Comcast is working on a new service called AnyPlay that will add the ability to stream live TV to its Xfinity TV app for iPads. The service will compete with Time Warner’s similar offering, but will only work with the Motorola IPTV box and the tablet being streamed to must be connected to a home network.
Although no official announcements for the service have been made yet, MacRumors was able to glean some details off of the above screenshot they obtained. The service only allows Comcast subscribers to stream live TV to their iPads while connected to their home network, meaning WiFi from other locations or via 3G will not work.
This restriction most likely has to do with the distribution agreements between Comcast and content providers. Both Time Warner and Cablevision have already gotten into hot water with providers such as Viacom, which sued both cable companies for breach of contract regarding their TV streaming apps.
Users should be able to watch most channels that are available with their Xfinity TV service and can register up to 10 tablets. However, the service can only stream live TV to one tablet at a time and it’s not clear when the service will be ready.
So many apps have come out lately, all basically doing the same thing, promising streaming, and giving it to you, but only in your house, as will this one coming from Comcast, with that same inherent problem. I like taking my mobile devices with me, and I like taking my television with me as well, I pay for it every month, so I should have access to it whenever I want. That is why I bought my sling adapter, I stream all my live subscribed channels, as well as all my recorded shows to my iPad, iPhone, or Android phone no matter where I am. Even if I wasn't working at DISH the sling adapter would have still been my choice for streaming because of the freedom it gives me to have my TV on my terms.
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