Engadget RSS Feed http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2013 AOL Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Sony will use eyeIO's video compression tech to deliver 4K movies]]> http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/31/sony-will-use-eyeios-video-compression-tech-to-deliver-4k-movie/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/31/sony-will-use-eyeios-video-compression-tech-to-deliver-4k-movie/ http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/31/sony-will-use-eyeios-video-compression-tech-to-deliver-4k-movie/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

At CES eyeIO claimed its software suite was "studio grade" 4K ready and it will be put to the test soon, since Sony Pictures is licensing it to deliver movies to the FMP-X1 4K media player this summer. Sony didn't have any more details to reveal about its 4K delivery plans just yet, but eyeIO's press release claims its tech is being used on 4K video (3,840 x 2,160) encodes with support for extended color gamut. Besides easier downloading / streaming on bandwidth-constrained connections, it also helps out on the server side by requiring less storage space and distributing files more efficiently. Netflix is another recent licensee of the tech, and while not all responses to some of its new streams have been positive, we'll wait and see what it can push to Sony's $699 box and the Sony 4K TVs it attaches to.

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]]> 4kdigitaldistributioneyeiofmp-x1hdpostcrosssonyultrahd Fri, 31 May 2013 07:31:00 -0400 21|20594112 <![CDATA[Veronica Mars movie looks for crowdfunding, would have digital copies near release (update: funded!)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/13/veronica-mars-movie-coming-together-with-crowdfunding/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/13/veronica-mars-movie-coming-together-with-crowdfunding/ http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/13/veronica-mars-movie-coming-together-with-crowdfunding/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Veronica Mars movie looks for crowdfunding, would have digital copies near release (video) (update: funded!)

There's been no shortage of movie projects that lean on crowdfunding to get production underway. Producing a movie based on a major TV series like Veronica Mars, however? That's fresh. Creator Rob Thomas has obtained support from Warner Bros. and lead actress Kristen Bell for a Kickstarter funding drive that, if it hits its $2 million goal, will shoot a full-length Veronica Mars feature this summer with a premiere around early 2014. Pledge makers would be rewarded with anything from a copy of the script through to a speaking role in the title. To us, the real highlight is the planned release strategy -- like an increasing number of movies, we'd be watching digital copies "within a few days" of the opening, rather than months. While Thomas and crew can't declare the fundraiser over until April 12th, it's advancing quickly enough that the focus is less on whether or not the project will go forward and more on its chances at becoming an internet-backed blockbuster.

Update: Just a few hours after kicking off its crowdfunding effort, the Veronica Mars movie project has surpassed its $2 million goal. Right now it's hovering around $2,035,000, but we suspect it'll balloon even further within the 30 days that remain in the campaign.

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Source: Kickstarter

]]> crowdfundingDigitalDistributionkickstartermoviemoviesRobThomasveronicamarsvideoWarnerBros Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:01:00 -0400 21|20501102 <![CDATA[Origin for Mac enters open Alpha, testers gifted with free copy of Bookworm]]> http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/25/origin-for-mac-enters-open-alpha/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/25/origin-for-mac-enters-open-alpha/ http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/25/origin-for-mac-enters-open-alpha/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Origin for Mac enters open Alpha, testers gifted with free copy of Bookworm

Is your MacBook Pro pulling double duty as a gaming machine? EA wants your attention -- it's launching the Mac Alpha of Origin, its digital distribution service. EA is hoping to have the service ready by March, when it will release SimCity for PC and Mac, successively. For now, though, the client is limited -- barring testers from visiting the Origin store, and instead inviting them to launch Bookworm from the client, a puzzle game that's free for users who install the Alpha. The company promises a more complete catalog of EA and partner games when the client officially launches, but didn't drop any specific titles. The service still has some catching up to do, compared to its closest competitor -- but better late than never, right?

