Apple is providing free access to its streaming service Apple TV+ during the first weekend of January 2025. From January 3-5, viewers can access the platform’s content library using an Apple ID across supported devices.

The preview weekend includes access to the platform’s original programming, including new seasons of “Silo,” “Shrinking,” and “Bad Sisters.” Golden Globe-nominated series available during the preview include “Slow Horses” and “Disclaimer,” alongside established series like “The Morning Show” and “Ted Lasso.”

The timing allows viewers to watch the first season of “Severance” ahead of its second season release. Additional content available during the preview includes science fiction series “Dark Matter,” “For All Mankind,” and “Foundation,” as well as recent films “Fly Me to the Moon,” “The Family Plan,” “Wolfs,” and “The Instigators.”

Following the preview period, Apple TV+ is available for $9.99 per month, with the subscription allowing up to six members of a Family Sharing group to access the content simultaneously. For users seeking broader access to Apple services, Apple TV+ is also included in the Apple One subscription bundles, which start at $19.95 per month.

The post Apple TV+ Free From January 3rd to 5th appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

BSNL has introduced three new digital communication services in Puducherry: Intranet TV (BiTV) for mobile, National Wi-Fi Roaming Facility, and fibre-based Intranet TV (IFTV).

The BiTV service provides BSNL mobile users in Puducherry access to over 300 live TV channels, including premium content, at no additional cost. Through OTTplay, users can access movies, web series, and documentaries in various languages. The service will expand to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand in January 2025, followed by a nationwide rollout.

OTTplay’s integration with BiTV offers users content from 37 OTT platforms and more than 500 live TV channels. “We are proud to provide BSNL customers with a world-class entertainment platform,” said Avinash Mudaliar, CEO of OTTplay. The service operates through a secure mobile intranet.

BSNL has also implemented the National Wi-Fi Roaming Facility in Manadipattu, making it the second village in India with full Wi-Fi coverage. The service is available to both BSNL and non-BSNL users, with BSNL customers’ usage billed to their plans while others can pay via UPI.

For FTTH users, BSNL’s new IFTV service in Puducherry offers more than 500 live TV channels free of cost, featuring high-definition streaming with simple subscription activation.

CMD Robert Ravi stated these initiatives align with BSNL’s goal of providing affordable digital services. The new services aim to make technology and entertainment accessible across different user segments.

The post BSNL Launches Three New Digital Services in Puducherry: BiTV, National Wi-Fi Roaming, and IFTV appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

JioSaavn, an Indian audio streaming platform with 100 million monthly active users, has released its annual ‘Replay 2024’ report detailing user listening patterns across the country.

According to the report, “Pehle Bhi Main” from the film ANIMAL, performed by Vishal Mishra and written by Raj Shekhar, was the most streamed song. Other frequently streamed tracks included “Heeriye” by Jasleen Royal and Arijit Singh, “Sajni” from Laapataa Ladies by Arijit Singh and Ram Sampath, and “O Maahi” from Dunki by Arijit Singh. Additional popular songs were “Aaj ki Raat” by Madhubanti from Stree 2, “Hass Hass” by Diljit, Sia, and Greg Krustin, “Husn” by Anuv Jain, and “Soulmate” by Badshah and Arijit Singh.

The data identified Arijit Singh as the most streamed artist, followed by Alka Yagnik, Pritam Chakraborty, Udit Narayan, and Shreya Ghoshal.

Hindi emerged as the most streamed language, with Telugu and Punjabi in second and third place, followed by Bhojpuri and Tamil. In terms of genres, Bollywood music ranked first, with Desi-Indie and Telugu film music in second and third positions. Devotional music and Kollywood also showed significant streaming numbers, with Devotional content performing well in the podcast category.

The platform’s most streamed playlists were “India Superhits Top 50 Hindi,” “Best of 90s (Hindi),” “India Superhits Top 50 Telugu,” “India Superhits Top 50 Bhojpuri,” and “India Superhits Top 50.” Popular JioTunes included “Ram Siya Ram,” “Tum Hi Ho,” “Mere Ghar Ram Aaye hain,” “Raataan Lambiyan,” and “Zihaal e Miskin.”

User activity data showed peak listening hours between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., with Thursdays recording the highest overall activity.

