video

Editors' note: The following is a response to Jim Kerstetter's commentary, "Why do we blame games for real-world violence?"

I have fond memories of the hours lost playing Medal of Honor on PlayStation 2 and even the original GoldenEye on Nintendo64.

It was immersive and exciting, and to me it was entertainment. Now as a parent I have a different perspective: I wonder if such games are actually bad for my own kids. That's why I found Jim Kerstetter's article "Why do we blame games for real-world violence?" an interesting read, and also … Read more

Google today pushed out a new update to its YouTube app for iOS that lets users push videos to game consoles, certain TV sets, and other set-top boxes.

A new "send to TV" feature lets users pair the mobile app with a compatible set-top box or TV set. Those videos then show up on the TV, and the controls and other information are displayed on the mobile device as a remote of sorts.

Google introduced the feature for Android and its Google TV devices last November. iOS users with the YouTube app (iTunes), and other video applications have … Read more

Now that it's wooed CBS for a whole slew of content, Amazon's moved on to Scripps and its popular Food Network and Travel Channel shows.

The online retail giant has struck a deal with Scripps Networks Interactive to stream past seasons of Scripps' most popular programming on Amazon's Prime Instant Video service.

This is the first time Scripps has partnered with a subscription service to stream its shows, according to a press release. Scripps' networks include HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Travel Channel. The shows include "Rachael Ray's Week in a Day,&… Read more

If Koozoo CEO Drew Sechrist has his way, cameras will record every move you make in public -- and make your life better for it.

The San Francisco startup wants smartphone owners to deploy a network of streaming smartphone cameras that are accessible by anyone within the Koozoo network at any time. The network launches on iOS today in San Francisco and Austin, Texas, with plans to expand in the coming months.

Users can participate by posting recorded snippets -- these are a few minutes long -- to the network or to social media like Facebook and Twitter. Or, they … Read more

Despite the Internet's ability to connect Web sites and other content across continents, finding video content from other countries can be difficult. SopCast for Mac allows users to view channels originating in many countries from one program on their computer.

Available as freeware, the program's channels are also viewable at no cost. The program is small, downloaded quickly, and easily installed. In terms of functionality, SopCast for Mac allows you to watch from a list of channels organized by country of origin. There is also a menu allowing you to directly paste links to other SopCast channels not … Read more

Even those with high-speed Internet connections often find Internet videos take time to buffer before playing. SpeedBit Video Accelerator for Mac tries to address this problem by accelerating video downloads, but with poor, if any, results.

While the initial program is free in a trial version, use of the full program requires a yearly subscription of $24.95. The trial version only allows video acceleration of SD videos. Upgrading to the paid version allows functions on HD video and acceleration of iTunes downloads. The program was small, but this did not translate to an easy installation. The process to install … Read more

Social video startup video has released an updated iOS app with a bevy of new features to help people enhance their videos and to stave off Twitter's upstart video-sharing app, Vine.

Debuting this evening in Apple's App Store, the updated app doubles the length of videos that people can upload from 15 seconds to 30 seconds, as well as adding the Vine-like ability to pause recording to splice together segments into a single clip. The app also adds 15 new video filters, licensed music tracks from popular artists that can be added to videos, and stop-motion functionality that … Read more

The video below describes separating an Oreo cookie as a "basic human desire." While it may not be quite as fundamental as all that, separating cookie from cream has become a ritual for Oreo lovers around the world.

But why must we use our soft, weak human hands to pry these cookies apart? Why can't someone invent a hilariously overcomplicated machine to do this painstaking work for us?

Luckily, someone did.… Read more

Kristian Segerstrale, Playfish co-founder and executive vice president of Digital at Electronic Arts, is moving on.

TechCrunch published an internal memo sent by EA chief John Riccitiello yesterday announcing Segerstrale's departure. In the letter, Riccitiello said that the Playfish co-founder has "elected to return the world of startups where we first met him."

Segerstrale confirmed the news on his Twitter feed yesterday, but declined to say where he might be headed.

Segerstrale was one of the founders of Playfish, the social-game developer that EA acquired in 2009 for $400 million. He stayed on at EA, helping the … Read more