AT&T is set to launch their new online television streaming service, DirecTV Now, later this week. It’ll start at $35 a month for over 60 channels without any longterm contract, and all you need is an internet connection.
- Initially AT&T will offer four tiers of service—$35 a month for 60 channels, $50 for 80, $60 for 100, and $70 for 120. To entice new subscribers they’ll be offering the 100 channel plan for $35 at launch, and you can stick to that price for as long as you subscribe. You’ll be able to watch through your browser and a wide variety of media devices, from iOS to Android and Chromecast, with more support for others like Roku coming soon. And if you’re also an AT&T subscriber on mobile you’ll be able to watch without it counting to your data (not a great look if you’re a net neutrality supporter). Gizmodo has a few details about the actual channel listings. [AT&T Newsroom]
- Speaking of internet TV, Sling TV is testing a new cloud DVR that will begin testing with Roku users this December. You’ll be able to record your shows to the cloud so that you can watch them anytime on your Roku device, with initial tests offering 100 hours of storage. You can request an invitation to the beta program here. [Sling]
- Instagram will notify you if someone takes a screenshot of a temporary direct message. This only applies to this specific type of ephemeral direct message that was recently added, and not the public ‘Stories’ that disappear after 24 hours. (It might not be a new feature, but no one really noticed until now.) [The Verge]
- Amazon is trying to deal with their counterfeit product problem. With over 2 million independent sellers on the site the scale of the problem makes it difficult to police, and they’ve previously left it up to brands to ferret out cheap imitation products. Now they’re working with companies to build a registry of fakes. [Bloomberg]