In a post on The Netflix Blog that went up Sunday night, the company’s CEO, Reed Hastings, announced that Netflix would split its DVD-by-mail service and its streaming-video service into two companies. The new DVD-only company, called “Qwikster,” will be completely separate from the streaming business. Hastings also expressed contrition for the way the company rolled out its recent price hike, which alienated many customers. Hastings wrote: “It is clear from the feedback over the past two months that many members felt we lacked respect and humility in the way we announced the separation of DVD and streaming, and the price changes. That was certainly not our intent, and I offer my sincere apology.” He went on to announce that Qwikster — the name is chosen “because it refers to quick delivery” — is becoming its own entity because ” “we realized that streaming and DVD by mail are becoming two quite different businesses, with very different cost structures, different benefits that need to be marketed differently, and we need to let each grow and operate independently.” The move comes on the heels of an overwhelmingly negative reaction to Netflix’s price hike in July. This week, the company announced it had lost many more subscribers than expected, and its stock price fell accordingly. Early reaction to the surprise move was mixed. Twitter users did not warm to the name “Qwikster,” but Erick Schnonfeld at TechCrunch gave Hastings the thumbs up. “You’ve got to give him credit for moving fast in the direction where he thinks the greatest opportunity lies. “Who knows how investors will react in the morning?” Schonfeld wrote. “But it is the right move.” Below, see Hastings’ apology video with new Qwikster CEO Andy Rendich, as well as a screenshot from Qwikster.com.
Continue reading …In a post on The Netflix Blog that went up Sunday night, the company’s CEO, Reed Hastings, announced that Netflix would split its DVD-by-mail service and its streaming-video service into two companies. The new DVD-only company, called “Qwikster,” will be completely separate from the streaming business. Hastings also expressed contrition for the way the company rolled out its recent price hike, which alienated many customers. Hastings wrote: “It is clear from the feedback over the past two months that many members felt we lacked respect and humility in the way we announced the separation of DVD and streaming, and the price changes. That was certainly not our intent, and I offer my sincere apology.” He went on to announce that Qwikster — the name is chosen “because it refers to quick delivery” — is becoming its own entity because ” “we realized that streaming and DVD by mail are becoming two quite different businesses, with very different cost structures, different benefits that need to be marketed differently, and we need to let each grow and operate independently.” The move comes on the heels of an overwhelmingly negative reaction to Netflix’s price hike in July. This week, the company announced it had lost many more subscribers than expected, and its stock price fell accordingly. Early reaction to the surprise move was mixed. Twitter users did not warm to the name “Qwikster,” but Erick Schnonfeld at TechCrunch gave Hastings the thumbs up. “You’ve got to give him credit for moving fast in the direction where he thinks the greatest opportunity lies. “Who knows how investors will react in the morning?” Schonfeld wrote. “But it is the right move.” Below, see Hastings’ apology video with new Qwikster CEO Andy Rendich, as well as a screenshot from Qwikster.com.
Continue reading …
In a post on The Netflix Blog that went up Sunday night, the company’s CEO, Reed Hastings, announced that Netflix would split its DVD-by-mail service and its streaming-video service into two companies. The new DVD-only company, called “Qwikster,” will be completely separate from the streaming business. Hastings also expressed contrition for the way the company rolled out its recent price hike, which alienated many customers. Hastings wrote: “It is clear from the feedback over the past two months that many members felt we lacked respect and humility in the way we announced the separation of DVD and streaming, and the price changes. That was certainly not our intent, and I offer my sincere apology.” He went on to announce that Qwikster — the name is chosen “because it refers to quick delivery” — is becoming its own entity because ” “we realized that streaming and DVD by mail are becoming two quite different businesses, with very different cost structures, different benefits that need to be marketed differently, and we need to let each grow and operate independently.” The move comes on the heels of an overwhelmingly negative reaction to Netflix’s price hike in July. This week, the company announced it had lost many more subscribers than expected, and its stock price fell accordingly. Early reaction to the surprise move was mixed. Twitter users did not warm to the name “Qwikster,” but Erick Schnonfeld at TechCrunch gave Hastings the thumbs up. “You’ve got to give him credit for moving fast in the direction where he thinks the greatest opportunity lies. “Who knows how investors will react in the morning?” Schonfeld wrote. “But it is the right move.” Below, see Hastings’ apology video with new Qwikster CEO Andy Rendich, as well as a screenshot from Qwikster.com.