Users can access their individual listening statistics through the personalized Replay 2024 feature on the JioSaavn mobile application.

The post Arijit Singh Dominates as JioSaavn releases ‘Replay 2024’ appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Xbox is collaborating with Netflix to release special gaming accessories and events for Squid Game Season 2. SCUF Gaming has created two themed controllers for fans: a Pink Guard Instinct Pro Controller based on the guards’ uniforms, available now through Best Buy Drops in the US and ScufGaming.com, and a Game Over controller inspired by the player tracksuits, with numbers from 1 to 456.

On December 16, 2024, at 9 am ET, Xbox will host a tournament at Squid Game: The Experience in New York City. Participants will compete in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Nuketown matches, with their choice of platform – console, PC, or handheld. The tournament format is straightforward: players have five minutes in a free-for-all match to score the most eliminations and win a Game Over controller.

The tournament’s grand prize includes a six-foot Young-hee gaming cabinet, modeled after the Red Light, Green Light doll from the series. This prize package contains both special controllers, a Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Gen 8, an Xbox Series X with controller, a ROG Ally X, and a 12-month Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

For those unable to attend the New York event, Xbox offers two alternatives: watch the Xbox Twitch livestream on December 16 for a chance to win a Game Over controller, or participate in the global sweepstakes by following Xbox on X and retweeting their contest post to potentially win the Young-hee cabinet.

Additionally, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will feature Squid Game content in an upcoming update.

The post Xbox Announces Limited Edition Squid Game Controllers and NYC Tournament Event appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Whenever a year comes to an end, many of us tend to look back at what memories, experiences, failures, and happy moments the year brought to us. Similarly, Spotify also shares with users how their listening experience has been every year with Spotify Wrapped which is released in December.

Well since 2024 will be over in less than a month now, Spotify Wrapped 2024 is out now. You can now see how your taste of music evolved throughout the year to special messages from your favorite artists and podcasters. You can access the experience via Wrapped feed on your Home screen which serves as one destination for all things wrapped.

Users can check out some new and returning features in this year’s personalized experience like, your music evolution, your music evolution playlist, Longest listening streak, Top listeners, music videos playlist (for Premium users), your artists clips, your podcaster clips and more curated playlists in Wrapped hubs.

Other than this the Wrapped experience is also enhanced with AI this year. Spotify is unveiling an AI podcast about your 2024 Wrapped music listening. It will be available in English for eligible free and Premium users for a limited time across the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, and Sweden. Next is the AI DJ feature which will also be available for Premium users, providing commentary about your year alongside the music that soundtracked it. Meanwhile, the  AI Playlist feature is also available for premium members in selected markets. With this feature, you can enter relevant prompts like my top 5 genres or artists similar to my top 5 and create a personalized playlist.

Apart from this, the Share function on Spotify has received a change. By tapping share, Spotify will reveal whether the content you are streaming stacks up in your top 100 sons, top 20 artists, or top 5 podcasts.

The post Spotify Wrapped 2024 Is Here: Get To Know How Your Listening Experience Was This Year appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Prasar Bharti has today unveiled its Waves OTT app at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. This OTT platform is made available for both iOS and Android users.

Here are the details

Prasar Bharti New OTT Platform- Waves

As per the listing on Play Store, Waves isn’t just an app but a one-stop destination for everything India loves. From the legacy of Akashvani and Doordarshan to the latest trending content or something fresh and fun, Waves has it all. This platform offers a wide range of entertainment, including movies, TV series, live events, games, and even educational material.

It is available in 12 languages including English, Hindi, Tamil, Marathi and Assamese. Users can also build their own avatars on the app There is a library featuring timeless shows like Ramayan, Mahabharat, Shaktimaan, and Hum log while it also includes India’s past stories, news, documentaries, and regional content. It will be spread across 10+ genres of infotainment.

The app will provide video on demand, free-to-play gaming, Radio streaming, Live TV streaming, 65 live channels, and online shopping through Open Network for Digital Commerce. This OTT platform is said to bridge the gap between traditional television and modern streaming.

Waves also offer its platform to content creators including National Creator Awardees like Kamiya Jani, RJ Raunac, Shraddha Sharma, and others. Waves have also opened its portal to student graduation films from film and media colleges like FTII, Annapurna, and AAFT.

