Comcast Cable Communications

There's a number of live TV-streaming apps out there for cable subscribers, and Comcast has added its AnyPlay service to the mix. Part of the Xfinity TV iPad app, AnyPlay allows subscribers with Xfinity HD Triple Play to access live cable programming at home via the iPad. Those who are traveling can't access their cable but can utilize Xfinity's On Demand services. The service is restricted to the Denver and Nashville area for now with further rollouts planned. Xfinity's mobile app also just received an update with the ability to send free texts using the app and an Xfinity home phone number. Read More

I recently received an invitation to start using Comcast’s new online DVR scheduler.  The myDVR manager from Comcast finally provides a service that AT&T U-verse and Tivo users have long held dear, and until now, the missing service had been another problem in the string of complaints about Comcast.  Thankfully, the service is here and next time you’re stuck in a meeting or bank robbery you can be confident that the overdone ESPN episode of an over-glorified NBA player’s free agent signing is available for viewing later. Go to www.fancast.com/mydvr and follow the links to activate your myDVR service.  You’ll be taken through a few pages to sign in and check availability in your area.  Finally, you’ll choose to activate your DVR which may take up to 24 hours. Using the myDVR Manager online is very simple and easy to use, and Comcast will enjoy getting more visitors on their fancast site.  On the site you’ll find a TV guide similar to what you see on your TV.  You can look up shows by channel and time plus filter by popular groups like Movies, Sports, and HD.  Once you find a show you want to record, select it and then click “Record Episode” or “Record Series”.  Next you will find an interface similar to that on your DVR box where options on how often to record and what to keep are available.  The myDVR Manager button (below) is always available and lets you manage the priority of shows and see what upcoming recordings you have. Best of all, the Comcast myDVR service is available via the Comcast Mobile app on the iPhone and iPad.  The app has a guide similar to the one online where you select the shows you want to record and then “Schedule a Recording”.  The mobile services are essential to making this service great and have been executed well.  I can’t believe I’m thanking Comcast for something, but this is a service I plan to use.  What about you?  Let other readers know in the comments below. Categories: Read More

By Jeremy Sikora, Wednesday, May 12, 2010 | Today Comcast demoed Xfinity Remote, a prototype of a web-based remote control that aims to extend their interactive programming guide to many IP-enabled devices such as an iPad. Unlike their current sub par iPhone application [iTunes Link - Free] this application allows Comcast subscribers to have full control over cable boxes. “The Xfinity Remote, which Brian Roberts demoed today on an iPad at the NCTA show, enables you to search for your favorite shows and movies on television and video on demand, change the channel on your cable box right from your iPad, and set your DVR remotely.” Comcast also mentions the app will allow for integration into social networks and allow for chatting live while watching a show or send invites to friends to watch programming at the same time. The Xfinity Remote should be free when in lands into the App Store and while no release date has been given, Comcast promises we will see it before the end of the year. Video after the break! Read More

Until recently, Comcast users were unable to do much with the Comcast app available for the iPod and iPhone. Being taunted by DirectTV's App which I'm sure we've all seen commercials for. With a recent update to their app, customers can now remotely control their DVR box directly from the Comcast app. myDVR Manager appears almost as though your seeing the comcast menu you see on most cable boxes. Various content can arranged by category or channel. Users can then modify existing schedules, add new items, or cancel previously scheduled recordings. Unfortunately the comcast app will only "available in select markets". Not only does the update bring DVR control, there are also several enhancements to the inbox, enabling users to upload attachments, access POP and IMAP folders, or even mark e-mails as spam. Push notification are also now available for new e-mail or voicemail messages, along with TV show reminders. Pretty cool, if your a comcast user. myDVR Manager(**AVAILABLE ONLY IN SELECT MARKETS**) Schedule programs to record on your DVR from your iPhone and iPod touch and view your upcoming recordings so you never miss a show again. This feature is enabled in the Guide module. Check for the myDVR Manager icon at the bottom of the Guide screen. If you see this icon then your DVR is ready for remote scheduling. If you don’t see the icon, it just means your DVR is not yet ready for remote scheduling. Once this feature is rolled out on to your DVR at home, you will see a notification pop up the next time you log into the app. You will also receive an email notification to your comcast.net email address when it's available in your area.**myDVR Manager is expected to be available to most markets by summer 2010** If you're a Comcast user, head over to the App Store and start using your DVR from your iPhone. Read More

