A couple of Lightbox updates...

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Lightbox

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Ultimate Geek

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Lightbox

#157321 27-Nov-2014 15:34

Hi guys,

Just wanted to point out a couple of news today:

- We've released a new version of our iPad app on the app store
- We've announced that "Better Call Saul" is coming exclusively to our service in February

Check preview.lightbox.co.nz/bettercallsaul...

Lightbox - we are online TV.

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838 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1184204 27-Nov-2014 15:48

Does exclusively in the case of Better Call Saul mean you have the terresterial rights also?

Is there anyway those with poor internet connections can watch it in HD quality if they can't stream your service to the required standard needed?

timbosan

2160 posts

Uber Geek

#1184223 27-Nov-2014 15:53

Can you publish a changelog of the iPad app on Geekzone? I don't use Facebook (where I understand you publish some of these details). Thanks!!!!

trig42

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#1184258 27-Nov-2014 16:10

timbosan: Can you publish a changelog of the iPad app on Geekzone? I don't use Facebook (where I understand you publish some of these details). Thanks!!!!

They haven't put it up on Facebook either.

trig42

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#1184264 27-Nov-2014 16:20

App store says:

What's New in Version 1.2 Posted Nov 27, 2014
1. Fixed pause timeout
2. UI tweaks
3. Improved error handling
4. Updated Widevine library
5. Update app icon

Lightbox

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Ultimate Geek

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Lightbox

#1184265 27-Nov-2014 16:21

New iPad app does a couple of things:

Fixed pause timeout
Updated Widevine libraries
Improved error handling
Corrected sorting functionality
Visual changes and corrections
New logos
Updated player analytics
Other minor bug fixes

Lightbox - we are online TV.

Lightbox

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Ultimate Geek

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Lightbox

#1184268 27-Nov-2014 16:23

Jas777: Does exclusively in the case of Better Call Saul mean you have the terresterial rights also?

Is there anyway those with poor internet connections can watch it in HD quality if they can't stream your service to the required standard needed?

We have exclusive rights in NZ. We're not planning to do any alternative distribution, sorry.

Lightbox - we are online TV.

Jas777

838 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1184384 27-Nov-2014 20:15

Fair enough you now own it.

But it is ironic with all the new online streaming services that people said would benefit people that for quite a few it is actually going to be worse than currently at a increased cost.

Quic Broadband

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NZtechfreak

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#1184390 27-Nov-2014 20:23

Android app?

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

Lightbox

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Ultimate Geek

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Lightbox

#1184392 27-Nov-2014 20:26

NZtechfreak: Android app?

Our Android app has been available for Samsung tablets since mid November.

Lightbox - we are online TV.

farcus

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#1184436 27-Nov-2014 20:55

Lightbox:
NZtechfreak: Android app?

Our Android app has been available for Samsung tablets since mid November.

doesn't that then make it a samsung app?
When can we expect to see an app for users of other android devices?

NZtechfreak

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#1184449 27-Nov-2014 21:17

Lightbox:
NZtechfreak: Android app?

Our Android app has been available for Samsung tablets since mid November.

Blegh. Fat lot of good that does me. Curious the motivation to go the Samsung exclusive route, did you guys not see the reaction to OnDemand being Samsung exclusive? I'm a current Netflix user, and I'd like to support a local alternative, but you're making it impossible for me to do so.

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

Lightbox

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Ultimate Geek

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Lightbox

#1184478 27-Nov-2014 22:04

NZtechfreak:
Lightbox:
NZtechfreak: Android app?

Our Android app has been available for Samsung tablets since mid November.

Blegh. Fat lot of good that does me. Curious the motivation to go the Samsung exclusive route, did you guys not see the reaction to OnDemand being Samsung exclusive? I'm a current Netflix user, and I'd like to support a local alternative, but you're making it impossible for me to do so.

While I obviously can't give a lot of details around our commercial agreements, there are pretty good reasons for going with Samsung.

Protected video is heavy lifting for a device, so testing and supporting the myriad of permutations and variations that exist for Android is nigh impossible. Lots of devices won't have the horsepower to do it and then you have strange display ratios, old Android versions and customised modifications of the core OS.

Bottom line: building and supporting protected video for Android is pretty complex. Narrowing it down to a limited universe of devices makes a whole lot of sense (from there it's a lot easier to later expand and add more to the lineup) and it just so happens that Samsung far and away dominates the market for Android tablets, especially the high end models that do well with video streaming. So by supporting a set number of Samsung models, you make development and testing a lot quicker, while still supporting a very high percentage of the market addressable. Then there are the commercial agreements and benefits to a partnership.

Fully understand that it's frustrating when your specific device isn't supported.

Lightbox - we are online TV.

NZtechfreak

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#1184482 27-Nov-2014 22:12

Lightbox:
NZtechfreak:
Lightbox:
NZtechfreak: Android app?

Our Android app has been available for Samsung tablets since mid November.

Blegh. Fat lot of good that does me. Curious the motivation to go the Samsung exclusive route, did you guys not see the reaction to OnDemand being Samsung exclusive? I'm a current Netflix user, and I'd like to support a local alternative, but you're making it impossible for me to do so.

While I obviously can't give a lot of details around our commercial agreements, there are pretty good reasons for going with Samsung.

Protected video is heavy lifting for a device, so testing and supporting the myriad of permutations and variations that exist for Android is nigh impossible. Lots of devices won't have the horsepower to do it and then you have strange display ratios, old Android versions and customised modifications of the core OS.

Bottom line: building and supporting protected video for Android is pretty complex. Narrowing it down to a limited universe of devices makes a whole lot of sense (from there it's a lot easier to later expand and add more to the lineup) and it just so happens that Samsung far and away dominates the market for Android tablets, especially the high end models that do well with video streaming. So by supporting a set number of Samsung models, you make development and testing a lot quicker, while still supporting a very high percentage of the market addressable. Then there are the commercial agreements and benefits to a partnership.

Fully understand that it's frustrating when your specific device isn't supported.

Is the duration of the exclusivity period in the public domain? Is it available to Samsung phones? I have the Note 3, which is easily capable of this kind of streaming and can be connected to my TV in several ways.

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

Lightbox

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Ultimate Geek

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Lightbox

#1184487 27-Nov-2014 22:17

No phones supported (yet).

Can't tell you when we'll be on other brands, sorry.

Lightbox - we are online TV.

NZtechfreak

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#1184527 27-Nov-2014 22:56

Lightbox: No phones supported (yet).

Can't tell you when we'll be on other brands, sorry.

Thanks for your responses, I will keep an eye out for more news on the Android front.

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

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