The post Prasar Bharti Launches Its Own OTT Platform Waves In India appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Samsung TV Plus, Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service in India, has announced a strategic partnership with Viacom18 to launch four exclusive FAST channels, further enriching its content offerings for Indian viewers.

The new channels – Superhit Beats, Kaanphod Music, Fully Faltoo, and Colors Infinity Lite – will be available exclusively on Samsung Smart TVs through the Samsung TV Plus platform, which currently offers access to over 100 live TV channels and thousands of movies and shows in India.

“We are excited to welcome Viacom18 as a partner on the Samsung TV Plus platform. We are committed to bringing diverse content options for our viewers in India which align with their preferences and viewing habits,” said Kunal Mehta, Head of Partnerships, Samsung TV Plus India. “These new offerings will not only enhance the entertainment options on Samsung TV Plus but also demonstrate our dedication to providing exceptional value and variety to our users.”

The new channel lineup includes:

• Superhit Beats: A dedicated music channel featuring the latest hits and timeless favorites
• Kaanphod Music: A channel offering a diverse mix of music content
• Fully Faltoo: Youth-oriented channel with edgy and fresh content
• Colors Infinity Lite: Premium English entertainment channel showcasing international shows and movies

Commenting on the partnership, Anshul Ailawadi, Business Head of Youth, Music, and English Entertainment cluster at Viacom18, stated, “This collaboration with Samsung TV Plus marks a bold step for Viacom18 in reshaping how we deliver entertainment. It will offer vibrant and premium content to audiences. Our focus is on creating immersive, interactive experiences, serving the viewers in ways they find most convenient.”

Samsung TV Plus comes pre-installed on Samsung Smart TVs and provides users with free access to a wide range of content across various genres including news, sports, and entertainment. The service continues to expand its offerings in select countries, with India being a key market for growth.

The post Samsung TV Plus Expands Indian Content Portfolio with Four Exclusive Viacom18 FAST Channels appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

According to a report by Deadline, Amazon is set to discontinue its free, ad-supported streaming service Freevee, consolidating all content under the Prime Video banner. The transition, which will take place over the coming weeks, affects users in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Austria.

Current Freevee content, including popular originals like “Jury Duty,” “Bosch: Legacy,” and “Judy Justice,” will remain available on Prime Video and continue to be accessible to non-Prime members under a new “Watch for Free” designation. The move comes shortly after Prime Video’s introduction of ads in January 2024, which effectively blurred the line between the two streaming platforms.

“To deliver a simpler viewing experience for customers, we have decided to phase out Freevee branding,” an Amazon spokesperson told Deadline. “A vast offering of free streaming content will still be accessible for non-Prime members, including select Originals from Amazon MGM Studios, licensed movies and series, and a broad library of FAST Channels – all available on Prime Video.”

The consolidation reflects Amazon’s strategy to position Prime Video as a comprehensive entertainment destination, offering content for both Prime members and non-members. The platform will continue to provide various viewing options, including exclusive Prime member content, rental and purchase options for movies and shows, FAST Channels, and free ad-supported programming.

No layoffs are expected as part of this transition, as Freevee’s content team had previously been integrated into Amazon MGM Studios, with its business team already operating within Prime Video.

Freevee, which began as Freedive in 2019 before being rebranded as IMDb TV and later Amazon Freevee, has hosted several successful original productions. Most notably, “Jury Duty” emerged as a breakout hit, earning four Emmy nominations, including one for Outstanding Comedy Series.

The move streamlines Amazon’s streaming presence under the Prime Video brand, marking the end of a separate free-standing platform while maintaining access to ad-supported content for non-Prime subscribers.

The post Amazon to Phase Out Freevee, Consolidate Content Under Prime Video appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Dame Maggie Smith, the venerated British actress known for her versatility on stage and screen, has died at the age of 89, the BBC reported on Friday.

Smith’s illustrious career spanned over seven decades, during which she garnered numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award – a rare “Triple Crown of Acting” achievement.

While Smith’s talent shone across various roles, for a generation of fans, she will forever be remembered as the stern but fair Professor Minerva McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” film series. Her portrayal of the Transfiguration teacher and Head of Gryffindor House brought the beloved character to life, capturing both McGonagall’s strict demeanour and her underlying warmth. Fans worldwide will undoubtedly miss Professor McGonagall’s wisdom, loyalty, and occasional dry wit, all of which Smith embodied perfectly.

