Yogi Land

Netflix just added a streaming-only subscription plan for some U.S. customers. It costs at least $7.99 per month and it gives you all the Watch Instantly content you can handle, but it doesn’t include any DVD rentals.

It appears to be available only to a few customers at present, as we’re not able to see a streaming-only plan on our account or when creating a new one. But tech blog Engadget claims that many of its writers are able to access the plans, albeit (strangely) at different prices. On one computer they’re offered a streaming-only plan for $7.99 per month, but on another it’s $8.99.

In either case, it appears that this test also brings a bump in DVD rental plan prices. The existing $8.99, $13.99 and $16.99 plans (for one DVD, two and three, respectively) have all gone up one dollar, presumably either to differentiate the DVD and streaming plans or even to subsidize streaming users.

As is the case with existing accounts, these streaming accounts work not just on your computer but through Netflix-enabled devices like Roku, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and others, and the Starz library is included.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has said on a few occasions that he believes Netflix will ultimately be a streaming company. With enhancements to the experience on PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii and iPhone along with these new streaming plans, the company is getting closer to that reality.

It already exclusively offers streaming plans in Canada, its first market outside of the United States. No word yet on when the plans will roll out for all U.S. customers.

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Google is reportedly in advanced negotiations with major Hollywood movie studios to launch a streaming, pay-per-view movie rental site by the end of 2010.

The site would be either part of or connected to YouTube, and Google would use its massive search and video empires to direct new users to the new service, helping it stand toe-to-toe with Apple and other competitors in the space.

According to anonymous sources cited by The Financial Times, including an executive with knowledge of the deal, talks have been taking place for months, but they’ve picked up recently. The big reveal here is not the fact that Google wants to launch such a service — we’ve known that for a long time — but the reports that studios are increasingly enthusiastic, so much so that the service is expected to go live by year’s end.

Many enthusiasts and bloggers believe that Apple will release a new version of the Apple TV platform at an event later this week, so the pressure is on Google to show the world what it’s planning as soon as possible. The Financial Times story says that Google’s service will be available first in the United States, but that other countries will be added later.

It also says that the rentals will cost $5 — significantly more than the rentals at iTunes or Amazon Video on Demand. We find that number hard to believe, to be honest. Google is not likely to price its service too highly in comparison to competitors, which typically charge between two and four dollars for a rental.

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Building on What’s Already There

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Google actually began testing out video rentals at YouTube months ago. Its first public test involved a handful of independent films from the Sundance Film Festival. Reports were that the test was not a financial success, but Google nevertheless expanded its service to include a much larger and more mainstream base of titles. It still was not a real competitor to iTunes or Amazon Video on Demand.

Those early rollouts may have been for testing purposes, though, and Google didn’t really sell them with search links and YouTube promotions like The Financial Times describes. One of the executives The Financial Times spoke with said, “They’ve talked about how many people they could steer to this . . . it’s a huge number.”

That’s probably going to be true so long as Google executes its search promotions in the right way, and if it has attractive content, service and prices.

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Reviews: Google, YouTube, iTunes

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Here’s one for all you lovers of futuristic interfaces. An interactive hardware company called Displax has begun marketing Skin, a paper-thin, flexible film that would transform any non-metal surface into an interactive touchscreen.

You could place Skin on any surface, transparent or opaque, flat or curved, and use it to display any interactive content you like. Displax’s multi-touch technology can detect up to 16 fingers at once and can also detect air movement.

Skin is completely transparent and works on surfaces that are also transparent; you can place Skin on a glass surface and interact with content displayed under the glass.

This unique hardware operates via a grid of nanowires embedded Skin’s polymer film. Each time a user makes contact with the surface, either by blowing on it or directly touching it, “a small electrical disturbance is detected allowing the micro-processor controller to pinpoint the movement or direction of the air flow,” according to Displax.

We can imagine millions of cool use cases for such a technology — business presentations, medicine, museums, schools, and gaming to start. The possibilities are as endless as our collective and ever-growing want and need to interact with digital content through multi-touch interfaces.

What do you think of Skin? Is this a product you’d like to try or use?

More About: displax, Film, Hardware, interaction, interface, skin, touchscreen

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Netflix could pay up to one billion dollars for the rights to stream recently-released feature films from Lionsgate, MGM and Paramount in a deal with cable movie channel upstart Epix.

The Los Angeles Times says the deal has been discussed for months but it’s still facing a few hurdles. Not the least of these is the fact that cable providers (which Epix is fighting an uphill battle to woo) would be less inclined to carry Epix if it also offers its content online outside of its own private portal.