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Via: MacRumors

Source: Origin

]]> digitaldistributioneaea gamesEaGamesorigin Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:14:00 -0500 21|20438501 <![CDATA[GameFly's digital distribution client officially exits beta, celebrates with free copies of Bioshock]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/09/gameflys-digital-distribution-client-officially-exits-beta-cel/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/09/gameflys-digital-distribution-client-officially-exits-beta-cel/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/09/gameflys-digital-distribution-client-officially-exits-beta-cel/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments GameFly's digital distribution client officially exits beta, celebrates by giving away Bioshock

After nearly a year of testing, GameFly is ready to pull the beta qualifier off of its PC game distribution client. The desktop software serves not only as a digital storefront for PC games, but also as a queue management program for subscribers to GameFly's game-by-mail service. Active members get free access to a few hundred "Unlimited PC Play" titles as well -- offering subscribers a wide range of games from Diner Dash to Assassin's Creed. The official release doesn't differ from the beta in any significant way, but GameFly and 2K games is celebrating its launch by doling out free copies of Bioshock to anyone willing to give the platform a test drive. Crash on down to the source link below for a free ticket to Rapture, or read on for GameFly's official press release.

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Via: Joystiq

Source: GameFly

]]> 2k games2kGamesbioshockdigital distributionDigitalDistributiongameflygaming Fri, 09 Nov 2012 05:01:00 -0500 21|20375156 <![CDATA[Steam Greenlight adds non-gaming category for your consideration]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/18/steam-greenlight-non-gaming/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/18/steam-greenlight-non-gaming/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/18/steam-greenlight-non-gaming/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Steam Greenlight adds nongaming category for productive apps

Indie game makers have been lobbing titles over Gabe Newell's fence for a short while, but now his company is inviting everyone else to join in as well. Valve has widened Steam Greenlight's crowdsourced approval process to include non-gaming software, with the community voting the most popular and useful apps onto Steam's virtual shelves. We're thinking of submitting a program ourselves, that calculates the time required for three quantities of a decaying substance to fall to half their value, just so we can see everyone's faces when Half-Life Three appears on the list.

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Via: Joystiq

Source: Steam

]]> Digital DistributionDigitalDistributionGamersGamesGamingIndie DevelopmentIndie SoftwareIndieDevelopmentIndieSoftwareminipostPCPCsSteamSteam GreenlightSteamGreenlightValveValve SoftwareValveSoftware Thu, 18 Oct 2012 04:58:00 -0400 21|20353500 <![CDATA[Toys R Us launches family-friendly internet movie service, plans Tabeo access, HD video and more]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/05/toys-r-us-launches-family-friendly-internet-movie-service/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/05/toys-r-us-launches-family-friendly-internet-movie-service/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/05/toys-r-us-launches-family-friendly-internet-movie-service/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Toys R Us launches family-friendly internet movie service, plans Tabeo access, HD video and more

Like Amazon, Best Buy and Barnes & Noble before it, Toys R Us is following the path of being a retailer distributing its own branded hardware (Tabeo, Nabi) with an accompanying app store, and then supplementing those offerings with a digital media service. ToysrusMovies.com is a Rovi-powered digital storefront currently available to PCs, Macs and other Flash compatible devices, with an app planned for the Tabeo soon, as well as Blu-ray players, HDTVs and other mobile devices including iOS and Android. The content consists of "more than 4,000" titles from big names like Disney, Fox, NBCUniversal and more, available for 24-hour rental starting at $2.99, and $5.99 for download or streaming. Right out of the gate its scored an early release of Madagascar 3 two weeks before the disc release, currently a $16 purchase with "unlimited" streaming to activated devices, with downloads to up to 5 devices. Now of course, all it needs is some compatible devices, but building an ecosystem is a process, and may be key to separating Toys R Us' offerings from the competition. Check out more details in the press release after the break or at the site.

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Source: ToysrusMovies.com

]]> appdigital distributionDigitalDistributionfamilyhdpostcrosshdpostminiinternet videoInternetVideokidsminipostmoviesonline videoOnlineVideopurchaseretailrovistreamingstreaming videoStreamingVideotabeotoys r usToysRUs Fri, 05 Oct 2012 07:25:00 -0400 21|20342387 <![CDATA[Sony's PlayStation 3 getting 'PSN Day 1 Digital' to launch games digitally alongside retail]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/25/psn-day-1-digital-ps3/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/25/psn-day-1-digital-ps3/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/25/psn-day-1-digital-ps3/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Sony's PlayStation 3 getting 'PSN Day 1 Digital' to launch games digitally alongside retail

Taking a cue from Nintendo's Wii U, Sony's PlayStation 3 is getting digital versions of some games delivered at the same time as their physical counterparts starting next week with Resident Evil 6 and NBA 2K13. via "PSN Day 1 Digital." Unlike Nintendo's initiative, however, Sony's is third-party focused -- not one game on its initial list of eight titles is published by any of Sony's international publishing studios.

