streaming

The latest from Facebook: 'Open Stream API'

A post on the Facebook developer blog announces the big application program interface (API) update from the social network that was first reported on Sunday night, which it's calling the Open Stream API.

It's the first major implementation of an emerging (read: brand new) open standard called Activity Streams, on which Facebook has been collaborating with developers for the past few months. Basically, what it means is that third-party developers will have access to a feed of all content posted to news feeds--notes, photos, videos, links, "likes" and comments, and activity from other applications built on … Read more

An audiobook player designed for the blind

One of the least appreciated conveniences MP3 players have given us is the capability to fit a library of audiobooks in our pocket. For those with vision impairment or blindness, the ease of instantly downloading digital audiobooks is especially liberating, compared with the days of CDs and cassettes. Unfortunately, most MP3 players simply aren't designed with accessibility in mind, keeping the convenience of digital audiobooks out of reach for those who would most appreciate it.

The HumanWare VictorReader Stream digital-audio player isn't particularly slim, attractive, or affordable ($349), but its unique design is made specifically for the needs of blind and vision-impaired users. The device is laid out similarly to a large mobile phone, complete with a spacious numerical keypad and dedicated volume buttons on the side. A numerical keypad may seem like an odd choice of navigation for a portable audio player, but in its defense, few other interfaces are as instantly and universally recognizable to the touch. The tricky part is remembering exactly what each key represents. For instance, repeatedly pressing the number one will cycle you though the Stream's main menu categories, each announced over your headphones or the internal speaker in a pleasant synthetic voice.

Below the keypad are basic playback controls (Play, Pause, Reverse, and Skip), each differentiated by the shape of its key. You'll also find an oval-shaped key above the play button that advances the built-in sleep timer in increments of 15 minutes, in case you have a tendency to doze off while listening to books.… Read more

Qik brings its mobile video to Facebook

In the live-streaming wars, mobile service Qik has a new weapon in its arsenal: integration with Facebook's video player.

Thanks to Facebook Connect, Qik members can now automatically upload their videos to Facebook, set their status messages to link to the video on Qik when they start live-streaming, and have the update show up in their news feeds. Windows Mobile smartphone users (non-touchscreen) can also selectively upload Qik videos to Facebook, an extra feature that the company hopes to roll out to other devices soon.

You can't use Qik to live-stream videos directly on Facebook, at least not … Read more

Five apps that solve common iPhone problems

The iPhone famously solves many of life's little problems--you can't decide where to eat, you've got nothing to read, you need to update your Facebook status right now--but who's going to solve the iPhone's problems?

For instance, maybe it's low on storage. Or it's having trouble connecting to a Starbucks hot spot. Here's a list of five common iPhone ailments and the apps that aim to cure them.

You're running out of storage. Apple may have a 32GB iPhone waiting in the wings, but how does that help you and your … Read more

AudioIn turns your iPhone, iPod Touch into wireless headphones

Do you ever wish you could listen to your entire music library on your iPhone or iPod Touch, not just the tunes that fit in memory? That's the idea behind AudioIn, which turns your PC into a music server that streams songs via Wi-Fi.

Yep, it's Wi-Fi only, meaning it's suitable for only around the house. And what's wrong with that? AudioIn works much like Apple's AirPort Express, except that instead of tying you to one room, it lets you move around.

To use the $4.99 application, you must first install AudioServer, which, for … Read more

A big clue that Netflix is coming to PS3 and Wii?

Is a job listing for an "experienced engineer to lead the gaming platforms team" final proof that Netflix's Watch Now streaming video service is coming to the PS3 and Wii? That's the question Crunchgear is asking after it recently got a tip from a reader who saw that Netflix had posted the job to Monster.com.

In case you're having trouble reading the job description above, here's the important part:

We are looking for a hands-on leader and innovator.​ We seek deep experience developing and testing media rich applications on current generation gaming consoles.​ … Read more

Justin.tv syncs up with social sites

Streaming-video site Justin.tv wants to help you filter through the noise: it has added Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace integration to its service. This way, members can sync up their accounts to filter chat room content and pinpoint their friends from those social sites, as well as spread the word about what they're watching by pushing out Facebook and MySpace status messages or "tweets" on Twitter.

This is important for Justin.tv because the live-streaming land grab is still very much on. There are plenty of competitors like Ustream.tv and Mogulus, as well as mobile-focused products … Read more

Now streaming on Netflix: SpongeBob, Cartman

Viacom's MTV Networks has brought some of its television content to Netflix's library of streaming online video, the companies announced Monday.

The offering consists primarily of kids' shows from the Nickelodeon network, with select seasons from the shows "iCarly," "Blue's Clues," "Dora the Explorer," "SpongeBob SquarePants," and a handful of others, as well as the first nine seasons of "South Park," the Comedy Central animated series that you probably don't want your kids watching.

Netflix's streaming-video service still very much takes the back burner to … Read more

Fully Equipped: Why Sony should add Netflix to the PS3 now

In recent days, rumors have been percolating about the PlayStation 3 getting Netflix streaming video support. Most of the rumors revolve around a survey that Netflix has out gauging user interest in adding its service to Sony's game console for a fee. No one seems to know whether Netflix or Sony commissioned the survey, but either way, it's certainly raised hopes with PS3 owners that they would get something that Xbox 360 owners have had for a while. (For what it's worth, nearly identical rumors of Netflix on the Wii have also been making the rounds.)

Interestingly, … Read more