customers will soon have access to both HBO GO and MAX GO. Of course, as we have seen in the past with these “GO” services, said Cablevision customers will need to be subscribed to HBO and/or Cinemax in order to take advantage of the on-the-go mobile apps. That said and assuming you are an HBO or Cinemax subscriber with Cablevision, you will soon have access to the respective “GO” services using an iOS or Android device. And lastly, as to when, so far Cablevision has simply stated that both will be coming “in the next few months.”

Via [Yahoo! Finance]

We’ve all experienced situations when we’re watching television late at night and the volume suddenly spikes during a commercial. We jump up, fumble with the remote and lay there angry for another five minutes because our zen-like state had been interrupted. I’m here to tell you that won’t be a problem for too much longer. The Federal Communications Commission has made it so we won’t have to suffer through those moments ever again.

The Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act (CALM) was passed on Tuesday. It will end the terrible practice of playing commercials that are way too loud. We won’t see the results from the act until December of 2012. The FCC is giving cable companies, satellite television providers and local broadcasters one year to implement technology to ensure no commercial is louder than the television show it’s accompanying.

This is one FCC ruling that hardly no one will ever complain about.

Read [NPR]

D-Link and Boxee have just announced that the SlingPlayer app has been added to D-Link’s Boxee Box. For the uninitiated, Boxee Box is a set-top device that supports full web browsing, HD streaming from the Internet, support for all popular media formats and integrated social networking delivery. All of these features can be enjoyed right on your home TV. And now that SlingPlayer app for Connected Devices is fully supported, Boxee Box becomes a better alternative to you cable TV subscription. The new SlingPlayer app makes it easier to watch TV, change channels, control DVRs and experience home entertainment on TVs connected bo Boxee Box anywhere. The SlingPlayer app must be connected to a SlingBox Solo or PRO HD and will let you control your digital cable box, satellite receiver, DVR, DVD player and VOD. The SlingPlayer app will appear on the Boxee app menu and will be accessble from the Boxee Box remote control. It will also feature Sling Media’s new program guide which is designed to help users browse content and change channels easily. D-Link’s Boxee Box is available now from D-Link’s retail and e-tail outlets in the US as well as from the D-Link online shop. It will set you back for $179.

Via [Boxee Box]

Sling Media has just made its SlingPlayer for Facebook app available but only if you have a Pro-HD or SOLO Slingbox unit running the latest firmware. According to Sling Media, SlingPlayer for Facebook lets you watch your home TV right inside Facebook as soon as you’ve installed the SlingPlayer app and signed in with your Sling account. The Facebook app works like SlingPlayer for the web so if you’ve used the web-based interface, you’ll be alright using the Facebook app as well. The app also lets you use the on-screen remote for watching and controlling your TV, program and manage your DVR, watch live TV or recorded show. And since it’s on Facebook, you’ll also be able to share your shows and your friends can “like” and comment on them. The release of SlingPlayer for Facebook adds to the several options available for using your Slingbox and joins the apps released by Sling Media for Android, iOS, Windows desktop and Mac OS X. If you have the Pro-HD or SOLO Slingbox, you might want to try installing SlingPlayer app for Facebook. And if you do, feel free to tell us how’s the experience so far.

Via [SlingPlayer for Facebook] and [The Verge]

It looks like the Android Netflix app has recently been updated. This latest update is available by way of the Android Market and comes as version 1.5.2. In addition, the app is listed as supporting Android 2.2 or later, however as we have seen in the past — the support for Android devices is actually quite wide spread now including support for Android 3.x devices as well as improved support for CyanogenMod 7 devices. That being said, here is the “what’s new” in Netflix v.1.5.2;

• Support for Android 3.x devices.
• Available in the USA, Canada and Latin America.
• Supports alternate audio and subtitles.
• Fix incompatibility with CyanogenMod 7 ROM devices.
• Minor bug fixes.

Via [Android Market]

A new Roku model will be released in early November. The Roku LT will cost $50 and will be the cheapest Roku device on the market. It will be able to stream videos in 720p HD and will require a wireless internet connection. Even though it’s cheaper, the Roku LT will be able to access all of Roku’s video channels including Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant Video. At this price, Roku will be harder than ever to pass up. It’s bound to stuffed in many a stocking this holiday season.