It's unclear whether this is a full-on initiative for Sony's PlayStation 3 or a promotion for October alone, but Sony's PlayStation blog calls PSN Day 1 Digital "a new program," which indicates it's something more than just a one month promo -- all the same, we've asked Sony for more info. Beyond just offering a smattering of games digitally at launch, PSN Day 1 Digital allows for pre-orders, and even offers a 10 percent discount on 007: Legends should you pre-order as a PlayStation Plus member. Head past the break for the full list of titles.

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]]> digital distributionDigitalDistributionplaystation 3playstation networkPlaystation3PlaystationNetworkps3psnpsn day 1 digitalpsn day one digitalPsnDay1DigitalPsnDayOneDigitalsceasonysony computer entertainment americasony playstationsony playstation 3SonyComputerEntertainmentAmericaSonyPlaystationSonyPlaystation3 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 13:43:00 -0400 21|20332860 <![CDATA[Next Issue Media launches on Android, $15 a month for access to 32 magazines]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/04/next-issue-media-launches-android-honeycomb-newstand-app/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/04/next-issue-media-launches-android-honeycomb-newstand-app/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/04/next-issue-media-launches-android-honeycomb-newstand-app/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Next Issue Media launches on Android, $15 a month for access to 32 magazines
If you've taken issue with your usual choices for buying magazines on your tablet, be it pay-per-issue or per-subscription, you're not alone. If you'll recall, it was nearly a year ago that Next Issue Media launched the preliminary version of its "Hulu-meets-magazines" app on the Galaxy Tab, and it's finally ready to release this physical newsstand alternative officially. After raking in a slew of deals last November, its Android 3.0 app is now available -- users can fork over a monthly fee of $10 to access all of its monthly and bi-weekly content, while an extra five bucks adds in weekly content, essentially giving you access to every publication on offer. Singular subscriptions are also available for two to 10 bucks, and you'll currently have a choice of 32 mags from the likes of Car and Driver to The New Yorker. Interestingly, TechCrunch notes that NIM plans to get the app over to iOS "soon" -- it'll surely be interesting to see how it competes with Apple's own Newsstand. You'll find more info at the via links below, and you can flip over to the source for details about a 30-day trial offer.

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]]> androidconde nastCondeNastconsortiumdigital distributiondigital magazineDigitalDistributionDigitalMagazineHearstiosmagazinemediameredithNews CorpNewsCorpnext issueNext Issue MediaNextIssueNextIssueMedianimprint mediaPrintMediareadingsubscriptiontablettimetime incTimeInc Wed, 04 Apr 2012 06:11:00 -0400 21|20208020 <![CDATA[GameStop brings digital download purchases to stores, thus completing the retail circle]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/gamestop-brings-digital-download-purchases-to-stores-thus-compl/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/gamestop-brings-digital-download-purchases-to-stores-thus-compl/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/gamestop-brings-digital-download-purchases-to-stores-thus-compl/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments In some weird alternative universe, this is how retail is done: you walk into a store, buy a voucher for a digital product, and then download it. It's a model that GameStop is embracing by offering digital PC game purchases through its retail locations. There are certain benefits to buying from a brick and mortar location -- for one thing, customers can use trade-in credits for their purchases. And those who pre-order a digital copy of Deus Ex: Human Revolution -- the first game being offered through this model -- will receive some extras including downloads of earlier entries in the series. Just be mindful of pop-ups -- they're way worse in real life.

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]]> Deus ExDeus Ex: Human RevolutionDeusExDeusEx:HumanRevolutiondigital distributionDigitalDistributiondownloadgamesgamestopgamingstorevideo gamesVideoGamesvouchervouchers Tue, 02 Aug 2011 03:35:00 -0400 21|20006290 <![CDATA[App Store hits 15 billion downloads, $2.5 billion paid by Apple to developers]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/07/app-store-hits-15-billion-downloads-2-5-billion-paid-to-develo/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/07/app-store-hits-15-billion-downloads-2-5-billion-paid-to-develo/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/07/app-store-hits-15-billion-downloads-2-5-billion-paid-to-develo/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments It's hard to believe that the App Store has only been around for three years, but it's easy to believe that its successes are many. Very, very many. Apple has just announced that it has rolled over the 15 billion mark for downloads, that from a selection of 425,000 apps. Apple's proud of paying $2.5 billion to app developers and we're pretty sure those developers are proud to be a part of that figure -- even if they grumble about the 30 percent they're losing for the privilege.

