Qwikster

Big day for film fans: Netflix earnings on Oct. 24

For movie fans, October 24 will be a big day.

That's when Netflix reports third-quarter earnings and when we should learn more about how many Netflix subscribers were alienated by recent and controversial changes to the service.

Rivals, investors, and customers will be watching closely to see how many subscribers the company possesses for the quarter ending September 30. Not only can we compare the subscriber number to the same period last year, we can also stand them up to Netflix's July projections as well as revised estimates given last month.

When Netflix reported second-quarter earnings, the company … Read more

The 404 914: Where we hope no one gets died (podcast)

With Justin out for the rest of the week, today we bring in CNET duo Bridget Carey and Mark Licea to run through the ashes of Amazon's Kindle Fire announcement with price cuts for both the BlackBerry PlayBook and the Barnes and Noble Nook Color.

A listener's girlfriend, Laurie, completes her mission to take a photo of The 404 logo at an Apple Store, though Apple employees refuse to take part. We also get a look at the next version of the Android operating system codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich. Finally, Jeff's fear of flying also isn't helped when we learn that pilots can now flip a plane with the push of the wrong button, but Bridget is traumatized even more by the Dead Island trailer and nwo movie.

The 404 Digest for Episode 914

16 GB BlackBerry PlayBook now just $299 at Best Buy Amazon is losing $50 per Kindle Fire Amazon's Silk browser may come to Mac and Windows PCs Airline pilot almost flips a plane by pushing a wrong button Netflix cancellations slowing down Android Ice Cream Sandwich gets leaked Lionsgate to make movie based on Dead Island trailer Fitocracy gets 700+ new 404 group members Bathroom Break #1: Floppy disk drives perform Star Wars' Imperial March Bathroom Break #2: Best NASCAR prayer ever (in song) Episode 914 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Netflix co-founder: Qwikster is a smart, brave move

Netflix's decision to split its business into separate streaming and DVD entities has gotten boos from its users, but co-founder Marc Randolph thinks it's a brave and smart move.

Netflix managed to tick off a sizable number of subscribers this summer with its decision to raise prices on certain plans. In a mea culpa issued early last week, CEO Reed Hastings finally admitted the price hike was poorly orchestrated and communicated.

But in the same breath, Hastings announced that the company's operations would be split into two separate businesses--Netflix to provide the streaming content and Qwikster to … Read more

Netflix DVD spinoff adds to woes (roundup)

CEO Reed Hastings issues an apology for the way the company handled recent pricing changes, but it's his other announcement--that Netflix is splitting off its DVD business--that surprises and dismays many.

Is Netflix even worth it anymore? (Ask Maggie) In her weekly advice column, CNET's Maggie Reardon helps one reader decide whether to ditch Netflix and helps another decipher Verizon Wireless' upgrade policy. (Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon) September 23, 2011, 12:01 a.m. PDT

Netflix split to set up Amazon streaming merger? The move by Netflix to separate its DVD-by-mail service may pave the … Read more

Facebook, Netflix, and the art of blowing the lead

It's a pretty old story. At some point, when your team is up by 20 or 30 points headed into the fourth quarter, a little complacency sets in. You get cocky, thinking you've got it in the bag. You bench your starters and let the new guys with the big ideas start trying out some new things. You start tinkering with the formula, running some new plays, maybe even showing off a little.

And that's exactly how you end up in the losing column of the greatest comebacks of all time wrapups that will inevitably include the … Read more

Google opens Wallet

The owner of the Qwikster Twitter handle is banking on selling it to Netflix, Verizon unveils a $99 4G LTE capable smartphone, and Google Wallet finally launches with support only on Sprint's Nexus S 4G phone so far.

Links from Tuesday's episode of Loaded:

Google Wallet launches Qwikster Twitter account owner wants cash Dish Networks to unveil BlockBuster streaming $99 Verizon 4G LTE phone Researchers discover HTTPS security hole OS X Lion vulnerable to local users Subscribe:  iTunes (MP3) |  iTunes (320x180) |  iTunes (HD) |  RSS (MP3) |  RSS (320x180) |  RSS HD

The 404 907: Where we 'stiL be making bank' (podcast)

The existence of the @Qwikster Twitter account proves that even the biggest dummy with Internet access can accidentally stumble into a squatting payout. Jeff dons his reading glasses today to give a dramatic reading of some of our favorite tweets from Mr. Jason Castillo.

We're also looking forward to Facebook's F8 developers conference on Thursday, during which the company is rumored to announce its hyped-up media streaming platform as part of a "major" profile redesign.

Like it or not, Facebook is pushing more for e-commerce and TechCrunch's Leena Rao thinks we'll see more buttons popping up to give users more specific sentiments like "Listened," "Watched," "Read," and maybe even "Want."

Along with a story about girls not using BitTorrent, we'll also report on a story update from three years ago about Heinz's new "Dip and Squeeze" ketchup packet.

Since everyone consumes ketchup differently, Heinz developed a packet that lets the consumer decide whether to squeeze out all the ketchup, or peel back the lid for dipping. And with three times more ketchup per packet than the old design, it might be a sign that Heinz could care less about this country's fight with obesity.

But at least this country earns the top spot in something. We finish the show with a group groan about our country's dismal Internet speeds. According to an article in "The New York Times" last week, the U.S. dropped to 25th in the global ranking of Internet speeds, just behind Romania and the Czech Republic. It could be worse for New Yorkers, however--the report also blasts Idaho for its 318 Kbps "speeds."

Enjoy today's show, and leave us a voice mail at 1-866-404-CNET--we're running low!

The 404 Digest for Episode 907

Twitter's Qwikster wants money from Netflix. Talk of 'major' redesign of Facebook profiles as F8 nears. Facebook to launch Read, Listened, Watched, and Want buttons. Button fatigue settling in at Facebook. Welcome to your Hungarian Internet. For Idaho and the Internet, life in the slow lane. Old Ketchup packet heads for trash. Girls are not into The Pirate Bay, or BitTorrent. Bathroom break video of the day: Flying lawnmower.

Episode 907 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Twitter's Qwikster wants money from Netflix

You might consider Twitter's Qwikster a mere huckster.

But what would you do if you suddenly woke, perhaps late in the day, and realized that your Twitter handle might help you get a handle on the credibility known as cash?

Should you have been unaccountably stuck in a mailbox over the last 24 hours, you might not know that Netflix decided to separate its DVD business and call it Qwikster.

This decision appears to have been taken with such qwiksterity that no one thought about whether someone might have taken on this name as his or her Twitter handle.… Read more

Look out, Netflix: Dish set to unveil Blockbuster streaming details Friday

Reed Hastings' week has gone from bad to worse.

Monday began with the Netflix CEO issuing an apology for the company's recent price hike, even as he unveiled a controversial decision to split its streaming and DVD-by-mail offerings into separate companies.

Now comes word that the week will end with news from onetime archrival Blockbuster. The company--now a division of Dish Network--has announced a Friday press conference at which it will unveil what it calls "the most comprehensive home entertainment package ever." The 10 a.m. PT San Francisco event is dubbed "A Stream Come … Read more