14 DAY TRIAL // American direct broadcast satellite service provider DirecTV has announced a major update to its iOS offerings. Version 1.5.0 of the broadcaster’s iPad app now lets you stream shows and movies anywhere.
Currently limited to video content only, as in no live TV streaming (which still requires that you’re in your home using your WiFi network), the enhanced streaming feature lets you watch shows and movies both in and outside your home from HBO, Starz, Encore, Cinemax and other providers on your iPad.
To do so, customers can go to the “Watch on iPad” tab located at the bottom right of the interface and start watching as soon as they’ve updated DirecTV to 1.5.0.
“Live TV channels are available to watch on your iPad within the home,” according to the developers.
The updated iPad app lets you access recently watched programs, and resume where you left off, as well as see what shows and movies other people are watching and talking about via its social ties (Facebook, Twitter).
The release brings all this, plus everything introduced in the major 1.3 release earlier. According to the release notes…:
In Version 1.3 we introduced the following: - Turn your iPad into a portable TV and watch your favorite channels in any room of your home. - Quickly scroll through a list of channels available to watch on your iPad with a dedicated “Live TV Streaming” Module. - Get tips in the Help section to guide you through features in the app. - Set parental controls to block live TV channels viewed on the iPad. - Change start and end times to add padding to a program when setting a recording.
The DirecTV app is compatible only with the iPad and requires iOS 4.2 or later. To use the app, you must have a residential home account registered on DIRECTV’s website.