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]]> appapp storeappleappsAppStoredevelopersdigital distributionDigitalDistributiondownloaddownloadsiosipadiphoneitunesitunes app storeItunesAppStore Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:05:00 -0400 21|19985376 <![CDATA[Conde Nast brings The New Yorker to iPad, seven other magazines by month's end]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/09/conde-nast-brings-the-new-yorker-to-ipad-seven-other-magazines/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/09/conde-nast-brings-the-new-yorker-to-ipad-seven-other-magazines/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/09/conde-nast-brings-the-new-yorker-to-ipad-seven-other-magazines/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Conde Nast brings The New Yorker to iPad, seven other magazines by month's endYet another print powerhouse is bringing its wares to the iPad, all lining up neatly ahead of Apple's upcoming WWDC. First it was Time, then it was Hearst, and now Condè Nast is joining the fun with very similar terms to the other two. Starting this week with The New Yorker, digital versions will be available for free to current print edition subscribers. For new subscribers it's $5.99 per month or $59.99 a year, which gets you 47 issues. Seven other magazines from the publisher are coming by the end of May, including Wired and Vanity Fair, priced at $1.99 each or $19.99 annually. That matches up perfectly with the earlier announcements, meaning Apple and the publishers seem to finally be getting along. Isn't it nice when everyone gets along?

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]]> appleconde nastCondeNastdigital distributiondigital publishingDigitalDistributionDigitalPublishingipadmagazinepublishingthe new yorkerTheNewYorkervanity fairVanityFairwired Mon, 09 May 2011 09:35:00 -0400 21|19935291 <![CDATA[GameStop details plans for Impulse and Spawn Labs, says it's 'becoming a technology company']]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/gamestop-details-plans-for-impulse-and-spawn-labs-says-its-be/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/gamestop-details-plans-for-impulse-and-spawn-labs-says-its-be/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/gamestop-details-plans-for-impulse-and-spawn-labs-says-its-be/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Well, it looks like GameStop's plans following its acquisition of Impulse and Spawn Labs may be even grander than we had suspected. At an investor conference today, GameStop said flat out that it is "becoming a technology company," and that it does indeed plan to introduce a cloud-based gaming service similar to OnLive as a result of the Spawn Labs acquisition, while Impulse will be used to "compete fiercely" with Steam. But that's just the start of things. According to the Dallas Morning News, GameStop also plans to expand the gaming service to a variety of mobile devices, and it's apparently even entertaining the idea of a GameStop-branded tablet, saying that "if we feel like we could do a better job of making a tablet, we'll do that." Of course, some of that is still quite a ways off, but GameStop will be taking its first steps fairly soon -- it's already showed off a demo of how the service will be integrated into its website (see above, complete with a "try it now" option), and it plans to begin a public beta sometime this year before rolling out the full service early next year.

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]]> cloudcloud-baseddigital cameradigital distributionDigitalCameraDigitalDistributiongamesgamestopgamingimpulsespawnspawn labsSpawnLabs Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:09:00 -0400 21|19900709 <![CDATA[GameStop snaps up Spawn Labs, Impulse game distribution platform]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/gamestop-snaps-up-spawn-labs-impulse-game-distribution-platform/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/gamestop-snaps-up-spawn-labs-impulse-game-distribution-platform/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/gamestop-snaps-up-spawn-labs-impulse-game-distribution-platform/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
We wouldn't count on its retail business going away anytime soon, but it looks like GameStop is now also betting heavily on a digitally-distributed future. To that end, the company has just announced that it's acquiring both Spawn Labs and Steam-competitor Impulse, the latter of which it's buying out from parent company Stardock Systems. While Spawn Labs may not be the most familiar name, you might remember its HD-720 set-top box -- essentially a Slingbox for your game consoles -- which we first checked out way back in 2009 and finally started shipping in early 2010. It sounds like GameStop may have some even grander ambitions for the technology than that, however, as the company's press release says that it's now testing a "new consumer interface" that will give users "immediate access to a wide selection of high-definition video games on demand on any Internet-enabled device." As our pals at Joystiq note, that sounds an awful lot like OnLive-esque cloud-based gaming service, but GameStop unfortunately isn't offering many other hints at the moment.

