streaming

Redbox Instant -- Verizon's stab at a video streaming service to compete with Netflix -- is said to be launching by the end of the year.

Users may be able to start using the service as soon as December 17, according to GigaOM. Also, it's looking like Redbox Instant could cost as low as $6 a month.

Redbox Instant is a joint venture announced in February between Verizon and Coinstar -- the company that owns the Redbox DVD rental business. The companies aim to develop an on-demand video streaming service with DVD rentals, much like what Netflix offers.… Read more

Band of the Day is an app that works just like the name suggests. Each day the developers upload a new band to their page for some sweet free listening. Runner up for Apple's App of the Year 2011, they carry a variety of genre and each day will offer something different from the last. The cool thing about the app is that it offers listeners the option to learn more about the band beyond the music. Full blown biographies and interview pages are posted along with the soundtrack. We were able to watch some cool video interviews and … Read more

Regardless of your feelings for iPhoto on OS X, having to launch and wait for it to load your photo library only to access a screenshot or a single photo in your Photo Stream can be annoying. The good news is, after following the steps laid out below, you'll be able to access your Photo Stream at any time, without even having iPhoto running. The process comes courtesy of a post by Ben Ward (which originated from a Mac OSX Hints thread) earlier this year. It looks more complicated than it really is, but as always, proceed at your … Read more

Having access to a potentially infinite cache of media files at your fingertips is a nice thought. However, you need a stable app that can deliver those files quickly and efficiently to your Android device, and that is exactly what the Netflix app is designed to do.

Placed on a throne as the world's leading Internet subscription service for streaming movies and TV shows, Netflix went an extra mile and created its mini version for Android devices. The interface of the Netflix app is more or less straightforward; there's a shows option, a search bar, and some account-based … Read more

Sony has announced that PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to add Music Unlimited Premium membership to their accounts for a limited time at $12 per year.

The PlayStation store update is due to go live later today (November 20) and represents a saving of 90 percent based on the regular price of $10 per month, while non-PlayStation Plus members can sign up for a discounted $60 yearly rate instead.

A PlayStation Plus account costs $49.99 a year, so buying Plus and Music Unlimited together makes more sense while the deal is running.

Sony boasts it has a catalog … Read more

Disney will close a little-known Internet movie streaming service at the end of the year, apparently unable to generate enough interest or revenue.

Disney Movies Online, which allowed people to rent and buy streamed movies from the Disney library, including those made by subsidiary Pixar, will shut down on December 31, the media giant announced today in an e-mail to customers and notice posted to the service's Web site. It also allowed titles that had been purchased as DVDs and Blu-rays to be streamed online.

Purchases can no longer be made on the site, but customers can continue to … Read more

Google is again taking aim at Apple in the mobile space, setting its sites on developing an AirPlay challenger.

The Web giant is working on an alternative to Apple's wireless feature and hopes to attract the interest of device and software vendors with the effort, according to a GigaOm report. A Google representative declined to comment specifically on its plans for the features, saying "Stay tuned to see this feature coming to more devices and screens in the future."

Google offered an early taste of what it has planned with the debut last week of a new feature for YouTube … Read more

In the flurry of news on Nintendo's Wii U launch this weekend, one aspect stuck out: streaming services like Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, and Amazon Instant Video, along with Nintendo's TVii service, were to be delayed for a few more weeks.

However, Netflix announced today this is incorrect. Contrary to the news reports, there will be no delay for Netflix on Wii U's launch -- the company announced that the service became available on the console this weekend.

"Netflix is available today on the Wii U home screen with the Wii U launch in the US … Read more

Unlike Pandora and Last.fm, Spotify has relied on actual clients to deliver music to its subscribers. Whether you're on the computer or a mobile device, Spotify has apps that will let you listen to your tunes, change stations, etc. However, this doesn't always work if you're using a computer that isn't yours, or you detest adding yet another app to your devices.

As an extra streaming option, Spotify is rolling out its Web player to user accounts. The Web player is located at http://play.spotify.com, but if you don't have access, you … Read more