Pandora, a popular streaming music service, is now limiting its free mobile users to 40 hours a month. According to the company’s blog post, it does not expect many users to be affected by the limit.
However, Pandora does offer options for any listener who does actually reach the limit. Among the options listed in the blog post include free, unlimited listening via desktop or laptop computers, paying an unlimited listening fee for the remainder of the month for only 99 cents or a subscription to Pandora One which features unlimited listening and no advertising.
Read more at http://blog.pandora.com/pandora/archives/2013/02/a-note-to-our-l.html.
Net buzz
Amazon has a new content deal with Scripps Networks Interactive to provide “lifestyle shows from HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Travel Channel,” according to a recent Amazon press release. The shows will be available to Amazon Prime Instant Video and Amazon Instant Video users. The deal is the first of its kind for Scripps Networks Interactive. Among the popular shows included are “Rachael Ray’s Week in a Day;” “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations;” “Cupcake Wars;” “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives;” “House Hunters and House Hunters International;” “Iron Chef America;” “Man v. Food;” “Selling New York” and “Selling LA;” “Throwdown With Bobby Flay;” “Chopped;” “Ghost Adventures;” and “Yard Crashers,” the release states.
Read more at http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1790540.
Linux update
The latest of Zorin OS has been released. Zorin OS 6.2 Core and Ultimate are Ubuntu 12.04 LTS-based distros which were designed for Windows users who are transitioning to Linux. According to Zorin’s blog post, the latest release features new software, a new kernel, bug fixes and its new Zorin Menu.
The exclusive Zorin Look Changer is a popular feature of the distro because it enables its users to make their desktop look and behave like various other desktop environments such as Windows 7, XP, Vista, Ubuntu Unity, Mac OS X or GNOME 2.
The core version of Zorin is free, while the Ultimate version, which includes everything from all versions of the distro costs a minimal fee.
Read the release post about Zorin OS 6.2 Core and Ultimate at http://zoringroup.com/blog/2013/02/27/zorin-os-6-2-core-and-ultimate-are-here/.
Learn more about Zorin OS at www.zorin-os.com/.
Roku corner
- Blockbuster On Demand has arrived on Roku. The movie channel was added last week to the Roku Channel Store. It offers thousands of rentals of both current and classic movie titles. According to the Roku Blog, the channel has “support for closed captioning, trailers for many titles, a browse filter (HD only, MPAA rating, etc.) and a Watchlist to help you remember movies for later viewing.”
Blockbuster On Demand is currently available for Roku players running Roku software version 4.9 build 5060 or later including the Roku 2, Roku LT, new Roku HD players and the Roku Streaming Stick, according to the blog post. Add the channel by visiting the Roku Channel Store in Movies & TV section. Read more about the new channel at http://blog.roku.com/blog/2013/02/26/blockbuster-on-demand-launches-on-roku/.
- According to engagdet.com, a new Roku filing on the FCC site has arrived. Little information is provided such as the size being smaller than previous Roku 2 versions, it has dual-band WiFi channels and it carries the model number 4200x. More information is expected in the near future.
Read more at www.engadget.com/2013/02/08/roku-4200x-fcc/.
Email me at sheila@amnews.com; fax me at (859) 236-9566; or write me snail mail at The Advocate-Messenger, P.O. Box 149, Danville, KY 40423-0149.
