This week on TechHive: The fate of Amazon Fling

Back in July 2015, Amazon announced a Chromecast-like feature for its own Fire TV streaming box and Fire TV Stick. The feature was called Amazon Fling, and it would allow existing phone and tablet apps to play media on a nearby television, just like Chromecast can.

But over the last two years, that effort has languished. I can’t find a single high-profile streaming service that supports Fling, and when I asked several streaming companies about it, their responses generally ranged from no comment to no interest. (By comparison, Chromecast works with thousands of iOS and Android apps, including most major streaming services.)

This week, I explore what became of Amazon Fling, and why it could have been a useful tool for Fire TV owners and for Amazon itself. Read the full column on TechHive.

Weekly Rewind

Streaming bundle review updates: Over at TechHive, I’ve been updating our reviews for various streaming TV bundles. New reviews for Sling TV and DirecTV Now are already live, and a new review of PlayStation Vue should be available shortly. (I also recently reviewed Hulu with Live TV, and plan to review FuboTV next.)

These reviews will then form the building blocks for TechHive’s streaming bundle review roundup, which will include a channel comparison chart and recommendations on which bundle is best. The idea is that you won’t have to sift through a half-dozen reviews unless you every possible detail. In the meantime, check out TechHive’s roundup of over-the-air DVR solutions.

PlayStation Vue DVR shenanigans: Over the past week, Luke Bouma at Cord Cutters News has been tracking down complaints about how PlayStation Vue’s cloud DVR works. Apparently some users have been unable to access their recordings on certain channels if an on-demand version of the video is also available. This, in turn, means they’re unable to skip through commercials.

If true, this would represent a backhanded way to disallow ad-skipping in DVR shows, a policy that already applies to Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV. But rather than clarify the issue, Sony has so far declined to comment. That’s frustrating, but it’s also the kind thing that’s bound to happen as the TV industry tries to graft old business models onto new streaming services. As TV networks scratch their heads over why streaming bundles aren’t offsetting a decline in cable subscribers, they’d be wise to examine issues like this.

More Catch-Up

YouTube TV arrives in 10 more markets (for 15 in total)
Will Discovery and Scripps form the ultimate reality TV bundle?
CBS All Access adds discounted annual subscriptions.
MASH, NYPD Blue, and more are headed to Hulu in Fox streaming deal.
The free streaming service Pluto TV adds college sports from Big Sky Conference.

Save More Money

The Roku Premiere+, still my pick for best 4K HDR streaming player, is currently availble for $60 refurbished. That’s $30 less than the price of a new model, and only $10 more than the Roku Streaming Stick. If you’re looking to future-proof your living room with a fast, 4K streaming box, now’s the time.

Thanks for reading!

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Until next week,
Jared