Continue reading …Open Thread: GOP Presidential Candidates Descend on Florida for Thursday’s Debate
September 19, 2011 No Comment
This week, Republican presidential candidates are headed to Florida for a number of high-profile events, including CPAC, a straw poll, and perhaps most importantly, another debate, this time hosted by Fox News and Google at Florida CPAC. The spotlight is again expected to be on Gov. Rick Perry, despite his pummeling by other candidates last week. Do you think he can recover from last week's criticism for his stances on immigration, health care, and Social Security, especially in a state with such large retirement communities? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Following the debate on Thursday, conservatives will meet up for CPAC in Orlando, followed by a Republican straw poll on Saturday. According to the Washington Examiner : Many of the 3,500 straw poll voters haven't made up their minds about the candidates yet, said Florida GOP spokesman Brian Hughes, so they will be watching the debate performances closely. “These are people who are coming to see which campaign has the right message and the right organization to win,” he said. At the debate, it can be expected that former Gov. Mitt Romney will strengthen his Social Security/”Ponzi scheme” attacks on Perry. Bachmann has continued the fight against mandating Gardasil vaccines over the past week, and many other candidates could again raise the issue of Perry allowing illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition. Who do you expect will do well in Florida this week?
Continue reading …Open Thread: GOP Presidential Candidates Descend on Florida for Thursday’s Debate
September 19, 2011 No CommentThis week, Republican presidential candidates are headed to Florida for a number of high-profile events, including CPAC, a straw poll, and perhaps most importantly, another debate, this time hosted by Fox News and Google at Florida CPAC. The spotlight is again expected to be on Gov. Rick Perry, despite his pummeling by other candidates last week. Do you think he can recover from last week's criticism for his stances on immigration, health care, and Social Security, especially in a state with such large retirement communities? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Following the debate on Thursday, conservatives will meet up for CPAC in Orlando, followed by a Republican straw poll on Saturday. According to the Washington Examiner : Many of the 3,500 straw poll voters haven't made up their minds about the candidates yet, said Florida GOP spokesman Brian Hughes, so they will be watching the debate performances closely. “These are people who are coming to see which campaign has the right message and the right organization to win,” he said. At the debate, it can be expected that former Gov. Mitt Romney will strengthen his Social Security/”Ponzi scheme” attacks on Perry. Bachmann has continued the fight against mandating Gardasil vaccines over the past week, and many other candidates could again raise the issue of Perry allowing illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition. Who do you expect will do well in Florida this week?
Continue reading …Open Thread: GOP Presidential Candidates Descend on Florida for Thursday’s Debate
September 19, 2011 No Comment
This week, Republican presidential candidates are headed to Florida for a number of high-profile events, including CPAC, a straw poll, and perhaps most importantly, another debate, this time hosted by Fox News and Google at Florida CPAC. The spotlight is again expected to be on Gov. Rick Perry, despite his pummeling by other candidates last week. Do you think he can recover from last week's criticism for his stances on immigration, health care, and Social Security, especially in a state with such large retirement communities? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Following the debate on Thursday, conservatives will meet up for CPAC in Orlando, followed by a Republican straw poll on Saturday. According to the Washington Examiner : Many of the 3,500 straw poll voters haven't made up their minds about the candidates yet, said Florida GOP spokesman Brian Hughes, so they will be watching the debate performances closely. “These are people who are coming to see which campaign has the right message and the right organization to win,” he said. At the debate, it can be expected that former Gov. Mitt Romney will strengthen his Social Security/”Ponzi scheme” attacks on Perry. Bachmann has continued the fight against mandating Gardasil vaccines over the past week, and many other candidates could again raise the issue of Perry allowing illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition. Who do you expect will do well in Florida this week?
Continue reading …“A stinker,” “a three-hour watching chore,” and “a complete dud” were just some of the slams garnered by the Emmys this year as the TV awards show was widely panned around the blogosphere. “It was slow and dated and every opportunity for excitement landed with a great thud,” complained Gawker…
Continue reading …
A British dad who apparently stabbed to death a would-be thief during a home invasion robbery has been arrested on suspicion of murder, according to police Vincent Cooke, 39, was home alone when two men broke in, planning to steal, police believe. When Cooke was threatened, he stabbed one of…
Continue reading …Arduino-modded stoplight makes the bestest server monitor you’ll see this week
September 19, 2011 No Comment
Keeping an eye on your server health isn’t the most romantic of pastimes. That’s what compelled modder mkanoap to build a computer-free monitoring system that was as cheerily simple as Xymon’s red-yellow-green symbols. His solution? Install an ethernet-enabled Arduino into a stoplight and mount it on the wall of the office. On one hand, the cubicle creativity factor just has to be commended, but on the other, we’re guessing it’s not an entirely selfless endeavor — it’s not exactly enthralling answering those system status calls, you know? Anyone who wants to follow in his footsteps can click our source link, which includes details of where to acquire a stoplight without a stealthy, nighttime, screwdriver-assisted jaunt to your nearest intersection. Arduino-modded stoplight makes the bestest server monitor you’ll see this week originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …