Nook Color updated to V1.4.1 featuring over 100 enhancements including Netflix support.

Barnes and Noble recently released a firmware update V1.4.1 for the Nook Color that touts over 100 enhancements, including reading Nook books in portrait and landscape modes, direct look-up of words in the built-in dictionary, increased font selection and more.

Other new features and enhancements include:

• Access to popular movies and TV shows streamed through Netflix
• NOOK Comics including a large collection of Marvel graphic novels
• PagePerfect NOOK Books – a whole new category of NOOK Books including select multi-media features

The software update is scheduled to be rolled out over the next week and will automatically install when the device is idle. Once the update has been installed, you’ll see a small green “n” on the left side of the status bar.

Filed under: Android, General technology, Services, Software, .zip file, Barnes, Barnes & Noble, Barnes & Noble Nook Color, Barnes nad Noble, Device, download, firmware update for Nook Color, how to check for update on Nook Color, how to update your Nook Color, manual Nook Color update, Netflix, Netflix on Nook Color, Noble, Nook, Nook Color, Nook Color features and enhancements, Nook Color firmware update V1.4.1, OTA Nook Color update, removable drive, software update, Television program, tv shows, updating Nook Color step-by-step, USB cable, Web page

Netflix dumps Qwikster, DVDs will be staying at netflix.com

by George Heymann

techeadlines@gmail.com

When CEO Reed Hastings announced in September that Netflix would spin off its DVD service to a separate website called Qwikster it was greeted with a collective groan from the Netflix user base. It was obvious to everyone except apparently Netflix that having to manage two accounts, multiple-passwords on two websites was less convenient for customers than handling everything on a single Netflix account.

Thankfully Netflix has cancelled its plans for Qwikster.

“We are going to keep Netflix as one place for streaming and DVDs. This means no change: one website, one account, one password… in other words, no Qwikster.

While the July price change was necessary, we are now done with price changes.

We’re constantly improving our streaming selection. We’ve recently added hundreds of movies from Paramount, Sony, Universal, Fox, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, MGM and Miramax. Plus, in the last couple of weeks alone, we’ve added over 3,500 TV episodes from ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, USA, E!, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, ABC Family, Discovery Channel, TLC, SyFy, A&E, History, and PBS explained Reed today on the Netflix Blog.”

Filed under: General technology, Media, Services, ABC, ABC Family, Discovery Channel, DVD, DVDs, DVDs will be staying at Netflix, Fox, MGM, Netflix, PBS, Qwikster, Reed Hastings, Syfy

In-home movie, game options abound

Array of services growing for on-demand entertainment.

by George Heymann

techeadlines@gmail.com

Want to check out that new flick or the latest video game? Besides a trip to the theater, watching movies available from your local cable/satellite provider or buying the latest hot video game, there are number of good options to consider.

Netflix offers a mail subscription DVD and Blu-ray disc rental service as well as video streaming via the Internet.

Netflix streaming options are numerous: the firm supports computers, all of the major mobile platforms including Android and iOS, a variety of game consoles, practically all of the dedicated streaming devices as well as many popular Blu-ray players and TVs.

Filed under: Gaming, General technology, Media, Services, Software, Android, blockbuster, Blu-ray Disc, Business, Digital Media, Dish Network, DVD, DVDs, Entertainment_culture, George Heymann, http://technology-headlines.com, iOS, Netflix, Pueblo Chieftain, Redbox, Reed Hastings, Storage, technology headlines, Technology_internet, The Pueblo Chieftain, Video game, www.chieftain.com

Amazon working on a subscription model for books, possibly as part of Amazon Prime service, according to WSJ report.

by George Heymann

techeadlines@gmail.com

Amazon is working on a new Netflix like subscription model for books that could allow users to check out digital books. Details are still sketchy, but according to the Wall Street Journal report customers would pay an annual fee to access a library of digital titles. This new digital service could possibly be added as part of the $79/year Amazon prime Service.

If this initiative comes to fruition it would add another substantial benefit to the Amazon Prime service which already includes free two day shipping and movie streaming for existing Amazon Prime customers.

If Amazon can convince publishers to get onboard with the proposal, it could give Amazon a leg up in the burgeoning Android tablet market.

A low cost Amazon Android tablet that includes both a subscription digital book and streaming movie service could emerge to be the first Android tablet to pose a real threat to the iPad dominance in the tablet market.

