3Screens

Update to boxee and updates regarding Hulu on boxee

boxee has just released a new version with the "App Box" (their version of the App Store), an RSS reader optimized for video feeds (including Hulu, Google Video, YouTube, and many others), and a long awaited auto-update feature.  These features are included in boxee for Mac, AppleTV, and Windows (I was told that they will send out an update when Linux is available).         

There is also an update with regards to our meetings with Hulu and their content providers below.  Sadly, they weren't ready to work with them yet.  When they are, they look forward to bringing a more robust version of the Hulu application back to boxee with their help.

You can download the latest version with the app box for Mac here: http://apt.boxee.tv/boxee-0.9.9.5324.dmg

Screenshots of the new build are available at http://drop.io/iloveboxee 

The following is posted at the boxee blog http://blog.boxee.tv/2009/03/06/new-version-hulu-update/ 

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boxee was  started because there was an opportunity in the media center space for a product/company who put the user first, while respecting the rights of content owners. Over the past year and a half, they've listened to users, content owners, investors, working to create that platform.  While I very happy with my traditional U-verse services, boxee expands its capabilities -- and to some degree illustrates a true disruption that big telecos and cable companies face.

Like many great product and technology breakthroughs, these guys did not come from an entertainment or cable background. The fact that it’s becoming easy to consume Internet video on a TV brings into question many of the industry’s business models that developed before the web. That’s part of the reason why Hulu asked to be removed from boxee. our meetings over the past week weren’t able to change that. but the people in the industry “get it”. they are users. they read the blogs. they talk with users. they are trying to adjust to a new reality, but they need time.

Users on the other hand, won’t wait. As seen over the past few weeks, users will take matters into their own hands to get the content they want.  Witnessing this, the boxxee team decided to enable access to a user's favorite content using a new built-in RSS reader optimized for video. Like IE, Firefox, or Google reader, the RSS reader supports Google Video, Yahoo!, YouTube and feeds from many other websites. while it’s not as attractive or robust as our previous Hulu application, it will additionally support Hulu’s public RSS feeds.

The extended support for RSS is part of a new version of the boxee alpha (no update for Ubuntu, yet). it includes two new features that are still under development:

• App Box - this is a first take at an application “store” that makes it easy for users to install new apps and plugins. there is also native support for 3rd party repositories, so you don’t have to rely on boxee as a gatekeeper for what goes into the official boxee app store. for example, you can add dir.boxeehq.com as a repository to get access to all the boxeehq.com apps.
•   
• auto update - long time in the making and really bad form on our part for not having it from the beginning. but better later than never. no need to check on Twitter or our blog to know that there is a new version. now you’ll be prompted to update boxee whenever there is a new release ready.

This is a bleeding-edge release. not for the faint of heart since it did not go through much testing. I was told that the company is on track to release a more stable update on March 24th.

AT&T Lowers My Residential TV/Internet/Phone Bill By Almost 50% By Just Asking. Call And Tell Them Alan Sent You.

I just saved almost 50% on my AT&T U-verse TV / Voice / and Internet service.
 
No, they don't promote this.  And no this is not a bail-out.  And no, this is not part of Mr. Obama's promise of change. 

You just have to call 800-288-2020 and ask for a discount by telling them you are thinking of switching to your local cable or satellite provider.

U-verse Voice went from $35 to $25
U-verse 400 went from $99 to $59
Yahoo Broadband Elite went from $30 to $10

My bill went from $164 to $94 per month by just asking.

Another tactic:  if you're a guy, tell them you're wife thinks you watch too much TV and the family has to save money so AT&T's gotta go.

And if you're a gal, tell them your man done left you--- or just come up with a Jerry Springer like story saying that you gotta cut back on the household overhead.

I am in San Antonio and your market may vary, but press hard and you just might wind up with some pretty amazing savings. I did not cut back on services.

Note:  the deal they offered was only for six months.  I told them to note it on my record that I was going to call back in May to ask for the same thing again.

Tell them Alan from 3Screens sent you.

Share your story with me with comment on the blog or email:  alan at weinkrantz dot com.

