Report: Microsoft removing Xbox Gold requirement for Netflix and Hulu
Microsoft is reportedly planning to remove the Xbox Live Gold requirement to access services like Netflix and Hulu, but may put other services (like its own original programming) behind a paywall to make up for it.
One of the starkest differences between Microsoft and Sony's online offerings has been the Xbox Gold requirement to access video streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Users can watch Netflix movies on PlayStation systems without being members of PlayStation Plus. Microsoft is reportedly planning to rectify that situation soon.
Ars Technica reports that multiple sources have been briefed on the upcoming change, in light of preparations for the company's upcoming E3 presentation. We might see the announcement during its media briefing, but the decision isn't final and the company could still change its mind.
Now for the bad news. Though Microsoft may remove the Gold requirement for streaming services like Netflix, other services could be put behind Gold to make up for it. The report is unclear on whether that would mean existing services becoming Gold-exclusive, or if it refers to the original content coming from Xbox Entertainment Studios. The latter would make sense, given that it would put it on par with streaming services like Netflix and Amazon that have begun to produce their own original programming.
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replySteve Watts posted a new article, Report: Microsoft removing Xbox Gold requirement for Netflix and Hulu.
Microsoft is reportedly planning to remove the Xbox Live Gold requirement to access services like Netflix and Hulu, but may put other services (like its own original programming) behind a paywall to make up for it.-
nice, here comes a phone call to cancel my subscription
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That would add a lot of value.
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Hey, welcome to 2006, Microsoft! -_-
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As a guy who recently purchased a Roku after using Xbox and then PS3 for years, everyone should get one of these little bastards. Or AppleTV or whatever. The convenience of "always on" alone has been worth it. It's so nice to just change inputs at get right back to streaming stuff. The reduced power consumption, the better experience (like HBO Go having 5.1 audio), the speedy interface... I love this thing.
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I would've gone with a Chromecast, but I wanted wired. I live in a very dense area so WiFi suffers a lot. And the Roku 3 was $85 on Amazon last week so it seemed like a good time to grab one.
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Totally agree. I never use mine.
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Good to know.
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I'm sure it's mostly the source, but I've definitely noticed a quality difference between my PS3 and my Roku, so the hardware/app seems relevant. I've been watching Archer on Netflix, and since it's animated it's easy to tell when the quality dips below HD, which it did frequently on my PS3. On the Roku it starts in SD for a few seconds but goes to HD and stays there.
It could be other factors, but all in all the Roku experience has been great.
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the phone never actually streams anything to the Chromecast. The phone just tells it what to get from the internet.
It's good to hear you don't have issues though. At $30 I could see myself picking one up just to have a travel with (despite the lack of hotel support, which is a bummer).-
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Not being able to work in hotels completely unsold me on the device. I was only going to use it for travel.
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Get a travel router. I never connect directly to hotel wifi/ethernet. It also makes it easier for the laptop/ipad/etc to connect to wifi since you're travelling with the same Wifi network name.
I bought this TP link one a year ago and it's awesome. It's about 2"x2" and can be powered off a USB port.
http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WR702N-Wireless-Repeater-150Mpbs/dp/B007PTCFFW/-
Doesn't this require you to have an ethernetport in the room? How do you "signin" with one of these? Do you just do it once in a broswer and then your whole router is "unlocked"?
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It works best with an ethernet port. I've tried to connect to wifi with it and create a new wifi network but sometimes it works and other times it doesn't.
And anything connected to the router is basically "unlocked" for hotel internet if you connect the router first, and then connect with your laptop/tablet to your router and proceed to the hotel wifi sign in page.
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Yeah I have 3 now, one from every generation, and they all work great. The Gen 1 is starting to show it's age but I always choose those over xbox/ps3 and the built in tv apps.
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Could you plug in an external bluray drive on one of these and play discs? My HTPC's getting old and I'm starting to weight my optionsé
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I don't think so. There's probably a better option for that, like a Boxee or something.
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I wonder if other entertainment apps are included in that like Amazon Video.
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well, i don't know of anyone who buys a console just for the apps. they are a bonus and if you're buying an xbox one you pretty much are going to have a live subscription.
i welcome the change but it's not like roku is competing with xbox or playstation.-
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also in my case, we have comcast. HBO go is blocked from the roku, but works on the 360. -____-
been that way since 2011
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140305/14254626446/comcast-still-blocking-hbo-go-roku-now-playstation-3-incapable-explaining-why.shtml-
how is that legal?
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Number of people that bought an Xbox One for Netflix = Zero.
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heh, what about Amazon Prime? I literally just ordered the Amazon TV box Sunday because my Gold membership on my 360 expired Sunday, and I was in the midst of watching 24 and Vikings and what not and had no clue you had to have Gold to watch Prime. Did I just waste my money on Amazon TV?
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Starting in June yes. You can see more of the apps that will be free w/o paywall at the very bottom of the page below
http://news.xbox.com/2014/05/xbox-delivering-more-choices -
still not really a waste. move your netflix/amazon/hulu viewing over to the FireTV. It's faster to get to stuff and despite being always on will use way less power.
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it should also be quiet compared to the 360.
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Ok thanks!
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Ayup. This was my last big objection to the XBO. I still don't like the Metro interface, but I can at least work with that.
Of course now I don't have the money to get one, but maybe sometime down the line.
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