However, Epix might do well to place its bets on online media instead of traditional cable in general if it’s in this for the long haul.

If the deal goes through, the LA Times claims it will last five years, help Epix meet its goal of breaking even in 2011 and retain movie studios’ option to also sell and rent their films on iTunes even as they’re showing on Epix. Competing movie channel HBO doesn’t give its partners the same options.

Films currently on Epix include Iron Man, Star Trek, Saw VI, The Cove, and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Epix has also tried making original material, including a Steve Jobs parody created by a Seinfeld writer.

The LA Times report doesn’t clarify whether or not all titles available on Epix will also be available on Netflix. Netflix could definitely use the influx of current, mainstream movies; many of the Hollywood blockbusters it streams today are provided by a similar deal with the cable movie channel Starz.

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Reviews: iTunes

More About: cable, deal, Epix, Film, films, hbo, itunes, Lionsgate, MGM, Movies, netflix, Paramount, starz, streaming video, television, tv, video, watch instantly

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Yes, I know that at present your face is likely stuck to your keyboard, but weekend is bass-booming right around the corner, and I don’t know about you, but for me that means only one thing: Dancing! It’s also the theme of this week’s YouTube roundup.

Doesn’t matter if you shake it, work it, roll it, or twirk it (whatever the hell that is), there’s really no excuse to avoid busting a move this weekend — unless you’re absolutely abject at dancing, in which case, please spare us all.

Check out the below collection of vids, which features more than a few adorable children and two — count ‘em two — renditions of “Single Ladies.” Never fear, we added in some metal for those of you who aren’t down with Beyonce — or children. Happy weekend!

PARTY IN THE UGA - University of Georgia Orientation 2010

Christina Warren: And this is why I refused to go to UGA.

Little Girls Working It To "Single Ladies"

Lauren Indvik: Obvious inappropriateness aside, these girls are incredible dancers.

Weird Rave Dancing

Jay Irani: I don't know if this guy's really dancing or just trying to stay upright after popping one too many muscle relaxers.

Toddler AMAZING Choreographed Hip Hop Dance Moves - One Republic, "Apologize"

Amy-Mae Elliott: This cute little kid is an outrageously talented dancer and busts some incredible moves. Can you imagine how good he's going to be when he grows up?

Joe Grimes Hokey Pokey

Erica Swallow: The best version of the hokey pokey I've ever witnessed.

Baby Dancing to Beyonce

Jenn Van Grove: Baby Dancing to Beyonce was an instant classic. We can rest assured that baby Cory will grow up and be more likely to "put a ring on it." :)

Darth Vader - "Thriller" Style

Ben Parr: What, you didn't think Darth Vader could pull off the Moonwalk? Trust your instincts, my young Padawan.

Tween CEO Driven to Success

Stefanie Rennert: A young entrepreneur in Detroit teaches kids dance lessons out of her pink school bus mobile studio. Very creative!

"Heavy Metal Parking Lot" (1986)

Brenna Ehrlich: I heart this movie so much. I have never it seen it with sound, as I have only viewed it during "Heavy Metal Karaoke" night at a local watering hole. They play it on loop. So much acid-washed denim.

image courtesy of iStockphoto, AYakovlev

More About: Film, humor, music, pop culture, youtube

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Disney has released the newest trailer for TRON: Legacy at Comic-Con, and it’s spreading around the web like wildfire.

TRON: Legacy is the much-anticipated sequel to Tron, the 1982 classic that follows hacker Kevin Flynn’s journey into the virtual world of the ENCOM mainframe. Jeff Bridges is reprising his role as Flynn in the sequel, which is due to be released on December 17, 2010.

This trailer not only shows off the cutting-edge, techno-style special effects that make the world of TRON; it also dives deeper into the storyline and the relationship between Bridges’ character and his hacker son Sam Flynn (played by Garrett Hedlund). Comic-Con attendees got an extra bonus, though: eight full minutes of footage from the upcoming film.

The film trailer has been a hot item around the web. The movie wins nostalgia points with children of the eighties, and it also wins the hearts of technology and computer geeks. After seeing this trailer, we’re more excited than ever for this film.

What about you: Are you excited? Are you planning on going to see the film later this year? Let us know what you think in the comments, but please, no reaction videos.

More About: entertainment, f, Film, movie, movie trailer, TRON, tron legacy

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According to a presentation made by European Sony executive Mike Hawking, 3D Blu-ray support will be added to the PlayStation 3 in a firmware upgrade this September, and support for 3D YouTube will come within the next 12 months. You’ll eventually be able to use the console to show off photos taken with 3D cameras, too.

