The Digital Media Zone

Microsoft’s fight with the FTC is over, clearing the path to negotiations with the UK’s CMA. Netflix simplified account switching. Plex lays off 20% more of their staff. Tidal switches to FLAC while raising prices.

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Click here to download episode #623.

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• You can now move your Netflix profile to an existing account | Engadget
• Plex lays off more than 20 percent of its staff – The Verge
• Tidal is Raising Prices – Thurrott.com
• Tidal adds hi-res FLAC streaming for HiFi Plus subscribers | Engadget
• Microsoft wins FTC fight to buy Activision Blizzard – The Verge
• Microsoft and UK regulators agree to pause their Activision battle to negotiate – The Verge

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The intro music is a song called Rogue by Raw Stiles

The post Entertainment 2.0 #623 – Microsoft Beats the FTC appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

The Netflix password-sharing crackdown is working. YouTube TV now lets you view multiple streams simultaneously, even if they aren’t sports. The Spotify HiFi price may not be as competitive as we hoped. Microsoft is raising prices on the Xbox Series X in most places and Game Pass everywhere. Meta has a new game subscription service that could benefit the entire VR ecosystem.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30 pm ET!

Click here to download episode #622.

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• How to find the correct movie version / title – www.makemkv.com
• Netflix sees rise in subscribers following password-sharing crackdown – The Verge
• YouTube TV’s multiview streams now include non-sports options | Engadget
• Apple TVs with tvOS 17 will get native VPN support – The Verge
• YouTube TV Rolls Out Updates, Including Audio Synch Fix for Live Playback – The Streamable
• Spotify’s long-anticipated HiFi tier might require a more expensive subscription – The Verge
• Microsoft is hiking the price of Xbox Series X and Xbox Game Pass – The Verge
• Meta’s new Quest Plus subscription gets you two free VR games per month – The Verge
• Back in Black, Xbox Series S is Now Available with a 1TB SSD

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The post Entertainment 2.0 #622 – Spotify HiFi Price appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

Apple officially unveiled the Vision Pro, their entry into the world of augmented reality. YouTube TV has a few new fixes we’ve been waiting for. The Meta Quest 3 looks to improve on the market-leading stand-alone VR headset. Western Digital now offers speedy Xbox expansion cards. 8BitDo is launching a new fighting stick for Xbox and PC.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30 pm ET!

Click here to download episode #621.

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• YouTube TV rolling out fixes for audio sync, Apple TV crashes, teases better video quality
• Verizon streaming bundle offers Netflix Premium and Paramount+ with Showtime for $26 | Engadget
• Apple WWDC 2023: The $3,499 Vision Pro is Apple’s long-awaited AR headset | Engadget
• The Meta Quest 3 is a $499 mixed reality headset with full-color passthrough | Engadget
• Western Digital’s Xbox Series X|S Expansion Cards Start at $79.99
• 8BitDo’s Xbox-licensed arcade stick is wireless and customizable | Engadget

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The post Entertainment 2.0 #621 – Apple Vision Pro appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

Netflix has started cracking down on people who share their passwords. Comcast has a new live TV streaming service. YouTube is adding unskippable 30-second ads, and the only legit alternative is problematic. Sony announced a new handheld gaming device, but they haven’t made a good case for it yet.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30 pm ET!

Click here to download episode #620.

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• Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown is here — and it costs $7.99 per month – The VergeEverything You Need to Know About Max When Service Launches on May 23
• Comcast reveals Now TV, a cable-lite streaming package for $20 a month – The Verge
• Comment: YouTube Premium needs a more affordable option as ads keep getting worse
• Apple releases Apple Music Classical for Android before iPad or Mac apps – 9to5Mac
• Sony Announces PlayStation Handheld to Put Razer Edge to Shame – IGN

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The intro music is a song called Rogue by Raw Stiles

The post Entertainment 2.0 #620 – I Am NOT Paying for YouTube. Period. appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

MyHomeKithome YouTuber and podcast host Dustin Boggus joins Richard to talk about accessibility in the smarthome. Sure, it’s fun and futuristic to have lights and digital assistants that obey your commands and react to your presence…but what if your ability to work and live safely in your own environment depended upon it? Dustin shares his experiences with specific technologies and products and shares some thoughts about what more the industry could be doing. Oh, and this episode was recorded some time ago, so we also talk about some now … fairly old industry news.

Listen to the episode here or download it.

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• Jenny Tuohy reviews the Tovala Smart Oven Air Fryer
• Hubitat Elevation C-8 released
• Insteon had sold out of i3 devices, but new stock is now available
• Check out the Controller for HomeKit app
• Check out Dustin’s YouTube channel, MyHomeKithome
• Follow MyHomeKithome on Twitter at @MyHomeKithome
• Read Dustin’s reviews and posts at MyHomeKithome.com

Home: On is listed at Technology.FM, a curated collection of technology podcasts, including great shows like The HomeTech Podcast, The Spoon Podcast, and The Smart Home Show, co-hosted by Richard with Adam Justice.

If you’re interested in any of the products mentioned in this show, consider using our affiliate links, below, to view or purchase them on Amazon.com. Don’t worry…nobody’s getting rich off of this; but it does help us keep the lights on (so to speak) at The DMZ.

