Skype on Comcast’s Xfinity TV is user-friendly for couch potatoes
The new version of video-chat application Skype for Comcast’s Xfinity TV service focuses on providing a user-friendly experience for people who spend more time in front of a television than a computer, according to employees who worked on the app’s user interface design.
Comcast released a video on its blog Thursday showing the Skype app in action. The video, which features an interview with Jamie Hall and Susan Oppelt of Comcast Interactive Media, discusses the … Continue Reading
Hulu for sale? Company mulls offer from undisclosed bidder.
Is Hulu up for sale? CNBC and the Wall Street Journal are reporting that the streaming-video service is mulling an unsolicited bid from a company whose identity is not being disclosed. Hulu, which scrapped plans for an IPO last December, may find more interest among buyers looking to strengthen their hand in the burgeoning market for online video.
Unnamed sources quoted in the Journal story said Hulu’s board is weighing its options, which include “soliciting … Continue Reading
First look at Comcast’s enhanced TV service with Facebook integration
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts demonstrated a new version of the company’s massively overhauled Xfinity TV service today at The Cable Show industry event in Chicago.
The new enhancements give Comcast a fighting chance in the battle to stop long-time customers from cutting the cord and using streaming media services and smart devices instead.
Admittedly, Comcast’s current TV service leaves much to be desired. For instance, its user interface for navigating through programming is a grid … Continue Reading
Actually Comcastic: Comcast shows off Gigabit broadband
Comcast showed off its gigabit broadband service today.
It took about one and a half minutes for Comcast CEO Brian Roberts to download an entire season of NBC sitcom 30 Rock during the live presentation given at cable industry trade event The Cable Show.
The official data transfer speed topped out at 1084 mbps, according the speedtest.net test conducted during the presentation, which Roberts pointed out was a real download, not a canned demo.
Acknowledging … Continue Reading
Comcast plugs in to Facebook, Intel to make TV more interactive
The television is getting more interactive, at least for Comcast subscribers.
The cable company on Tuesday announced partnerships with Facebook, Intel and others to bring social media integration and application support to its content service, Xfinity TV.
“This new experience transforms the way consumers watch television with a new guide and user interface that makes the TV screen more interactive, personal and social,” Comcast stated in an official release.
Comcast’s current user interface is in … Continue Reading
Comcast: Skype is coming to the TV
Comcast subscribers will soon be able to access video calling service Skype from their televisions, according to the company, which plans to make the full announcement Tuesday at a cable industry trade show in Chicago.
The Skype service will be delivered through HDTVs through a Comcast adapter box (meaning anyone without an HD set is out of luck) and will require a high-quality video camera as well as custom remote control that enables texting capabilities, … Continue Reading