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]]> acquisitiondigital distributionDigitalDistributiongamestopHD-720impulsespawn labsSpawnLabs Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:16:00 -0400 21|19900562 <![CDATA[Paramount Pictures, BitTorrent team up to distribute feature film (video)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/17/paramount-pictures-bittorrent-team-up-to-distribute-feature-fil/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/17/paramount-pictures-bittorrent-team-up-to-distribute-feature-fil/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/17/paramount-pictures-bittorrent-team-up-to-distribute-feature-fil/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments In case you haven't heard, there are websites out there that will let you download movies and software using a little something called the BitTorrent protocol. And while the majority of cinematic fare available is of a non-DMCA-approved nature, filmmakers and organizations are increasingly turning to torrent sites to get the word out. For instance, in 2009 a filmmaker named Hanna Sköld worked with the folks at The Pirate Bay to distribute her film Nasty Old People. And indeed, there seem to be as many zany ways to get your work out to audiences these days as there are filmmakers.

One scheme that recently piqued our interest was concocted by the folks at Distracted Media. The Australian company is crowdsourcing its latest production, The Tunnel (not to be confused with Chunnel: 32 Miles of Danger) by selling individual frames for a buck a pop. Of course, "owning" a frame gives you nothing more than the opportunity to say that you helped an indie filmmaker out, but it's a worthwhile cause. And at 135,000 frames that's a lot of dollars! When the film is done, it will be distributed via BitTorrent for free -- alongside an actual DVD release by Paramount Pictures which, when you think about how reluctant Hollywood has been to embrace the internet, is pretty wild. Check out the (NSFW) trailer after the break, and then hit the links below for more info. Tunnel should make its premiere this May.

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]]> australiabit.torrentbittorrentdigital distributionDigitalDistributiondistracted mediaDistractedMediafilmhollywoodparamountparamount picturesParamountPicturesthe tunnelTheTunneltorrenttunnelvideo Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:26:00 -0400 21|19883541 <![CDATA[Warner Bros. starts renting movies via Facebook]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/08/warner-bros-starts-renting-movies-via-facebook/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/08/warner-bros-starts-renting-movies-via-facebook/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/08/warner-bros-starts-renting-movies-via-facebook/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments If you were looking for something more worthwhile to spend Facebook credits on than virtual trinkets for some game, Warner has an idea: all those movies you said you "liked." Starting today it is testing out a plan to rent movies right on their respective pages for 30 Facebook credits / $3 each. The first one on deck is The Dark Knight (again?) which should be live later today, with more available to rent or purchase in the future. there's no word on resolution or other features, but at the price we're assuming SD only. Full details are in the press release after the break, but the rentals have the standard 48-hour VOD window and can be paused/resumed simply by logging back into Facebook. In its current state, we doubt Netflix, Amazon and the rest have anything to worry about as far as competition, but maybe Warner thinks it can snag a few bucks from simply making sure there's a buy button of some kind awaiting our various identities in as many places as possible.

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]]> digital distributionDigitalDistributionfacebookfacebook creditsFacebookCreditsmovie rentalsMovieRentalsonline video streamingOnlineVideoStreamingstreamingthe dark knightTheDarkKnightvodwarnerwarner broswarner bros digital distributionWarnerBrosWarnerBrosDigitalDistribution Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:43:00 -0500 21|19871644 <![CDATA[Kongregate Arcade hits Android, GameStop shoving free Flash games straight onto your smartphone]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/18/kongregate-arcade-hits-android-gamestop-shoving-free-flash-game/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/18/kongregate-arcade-hits-android-gamestop-shoving-free-flash-game/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/18/kongregate-arcade-hits-android-gamestop-shoving-free-flash-game/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Kongregate Arcade hits Android, GameStop shoving free Flash games straight onto your smartphoneGameStop may think that people still like boxes, but that's not stopping the company from diving into the digital distribution realm. It bought up Flash game purveyor Kongregate last summer and now that anty acquisition just dropped a big egg on Android with the launch of Kongregate Arcade. It's basically a separate mobile app store from the Android Market, but with a few important differences. Biggest is that these games, numbering over 300, are all free and are all Flash-based. This is said to "solve the game discovery problem" by popping out of the Market but certainly won't do much to solve revenue problems for devs working on premium mobile games. Of course to get all the games you'll still need to find this app, but it's there. Right now. We checked.

