iTunes Television and iPod Video Revolution
by Nate Voss, (2 comments)
“That’s the smartest thing I’ve ever heard.” –Jennifer Philippi, Omaha
Today, Apple announced not only their newest iMac G5, nor just the prophesized iPod Video, but a groundbreaking step in digital home entertainment. Partnering with both ABC and Disney, you are now able to purchase episodes of your favorite televison shows — to keep, not stream — for a scant $2 apiece.
Currently Apple is heavily touting episodes from the current seasons of Lost and Desperate Housewives, as well as a series of PIXAR animated shorts that include Academy Award® winners Geri’s Game and For the Birds, among others. This should come as no surprise, as Steve Jobs is not only the CEO of Apple, but also of Pixar.
The library of music videos available currently stretches over 2,000; with the exclusive libraries of Madonna and Michael Jackson, and including videos from U2, Coldplay, Kanye West, 50 Cent, the Beastie Boys, and many others.
Each downloaded video — again, for $2.00 each — is playable both in iTunes and the iPod Video, which shortly will be referred to simply as “iPod,” as non-video-enabled iPods are being phased out.
As with their music purchases, visitors to the iTunes store will be able to download a 20-second preview of the video before they buy. The video is stutter-free, unlike streaming media, and in high-quality, H.264 QuickTime format.
Viva la Revolution.
Comments (2)
L-Fo said:
Has the issue of commercials been addressed? I have not yet looked into the iTunes store and the purchasing of television episodes, but I would assume that they would be commercial free? Maybe not. Just wondering what the implications were on the advertising world if you can now buy shows without the commercials. How was it handeled with Tivo?
Posted on October 14, 2005
nate said:
Yes, as we understand it, television episodes will be commercial-free, just like you were watching last season’s episodes on a DVD.
Posted on October 14, 2005