Hacking NetFlixNetflix News & Info. New Releases Every Monday.Netflix Eliminating Account Profiles - Update- June 19, 2008 Update 2: There are two online petitions to save Profiles with more than 600 (combined) signatures at Petition Online and SaveNetflixProfiles.com. Update: Netflix spokesperson Steve Swasey said that the decision to eliminate Profiles is a "final decision." Swasey also had the following to say: Netflix is a dynamic company that continues to evolve and grow while consistently giving members to best online movie rental experience. Think of where we were when I joined a little more than three years.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HackingNetflix/~3/315040456/netflix-elimina.html Video Store Clerk: Crowdsourcing The Netflix Prize- June 17, 2008 Video Store Clerk is an online game that uses humans to rank movies instead of computer algorithms. I'm assuming the resulting data will be used to compete for the $1 million Netflix Prize. "This game is part of an experiment to see if humans can be better problem solvers than computers. Your answers actually help the game get better results." It'll be interesting to see how humans do against computers. via TechDirt.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HackingNetflix/~3/314057503/video-store-cle.html HackingNetflix Down Earlier Today- June 17, 2008 HackingNetflix was down earlier today due to a problems with our hosting provider, TypePad. Despite this outtage, I'm still happy with TypePad's record over the past 4.5 years.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HackingNetflix/~3/314040305/hackingnetflix.html Roku's Netflix Player Uses Trolltech's QT Embedded Linux- June 16, 2008 Trolltech issued a press release to announce that QT Embedded Linux powers Roku's Netflix Player. As we developed the Netflix Player by Roku we were keenly focused on creating the best possible user experience for Netflixs eight million-plus customers, said Tim Twerdahl, vice president of consumer products, Roku, Inc. Qt provided us with the tools to implement our elegant and powerful user interface quickly, providing an important time-to-market advantage.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HackingNetflix/~3/313346200/rokus-netflix-2.html Two Week Delay For Roku's Netflix Player- June 16, 2008 If you're planning on ordering Roku's Netflix Player, the delay is about two weeks (contrary to a previous report of 6 - 8 weeks). From the Netflix Player order page: Thanks to Darren for sending this in.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HackingNetflix/~3/313330244/two-week-delay.html New Releases for June 17th, 2008- June 16, 2008 Click here for the full list of new releases this week (90). Interesting titles this week include Be Kind Rewind, Californication: Season 1, Fool's Gold, My Mom's New Boyfriend, Rails & Ties, Bullrider, Burn Notice: Season 1, Meerkat Manor: Season 3, Caramel, Under the Same Moon, Fanny, and The Nude Bomb ("the original Get Smart movie").http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HackingNetflix/~3/312929634/new-releases--5.html Roku's Netflix Player Backlog Now 6 to 8 Weeks- June 10, 2008 Thinking about getting Roku's Netflix Player The Silicon Valley San Jose Business Journal reports that "Privately held Roku said its backlog will take six to eight weeks to clear up as more units arrive from Asia." In less than three weeks, Netflix Inc.'s new set-top boxes have been cleared out, and the Los Gatos company said it is pressing its supplier to speed up production. Have you purchased a Netflix Player What do you thinkhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HackingNetflix/~3/309135813/rokus-netflix-1.html New Release Availability Problems- June 10, 2008 Audri writes, "I have the 5 at a time plan from Netflix. I have been waiting over 2 months for the new releases that are on the top of my queue. I know they are throttling me but there is nothing you can do about it now. If I call them and carry on, they will correct it and things will be fine for a week or two. Well, I just joined Blockbusters with the one at a time plan (no limit. Lo and behold all the new releases are coming. Guess you just get penalized if you watch...http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HackingNetflix/~3/309133108/new-release-ava.html Update on BookSwim, The "Netflix of Books"- June 10, 2008 NJBiz has an update on online book rental company BookSwim. Most of the companys revenue comes from individual subscribers who are mailed from two to 11 books at a time for monthly fees ranging from $14.99 to $35.99. Like DVD-renter Netflix, BookSwim sends books based on lists that subscribers online. There are no late fees and rented books can be bought at discounted prices. Members may rent an unlimited number of titles per month but receive replacements only after returning books, using...http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HackingNetflix/~3/309129229/update-on-books.html More on Blockbuster's Concept Stores- June 10, 2008 Michael noticed that Blockbuster has posted more information and photos of the concept stores. We have a concept that's got everything customers need to keep up with the latest entertainment technology. Customers are able to buy a wide range of the latest electronics, including Blu-ray players, high-def televisions, digital cameras, e-books, MP3 players, accessories, cables and more. They are also able to discuss products with in-store technology experts. Snack & Sip Browsing through hundreds...http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HackingNetflix/~3/309117558/more-on-blockbu.html |