Roku and HBO also announced the inclusion of HBO Go on all Roku devices. Expect HBO Go to be added to Roku’s channel lineup at the end of October.

HBO Go will retain the same requirements it always had. You must have HBO service through your television service provider to access HBO Go. HBO Go is continuing its expansion onto connected devices. Just last week, HBO Go was announced for Xbox Live.

Read [GigaOM] Also Read [CNET]

Good news has come to those looking for a SlingPlayer app for Honeycomb running tablets. The folks at Sling Media have officially announced the tablet offering, which will be available for Android tablets running version 3.0 or later. The SlingPlayer app for Honeycomb can be found in the Android Market, and similar to other available apps — it will come priced at $29.99. And just in case you are already using the existing SlingPlayer app on your tablet, rest assured in knowing that it will continue to work in Compatibility Mode at no extra charge. In other words, while you can download and purchase the Honeycomb specific app, you can also continue to use the smartphone designed app if it is working for you. Otherwise, according to Sling Media;

“New to this release of SlingPlayer is a revamped program guide that makes it easy to browse content choices while continuing to watch TV. Familiar custom on-screen remote controls closely mimic the same experience the user has from the couch at home.”

Via [Sling Media] and [MarketWire]

The Zune HD is dead yet again, for the third and hopefully last time in the past week. Microsoft lists the Zune HD as out of stock, and Microsoft has stated that it won’t be making any more Zune hardware.

The news comes after twice last week Microsoft mistakenly announced the death of the Zune through the same methods. Now it seems the death is finally official. The more than two-year-old media player is dead, and no standalone media players will follow it. Instead, if you want a new device with Zune software and Zune Pass support you need to buy a Windows Phone, which actually isn’t such a bad idea. If you still own a Zune HD Zune Pass will continue to work, and Microsoft will support the device going forward, just don’t expect to be able to buy a Zune HD 2.

It’s strange that Microsoft didn’t just go along with the first “mistake” if the official death would come just a week later. Then again, this is the most we’ve heard about the Zune HD in quite some time, so maybe Microsoft was trying to draw attention to sell out of stock of the last few units. What else do you do with your two-year-old failed media player that’s been all but replaced already?

Read [Neowin]

YouTube recently launched a new set of editing features that lets users stabilize, trim and add effects to their previously uploaded videos. On Wednesday, YouTube announced even more editing features for YouTube videos. One of the new features is a tool that converts 2D videos into 3D videos.

Converting 2D videos to 3D can be done with a single click. YouTube asserts 3D videos created in this way won’t look as good as videos that are natively captured in 3D. The videos also won’t be converted into glasses-free 3D videos, so you will still need 3D glasses unless you have a device with an autoscopic 3D display.

YouTube also now allows any user with a verified account in good standing to upload videos longer than 15 minutes. Video files that are over 2GB don’t require the advanced uploader anymore.

Finally, YouTube is using Magisto and Vlix to spice up user videos. Should you choose to use these services, your videos will either be automatically edited down into bite sized clips or spiced up with more effects and text.

Via [YouTube Blog]

The new Verizon Video service app was recently pushed out to certain devices over the weekend and is available for download in the Android Market. While it is a free app, the subscription to use it costs $10 monthly or $3 for 24 hour usage.

Verizon Video allows users to stream over 250 full-length episodes provided by networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, MTV, Comedy Central, Animal Planet, CNBC, Disney Channel, ESPN and others. In addition, there are several episodes coming from Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network that will hopefully keep the kids entertained. What’s more is that the Video service will provide live streaming of events such as NFL games.

While your 4G LTE devices — such as the HTC Thunderbolt, LG Revolution, and Samsung Droid Charge — have access to the Verizon Video app, only a handful of unannounced 3G smartphones will have access. If you aren’t grandfathered into unlimited data, I would be careful when streaming these television shows when on 3G or 4G LTE.

Via [Verizon]