Inquire about sponsorship opportunities at [email protected]

The post Home: On #156 – The Accessible Smarthome with Dustin Boggus appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

Netflix is killing off its DVD business while making important improvements to its ad-supported tier. Google TV is getting updates to help it run better on low-power devices. Walmart launched a new Google TV streaming box. YouTube Music added podcasts. UK’s antitrust regulator blocked Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30 pm ET!

Click here to download episode #619.

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• Netflix is shutting down its original DVD business after 25 years – The Verge
• Netflix Rolls Out Improved Video Quality, Other Changes to Ad-Supported Plan; Changes Lower-Priced Tier’s Name – The Streamable
• Google TV update rolling out with performance boost, frees up storage with app hibernation
• Review: Walmart’s new Google TV box is the best deal in streaming
• YouTube Music officially launching podcasts in the US on Android, iOS, and web
• UK regulator blocks Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard merger over cloud concerns | Engadget
• Get Ready for the Xbox Games Showcase and Starfield Direct Double Feature Airing June 11

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The intro music is a song called Rogue by Raw Stiles

The post Netflix Kills DVD Business and the UK Kills Activision Acquisition appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

HBO Max and Discovery+ are combining as one service named Max. Google TV is adding over 800 free channels to their TV guide. YouTube has announced pricing details for the NFL Sunday Ticket. The ASUS ROG Ally looks like the best Steam Deck competitor yet. E3 was canceled, but will it ever return? Kobo’s new subscription service fills in the holes left by Kindle Unlimited.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30 pm ET!

Click here to download episode #618.

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• What Max Launch Means for Existing HBO Max Customers 
• Google TV takes on Roku with over 800 free TV channels | Engadget
• YouTube’s NFL Sunday Ticket Starts at $249 for Subscribers With Early Deal, $349 This Fall
• YouTube livestreaming all Coachella stages for 2023
• ASUS’ ROG Ally is yet another Steam Deck competitor | Engadget
• ESA Head Blames E3 Cancellation on Wider Industry Challenges, Won’t Say If Event Will Return – IGN
• Kobo’s all-you-can-read subscription coming to the US could challenge Amazon – The Verge

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The intro music is a song called Rogue by Raw Stiles

The post HBO Max and Discovery+ Become Max appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

Diamond Sports Group, owners of Bally Sports, are struggling to stay afloat. What does that mean if Bally broadcasts your favorite sports team? YouTube TV is increasing prices again, but it’s not all bad news this time. Spotify still hasn’t launched its HiFi plan yet. Why not? Josh also played with Spotify DJ. Ubisoft is the latest major video game publisher to announce they won’t officially be at E3.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30 pm ET!

Click here to download episode #617.

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• NHL Commissioner Assures Fans Bally Sports, AT&T SportsNets Games Will Air as Scheduled – The Streamable
• Diamond Sports Commits to Broadcast NBA, NHL Through This Season; MLB Relationship Still Unresolved – The Streamable
• YouTube TV raises its prices yet again | Engadget
• Spotify is Keeping its HiFi Plan on Hold Due to “Industry Changes” – Thurrott.com
• Ubisoft Pulls Out of E3 2023 After Previously Committing to the Show – IGN

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The intro music is a song called Rogue by Raw Stiles

The post Will Bally Sports Keep the Lights On? appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

A new app called March Madness Live is giving you the ability to watch multiple college basketball games at the same time. We have all the information you need to ensure you don’t miss a single game. Roku has released a new version of their streaming software that focuses on live news, sports, and what you want to watch next.  Apple is finally launching the classical music streaming app. Sony is making more ridiculous claims about Microsoft. Eating a chicken sandwich could get you early access to Diablo IV. Microsoft won’t have a booth at E3.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30 pm ET!

Click here to download episode #616.

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• March Madness Live brings multiview streaming to the web for up to four games | Engadget
• YouTube TV Bringing Multiview to March Madness – CNET
• Roku Announces a New Roku Experience – Thurrott.com
• Apple will launch its standalone classical music app on March 28th
• Sony is worried that Microsoft will sabotage Call of Duty for the PlayStation – The Verge
• Get Diablo IV beta early access when you buy a KFC Double Down – The Verge
• Xbox Confirms It Won’t be on E3 2023 Showfloor – IGN

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The intro music is a song called Rogue by Raw Stiles

The post Entertainment 2.0 #616 – Now Would Be a Good Time appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.

Sony unveils their latest televisions, including the new Sony A95L QD-OLED. Movies Anywhere is removing one of their most unique features. Sonos announced the Era 300 and Era 100 speakers.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30 pm ET!

Click here to download episode #615.

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• Sony QD-OLED TV Amps Up Brightness, Tones Down Reflections – CNET
• Movies Anywhere is ending its movie sharing and Watch Together features – The Verge
• Sonos is betting big on spatial audio with the $450 Era 300 speaker | Engadget
• Sonos speakers will support Apple Music spatial audio starting March 28th | Engadget

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The intro music is a song called Rogue by Raw Stiles

The post Entertainment 2.0 #615 – Big as a 4-Slice Toaster appeared first on The Digital Media Zone.