Comcast is fairly evil, to be sure. But if they're doing one thing right, it's the latest version of their free iPhone app, Comcast Mobile App 2.0. In this walkthrough, you'll see that not only can you set recordings from your iPhone, but you can do so over the multiple DVRs that you may have in your house. (Note: so far, this function is only available in select areas.) Meanwhile, everyone receives new push notifications reminding you to watch or record your favorite shows...which admittedly sounds a bit useless in the DVR era. If you're watching the clip, skip about 20 seconds in to get to the meat of it. (Not that Scott the Comcast guy doesn't seem very nice.) [iTunes via Comcast Blog Thanks Simon!] Read More

If your one of the many that have been induced into a package that offers one low price for broadband, phone and television, the Comcast Mobile App is a fantastic tool to control many of the broad features of these products.  Comcast recently upgraded it’s already decent mobile app for the iPhone to version 2.0.1.  The new version features enhancements for DVR owners while continuing to improve on delivering quality digital voice controls in a very intuitive program.  I’ve been using the app now since it came out and Comcast really has done an outstanding job with this app. The biggest news in 2.0.1 is (in some markets, rolling out now) the ability to remotely control your DVR.  The new service, called rDVR, lets customers decide to record programs while on the go.  It looks pretty slick and although I do have Comcast service, my TiVo with CableCard prevents access to Comcast’s On-Demand services, so I was unable to test this new feature out. The other features the app services continue to improve.  The 2.0 app update brought push notifications to the app along with sounds to alert users to missed calls.  The guide to TV listings is surprisingly fast and localized.  Comcast email, address book and a really handy phone log are all done extremely well.  To me, the Digital Voice part of the app is where this app really shines. In the Digital Voice section of the app, users can see all calls, both incoming and outgoing.  Tabs provide filters of the bulk data, one for just Outgoing calls, one for missed calls and one just for voice mail.  Voice messages can be played through the speaker.  From a simple button in the lower right corner, I can forward my Comcast Digital Voice number to any number I plug in, right from this app.  Absolutely fantastic. I am a big fan of this app as it makes the services I already use so much more friendly and honestly has changed how I view Comcast.  Other phone service providers should be taking their cues from Comcast and this app.  The app is free and available in the Apple App store now. Product page: [Comcast]  iTunes link: [iTunes] Read More

Comcast Mobile is an application for the iPhone and iPod Touch that finally brings some purpose to Comcast email and enhances services like digital voice and On Demand. The app is clean, straightforward and actually useful, but it lacks one major feature. Most of the features found in this application have already been in use on Comcast.net, the command center for all your digital voice, television and email needs. But, really, who uses Comcast email? Who even visits Comcast.net? Now, with Comcast Mobile, these features are with you wherever you go. From inside the app you can check your Comcast email, view your address book, listen to your voicemail and check what\'s on TV or On Demand. From your inbox, you can view your email messages or listen to your voicemail. The UI here is intuitive and each area is easily accessible. You can even compose your own email message right from inside the application. Folder management is also readily available, as well as search. The address book can sync all your contacts from your phone and your Comcast.net account. Adding or marking contacts as favorites are easily done from this page. The digital voice page has both positive and negative aspects to it. Here, you can see all your outgoing and missed calls from your home phone line. But, it doesn\'t seem to stay up to date even after manually refreshing. For example, it may show all your calls from yesterday, but not today. One really great feature in the digital voice page is the ability to forward your calls to whatever number you\'d like. After setting it up with your desired phone number, all you need to do is tap the on/off button to make all your home calls forward to your iPhone. This is by far my favorite feature. The last two pages of the app are the TV Guide for your local Comcast service and the On Demand guide. The TV Guide is a standard look at your channel lineup and tapping on a show will offer more information and additional showtimes. You can also add a show to your favorites and share program information through email. The On Demand guide is actually really nice. The top of the screen displays all new programming that\'s On Demand in cover flow. You can swipe your finger left or right and the preview images rotate around smoothly, just like Read More