HBO Max exec admits to the app’s early flaws

Viewers have long complained about the early HBO Max app’s tendency to crash, and its lack of discoverability features. There have been a number of overhauls and fixes since then. Now we know why. Turns out that HBO Max launched its apps before they were ready in order to keep up with its competitors. The app was “never intended to go global” or to suit the needs of a direct-to-consumer market, according to an interview that Sarah Lyons, HBO Max’s head of product experience, gave Protocol. The network wanted to build an audience first, and then fix the app’s flaws as the service scaled up.While Lyons admits that the early days of HBO Max were rocky, she thinks the company made the right decision. We’ve been changing out the engine of the plane while we’re flying the plane,” she said. “I do think it was the right decision to try to balance both,” said Lyons.HBO Max first released its app in May 2020, to join an already saturated streaming ecosystem that included Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV+ and others. At the time, both HBO Go (the network’s on-demand app for cable subscribers) and HBO Now (the standalone app for cord-cutters) were still available, a fact that confused many subscribers. The network has since retired both apps.Viewers have flocked to Reddit since the app’s initial launch with complaints that spanned platforms and devices. “We’ve been trying to watch the Harry Potter movies and literally every 15 min or so we get an ERROR message and have to force close... Continue reading at 'Engadget'

[ Engadget | 2022-04-14 23:32:58 UTC ]
News tagged with: #apple tv+ #streaming platforms #home page #biggest change #harry potter

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Publisher Trade Group Letter Calls Out Apple and Google App Stores in Antitrust Bills

Last week, a trade group representing major publishers including The New York Times, National Public Radio, News Corp. and Associated Press wrote to leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee advocating for two bills that would curtail the dominance of tech giants in the U.S. The Open App Markets... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2022-02-22 22:10:40 UTC ]
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‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ had an exceptionally strange journey to cinematic glory

George Miller, Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy look back at the making of an epic in Kyle Buchanan's "Blood, Sweat & Chrome." Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-02-22 14:23:52 UTC ]
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Print Unit Sales Dropped 3.9% in Early February

With the adult nonfiction category posting a 10.2% decline in print unit sales in the week ended Feb. 5, 2022, total unit sales of print books fell 3.9% from the comparable week in 2021 at outlets that report to NPD BookScan. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-02-11 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #2% decline #early february


Take an early peek at Hulu’s adaptation of Conversations With Friends.

At the risk of reigniting the Sally Rooney Discourse—today, Hulu and BBC Three released a few early images from their upcoming adaptation of Sally Rooney’s bestselling first novel Conversations With Friends, which will premiere sometime this spring. (If you somehow don’t know what this novel is... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-02-04 13:53:52 UTC ]
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In a flawed system, a Black prosecutor wonders if she’s pursuing justice or being complicit

Laura Coates offers an honest description of prosecutors' complex moral universe. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-02-04 13:00:55 UTC ]
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T.S. Eliot may have been flawed, but a new book reminds of his greatness on the page

As we reach the centenary of "The Wasteland," a new look at Eliot beyond the poem that defined him Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-01-05 13:00:19 UTC ]
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The (wonderful, life-saving) Libby app is becoming more accessible.

The Libby app came into my life early in the pandemic, when in-person trips to the library weren’t possible and indie bookstores were up against massive USPS delays. The app—which allows users to instantly borrow ebooks from their local libraries—was an incredible gift. Twenty-two months, one... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-01-03 17:41:14 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ebooks #indie bookstores #libby app


The best apps to download on your new smartphone

You just got your hands on a new phone. Naturally, your first inclination is to head to the App Store or the Google Play Store to download your favorite apps to your shiny new device. While the Engadget team tries to keep our phones relatively unencumbered, there are some apps we can't live... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2021-12-27 18:00:49 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #great option #home cooks #shopping lists


Nielsen’s TV Measurement Woes Continue As It Admits OOH Undercounting Since 2020

On Tuesday, Nielsen was excitedly looking ahead to its future, touting next month's rollout of Nielsen One Alpha, the first version of its cross-platform tool that will enable publishers and marketers to transact on a single metric across linear and digital platforms. With Disney and Magna among... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2021-12-23 13:56:54 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #nielsen #digital platforms #single metric #enable publishers #cross-platform tool


When Boeing put profit over quality in the 737 Max, the result was tragedy

Reporter Peter Robison explores the compromises and flaws that led to fatal crashes. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2021-12-17 13:00:00 UTC ]
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Print Unit Sales Fell 12.2% in Early December

With only the adult fiction category posting an increase, unit sales of print books fell 12.2% in the week ended Dec. 11, 2021, from the comparable week in 2020, at outlets that report to NPD BookScan. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-12-17 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #early december


Sutton appointed chief exec at STM

The International Association for Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers (STM) has appointed Dr Caroline Sutton as the organisation’s new chief executive officer. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-16 04:56:03 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #international association


Audio visual reading app xigxag opens £250k funding round

Audio visual reading app xigxag has publicly opened a £250,000 funding round on the Seeders crowdfunding platform with more than 72% already raised. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-16 04:37:03 UTC ]
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Print Sales Jumped 17% in Early November

With all categories posting solid gains, unit sales of print books rose 17.3% in the week ended Nov. 6, 2021, over the comparable week in 2020, at outlets that report to NPD BookScan. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-11-12 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #early november


Amazon adds clip sharing to the Prime Video app on iOS

The next time you're watching a show on Prime Video and there's a moment that leaves you crying, laughing or feeling wowed, you might be able to share a clip of it with your friends. Prime Video users in the US can now try a clip feature on iOS.Perhaps due to rights issues, the feature is... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2021-11-11 20:31:33 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #fairfax #james bond #hot priest #social networks #starting point #prime video


Fane launches first app, Fane TV

Fane has launched its first app, Fane TV, in response to growing customer demand and to enhance its offering for hybrid events. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-10 08:56:47 UTC ]
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Google lets Android apps use third-party payments in South Korea

Google is honoring South Korea's law requiring support for third-party payments, but not quite in the way you might have expected. The Wall Street Journalreports Google will allow the use of alternative payment systems for Play Store apps in South Korea. Check out with a supporting app and... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2021-11-04 13:42:55 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #e-book #app stores #small drop #in-app purchases #play store #south korea


Are Customers Shopping Early? Unit Sales Rose 7% Last Week

With all segments except adult nonfiction posting gains, unit sales of print books rose 7% last week over the week ended October 24, 2020. The increase could indicate that consumers are heeding warnings that they should buy holiday gifts early to avoid missing out on items due to shortages... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-10-28 04:00:00 UTC ]
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YouTube admits deleting Novara Media the ‘wrong call’

The independent publisher was reinstated on YouTube following a backlash, but questions remain. Continue reading at Media Week

[ Media Week | 2021-10-26 15:58:53 UTC ]
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China crackdown on Apple store hits holy book apps, Audible

Amazon’s audiobook service Audible and phone apps for reading the holy books of Islam and Christianity have disappeared from the Apple store in mainland China Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2021-10-15 21:01:46 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #audiobook #mainland china #apple store #phone apps