CVG quoted Hawking saying that the PS3 already has all the hardware it needs to handle 3D games and videos thanks to its compatibility with the HDMI 1.4 connection. The console can detect the size and 3D hardware in any TV it’s connected to, so it can be adapted to support most new 3D technologies with simple software or firmware updates.

Rival Microsoft hasn’t announced any plans to go 3D with the rival Xbox 360 console, but the hand-held Nintendo 3DS has a screen that shows 3D images without requiring the player to wear special glasses.

Market researchers believe that plenty of 3D TVs will show up in consumers’ living rooms over the next few years, so Sony might be making a smart move by getting in to the game ahead of its competitors.

Sony already updated the console with support for 3D games, but there are only a few on the market currently.

[via Joystiq]

More About: 3D, blu-ray, firmware, playstation 3, PS3, software update, sony

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Toy Story 3 isn’t just hitting movie theaters today, it’s also hitting the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, with Disney/Pixar releasing apps for the iOS platforms based around Woody, Buzz Lightyear and all of the other toys.

Because I’m a pretty big Toy Story fan (I have tickets to a show later tonight), I volunteered to review Toy Story 3 for iPhone (free), Toy Story Mania for iPhone ($4.99) and Toy Story 3 Read-Along for iPad ($8.99).

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iPhone

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All three apps have been designed to be kid-friendly and to align with the existing Toy Story style and sensibility. The free Toy Story 3 iPhone app features information about the film and its characters as well as lots of games. Some of the games are free but others are available through in-app purchase. You can also listen to a customized greeting from Sheriff Woody himself, which is a free (and very neat) feature that should appeal to lots of kids.

While Toy Story 3 for iPhone is clearly designed around the idea of the latest chapter in the film saga, the broader based Toy Story Mania covers the entire series. It’s a pretty well made app and has lots of mini-games which are actually addictive — even for adults. It also has a gallery feature that can only be utilized if you’re at the Toy Story Experience attraction at Walt Disney World.

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iPad

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The iPad app, Toy Story 3 Read-Along, is in some ways the most compelling app. It takes the form of a children’s story book — something we’ve seen dozens of for the iPad. What makes the Toy Story 3 book different, however, is all the extra features that Disney has packed into the app. For instance, you can record you voice or your child’s voice for the voice over.

You can also sing-along to two tracks from the film, color in drawings (using either a watercolor fill method or choosing your own colors) or create your own freeform designs, and play several fun games. The app is even 3D compatible, if you have a pair of compatible glasses, for certain images and for one version of the “Flying with Style” game.

After a heavy marketing campaign targeted at college students and young adults, it’s clear that Toy Story also has lots of opportunities to captivate younger fans. The film is already shaping up to be one of the biggest openings of the summer (if not the entire year) at the box office and the iPhone and iPad games are a fun addition.

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Images

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Toy Story 3 For iPad

Read-Along

Story Menu

Story Help

Sing-Along

Sing-A-long

Coloring Book

Painting

Painting

Completed Art

Games

Flying Woody

Toy Story Mania

Toy Story Mania

Toy Story Mania Games

Toy Story 3 iPhone

Toy Story 3 iPhone

Woody's Recordings

Toy Story Mac Controller

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Tags: disney, Film, ipad, ipad apps, iphone, iphone apps, Movies, toy story 3

The YouTube Store has a much more impressive library than it did during its January trial period, including a few classics like Reservoir Dogs and recent critical hit Precious. The Cove — one of the original five — is currently the most popular film in the library.

If you’re interested in trying out the service, rentals range from $0.99 to $3.99, and the rental periods vary. Some pages say 24 hours, while others say 72. When the service initially launched, it only had five Sundance films, which only drew in $10,709 during the 10-day run. The New York Times deduced that figure by counting the number of views on each of the five films, but you can’t do that now — view counts are hidden.

Niche content like Bollywood movies and Japanese animation TV shows still place prominently in the lists of popular content — evidence that while the site does have some mainstream options now, they still don’t match what Amazon, iTunes and Netflix offer. We find it curious that while iTunes and Amazon sell TV episodes for $0.99, the episodes on YouTube are just for rent.

NewTeeVee contacted the site and asked about the new content, which went up with little fanfare. A spokesperson told them: “When we announced YouTube Rentals in January we said we would be creating a destination after more partners joined the program. To date, we have nearly 500 partners that have joined our Rental program.”

Five hundred partners looks like a good number, but the YouTube Store still feels like a trial run because the content library isn’t competitive. Try it out and let us know what you think.

[via ReadWriteWeb]

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Tags: Film, Google, Movies, News, rentals, television, tv, youtube, youtube store