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]]> androiddigital distributionDigitalDistributionflashflash gameFlashGamegamestopgamingkongregatekongregate arcadeKongregateArcademobile gamingMobileGaming Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:31:00 -0500 21|19805281 <![CDATA[Amazon loses exclusive deal with Andrew Wiley]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/amazon-loses-exclusive-deal-with-andrew-wiley/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/amazon-loses-exclusive-deal-with-andrew-wiley/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/amazon-loses-exclusive-deal-with-andrew-wiley/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Amazon's exclusive digital distribution deal with star literary agent Andrew Wiley looks like it wasn't all it was cracked up to be; in fact, it seems to have fallen through before the ink dried on the contracts. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Andrew Wiley is "largely abandoning" the agreement it struck with Amazon after 13 of the 20 titles supposedly included in the deal -- published by Random House -- came up for debate. The books, which included works by John Updike, VS Naipaul and Dave Eggers, among others, will now be digitally distributed by Random House itself to Amazon. While neither Wiley nor Amazon commented on the failed deal, we have a feeling that the Kindle maker will still sleep just fine this evening.

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]]> amazonandrew wileyAndrewWileydigital distributionDigitalDistributione booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersliterary agentsLiteraryAgentspublishing rightsPublishingRightsrandom houseRandomHouserightswiley Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:32:00 -0400 21|19608375 <![CDATA[Blu-ray and digital distribution not enough to hedge DVD's 2010 decline]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/27/blu-ray-and-digital-distribution-not-enough-to-hedge-dvds-2010/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/27/blu-ray-and-digital-distribution-not-enough-to-hedge-dvds-2010/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/27/blu-ray-and-digital-distribution-not-enough-to-hedge-dvds-2010/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Digital Entertainment GroupDespite 2009 being the best box office year of all time hitting a record $10 billion, the Digital Entertainment Group has announced that the home media market continues to lose ground when compared to last year. The first six months of 2010 still managed to earn $8.8 billion for Hollywood, which is still a lot, but it is down 3.3 percent when compared to the first half of 2009. This is despite the fact that Blu-ray revenues were up 83 percent over the same period hitting a new record of $982 million for both sales and rentals. And digital distribution was also up to new heights gaining 23 percent and hitting the new record of $1.1 billion (which includes sales and VOD). Sales were actually almost flat in the second quarter, but it would've taken a lot to make up for the lost ground in the first quarter. This is obviously a white whine as not many industries would complain about only earning over a billion dollars a month and actually transactions were up 2.3 percent, which does indicate there might be a trend towards renting vs buying during hard economic times. The 30 day value rental window imposed by Warner and others might help explain why the second quarter fared better than the first, but one quarter alone isn't enough to call the practice a success. Full release with many more details after the jump.

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]]> Blu-rayDEGdigital distributiondigital entertainment groupDigitalDistributionDigitalEntertainmentGrouphdrentalVodafone Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:56:00 -0400 21|19571045 <![CDATA[Physical and digital distribution sales for games nearly equal, GameStop CEO thinks people like boxes]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/physical-and-digital-distribution-sales-for-games-nearly-equal/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/physical-and-digital-distribution-sales-for-games-nearly-equal/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/physical-and-digital-distribution-sales-for-games-nearly-equal/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments There are two ways to look at physical media. Some see it as needless clutter; useless relics taking up shelf space and collecting the airborne remnants of your dearly departed skin cells. Others, however, see rows and rows of boxes and books with a sense of pride -- proof that they have incredibly good taste when it comes to spending free time. According to the NPD, those two parties are rapidly becoming equal when it comes to gaming, with 21.3 million "full-game" PC titles downloaded (legally) in 2009 and 23.5 million boxed copies sold. That's awfully close, and ignores all the PSN and XBLA titles that are currently making our console hard drives cry for mercy. Should brick and mortar software stores be nervous? Not according to GameStop CEO J. Paul Raines, whose franchises are decidedly ceramic and paste-based: "The world won't be all digital tomorrow... In this business, users still want physical content." And he's right, you know. We'd say it'll be more like 18 - 24 months.