2009 Predictions and Recommendations to AT&T....

As we approach the new year, you're going to start seeing all sort of "expert" predictions and pontifications from analysts and consultants in the telecom world about what is to come in 2009 with AT&T.

Here's my take, based on the point of view from a real live consumer.

My 2009 predictions and recommendations to AT&T, including a proposed milk shake meeting at the Olmos Soda Fountain in San Antonio or the Mecca Cafe in Dallas with Chairman & CEO, Randall Stephenson.

Read all about it here in my column appearing in the San Antonio Express News.

A Blast From The Past: A Presentation on How I Started Blogging About AT&T....

In doing some searches on coverage, I found a blast from the past.  It was a presentation I gave at a BarCamp in San Marcos, TX last year....  Special thanks for Shane Mata who posted the video.

AT&T Disrupts Cable and Satellite Guys With More and More and More and More HD Programming. Alan suggests you hunker down during the economic downturn, feed the kids TV dinners and enjoy the world in HD

Starting  the day before President McCain - I mean, President Obama gets to take over the reins of our country, U-verse TV customers will receive up to 30 new HD channels at no additional charge as part of their existing HD service subscription, depending on their programming package.

AT&T has just announced additional HD programming with  more than 30 new HD channels and new international programming packages for Chinese, Polish, Russian, French and European-sports audiences.

With the additions, U-verse TV offers more than 75 HD channels — exceeding the HD channel lineups offered by the major local cable providers in every U-verse market.

The newly added HD channels include several regional sports networks, premium movie channels, and popular national sports, news, women’s, shopping and lifestyle networks. (Refer to the full list of HD channel additions at the end of this release.) 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 four of the five packages include an HD-ready Total Home DVR. Total Home DVR is being rolled out to all U-verse markets by the end of this year.

U-verse TV is also introducing more HD options on Nov. 10 with a new HD Premium package. Featuring Universal HD, MGM HD and Smithsonian Channel HD, the new tier can be added to an HD service subscription for an additional $5 a month. More channels will be added to the HD Premium package in the future.

AT&T is also expanding the ethnic programming available on U-verse TV with several new packages for its diverse customer base including:
 
·         Mandarin Package, featuring CCTV-4, CTI-Zhong Tian Channel, Phoenix InfoNews and Phoenix North American Chinese Channel, for $35 a month. CTI-Zhong Tian Channel can be ordered a la carte for $12 a month, and CCTV-4, Phoenix InfoNews and Phoenix North American Chinese Channel are available a la carte for $10 a month.
·         Polish Package, featuring TV Polonia and TVP Info, for $25 a month. TV Polonia can be ordered a la carte for $20 a month.
·         Russian Package, featuring RTR Planeta and Channel One Russia, for $25 a month. Each channel is available a la carte for $15 a month.
·         TV5MONDE, featuring programs from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada and Quebec, for $10 a month.
·         Setanta Sports, featuring exclusively live European and international soccer, rugby and other sports, for $15 a month.

The new international packages are available starting Nov. 10 and can be added to any U-verse TV core programming package.

As part of this month’s expansion, U-verse TV customers also gain access to several new standard definition channels: The Outdoor Channel, NASA TV and, as part of Paquete Español, WAPA America and V-me. Paquete Español features 24 Spanish-language channels for $10 a month with any U-verse TV core programming package.

THE FOLLOWING HD CHANNELS ARE BEING ADDED TO THE AT&T U-VERSE TV LINEUP:
 

@Max HD
5StarMax HD
ActionMax HD
Comcast SportsNet Chicago HD
Comcast SportsNet New England HD
Encore HD
Fox Business Network HD
Fox News Channel HD
FSN Detroit HD
FSN Florida HD
FSN Midwest (Kansas City) HD
FSN Midwest (St. Louis) HD
FSN Ohio (Cincinnati) HD
FSN Ohio (Cleveland) HD
FSN Prime Ticket HD
FSN South HD
FSN Southwest (Dallas) HD
FSN Southwest (Houston) HD
FX Network HD
FX Network HD – West
Hallmark Movie Channel HD
HBO Latino HD
HBO Signature HD
HBO Zone HD
HBO2 West HD
Lifetime Television HD
Lifetime Television HD - West
MoreMax HD
Outdoor Channel HD
OuterMax HD
Planet Green HD
QVC HD
Showtime 2 HD
Showtime Extreme HD
Showtime Showcase HD
Speed HD
SportsSouth HD
SportsTime Ohio HD
Starz Comedy HD
Starz Edge HD
Sun Sports HD
The Travel Channel HD
ThrillerMax HD
TMC Xtra HD
Weather Channel HD
Wmax HD