Smith’s career began on the stage in the 1950s, and she quickly established herself as a formidable Shakespearean actress. Her first Oscar nomination came for her role as Desdemona in the 1965 film adaptation of “Othello,” opposite Laurence Olivier. She won her first Academy Award for Best Actress in 1969 for her role in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” and a second for Best Supporting Actress in “California Suite” (1978).

In recent years, Smith captivated audiences as the sharp-tongued Dowager Countess in the popular TV series and subsequent films of “Downton Abbey,” a role that seemed tailor-made for her renowned wit and impeccable timing.

Throughout her career, Smith impressed critics and audiences alike with her versatility, taking on roles ranging from comedy to drama, from the West End stage to Hollywood blockbusters. Her performances in “The Importance of Being Earnest,” “Three Tall Women,” and “Gosford Park” are just a few examples of her extensive and varied body of work.

In recognition of her contributions to the performing arts, Smith was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990.

As news of her passing spreads, tributes are pouring in from fans, colleagues, and admirers around the world, all mourning the loss of this extraordinary talent. Dame Maggie Smith’s legacy will undoubtedly live on through her unforgettable performances, not least as the beloved Professor McGonagall, who taught us all a little magic both on and off the screen.

The post Dame Maggie Smith, Beloved ‘Harry Potter’ Professor McGonagall, Dies at 89 appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

JioCinema Premium released the first official poster for the highly anticipated Dune: Prophecy, an American science fiction television series on Wednesday, 18 September 2024. The poster featured Emily Watson with a fierce aura.

The series will stream on JioCinema Premium in India starting November 2024. However, the exact dates of the JioCinema Premium release haven’t been revealed yet. The series is set to serve as a prequel to the film Dune (2021), which was a massive hit.
Dune (2021) is based on Frank Herbert’s novel of the same name from 1965.

The film also released a second part which was released in 2024. The Dune: Prophecy TV series, is going to revolve around the origins of Bene Gesserit, the powerful sisterhood known to possess superhuman abilities through intense physical training and mental conditioning.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by JioCinema (@officialjiocinema)

Diane Ademu-John and Alison Schapker have developed the upcoming TV series. Alison Schapker is also the showrunner of the series.

You can check the second official teaser which was released on July 18, 2024, here.

Premise:

Dune: Prophecy is set 10,000 years before the events of Dune. The series follows sisters Valya and Tula Karkonnen as they combat forces that threaten the future of humanity. Consequently, they establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit.

Production:

The series is produced by Legendary Television. Other production companies associated with the production of the series include Cunning Hand and Annabelita Films. Kevin J. Anderson is the Producer and other Executive Producers include Diane Ademu-John, Alison Schapker, Jon Spaihts, Scott Z. Burns, Matthew King, John Cameron, Cait Collins, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert, and Dana Calvo.
Legendary Television ordered the series in 2019. By June 2023, Schapker joined as the showrunner along with Anna Forester to serve as the director for multiple episodes. Casting for the series happened between November 2022 to June 2022. The production team began the principal photography in November 2022 in Budapest and Jordan, and the same was wrapped up by December 2023.

Cast:

The series will feature Emily Watson as Valya Harkonnen, Olivia Williams as Tula Harkonnen, Jodhi May as Empress Natalya, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina as Princess Ynez, Shalom Brune-Fraklin as Mikaela, Faoileann Cunningham as Sister Jen, Aoife Hinds as Sister Emeline, Chloe Lea as Lila, Travis Fimmel as Desmond Hart, Mark Strong as Emperor Javicco Corrino, Jade Anouka as Sister Theodosia, and Chris Mason as Keiran Atreides. Other recurring cast includes Josh Heuston as Constantine Corrino, Edward Davis as Harrow Harkonnen, Tabu as Sister Francesca, and Jihae as Reverend Mother Kasha Jinjo.
The Music Score for the series is produced by Volker Bertelmann.

The post JioCinema released the first official poster for the highly anticipated Dune: Prophecy, scheduled to stream from November 2024 appeared first on The Tech Outlook.