Monday, September 15, 2008

Everyone But Apple Joins New "buy once, play anywhere" Group

Buying a movie online is simple; it's watching it on the device you want that's hard. When pirates offer a better product, one that actually plays where consumers want their video to play, it's hard for digital download stores to compete, and the entire ecosystem of companies knows it. That's why movie studios joined retailers like Best Buy, consumer electronics companies like Sony and Philips, Intel, Microsoft, and others in a new acronym-ready alliance that will, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, put the consumer "at the center of the universe." When pirates offer a better product, one that actually plays where consumers want their video to play, it's hard for digital download stores to compete, and the entire ecosystem of companies knows it. That's why movie studios joined retailers like Best Buy, consumer electronics companies like Sony and Philips, Intel, Microsoft, and others in a new acronym-ready alliance that will, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, put the consumer "at the center of the universe." It's hard to say this far out, of course, but one thing gives us pause: no Apple. Not only has iTunes become a major player in paid, downloadable video, but Apple has created a hugely successful iPod ecosystem that ties the downloads to its own devices. Without Apple onboard, DECE can create a compelling whole house system, but it stands little chance of offering access to video on the go.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080915-everyone-but-apple-joins-new-buy-once-play-anywhere-group.html

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