Xfinity Connect

I got an email a couple weeks ago from Comcast that they would be upgrading the existing SmartZome Communication Software Email software to something called Xfinity Connect.  When I logged in to check my email this weekend I was connected to the new interface.  I was surprised that at first glance it looked very similar to the old interface.  This is good thinking on Xfinity's part as they won't get a lot of calls from customers wondering where their address book button has moved to.  There are some new features though that some will find useful.

• New Homepage with an inbox preview and calendar interface
• Homepage also has in interface for social networking which allows you to connect directly to Facebook and Twitter
• You can also view all of you external email accounts from the homepage
• As I  mentioned the email interface looks very similar to Smartzone.   A couple small changes; they changed the coloring of some of the buttons and fonts styles.  The major difference that I have noticed is that Xfinity Connect appears much faster.  Not just loading but when scrolling through, reading and deleting emails there is a huge improvement for me.

Most of the new features on Xfinity Connect like the calendar and social networking stuff I probably will noit use.  Bust I am happy to see the performance improvement on the new interface.

Contant Guard from Xfinity

Xfinity has rolled out a new product called Constant Guard.  According to their website it is a security dashboard  that will protect your passwords, credit card information and access to online accounts.   This is all offered at no cost with your xfinity subscription. 

Looking at this a little closer Constant Guard has four components:

1. Norton Security Suite - This has been offered to xfinity customers at no cost for the past couple years.
2. Secure Backup and Share - This is the online backup software that xfinity has offered to their customers for the past couple years.  The free version gives you 2 gigabytes of backup space which is pretty useless for most users.  The pay plans are $5 per month for 50 gigabytes or $10 per month for 200 gigabytes
3. Online Account Protection - This is the new component of Constant Guard.  It is basically a password safe that remembers and secures your online account passwords ans credit cards.  I have used this type of software in the past and I usually end up disabling it as it annoys me with constant pop-ups.  I have my own methodology for remembering passwords.  But I may give this a shot just to see how they implemented it.
4. Identity Guard - Provides lost wallet protection, ID recovery Services from the Identity Theft Assistance Center.  There are also options to upgrade you identity protection for $8 month which gives you periodic credit monitoring.  Or you can upgrade to the premier plan for $13 / month which gives you credit bureau scores  and ongoing credit monitoring.

Really except the Online account protection xfinity is just re bundling Norton Security Suite and Secure backup and share.  The Identity Protection isn't software but a service you sign up for that I assume you need to give your SSN to.  T think they are offering thsi to Xfinity custmers for free hoping they will sign up fo the pay plans.  I don't think I would sign up for the identity protection unless I had a problem but it is nice to know it is there just in case.

Comcast / Xfininy Provides Free Calls to Japan

Comcast announced today that they will be providing free calls to Japan from March 11 through April 10th for all Comcast Voice Customers.  Nice to see a big corporation like Comcast stepping up to help people keep in touch with their loved ones during a tragedy.  Kudos Comcast!!!!

Xfinity Signature Support

Xfinity / Comcast is in the process of rolling out a new service called Xfinity Signature Support.  This service will (for a fee) offer technical support and hardware protection for your home electrtonics.  The equipment protection would cover computers and or flat panel TVs.

They appear to have a couple Personal Technical Support Plans available.

Complete Home Support Plan - $19.95 / Month

Provides 24/7 phone support for up to 4 computers, your wireless neetwork, cameras, gaming systems and IPODS.

Wireless Networking Support - $5.95 / Month

Provides setup and 24/7 support for wireless networking questions

Computer Maintenance Plan - $4.95 / Month

Provides Services to Optimize, clean and secure all of the PCs in your home.

They are also offering various One Time Fix Services:

• Internet Security and Virus Removal - $129.95
• Compuer Tune Up - $49.95
• Wireless Networking Setup - $79.95
• General Help - $49.95
• Computer or Software Setup and Installation - $49.95 - $149.95

Being a fairly technical IT person I handle my support issues myself, so I do not see myself using these support services.  But I do find myself gettnig random calls from family and friends when they have issues,  so this may be something for them to try before calling me, hopefully.  I must assume that Xfinity is going directly at Geek Squad with these services.  Not sure how competetive they are price wise vs Geek Squad but for a customer Xfinity already has on the line with an issue they can just trannsfer them over to signature support rather than sending them away to another service for help with their PC issues.  My guess is the calls will be routed to a call center somewhere in India which may turn some customers off a bit.  Will be interested to see how these services get promoted in the upcoming months.

Verizon FIOS Media Manager

In the mail this week I got my bi-weekly advertisement from Verizon Fios tempting me to switch to their service.  I usually browse though to see if they are offering any compelling new features that Comcast does not offer. 

In this week's flyer they have a new feature called Verizon FIOS Media Manager that allows you to stream photos and videos from you PC to your TV.  I have in the past wondered why Comcast does not offer such a feature as it seems it has all of the necessary components in place.  Concast seems to be focusing a lot of recources lately toward the IPAD and movie streaming services there which makes sense as it is the hot new product.  But it is a product that is in less that 1% of US households.

I am pretty sure there is a much larger percentage of Concast customers that subscribe to both internet and cable service that would find a media streaming from PC to TV much more useful.

I recently purchaed a Sony PS3 game console that along with allowing me to wirelessly stream Netflix movies also allows me to stream music, video and pictures to my TV from my PC.  Sony's implementation of PC to TV  streaming is a bit buggy but is workable.   One big issue I have is that it does not allow me to stream wmv files from my flip campcorder which is 99% of the videos i would stream.  Must have something to do with their competition with Microsoft's Xbox console.

I would love to see Concast jump into the PC to TV streaming arena and see what they could do with it. At the very least to keep up with Verizon.

3D Movies available on HBO On Demand through Xfinity

I came across an article this morning about HBO making a few 3D movies available On Demand.  When I got home tonight I checked it out and low and behold there is a new menu selection in HBO section with three movies available



 The three movies they are making available are Coraline, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and Monsters vs. Aliens.  All seem to be kids movies but it is interesting that HBO is jumping out there and making content available.  I am still not buying into 3D really catching on but content providers are definitely making an investment.  It will be interesting to monitor the movies they make available to see if the number of selection increase over time.

Showtime Free Preview

This coming weekend January, 7 2011 through January 10, 2011 Xfinity will be having a Showtime free preview.  Based on the Showtime website it looks like this free preview will include all Showtime channels as well as On Demand Content.  I used to subscribe to Showtime but switched to HBO a while back.  Based on the content on the Showtime website they seem ti have a much better movie selection than HBO.  Looking forward to checking it out this weekend.