• Promo: B.Sc. Info Systems, Trinity

    IT workers face the challenge of developing their communications, business and management skills.
    » more

  • The crunch crushes the IT sector?

    Whilst numbers take a tumble on stock markets IT managers will be forced to recalculate.
    » more

  • Web Pick: Live Mesh Tech Preview

    This online app will provide you with a whole lot of peace of mind for that day your PC dies.
    » more

INTERNET

Amazon premieres movie downloads

08-09-2006

by Emmet Ryan

Online retailer Amazon has launched a new download service for movies and TV shows, pre-empting the expected launch of a similar service by Apple next week.

The announcement of the service, called Amazon Unbox, is set to fuel further competition between the two firms. Apple is expected to announce the launch of a movie download service on Tuesday as part of its iTunes service, which already allows users to download TV shows.

Amazon Unbox will not be compatible with Apple's iPod. The service is solely compatible with Microsoft Windows XP and not with Macs or older versions of Windows.

The launch of Amazon Unbox follows AOL's launch of a similar service last month. Amazon Unbox will offer content from several Hollywood Studios including 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros and Lions Gate Entertainment. Several major American TV networks have also signed up with CBS, Fox and Comedy Central all providing content. In all, 30 studios and networks will provide content for the service.

Users of the service will be able to download permanent copies of movies directly to their PC at prices ranging from USD7.99 to USD14.99, with temporary movie rental costing USD3.99. TV shows will be USD1.99 to download per episode.

Television programs will be available to customers within a day of the episode airing on terrestrial TV, while customers must watch rented movies within 30 days of purchase and within 24 hours of initially pressing the play button.

The service will allow users to view the movies on their PC or to transfer them to another computer. The service will not however allow for movies or TV shows to be burned onto recordable DVDs. Prior to these recent moves downloadable films were only available for rental purposes through sites such as Movielink and CinemaNow. Last spring both companies announced that they would offer a permanent download service.

Amazon owns movie website imdb.com, which attracted 18.7 million unique visitors in July, and also offers downloadable books online. The announcement of the Amazon Unbox launch was made after the market closed and the company's share price ended the day down USD1.07 at USD29.73 on the Nasdaq. Extended trading following the announcement saw the price rise by USD0.23, up nearly one percent. Shares of Apple closed at USD72.80 and fell USD0.03 in extended trade.

Click here to make ENN your home page
Sign Up for FREE ENN Newsletters

VIDEO REVIEW

Dell not dull; sees red
Dell adds a splash of colour to its latest laptop range, but is this enough, or do consumers want an edgier look? » Read more

ENN CORPORATE

Complete copywriting services
Do you need skilled writers to put together compelling prose for your company? Why not check out the new-look corporate services site from ENN and see how we can put our skills to your use. » Read more

  • Hosted by TeleCity

SUBSCRIBE

Not a member yet?
Sign up free, click here
To change your ENN Newsletter and alerts preferences here

WHO'S WHO IN PR

Full listing of Irish PR firms, including high-tech specialists. » Click here