Photo courtesy of AT&T

 

How To Save Money on Your U-verse Bill - I Just Saved $240 Per Year. And I Got a $70 Bonus Without Asking! Here's how

For several months, I have had AT&T's  Internet Max service which gives me 10MB speed in the house.

Frankly, I don't see a huge difference. 

I am going back to the Elite service which gives me 6MB speed. 

It costs $20.00 less per month.

That's $240.00 per year in savings.

But wait, there's more.  

The customer service rep then offered me one month of free HD (saving me $10) and $10 off of my U-verse Voice for the next six months which comes to $60.00.  I did not ask for it.  He just offered.  If you don't get an offer like this, ask!

Any one else doing this?

Let me know- alan at weinkrantz dot com

Web TV Worth Watching! More Alternatives to Traditional "TV" Programming. Check Out "Ylse"

My friend, (and noted Emmy award winning journalist) Patricio Espinosa, just introduced me to a new webseries for Latinos by Latinos.  Even though AT&T does offer Hispanic programming, there are alternatives directly on the web. Here's a great example of innovation and creativity you won't find elsewhere.

"Ylse" Unapologetically Latina! from Patricio Espinoza on Vimeo.

Created by Ruth Livier, Showtime Resurrection Blvd., "Ylse" (ee-l-say) for those Spanish impaired :) is the story of a Latina journalist looking to break in, and the challenges she must face... from political correctness to bra "pads". Part irreverent comedy, part drama and part activist "Ylse" is someone everyone should meet, and a Latina, Latinos would most certainly identify with.

The web-only series is bilingual but mostly in English "Ylse" it's pretty much a work of love at this point. E.P. and director Joe Camareno and Ruth Livier, E.P., Creator, Writer talk to espiBlog.org Emmy award winning Journalist Patricio Espinoza.

Web TV - Worth Watching!

i.TV's Free Program Guide for the iPhone Does Not Serve AT&T U-verse Customers. What?

At first glance, the just announced i.TV free programming guide for the iPhone would be a really handy tool for checking out the latest programming on AT&T's U-verse.

On small problem.

In my zip code of 78209, they offer TimeWarner, Grande, DirectTV and others, but I guess someone forgot to tell them to include AT&T.

Wouldn't it stand to reason that if AT&T sold the iPhone, provided the voice service for the iPhone, that they would have worked with the nice people at i.TV to include U-verse programming?

Comments?  alan at weinkrantz dot com

Waiting for The Cable Guy....AT&T Still Processes Repair to Be Done on August 16.....

Yesterday I called AT&T's U-verse customer support to report a problem. 

I am waiting to post what the problem is about until they get it fixed.  (Hint:  they told me it would take 14 days to replace the remote that is defective.....but more on that later.

They told me they would come out today between 2 and 4 PM.

They never showed.

So, I called AT&T and after going through a couple of supervisors, I finally got through to someone in dispatch named Gloria who basically told me that the system scheduled my service call for August 16 (not a misprint.)

So here I am on June 23, thinking that I would have to hunker down for the next six weeks waiting for the AT&T repair guy to show up. 

Gloria apologized, made a call or two and the repair guy is one his way.  This was at 4:35 PM CST.

Gloria's direct dial number is 214-869-4488.  If you are a U-verse customer and the "cable guy" does not show up, call Gloria and she can help.

Stay tuned....

U-verse U-Bar Is Cool; But Taking 20-30 Seconds to Load Really Sucks

I now have AT&T's U-bar on my U-verse ITPV service.

In principle, it's a great idea; but the notion that we have to wait 20 - 30 seconds to load makes this feature fall short.

I would welcome comments on your take if you have U-bar in your service area and what's on your U-bar?

There is more feedback over at the U-verse U-talk forum here.

alan @ weinkrantz dot com