Western Digital is ensuring its hardware can keep pace within the media streamer arms race, matching recent additions by Microsoft and Roku by issuing updates of its own. New services added to the WD TV Live and WD TV Live Hub boxes are Vudu (with HDX 1080p support, unlike the Xbox 360 ), SnagFilms, XOS College Sports, SEC Digital, Comedy Time and Watch Mojo. To assist users navigate through all of the extra content, it also recently rolled out its own official iOS remote app, although like Roku , there have already been a couple of unofficial options available besides. The WD TV remote is a free app and gives direct access to any of the services in your WD TV box or even multiplayer gaming provided all devices are at the same network. An Android version is asserted to be within the works, for now owners can look into your entire details within the press release after the break or hit iTunes to download the app.
New Services Now Available; New Handheld remote control App for Apple® and Android™ Mobile Devices Improves Media Player Navigation
IRVINE, Calif., – Dec. 20, 2011 – Western Digital (NYSE: WDC), the world’s leader in external storage solutions and maker of the acclaimed WD TV® media player family, has added streaming movie service VUDU, in addition to several additional new sports and entertainment services to the WD TV Live™ and WD TV Live Hub™ media players, adding to the media player family’s current content offerings from Netflix®, Hulu Plus™, Blockbuster®, CinemaNow®, Spotify™, Pandora®, YouTube®, Facebook® and so forth. Moreover VUDU, new services include SnagFilms, XOS College Sports, SEC Digital Network, Comedy Time and Watch Mojo.
Additionally, the brand new WD® TV Remote™ app improves the navigation experience for WD TV Live and WD TV Live Hub users by turning their iPhone®, iPod touch®, iPad®, or Android™ compatible mobile device into a sophisticated feature handheld remote control for his or her WD TV. The WD TV Remote advanced features allow users to more easily navigate the big variety of digital media WD TV users enjoy on their television, from leading entertainment services to non-public video, photos or music.
New Services1
VUDU – WD TV customers now have access to VUDU’s large HD library of flicks and television titles instantly on their home entertainment systems. WD supports the HDX™ video format that includes 1080p Full HD video and rich Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 audio, allowing users to enjoy a cinema-like experience at home with the freshest new releases available on-demand with none subscription fees or late fees. Upon VUDU registration on their device WD TV media player users will receive a $4.99 USD credit towards VUDU movie rentals, that are available to hire starting at just $2 USD for 2 nights.
SnagFilms – Customers now have on-demand access to SnagFilms’ broad selection of full-length independent films, without spending a dime, in genres comparable to documentary, comedy, drama, family friendly and dad culture.
XOS College Sports – This free service offers the biggest digital library of school sports video, including greater than 75 years of current and classic college sports action.
SEC Digital Network – On demand access is out there for current season and classic Southeastern Conference games, videos, interviews and more. This service includes greater than 1,000 hours of original and exclusive video.
Comedy Time – This free service encompasses a broad library of short-form comedy video programming.
Watch Mojo – Customers now have free access to observe Mojo’s professionally-produced premium videos in categories inclusive of comedy, education, fashion, food, health & fitness, music, politics, technology and games.
Improved Navigation with WD TV Remote
The hot WD TV Remote app improves the navigation experience for WD TV Live and WD TV Live Hub users, providing all of the features of the normal WD TV handheld remote control at the side of several advanced features, including a gesture pad to assist navigate menu screens and services with intuitive touch gestures, in addition to QWERTY keyboard support for text entry and search functionality. A favorites screen provides easy access to entertainment services at the WD TV. WD TV Remote connects over the house wireless network and will work with multiple WD TV media players in the house. Additionally, WD TV Remote is supplied in multiple languages, including English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Japanese, Korean, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Russian, and Portuguese.
“WD TV personalizes the entertainment experience for consumers better than the other digital media player,” said Chris Bull, director of promoting for WD’s Connected Home Solutions group. “If it is photos or movies to your PC, Mac®, tablet, smartphone, personal cloud drive including the My Book® Live, or one in every of our exciting entertainment services consisting of VUDU, WD TV media players enable anyone within the family to simply enjoy a custom entertainment experience with their favorite movies, TV shows, music and photos.”
Price and Availability
The VUDU, SnagFilms, XOS College Sports, SEC Digital Network, Comedy Time and Watch Mojo services at the moment are available on WD TV Live and WD TV Live Hub media players, which might be available at select U.S. retailers and online at www.wdstore.com starting at $99.99 USD MSRP. WD TV Remote is currently available as a free download from the iTunes® Store and we anticipate can be available at the Android Market soon.
About WD
WD, among the storage industry’s pioneers and long-time leaders, provides services and products for folk and organizations that collect, manage and use digital information. The corporate designs and produces reliable, high-performance hard drives and solid state drives that keep users’ data accessible and secure from loss. Its advanced technologies are configured into applications for client and enterprise computing, embedded systems and consumer electronics, in addition to its own consumer storage and residential entertainment products.
WD was founded in 1970. The company’s storage products are marketed to leading OEMs, systems manufacturers, selected resellers and retailers under the Western Digital and WD brand names. Visit the Investor element of the company’s website (www.westerndigital.com) to access lots of financial and investor information.
1 Subscription or membership could be required. See agency terms and stipulations for details.
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