CNN, the popular news agency, has released an update to their iOS application that brings 24 hour streaming of their news feed to the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Despite lying in their press release about being the first news agency to stream their services twenty-four seven (France 24 has been doing that for at least 2 years now), it’s nice to see another major television network getting on board with the future of television.
So, what’s the app bring to the market? Probably not all that much if you live outside of the U.S. market. According to the press release and the CNN iPad application, users have to authenticate with cable, satellite, or telco providers before being able to access the live feed. I’m not exactly sure how that works since I live in Canada, but apparently AT&T, Comcast, Cox, DISH Network, Suddenlink, and Verizon users can all access the stream. How’s that for a shining endorsement of globalization?
Looks like I’ll be sticking with France 24, which despite being a company in France, still sees the benefit of providing a global stream to the world. Heck, France 24 supports the Apple TV.
If you’re wanting to support a forward-thinking news agency, we’d recommend France 24 and their iPad application. They’re doing it right.
Here’s an aside
Since moving into my new house, I’ve yet to turn on the television. I never really set out to cut traditional television out of my life, but it just seemed to happen on its own, naturally. Instead, from time to time, I curl up with my Apple TV or iPad and stream some video — on my time. The Post-PC world may also hearald in a Post-TV world for some. Channels are becoming apps, and instead of wasting all of my cash on 90 channels of garbage, I’m paying my money to 4 or 5 services that actually provide me with entertainment that I not only choose, but enjoy. That’s progress.
It’s taking an awfully long time for major television companies to wrap their head around the Internet, and the benefits of a global market, but it seems like progress is slowly being made. I’m not going to lie, being a Canadian in this market has its share of frustrations. There’s nothing more annoying than clicking on a link on Twitter then being redirected to a video that’s unavailable in my area.
Fix it.
Source: CNN
