Following unpopular user interface tweaks and price hikes, some outspoken critics may have angrily quipped that Netflix is run by a bunch of monkeys. Turns out they're half right.
Netflix contest winner confirmed.
Select moviegoers could soon have an additional stop to make before finding seats in crowded auditoriums. After standing in line for concessions and hitting the restroom (not necessarily in that order), they'll also have the option to feed money to a 3D glasses vending machine. But with 3D ticket sales all over the place this summer, will customers bite?
Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes recently spoke with FastCompany about the company's current issues, strong points, and long-term business goals. Also in the interview, Keyes describes why he admires Netflix but still think the economy is a culprit in the company's struggles.
The OPEN Act, introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa and supported by Rep. Ron Wyden, received support from the same Internet businesses that spoke out against previous anti-piracy legislation. MPAA Executive Vice President Michael O' Leary, however, wasn't satisfied. The trade group boss last month called the bill's proposal to place the burden for shutting down foreign rogue sites on the International Trade Commission a big mistake. This week, O'Leary once again slammed the OPEN Act, saying it "falls significantly short" of meaningful anti-piracy legislation.
Despite peer-to-peer piracy and other overblown threats of competition, the movie industry has seen record box office ticket sales from 2007 to 2009 -- and 2010 is expected to be even better yet.
Netflix has experienced a tumultuous year of price hikes, stock drops and one million customers waving goodbye, but the company remains the top instant video streaming service for a reason. According to Corporate Communications VP Steve Swasey, it's all about the advertising.
Some folks have criticized Netflix for being anti-innovation. According to Netflix's Adrian Cockcroft, they're only half right. Cockcroft, who works as a cloud architect for the streaming giant, outlined the unique business practices (not forcing innovation just for the sake of it), corporate structure (no bonuses or ITops groups) and even the mistakes (Qwikster) that make Netflix unlike other companies.
As anti-piracy efforts continue, so too does the number of people sued by movie studios and record labels. A chart which purports to count the number of U.S. residents named as "John Does" in illicit file-sharing lawsuits is closing it on a new milestone. And with PROTECT IP not completely off the table, the number may continue to rise.
Transactional video on-demand continues to be an attractive option for home entertainment buffs according to new research by IHS iSuppli. Surprising no one, Apple maintained its virtual stranglehold of online movie sales with iTunes. However, that's not to say there were no major shake-ups to the leaderboard. Sony's PlayStation Store swapped spots with the up-and-comer Vudu while Amazon struggled.
More than 130 CEOs, start-up founders and tech business executives, including Friendster alum Jonathan Abrams and MovieFone's Matthew Blumberg, have come together with a common goal: prevent PROTECT IP from being passed into law. In a letter addressed to Congress, the group broached potential security concerns, DNS issues and the proposal's overall vagueness as key criticisms, reminding members to consider that their votes may also impact small businesses and stymie job creation.
If you are looking for a Netflix streaming box and don’t have a lot of money to spend then you might just be in luck. Roku is adding another box to their lineup of affordable video streaming devices. The Roku LT will debut in early November and will only cost $50.
Amazon continues to build its roster of instant streaming content available to paying Prime customers. A new agreement with PBS puts the company over the 12,000 TV show and movie mark. The service launched in February.
The controversial PROTECT IP bill languished on Capitol Hill, but a new proposal could take up its cause. HR 3261, or the Stop Online Piracy Act, will "promote prosperity, creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation by combating the theft of U.S. property" and allow the U.S. Attorney General to go after foreign sites engaging in copyright infringement.
The Motion Picture Association of America came out swinging against critics who believe the Stop Online Piracy Act would disrupt Internet security and harm businesses. The trade organization's Paul Hortenstine targeted the Electronic Frontier Foundation this week, calling the group's objections "sky is falling rhetoric."
Microsoft launched its brand new Xbox 360 dashboard late Tuesday night after a last-minute delay, adding Kinect voice search, cable TV support and enhanced social networking options to an already impressive suite of online features. The goal, said the company, is jump-starting "the future of TV" with a video game console. Neither Nintendo's Wii nor Sony's PlayStation 3 has come this close.
