Tag Archives: redbox

Verizon’s Redbox Instant now supports AirPlay streaming

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Verizon's subscription streaming TV service, Redbox Instant, now supports Apple's AirPlay thanks to a new version 1.4 iOS app update -- with some caveats. For starters, though you'll be able to play streaming content on your iOS 6 device, the app doesn't support downloaded material as yet. Also, your viewing may be broken off if you receive texts and certain notifications, if you lock the device or if you quit Redbox to use another app. Meanwhile, AirPlay Mirroring, which lets you play from your device with your TV as a second screen, will still work just fine. Other tweaks include the usual bug fixes and improvements to the recommendations engine. So, if you've got Apple TV and want to give it a whirl, hit the source -- just make sure to tell your pals not to contact you mid-film.

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Redbox Instant (iTunes)

Redbox Instant hits Windows Phone, will remain Lumia-exclusive for 60 days

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After launching on iOS and Android almost a year ago, the mobile version of Redbox Instant by Verizon has finally arrived in the Windows Phone Store. Aside from a few cosmetic changes and added Live Tile support, the new app works exactly like its cross-platform counterparts, offering movie streaming and maps to nearby Redbox kiosks. An $8 monthly subscription also covers the rental fees for up to four DVDs, although customers can upgrade to Blu-ray discs for an additional dollar. The bad news is that the app's exclusive to Nokia's Lumia range right now -- plebes with other WP8 devices will have to wait until the end of January for general availability.

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Source: Nokia, MarketWatch, Windows Phone

300 Remaining Blockbuster Video Stores to Close Shop

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In years past, you could find multiple Blockbuster Video stores in just about any city of size in the US. When Netflix and other streaming and mail-order video rental companies began to pop up,...

Redbox Instant channel launches for Roku players

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Redbox Instant channel launches for Roku players

Outerwall promised two months ago that it would offer Redbox Instant on Roku players, and the company is making good on its word by launching that channel today. The subscription movie service is now available for both the Roku Streaming Stick as well as conventional players ranging from the Roku LT to the Roku 3. There aren't any visible new features in the Roku version of Redbox Instant, but we doubt that many customers will complain -- they're getting cheap movie streaming through a similarly frugal media hub.

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Source: Roku Blog

Redbox Windows 8 app out now, cuts lines with desktop reservations

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DNP Redbox now one of Windows Store's 100,000 apps

It seems like everywhere we look, a Redbox is there. If you could use a helping hand to find one, though, there's now a Windows 8 app for that. Available today, the app assists in tracking down the nearest kiosk (our guess: outside your neighborhood's gas station), lets you reserve movies and games at the cardinal cabinets as well as watch trailers. An instant streaming app for the OS still hasn't surfaced, but we'd even settle for an update that reminds us to return discs on time.

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Via: Windows Phone Central

Source: Windows Store

Redbox Instant app for Android updated to work on rooted devices

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Redbox Instant app for Android updated to work on rooted devices

When Redbox Instant's mobile apps launched earlier this year some users noticed that it refused to work on rooted Android hardware. Now a new update, noted in the log as "changed the way we handle rooted devices," is allowing playback no matter what your superuser status is. Many other premium video apps (but not Netflix, for example) have similar blocks on rooted / jailbroken mobile hardware, although users can usually work around them. Still, it's annoying and mostly unnecessary especially since the block is so easily overcome, so it's good to see Redbox making the change. The ban on rooted hardware and its limited library of subscription streaming content -- although it does throw in the convenience of kiosk rental credits -- have been the source of a large number of negative reviews for the app, hopefully with one looming issue out of the way the other will be addressed shortly.

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Source: Google Play

Redbox opens GamingFuture site to discuss rentals for Xbox One, PS4

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Redbox opens GamingFuture site to discuss rentals for Xbox One, PS4

Microsoft revealed some details of how "game licensing" works on its upcoming Xbox One console, and included the tidbit that "Loaning or renting games won't be available at launch, but we are exploring the possibilities with our partners." In response, Redbox has launched a site called GamingFuture.net, which is ostensibly a place for gamers to express what excites or concerns them about next-gen gaming. It should also help provide a base for Redbox to defend its $2 per night videogame rental business. Interestingly, Redbox and Microsoft would appear to already be close "partners", since the former launched an Xbox 360 app for its Redbox Instant service earlier this year.

There are links on the page to various reports about the Xbox One and PS4, plus a simple comment section for the public to chime in. GameTrailers reports the company messaged members of its "Text Club" service an alert about the new site, along with tweeting it from the official account. We've seen similar strategies employed during negotiations over cable channels, we'll find out more this week about what Microsoft and Sony's new hardware means for the game rental market -- and how the public responds.

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Via: NeoGAF

Source: GameTrailers, GamingFuture.net

Redbox Instant app coming to Roku players this summer

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Redbox Instant recently launched on the Google TV platform and today it's officially announcing plans for a Roku channel. Despite its absence from the original list of devices, Redbox mentioned at Google I/O support for the Roku platform would likely be in the cards. Similar to the Google TV launch (and the recent Hulu Plus update) the app won't work on first gen Roku hardware, but once it's available will bring its unique package of subscription streaming / VOD / kiosk DVD & Blu-ray access to the hockey puck streamers. Still, the reports we've heard from early users are mostly mentioning the need for more subscription streaming content, but getting within shouting distance of the likes of Netflix and Amazon won't be easy.

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Source: Roku Blog, Redbox Instant (Twitter)

Redbox Instant app available for Google TV

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Redbox Instant app available for Google TV

During CES, Redbox and Verizon mentioned Google TV among the platforms getting an app and now they've delivered. The Redbox Instant app for Google TV is in the Google Play market, however only owners of second gen hardware will be able to make full use of it. As the folks at Google TV Friends found, it can be side loaded on the Logitech Revue for example and even play previews, however it won't rent any movies. At Google I/O Redbox explained to GigaOm that support would be restricted, while showing off a newer version of the app that will be released after the Jelly Bean Google TV update hits and mentioning a Roku version on the way. Redbox's support page explains the lack of support for first generation hardware is because only newer devices have the necessary DRM support, owners of those boxes can install the app from the link below.

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Via: Google TV Friends (Google+)

Source: Google Play

Redbox Instant streaming now available on LG Smart TVs

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Redbox Instant now available on LG Smart TVs

While still in beta, Redbox Instant is slowly increasing the number of devices it supports and has now announced its launch on LG's Smart TV platform (TVs only, not Blu-ray players, for now). The hybrid disc / video on-demand / subscription streaming movie service has continued to push updates to its apps on Android and iOS since their debut, and has been posting promotions of its "disc + digital" approach. Its digital catalog is still more limited than competition like Netflix or Amazon Prime, but the disc aspect is an interesting hook, allowing users to pick up a brand new flick at the kiosk and stream catalog fare, all under one package. If you're in the beta then let us know how things are progressing in the comments, and if you're not then you can get a free month trial at the link below.

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Via: Redbox Instant (Twitter)

Source: Redbox Instant