3Screens

How to Order A Pay-Per-View Event on U-verse

Wanna rent a special Pay-Per-View Event on U-verse?

Real easy.

• Press GUIDE on your AT&T remote control.  Go to Pay Per View Channel 102 by using the up / down browse arrows.
• Select the program you want to order and then press OK.  A  Program Info screen will appear showing you the event time and how much the event will cost.
• Press OK and if there are Parental Locks in place, you will need to enter your PIN.
• You will then be asked to confirm your order.  Just press OK and you're good to go..  Want to go to live TV, just press EXIT.
• Be sure to tune in to the event's channel at the scheduled starting time.  If you are late, you can't rewind what you missed.  (sort of like being on time to the movies).  However, unlike VOD, you can record your Pay Per View event to your DVR and watch the event at your convenience.

Aside From Gizmodo, CrunchGear, Engadget And The Like, Put The NY Times' "Bits" On Your Reading List

I am a huge fan of blogs such as Engadget, CrunchGear, Gizmodo.   

While these well written, and often irreverent, I am also a big fan of The New York Timem's "BITS" blog.   

BITS- which stands for Business, Technology, Innovation and Society, takes a broader look beyond just gizmos, gadgets and toys. 

Their writers cover serious topics about how business uses and is affected by innovation, disruption and new technology.

Worth Reading!

AT&T U-verse Expands HD Channel Lineup to Include More HBO HD Networks

Good news, AT&T U-verseTV customers.  The phone company as we no longer know it, is expanding its range of HD programming on HBO with the addition of   HBO2 HD, HBO Comedy HD and HBO Family HD.

With these additions, U-verse TV customers who subscribe to the HD service option have access to a lineup of more than 40 HD channels. Customers receive HBO channels with a U400 subscription or the addition of an HBO or Movie Package.

$10 A Month More and Worth It

For the price of 3 or so cups of Starbucks coffee, you can have a whole month of this stuff.
HD service is available for $10 a month with any U-verse TV programming package. All U-verse TV packages include HD-ready equipment, and most include an HD-capable DVR.

Click here to learn more about HBO HD programming.

Visit these AT&T Sites to Learn More:

Customers who want additional information on AT&T U-verse TV — or to find out whether it's available in their area — can visit http://uverse.att.com. U-verse TV customers can get more information about U-verse TV programming and television events by visiting http://uverse.att.com/uconnect.

Live Video Broadcasting on AT&T's 3G Network

Here is Steve Garfield's approach to what he calls Happenstance Broadcasting. 
His video says it all.
He does this in real time
On the AT&T 3G network.  He's using Qik to do live streaming....

Apple Does Three Screens....Before AT&T

Now that Apple you can rent movies from the iTunes store, you can watch movies on your TV (via Apple TV) your PC and your iPod - or in my case, my iPhone.

Call it three-screens if you will- sort of what this blog is all about and of course what the phone company is trying to execute on.

Being the proud owner of an Apple TV, a MacBookPro and of course an iPhone, my movie rental becomes portable - even if its for a 24 hour period.

What is also interesting is that when you use your AppleTV, you don't have to use it with a computer.  Just download it via the Internet.   Rentals run $2.99, new releases, $3.99 and HD rentals will run $3.99 and $4.99.

If you are an existing Apple TV owner like me, not to worry....you can download a free software update.

This all sounds well and good, but one thing I can't find information on is the time it takes for downloading movies.  I plan to try some rentals soon and will report back on this experience.

New AT&T Store in My Neighborhood is Nice, But Dissapoints...

There is a new AT&T store in my neighborhood (Alamo Heights / San Antonio) that now offers the full range of AT&T products and services, including U-verse and HomeZone.

Like the other Experience stores I have visited, they are nicely laid out, the visual focus is centered on TV, and the staff is very friendly and professional.

But there is a problem:  it's just another retail store that with nice and friendly and professional people.  There is no soul, no story, no three-screens message that compels.

Tomorrow, I will be outlining what I think is missing from the present stores and on Monday I will be doing a post on what I would do if I could develop my own prototype store....and how I would shift the focus away from just schlepping products and services, and promoting communications and entertainment empowerment.

Stay tuned.....

Here's a Second Look at AT&T's Video Share Service

In principle, a good idea:  use your cell phone to broadcast live video to a friend, colleague, parent, child, etc.  In reality, you both need to have compatible phones, be in a 3G area and pony up another $10 per month for up to 60 minutes of use.

AT&T's Video Share , is basically a one-way video live streaming service that lets you share the moment during a mobile-to-mobile phone call.

Here is a fair and balanced video review. If you have an application where you are using VideoShare, send it along to: alan at weinkrantz dot com.

How To Program Your AT&T U-verse Remote Control

Need to Program Your AT&T U-verse Remote Control?

Here is a handy step by step guide.   

Download it here:
Download remote_control_user_guide.pdf

For Your Christmas Day View Pleasure...Here is My Favorite AT&T Video of 2007

And now for your Christmas Day viewing pleasure....here is my personal favorite AT&T video of 2007. 

It's Steve Colbert's analysis of how, thanks to America's anti-trust laws, AT&T was able to glue itself back together again.....roll the tape and enjoy your day!

Wanna Record Video on Your iPhone? Could It Disrupt AT&T's Own VideoShare Service in the Future?

Sorry, I have been off from posting for a few days. 

I have been backlogged with the day job.

Just found something very cool on Gizmodo.  An application to record video on your iPhone.

Could this possibly disrupt AT&T's own VideoShare service in the near future?