DirecTV

DirecTV appears to have its sights set on Slingbox with a new platform, called Nomad.

The satellite provider launched a page on its site recently, showcasing a device that connects to customers' DVRs and allows them to stream programming to other devices, including computers, smartphones and tablets.

"Take your movies and shows from your home DVR where you go," the Nomad site reads.

If DirecTV follows through with a Nomad competitor, it wouldn't be much of a surprise. EchoStar, which is closely affiliated with DirecTV's chief competitor, Dish Network, owns Sling Media. Sling made a name for itself in the home-entertainment space by offering a box that connects to any DVR and lets users control the DVR and watch TV programming from computers and mobile devices.… Read more

While Dan's changing his newborn's diapers, Scott invites his college buddy, David Tze, over to discuss how a discontinued tablet with no current support gets to be the most popular tablet on the market right now. Fox's announcement to delay its program streams on Hulu causes an online piracy upsurge. The NFL Sunday Ticket comes to the PS3 for a price higher than the current price of the console. Lastly, will backward-compatibility on gaming consoles be missed? … Read more

Football season is upon us, yet being a football fan often feels like a punishment if you enjoy technology; streaming of NFL games has lagged behind the NBA, NHL, and MLB in terms of device availability.

Sony announced today that NFL Sunday Ticket will be available on the PlayStation 3 this season, bringing the only method of viewing all NFL games to a video game console for the first time.

The price of adoption isn't cheap: New customers who aren't already using DirecTV will have to pay $339.95 for the privilege of streaming a whole season of games. Existing DirecTV customers have to pay $50 to activate the PS3 connectivity.

Another caveat: this only allows access to out-of-market games, meaning that die-hard local fans (such as myself) will have to watch local broadcasts and regular television for their teams, and hop off the PS3--or, keep the PS3 and TV in a picture-in-picture orientation. … Read more

DirecTV has sent a survey to some of its customers asking about their use of Netflix and whether they would like to see the satellite provider deliver a streaming service of its own, according to a digital-media enthusiast site that obtained the document.

"In this next section, we would like you to evaluate a new service that DirecTV is thinking about offering to their customers," the survey reads, according to ZatzNotFunny. "DirecTV plans to offer a streaming-only Netflix-like service for a flat fee per month, which would appear as a line item on your monthly bill."

The company said its service would deliver "thousands of movies and television shows" streaming over the Web to "your television, computer, or tablet." The content would encompass series episodes through last season, as well as older films.

If DirecTV gets into the streaming business, it would join an increasingly crowded market, led by Netflix. Amazon.com, Hulu, and Vudu are competing in that market, as well. DirecTV's chief satellite TV competitor, Dish Network, already has the Dish Online online streaming service and just completed its acquisition of Blockbuster, which in addition to its struggling brick-and-mortar stores also has an on-demand service. … Read more

The total number of paid TV subscribers was up last year, but cable companies weren't so lucky.

According to In-Stat, the total number of paid TV subscribers around the world was up over 6 percent compared with 2009. The research firm said that gains in subscribers were seen in "nearly every region" around the globe. However, when it came to cable television subscriptions, only Western Europe saw a jump compared with 2009.

Elsewhere around the world, cable customers were migrating to satellite or IPTV, the research firm said.

Growth in the paid TV business in 2010 has … Read more

DirecTV has joined the growing number of television service providers that are embracing Apple's iPad.

The company announced today that DirecTV customers can now download its iPad app from Apple's App Store. The app offers users the ability to remotely control their televisions with built-in controls, set recordings, and change the channel. The app also includes a channel guide, the ability to set favorite channels, and the option to learn more about the show the person is currently watching.

The company already offers similar apps for iOS and Android devices, which allow users to browse shows and record … Read more

They've been talking about it for long enough. On Sunday evening, Sony's 3D TV channel is finally going live.

3net will be available to DirecTV subscribers starting Sunday at 5 p.m. Pacific.

The emphasis at the start will be on original content, airing two shows right off the bat called "China Revealed" and "Forgotten Planet." 3net also promises "an unprecedented" stream of original 3D series, with a new one debuting every night.

The satellite provider is the first distribution deal for the 24/7 3D channel that is a partnership between … Read more

TiVo has struck a multiyear deal with Charter Communications to bring its Premiere set-top box and interface to the fourth-largest cable provider.

According to Charter, its deal with TiVo is designed to bring its customers "a new and enhanced experience." Charter said that its offering will have the features current TiVo users are accustomed to, including a programming guide, content searching, and live TV control. Users will also have access to the provider's OnDemand content from the set-top box.

Charter will release an iPad app to complement its TiVo launch. The company said that the app will be a "command central" for users, allowing them to schedule recordings, post updates to Twitter and Facebook, and search for shows.

Charter will be offering Premiere boxes to customers, and those devices will offer 45 hours of HD and 400 hours of standard-definition storage. In addition, users will be able to transfer content to their set-top box with TiVoToGo.… Read more

Natali Del Conte Morris joins us on today's show to talk voting, iOS 4.2 and the curse of that dreaded mute switch, and some notes from the future of technology (hint: it knows where you are). Plus: the real reason DirecTV dropped G4! --Molly