Comcast launches new cloud-enabled X1 service today

Comcast Corp., which has its Midwest headquarters in Schaumburg, launches its X1 Platform from Xfinity today, offering access to a library of live and on-demand video as well as voice and motion commands.

The X1 Platform, using cloud-enabled technology, launches in Illinois, Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan. It includes a new guide and apps that let users listen to music on Pandora, track scores of multiple sports games or get weather or traffic updates, among other features.

DVR-enabled X1 boxes will allow customers to record four shows and watch a fifth at the same time and include multiroom DVR service, which lets customers watch recorded shows in any room in the house.

The X1 boxes with DVR service will run $19.95 per month, the same amount Comcast now charges for multiroom DVR service.

All of the X1 DVRs will have multiroom capability, said Comcast spokesman Jack Segal.

The service offers a main screen with an interface that enables one-click access to a variety of video content and allows customers to access information about the programs they're watching and related programming.

The new X1 remote app is available for free for iPhones and iPod Touches via the iOS app store and lets customers use gestures and voice commands to control the X1.

In addition, X1 lets customers search for programs using either their iPhones' or iPod Touches' virtual keyboards or voice command.

An enhanced remote control for the X1 DVR box is highly responsive and does not have to be pointed straight at the box to work, the company said.