Google Play Movies & TV gets 4K support

It might seem like a long time coming but Google is finally bringing 4K support to its Play Movies & TV app. Google claims there are now over 125 movies available in 4K and can be purchased via its web or mobile store. These movies can then be streamed via a Chromecast Ultra, Sony Bravia Android TV, or Xiaomi Mi Box 3. The Chromecast Ultra is available on the Canadian Google Store for $90 but it’s said to be available in “limited quantities.” If you do get your hands on the dongle, Google will be giving you a 4K movie title for free.

Source: TechCrunch

Netflix 4K streaming comes to Windows 10

While UHD streaming is coming to Microsoft’s operating system, it comes with some conditions. These include using Microsoft’s Edge browser and your system needs to be running 7^th-generation Intel Core processors (Kaby Lake). The former is an easy enough to get your hands on, the latter requires a bit of a search since there aren’t that many laptops yet that have 4K displays and the new Intel processors.

You can see the 4K support as a means to market Microsoft’s latest products but also because of DRM requirements imposed to avoid streams being captured and redistributed illegally. The newest hardware decryption features don’t work on older Intel processors but Kaby Lake supports 10-bit HVEC, which is a popular 4K video codec. Either you’ll have to upgrade your PC to watch Gilmore Girls in 4K or get a Chromecast Ultra or Roku device to stream 4K with Netflix.

Next Apple TV will reportedly not yet support 4K video streaming

If you're waiting for Apple to add 4K support to its TV streaming box, then you might be in for a disappointment. According to a BuzzFeed report, Apple doesn't have plans yet to add 4K video streaming into the features available on the Apple TV. One of their sources familiar with Apple's way of thinking said that 4K is still in its infancy that's why they don't want to invest in it yet. BuzzFeed speculates that Apple might be holding back because the technology is cost-prohibitive as well. 

Source: BuzzFeed | Via: VentureBeat 

Netflix starts 4K streaming of ‘House of Cards’

If you own a 4K TV, then you can finally take advantage of the feature that costs you thousands of dollars. Netflix has started streaming its smash hit House of Cards in 4K resolution. But you’d have to make sure the TV has HEVC/H.265 decoding though. Other than that, we think you’re all good to stream the show in all that high resolution goodness.

Netflix hasn’t said what else they plan to upgrade to 4K next but we will keep you posted when we find out.

Source: Engadget