Happy Friday, cable gang. Leading today's roundup is word that Netflix Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) faces a potential class-action lawsuit involving privacy concerns.
Add Cox Communications Inc. to the list of pay-TV providers with an app for Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL)’s iPad and iPhone, and Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android devices. Cox's version starts off with features that let subs remotely manage their DVRs and e-mail and voice-mail accounts. (See Everyone's Mad About the iPad .)
Here's a screenshot of the TV/DVR feature for the iPad version:
SeaChange International Inc. (Nasdaq: SEAC)'s move to focus on software and play down its hardware business continues to pay off for the digital video firm. The company posted fourth-quarter revenues of US$61.4 million, up 16 percent, while notching net income of $10.9 million. Revenues for servers and storage, per the company's new strategy, dropped $3.5 million, to $8.8 million, year-on-year. Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), Virgin Media Inc. (Nasdaq: VMED) and Cox Communications Inc. were SeaChange's 10 percent-or-greater customers in the quarter. (See SeaChange Ships Some Server Costs Overseas .)
Cisco stock was up about 1.5 percent in early trading today on news that it will issue its first ever quarterly dividend -- a payout of 6 cents per share.
Cox is starting off with no access to streaming VoD content or linear networks yet, but you can bet those types of features will be added later, likely starting off with VoD. Checked w/Cox, which happens to be launching wireless services to more markets this year, and they aren't supplying any new data on when or if they'll be adding those features, so stay tuned. JB
Cox’s approach in building one app that handles everything from remote DVR recordings to voicemail access is different than its rival Verizon, which multiple apps, including a remote DVR manager app, a digital phone app that allows you to check voicemails and view call logs from your landline, and a FIOS On Demand app that lets you buy Flex View movies that you can watch online, on a mobile phone, or on VOD. It also has a FiOS Mobile Remote app that turns your cell phone into a remote control. I have FiOS at home, and get the most use out of the Remote DVR manager app. The Mobile Remote app can come in handy when you can’t find the remote for your set-top (or want to hijack the TV if someone else has the cable remote).
Your write: While some subscribers may find Netflix recommendations useful, its practice of retaining data about users' movie rental history has resulted in a potential class-action lawsuit
Either something leads to a class action suit or it does not. It can't result in a "potential" class action suit. But it could lead to a class aciton suit....
Cox is starting off with no access to streaming VoD content or linear networks yet, but you can bet those types of features will be added later, likely starting off with VoD. Checked w/Cox, which happens to be launching wireless services to more markets this year, and they aren't supplying any new data on when or if they'll be adding those features, so stay tuned. JB