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]]> 2009digital distributionDigitalDistributiongamestopj. paul rainesJ.PaulRainesnpdphysical mediaPhysicalMediareportsalesvideogames Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:56:00 -0400 21|19564257 <![CDATA[Lionsgate first to sign content deal with XStreamHD]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/lionsgate-is-first-sign-content-deal-with-xstreamhd/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/lionsgate-is-first-sign-content-deal-with-xstreamhd/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/lionsgate-is-first-sign-content-deal-with-xstreamhd/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments XStreamHD UI XStreamHD is the videophile's digital distribution dream, but a dream is what it has remained for almost three years. The bad news is the 1TB Whole Home Media Server and clients aren't shipping yet, but the good news is one of the big studios has signed a deal with XStreamHD to distribute titles day and date with DVD, as well as access to 12,000 catalog titles. This, of course, has to be one of many such deals if the service is to be successful -- high quality 1080p video and DTS-HD alone won't be enough. The content isn't the only thing that concerns us though, as the up front cost for hardware (we admit we really like the user interface) and the $9 monthly service fee is a lot to swallow for the privilege of renting movies at $3 to $6 a pop. We'll reserve judgment until we get to play with it for ourselves, but distribution deals like this and a great demo is a good start, if you can call it at start after all this time. The full details are tucked in the press release after the jump.

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]]> 1080pcontentday and dateDayAndDatedigital distributionDigitalDistributionDTS-HDhdLionsgatemoviesprogrammingrentalssatellitexstreamxstream hdXStreamHD Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:00:00 -0400 21|19553164 <![CDATA[Sonic bringing DTS 5.1 audio to Blockbuster, Best Buy VOD services]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/10/sonic-bringing-dts-5-1-audio-to-blockbuster-best-buy-vod-servic/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/10/sonic-bringing-dts-5-1-audio-to-blockbuster-best-buy-vod-servic/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/10/sonic-bringing-dts-5-1-audio-to-blockbuster-best-buy-vod-servic/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments We've talked a lot about picture quality differences between downloads and disc, but audio is also a big part of the experience and Sonic appears committed to improving that in its new deal with DTS. No word on the exact specs, but the partnership will result in DTS "high performance" audio support including 5.1 surround in the RoxioNow video platform that supports Blockbuster and Best Buy's digital movie stores. Like Netflix, it plans to add the extra channels of audio later this year, check the press release after the break while we wait to see who gets there first.

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]]> 5.1best buyBestBuyblockbustercinemanowdigital distributionDigitalDistributiondtshdinternet videoInternetVideoroxionowsonicvod Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:13:00 -0400 21|19510794 <![CDATA[Sonic acquires DivX to expand online movie delivery options, share of Kazaa downloads]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/02/sonic-acquires-divx-to-expand-online-movie-delivery-options-sha/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/02/sonic-acquires-divx-to-expand-online-movie-delivery-options-sha/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/02/sonic-acquires-divx-to-expand-online-movie-delivery-options-sha/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Just because Sonic shifted its CinemaNow name into the care of Best Buy, don't think it's taking a break from working digital movie delivery options into every device it can. To that end it's purchased DivX, formerly a name you knew only as an illegal download enabling codec, but is now a legitimate enterprise that has agreements with major movie studios and more than 150 consumer electronics manufacturers. The cash and stock transaction should cause the two to get together and make the whole world believe them, with RoxioNow ending up in the millions of devices currently ready for DivX while increasing possibilities for DivX encoded movies going on sale in the United States. The DivX TV internet video frontend for set-top boxes and connected televisions should also get a boost from the deal, we'll see how it competes with widgets, TiVo and Google. There's a DivX TV trailer after the break for those interested plus the press release while related financial details, projections and promises can be found in the linked PDF.

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]]> cinemanowdigital distributionDigitalDistributionDivXdivx certifieddivx tvDivxCertifiedDivxTvinternet videosInternetVideosroxionowsonic Wed, 02 Jun 2010 11:04:00 -0400 21|19500206 <![CDATA[Mark Cuban foretells Netflix demise, sees a future filled with on-demand video]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/07/mark-cuban-foretells-netflix-demise-sees-a-future-filled-with-o/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/07/mark-cuban-foretells-netflix-demise-sees-a-future-filled-with-o/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/07/mark-cuban-foretells-netflix-demise-sees-a-future-filled-with-o/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments To call Mark Cuban eccentric would be akin to describing the ocean as wet, but what's not so often acknowledged about the Dallas Mavericks owner is the sharp mind and commercial nous that have gotten him to the position of hiring and firing millionaire ball players. One of Mark's recent blog posts, entitled "The future of TV ... is TV," got the attention of NewTeeVee, who sought to debunk his contention that VOD (video on demand) services from cable operators would become the primary means by which we consume digital media in the future. They cite the growing success story of Netflix's digital distribution model, as well as the 12 million hours of March Madness video consumed via CBS' web portal, in arguing that web streaming is indeed the great new hotness.