Source: Wall Street Journal 

Filed under: Android, Apple, Google, Hardware, Ipad, Services, Software, Amazon Kindle, Amazon Prime service, Amazon.com, AmazonPrime, Android, Android Tablet, book publishers, digital book library, digital library, E-book, Kindle, Kindle color tablet, Netflix, publishers, Publishing, streaming movie service, subscription, subscription book model, subscription books, Subscription business model, Wall Street Journal, WSJ

Netflix separating streaming and DVD plans, nets price hike for US customers

by George Heymann

techeadlines@gmail.com

Netflix announce today that they will be separating its streaming and DVD services in the US. The new 1 DVD out-at-a-time plan will be $7.99 and the 2 DVD out-at-a-time plan will be $11.99. The unlimited streaming only plan will remain at $7.99 a month. The price for getting both unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs will be $15.98 a month ($7.99 + $7.99) up from the current $9.99 pricing.

Filed under: Media, Services, Andy Rendich, DVD, DVDs, http://technology-headlines.com, Movie, Netflix, Netflix Chief Service and Operations Officer, Netflix price hike, Price, price increase, Pricing, Redbox, streaming, Streaming media, technology headlines, www.netflix.com

TI gets Netflix SRI HD certification, brings new streaming capabilities to Android devices.

by George Heymann

techeadlines@gmail.com

Texas Instruments, Inc. (TI) announced today they became the first to achieve the Netflix Silicon Reference Implementation (SRI) certification for the Netflix HD application on Android. TI’s Omap 4 platform combines its M-Shield security software with its quad-radio WiLink 7.0 solution to provide full 1080P 30 frames per second (FPS) streaming video.

TI’s WiLink 7.0 solution is said to be the only single chip to include WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and FM. TI worked with Trusted Logic to develop its DRM security software.

Filed under: Android, Breaking News, General technology, Google, Hardware, Preview, Software, Android, Android 2.3, Bill Holmes, Digital rights management, Gingerbread, IPad, iPhone, M-shield security software, Netflix, Netflix HD streaming application, OMAP 4, SRI HD certification, Texas Instruments, Texas Instruments OMAP, TI, WiFi, WiLink 7.0

Will video on demand services like Netflix make DVDs a thing of the past?

by A. Montaqim

Technology Market

A newly-released SNL Kagan study, The Economics of TV and Film, reveals that 2010 was similar to 2009 in that the domestic box office hit a record high, once again, while the domestic video retail market was continuing its steady decline. Consumers are now opting to sign up for streaming and/or rental services, like Netflix. They are using video on demand (VOD) services more and more, as they discover these services can be cost effective.

Filed under: General technology, Media, Avatar, Blu Ray, Blu-ray Disc, Buena Vista, Columbia, DVD, dvd market, Fox, in-depth analysis, media and communications, Netflix, proprietary data, Retailing, SNL Financial, snl kagan, Television, The Economics of TV and Film, Toy Story 3, Twilight Saga: New Moon, Twilight: Eclipse, Twilight: New Moon, Video on demand, VOD, Warner

Netflix signs multi-year deal with Miramax.

Today Netflix and Miramax announced a joint partnership making Miramax films available for the first time through a digital subscription service.

Beginning in June, Netflix members in the U.S. will be able to instantly watch several hundred Miramax movies, with dozens of titles being added on a rotating basis. Some of the initial Miramax offerings include classics such as Pulp Fiction,” “Shakespeare in Love,” “The English Patient,” “Good Will Hunting,” “Bad Santa,” “Scream,” “Spy Kids,” “The Piano” and “Kill Bill”.

The movies can be watched on multiple platforms, including TV, tablet, computer and mobile phones.  Financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed.

Source: Netflix

Filed under: Media, Bad Santa, English Patient, Good Will Hunting, Kill Bill, Miramax Films, Netflix, Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love

Netflix launches on Android

by George Heymann

techeadlines@gmail.com

Netflix announced today on its official blog the rollout of the Netflix application for the Android Platform. The free application is available from the Android Market.

Filed under: Android, Breaking News, Google, Hardware, Software, Android, Android 2.3, Digital rights management, DRM, Froyo, Gingerbread, HTC Corporation, HTC Evo 4G, HTC G2, HTC Incredible, Netflix, Netflix app, Netflix app for Android, Netflix for Android, Netflix support for Android, Nexus One, Streaming media, streaming video, T-Mobile G2, technical issues, video playback

Roku XD/S Good things still come in small packages!

by George Heymann

techeadlines@gmail.com

I want to share my first impressions of my recently purchased Roku XD/S HD streaming video player. There is a lot to like about this very affordable sub $100 set-top box. The first thing you’ll notice about the Roku is its diminutive size. The unit measures a mere 1 inch tall by less than 5 inches wide and is very light weight.

Filed under: Hardware, Review, 802.11, 802.11 b/g/n, Amazon Instant video, Display device, Facebook features, Flickr, HDMI, Hulu, Hulu Plus, MLB, NBA, Netflix, NHL, Pandora, Roku, Roku HD, Roku XD, Roku XD/S, Streaming media, The Roku Player, UFC, Universal Serial Bus, Wi-Fi