redbox

Redbox Instant coming to Roku this summer

Roku's industry-leading 750+ channel library is about to get one bigger.

Redbox Instant announced today that its streaming-video service is headed to Roku's set-top boxes this summer. Redbox Instant's streaming catalog is relatively limited compared with its big-name competitors (8,000 titles on Redbox Instant compared with more than 33,000 for Amazon Instant by recent count), but makes up for it by including four DVD rentals from its kiosks for the same $8 monthly fee.

That gets you access to new releases that are typically lacking from popular streaming services, as long as you're willing … Read more

Redbox Instant launches video streaming to the public

Redbox Instant has made good on its promise to open its doors to the general public by spring. The video streaming service publicly launched in the U.S. today.

The new service is a joint venture between Verizon and Redbox that was first announced in February 2012. Redbox Instant will give new users unlimited streaming and four DVD credits for free for one month, according to the Web site. Once the month-long trial ends, the service will cost $8 per month.

Redbox Instant was rolled out in private beta in December, letting first-time users sign up for the service. It'… Read more

Bigger boxes: Redbox Instant app coming to Xbox 360

It's a meeting of the boxes to make a more awesome living room. Larry Hryb, aka Xbox Live's Major Nelson, revealed today that Redbox Instant by Verizon is on its way to the Xbox 360.

Current Redbox Instant beta users get first crack at mainlining more movies into their TVs via the game console. Hryb says an access code for the Xbox app will be e-mailed to those folks in the next few days. It's still possible to request entry into the beta on the Redbox Instant site.… Read more

Redbox Instant is no Netflix killer

LAS VEGAS -- Redbox Instant by Verizon isn't a Netflix killer, and it's okay with that.

Executives from the joint venture were at the Consumer Electronics Show to talk up its video streaming and DVD rental service, which went into beta a few weeks ago.

CEO Shawn Strickland, a former Verizon executive, wanted to make it clear Redbox Instant would not compete against Netflix. His service would offer up new and some older movies -- and only movies. He said he believes there's a segment of consumers who are hungry for nothing but a film experience.

"… Read more

Redbox Instant launches private beta for video streaming

Redbox Instant -- Verizon's stab at a video-streaming service to compete with Netflix -- was rolled out into private beta today. For the first time, users can sign up for the service and see what it has to offer.

The service will give new users, who sign up to try it in beta, unlimited streaming and four DVD credits for free for one month, according to the Web site. Once the month-long trial ends, the service will cost $8 per month.

Redbox Instant is a joint venture announced in February between Verizon and Coinstar -- the company that owns … Read more

Redbox Instant's full launch won't be until spring 2013

It looks like the rumor mill was a little off this time -- Verizon's Redbox Instant won't be launching this month, as was previously speculated but rather in 2013. However, its public beta should be good to go within the next few weeks.

Verizon chairman and CEO Lowell McAdam announced today at an investor conference that after public beta testing the commercial launch of the video streaming and DVD rental service should kick off either at the end of 2013's first quarter or the beginning of the second quarter, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"We are … Read more

New Xbox this time next year?

Microsoft might have a new Xbox for the 2013 holiday season.

A new report from Bloomberg suggests that Microsoft might be readying the successor to the Xbox 360 for the 2013 holiday season. We here at CNET have been speculating the company might do the big unveiling at E3 2013 next summer and then set up a release shortly after. Some of the rumored features of the next Xbox -- aside from an obvious bump in performance -- are a Blu-ray drive and a more precise version of Kinect.

Industry site Telecoms.com has discovered some information about the iPhone 5'… Read more

Redbox Instant video streaming said to launch in December

Redbox Instant -- Verizon's stab at a video streaming service to compete with Netflix -- is said to be launching by the end of the year.

Users may be able to start using the service as soon as December 17, according to GigaOM. Also, it's looking like Redbox Instant could cost as low as $6 a month.

Redbox Instant is a joint venture announced in February between Verizon and Coinstar -- the company that owns the Redbox DVD rental business. The companies aim to develop an on-demand video streaming service with DVD rentals, much like what Netflix offers.… Read more

MetroPCS merging with T-Mobile

Wednesday's CNET Update shakes up your prepaid world:

T-Mobile USA announced it will merge with the prepaid regional cellphone carrier MetroPCS. If the deal is approved, there will be no changes until the first half of 2013. The CEO of T-Mobile said this merger will make the company a leader in no-contract offerings. That's a direct challenge to Sprint, which has its prepaid business with Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile and Assurance Wireless.

October 26 looks like a busy day for Microsoft. Not only is that the day that Windows 8 and the Surface tablet arrive, but Microsoft may also launch its Xbox Music service, … Read more

Redbox goes box office with event ticketing

You soon may be able to buy tickets at the same place you rent your DVDs.

Redbox, the provider of DVD-rental kiosks, said today that it's now selling tickets to Philadelphia events. The service is available today at certain Philly-area kiosks and online and will roll out to the more than 650 kiosks in that market by mid-October.

Redbox's biggest selling point is that all tickets -- including those to concerts, sports events, and cultural attractions -- will be sold at or below face value, and it's only charging a $1 fee per ticket. That's much … Read more