We have a giveaway for you today called The Pick Your Streaming Service and Device Giveaway. The winner can choose a streaming device, including, but not limited to: Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, and Google ChromeCast. And, a 1-year subscription to the streaming service of your choice — including, but not limited to: Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Showtime, and Disney+. Cool, right? To enter, register for our deal emails (which you should do anyway). If you’re already registered, click the Enter to Win button on the giveaway listing.
Disney+
Exciting New Rumors: iMac and MacBook Pro for 2020
John has found some fascinating rumors regarding the 2020 iMacs and 13-inch MacBook Pro. Buckle up.
TMO UK Associate Editor Charlotte Henry (#4) - TMO Background Mode Interview
Charlotte Henry is a London-based technical journalist. A self-described media junkie, she writes about Apple — and now for the Mac Observer as well as our UK Associate Editor. She has also written for City A.M. (London’s daily business tabloid,) Computer Business Review, the Independent on Sunday and CapX. Her new book is: Not Buying It.
In this special episode, Charlotte and I discuss the various streaming TV services: Apple TV+, Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, CBS All Access, Britbox, Peacock, and Quibi. We chat about our favorite shows, our experiences viewing, the pricing, and the prospects of success for the new guys on the block. Charlotte loves The Bold Type (Netflix). John waxes poetic about The Mandalorian and Star Trek: Picard.
Determining Streaming Success – TMO Daily Observations 2020-02-06
John Martellaro joins host Kelly Guimont to discuss John’s metrics of what makes a streaming service a success and obstacles that lie in wait.
S Woz on S Jobs, Streaming Signature Shows – TMO Daily Observations 2020-02-05
John Martellaro and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Woz’s chat about Steve Jobs, and John’s ranking of streaming shows.
Disney+ Moves European Launch Date Forward
Disney+ will arrive in a number of major European markets on March 24, a week earlier than had previously been announced.
TMO Contributor Kelly Guimont (#9) - TMO Background Mode Interview
Kelly Guimont is a long-time podcaster, Contributing Editor for The Mac Observer, the host of the Mac Observer’s Daily Observations podcast, and a tech support guru.
In her 9th appearance, Kelly and I chat about our favorite TV shows and movies of late. We open in segment #1 with a shared favorite: The Mandalorian (Disney+). In segment #2: Kelly: Dr. Who (BBC), The World According to Jeff Goldblum (Disney+). John: Star Trek: Discovery (S2) (CBS), Virgin River (Netflix) and Downton Abbey – the movie (iTunes). Also: some honorable mentions. Join us as we explore together what’s great about these shows.
Apple At CES, New TV+ Shows – TMO Daily Observations 2020-01-09
John Martellaro and Charlotte Henry join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Apple’s (lack of) presence at CES, and the new wave of TV+ content.
How to Sign Up For Disney+ and Bill to Your Apple ID
The nominal way to sign up for Disney+ is to go to disneyplus.com and create an account. But it’s also possible to sign up from within the tvOS or iOS app and bill the subscription to your Apple ID. John explains how to do it—and the advantages.
‘The Mandalorian’ Season 2 Arrives Fall 2020
Fans of Disney’s The Mandalorian will be pleased to know that show runner Jon Favreau confirmed that it’s been approved for season 2, which will arrive fall 2020.
We already knew ‘The Mandalorian’ would be returning for a second season, after Favreau revealed in November that he’d begun filming on the second instalment of episodes. But now we have a better idea of exactly how long we’ll have to wait to find out what happens next in the streaming original, which is arguably the best new Star Wars universe content since the original series of films (yes, I really believe that).
TV+ Features, Morning Show Reviews – TMO Daily Observations 2019-11-21
John Martellaro and Charlotte Henry join host Kelly Guimont to discuss streaming interface options, and The Morning Show’s tepid reviews.
Subscriber Numbers, iOS and Security Keys – TMO Daily Observations 2019-11-15
Charlotte Henry joins Kelly Guimont to discuss subscriber stats for Disney+ vs Apple services, bundles, and iOS using hardware security keys.
Disney+ Alters Scene Between Greedo and Han Solo
Disney+ has altered the shoot out scene between Greedo and Han Solo, making this the third alteration over the years.
You can see the footage isn’t as lightened as some previous editions. It does lean on the grainier look used in the 1977 reel, but it is longer overall. That is because an additional bit of dialogue was added to Greedo. Not only does the version make it more difficult to tell whether Greedo shot first, but it sees them shout something at Han Solo before being killed.
Microsoft Opts in to CCPA, Streaming Services Old & New – TMO Daily Observations 2019-11-12
Andrew Orr & John Martellaro join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Microsoft following CCPA nationwide, and new vs nostalgic streaming content.
Disney+ Launches in U.S. And Canada
Disney+ has launched in the U.S., Canada, and the Netherlands, giving subscribers access to a range of Disney-owned content.
Google's Secure Enclave, Saving Streaming Subscribers – TMO Daily Observations 2019-11-06
Andrew Orr and Charlotte Henry join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Google’s secure enclave, and how streaming services can retain subscribers.
Behind AT&T's Streaming Competitor HBO Max
AT&T wants to take on the likes of Netflix, Disney, and Apple with its streaming service HBO Max.
By 2025, AT&T aims to reach about 80 million global subscribers, with about 50 million in the United States, a source briefed on the plans told Reuters. They are ambitious targets that would be consistent with Netflix Inc’s (NFLX.O) early progress, and in the mid-range of Disney+, Walt Disney Co’s (DIS.N) Netflix rival, set to launch on Nov. 12.
WarnerMedia hopes this service will get a boost in 2021 when it launches an advertising-supported option at a lower cost, insiders said.
Subscription Management and Deals – TMO Daily Observations 2019-10-24
Charlotte Henry and John Martellaro join host Kelly Guimont to discuss managing subscriptions on macOS, and the future of paid vs free users.
Bob Iger Says Disney+ Lets You Keep Downloads Even After Removal
Disney+ will let you keep downloaded content even if it has been removed from the platform, says Bob Iger.
But Iger said that while these deals would cause some of that content to leave the platform for “brief periods of time,” you’ll be able to download that content onto a device where it will remain so long as your Disney+ account is active. This would give Disney+ a leg up on other services with which it has licensing agreements to make any downloads of that series or film available to Disney+ subscribers.
Verizon Offers Free Year of Disney+
Verizon is giving new and existing customers a free year of Disney+ which will launch on November 12 for $6.99/month.
Apple TV+ Subscribers vs Users, Calculus of Success – TMO Daily Observations 2019-09-17
John Martellaro and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Apple’s eventual reporting of TV+ users, and what success looks like.
NBC Universal Launches 'Peacock' Streaming Service Featuring Battlestar Galactica, Parks & Rec, Saved by the Bell
NBC Universal announced more details of its streaming service, Peacock, which will arrive in April 2020 boasting a vault of popular content.
iPhone Hacks, Python, Particle Debris – TMO Daily Observations 2019-08-30
John Martellaro and Andrew Orr join host Kelly Guimont to discuss an iOS vulnerability, the future of Python on macOS, and Particle Debris.
Disney+ is Challenging Netflix's Premium Tier
For $7-a-month Disney+ will allow users to have four simultaneous streams, 4K, UHD and High Dynamic Range picture quality.