Seemingly unfazed by the legal wrangling over its existence, Aereo is adding another incentive to grow its subscriber base by adopting a new pricing plan that would eliminate long-term commitments and offer the first 30 days free.
Aereo calls this “streamlined pricing” in that it not only gets rid of long-term contracts or commitments, but also breaks it down to $8 per month for access and 20 hours of DVR storage. For $12 per month, subscribers can triple the DVR bucket to 60 hours. And the kicker? The first month is free, no matter what.
If this model sounds familiar, it’s because it is. Netflix’s business model is also a flat rate of $8 per month with a 30-day trial to start. You don’t get a DVR in that case, of course, but then again, Netflix doesn’t stream anything live.
The new plans go into effect tomorrow, the same day that Aereo goes live in Boston, the first city the upstart company has expanded to outside of its home base of New York. Atlanta is next on June 17, and another 20 markets are expected to go live over the course of the year.
Those who are already subscribers will have to stick to their current plans until their term is up before being able to change to the new structure. Existing subscribers paying $12 per month now will automatically be upgraded to the 60-hour DVR package.
Broadcasters have been none too pleased at what they call Aereo’s “stealing” of their free over-the-air TV signals, and have launched a legal case against the upstart. Aereo has counter-sued to protect its operations and expansion. To add another spoke to the wheel, ABC plans to launch an app that would allow people in New York and Philadelphia to watch live programming directly on their iOS devices.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.