Oof, when did streaming movies, games, and music get so expensive?

Cable used to be the only game in town for wide entertainment. Sure, if you wanted to subscribe to a game like EverQuest or World of Warcraft, you could (and well, guess the rest of us were never seeing you again). But for variety, cable is what you had—and it wasn’t cheap. So when streaming services came along, they seemed like an answer to everyone’s budget prayers. These days there’s a digital subscription available for most interests, including gaming. And individually, they’re affordable. Or at least, they were. Xbox Game Pass just went up in cost. (Even if you use the conversion hack to get it cheaper.) So did PlayStation Plus. GeForce Now so far is exempt, but PC gamers haven’t been able to sit assured about much these days. Meanwhile, on the TV and movies side of things, Netflix is rumored to be raising prices yet again. Disney+ and Discovery+ have already announced hikes. And in an extremely annoying variation of shrinkflation, Amazon Prime Video and multiple services are adding adverts to their basic streaming plans (or have already done so). As for music, Spotify also got more expensive, sending notice to subscribers with little fanfare. Streaming was great when you were paying less than $25 per month for all the content you could want. But now subscribing to even three services ad-free runs almost $50 per month. Let’s say you want regular access to Game Pass, Netflix, and Disney Plus—that’s already $40 to start with, if you’re only a PC... Continue reading at 'PC World'

[ PC World | 2023-10-04 14:10:27 UTC ]

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Literature on Lockdown 3: #CultureConnectsUs

Many lives are radically different right now. But birthdays, anniversaries, and public holidays come and go as before. The pink supermoon would have appeared whether we’d watched it from our windows or outdoors among a crowd of strangers. This week, Earth Day, Shakespeare’s birthday, and World... Continue reading at British Council global

[ British Council global | 2020-04-24 14:34:13 UTC ]
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When Enemies of Coffee Tried to Destroy Morning in America

William H. Ukers, not much over thirty, started working on his book in 1905, traveling and gathering material for a year. After he returned home to New York, he scoured nearby libraries and museums. Wherever he couldn’t go himself, he sent auxiliaries, appointing research assistants to mine... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-04-24 08:48:46 UTC ]
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ACE gives libraries £151k for e-books and audio

Arts Council England (ACE) has announced a £151,000 investment into library services to buy e-books and digital audio products. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-22 23:20:53 UTC ]
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The Library Bill of Rights: What They Are and What They Mean for You

Learn about the Library Bill of Rights, with explanations and examples of how library users might apply them in their own use of their libraries and more. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-04-20 10:32:09 UTC ]
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The Guardian view on lockdown reading: more than escapism | Editorial

It’s no surprise that people read a lot when stuck at home. But novels are more than a way to kill timeIt’s no surprise that keen readers have looked to books for historical analogues or literary insights into the coronavirus outbreak. Sales of the English translation of Albert Camus’s 1947... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-04-19 17:25:44 UTC ]
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Literature on Lockdown 2: #CultureConnectsUs

As quarantine continues, we’re all noticing that we respond to lockdown differently. While many spend each day providing care, food and other necessities, those of us privileged enough to be 'stuck at home' are seeing our friends’ and family members’ behaviour change under the new... Continue reading at British Council global

[ British Council global | 2020-04-17 15:42:05 UTC ]
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Public Libraries After the Pandemic

The value of public libraries is rarely questioned in times of crisis—think of the New Orleans Public Library after Hurricane Katrina, or the Ferguson Municipal Public Library during the unrest there. But this crisis is different. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The Bookseller's Library of the Year Award launches despite lockdown

The Bookseller's Library of the Year Award is returning for a third year, celebrating the vital contribution libraries make to their communities—despite the temporary closure forced on public library buildings during the coronavirus lockdown. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-16 03:38:23 UTC ]
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Books from Scotland: the big picture

It feels slightly strange to be writing this introduction to the Books from Scotland special as the world, and the world of Scottish books, has changed greatly, perhaps even irrevocably, since we started planning these features some months ago. The impact the coronavirus will have on Scottish... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-15 21:22:05 UTC ]
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Closed libraries are offering parking lot Wi-Fi, e-books, and Zoom story time

Even when shuttered by the coronavirus pandemic, libraries are coming up with creative ways to serve their communities. On March 16, the El Dorado County Library in California closed its doors to patrons after a state-wide stay-at-home order. But that hasn’t stopped the library, which serves... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2020-04-15 07:00:32 UTC ]
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Most Libraries Are Closed. Some Librarians Still Have to Go In.

Though many public libraries in the U.S. are completely shut, employees at some are concerned that they have been asked to continue showing up for work. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2020-04-14 23:04:05 UTC ]
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Literary Magazines Published by Libraries

Many libraries publish art and literary magazines featuring authors and artists from their local community and from all over the world. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-04-13 10:31:23 UTC ]
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Q&A: What do people ask a librarian in a pandemic? L.A. Library's InfoNow has the answer

With libraries closed, L.A. librarians now work from home to help people find free ebooks, music and movies during the coronavirus crisis. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2020-04-10 19:52:47 UTC ]
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Here's what Tampa Bay universities and colleges are doing to help fight coronavirus

University of South Florida The region's biggest research institution is tackling coronavirus on many fronts. USF Libraries has created a map that updates in real-time with the number of coronavirus cases and deaths, breaking down those statistics further into residential status, sex and age.... Continue reading at Silicon Valley Business Journal

[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2020-04-09 16:01:39 UTC ]
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How is the internet handling increased traffic during the COVID-19 crisis?

With the current COVID-19 pandemic leading to increased demand for online services there have been concerns about the web's ability to cope. New analysis by Fastly of traffic patterns between January and March looks at regional trends for key US states and countries around the globe that are... Continue reading at Betanews

[ Betanews | 2020-04-09 10:31:56 UTC ]
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PSA: Enjoy free digital movies, audiobooks, and more through your local library

Your local library might have closed its physical doors, but its digital holdings are still open to the public—and at all hours.Free loans on ebooks, movies, audiobooks, and magazines represent just one aspect of your library’s offerings for enrichment. Your library might also let you read... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2020-04-08 10:00:00 UTC ]
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Making the Switch from Little Free Libraries to Little Free Pantries

A number of little free library volunteer stewards -- both registered and unregistered with the Little Free Library organization – have switched from filling the mounted boxes in front of their homes with free books to filling them with household items. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Libraries Connected launches online services round-up

Charity Libraries Connected has launched Libraries From Home, a page on its website rounding up remote services libraries across the country are delivering during the coronavirus crisis.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-07 01:22:20 UTC ]
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How to Get Books When Bookstores and Libraries Are Closed

Even for people who have lost jobs or income during the coronavirus epidemic, there are books and reading material available online for free. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2020-04-03 09:00:21 UTC ]
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Bring it on

If March was dire, April may yet live up to its reputation as the cruellest month, as we all discover that without bookshops, libraries and festivals, this trade looks very different. A business just about, but not how we know it, or would like it to be. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-02 14:21:49 UTC ]
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