Mark's response tackles Netflix head on, and points out that the company's rapid growth is about to start working against it, with movie studios and other content providers likely to jack up prices and demand further concessions from the streaming service as it turns into a real competitor to cable companies. According to him, Netflix is presently getting its content at prices that are unsustainable, and his prognostication is that content owners seeking bigger levies -- together with the expansion of VOD choice, which he sees as foolproof compared to the overwhelming complexity that web streaming entails -- will lead to Netflix passing costs on to the consumers and losing out to cable operators. Irrespective of whether you agree with him, the whole exchange is well worth a read. Use the links below to get filled in.

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]]> digital distributionDigitalDistributionfilmsmark cubanMarkCubanmovie streamingmoviesMovieStreamingnetflixnewteeveeon-demandon-demand videoOn-demandVideostreamstreamingsustainabilityunsustainablevideo on demandVideoOnDemandvod Fri, 07 May 2010 10:09:00 -0400 21|19468383 <![CDATA[Netflix inks with Universal and Twentieth Century Fox: first TV streams, more films, and 28 day rental delay]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/09/netflix-inks-with-universal-and-twentieth-century-fox-first-tv/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/09/netflix-inks-with-universal-and-twentieth-century-fox-first-tv/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/09/netflix-inks-with-universal-and-twentieth-century-fox-first-tv/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Everyone's streaming media darling, Netflix, has just reached terms with both Universal and Twentieth Century Fox. Both agreements beef up Netflix's streaming content while limiting Netflix to renting DVD and Blu-ray discs 28 days after the retail street date -- yup, just like with Warner Brothers. To put that into perspective, while Twentieth Century Fox's "Avatar" DVD/Blu-ray will hit shelves on April 22nd it won't be available for Netflix rental until the end of May. On the plus side we've got a first time, Netflix TV streaming agreement with TCF -- albeit, released in a window it decides. Content includes the complete prior seasons of shows like "24," "Bones," and "Lie to Me" in addition to older library titles like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Can't say we didn't see this one coming.

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]]> blu-raycontentdigital distributionDigitalDistributiondvdfoxnetflixrental windowRentalWindowstreamingtwentieth century foxTwentiethCenturyFoxuniversal Fri, 09 Apr 2010 08:55:00 -0400 21|19433109 <![CDATA[Warner Music talks trash about free streaming services, keeps using them]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/warner-music-talks-trash-about-free-streaming-services-keeps-us/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/warner-music-talks-trash-about-free-streaming-services-keeps-us/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/warner-music-talks-trash-about-free-streaming-services-keeps-us/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Warner Music Group CEO Edgar Bronfman Jr. isn't happy with free music streaming services. Shocking, right? Coming out yesterday with a barrage of disparagement for online streamers like Spotify and Last.fm, Bronfman Jr. made it clear that they do not represent "the kind of approach to business that we will be supporting in the future." Why is that, Eddie? The man in charge seems to think that paid subscription models are the future, because "the number of potential subscribers dwarfs the number of people who are actually purchasing music" online. That's wonderful and all, but he neglects to tell us the specifics of how and why Warner will succeed at something that every publisher would love to have, but none have managed to translate into reality yet. Additionally, WMG is not withdrawing its music library for the moment -- something a lot of publications seem to have erroneously reported (see Spotify tweet below) -- which leads us to believe the entire spiel is more of a renegotiating ploy than a concrete statement of intent.

[Thanks, Wiggy Fuzz]

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]]> digital distributionDigitalDistributionfree streamingFreeStreaminglast.fmmusicmusic labelsmusic streamingMusicLabelsMusicStreamingonline streamingOnlineStreamingrecord labelrecord labelsRecordLabelRecordLabelsspotifystreamstreamingwarnerwarner musicwarner music groupWarnerMusicWarnerMusicGroupwmg Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:38:00 -0500 21|19353549