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Crackle starts streaming all of its free movies to Roku, PS3, Sony TVs and Blu-ray players
Sony's Crackle has had a more successful life so far than its previous iteration as Grouper, streaming movies, TV shows and shorts to various devices since launching back in '07 and announced today its full library will be streaming to the PS3, Roku boxes, Sony Blu-ray players and Bravia TVs. Expanding full access from just the Google TV (there's also an Android app that currently streams some of the items) it's taking credit as the only provider offering free full length flicks including Ghostbusters, Bad Boys, A Few Good Men and more for free on these platforms. The drawbacks are video that tops out at 480p standard definition and Hulu-style commercial interruptions but if you absolutely must watch Weekend at Bernies II without spending any money it is an option -- at least, as long as the PS3 browser doesn't crash with an out of memory error like it did for us. It did work better on more capable platforms, so check out the full details in the press release after the break.
Cinema for iPad tries to bring movies to you
Here in the U.S. it's Memorial Day, when a lot of Americans spend the day outside. A dip in the pool, a barbecue, maybe some softball or tennis. If you're in the northwest part of the country it's pretty overcast, so you might think about taking in a movie. Cinema for iPad could be a solution if you're not too particular. This U.S. $2.99 app has a clever idea. It attempts to simulate the experience of going to the movies. There's a big red curtain, and when it opens you've got a movie, but instead of video-on-demand, there is a schedule of movies just like your neighborhood Bijou. Open the app at the approximate right time, and the movie starts. You don't have to be exactly on time -- the movie is just streaming from YouTube. There is also a chat function so you can discuss the movie with others who just watched it. All in all, a clever idea. The problem is, the movies are just freebies that are on YouTube. Such hits as old 1940s Dick Tracy Serials and a forgettable war movie. There are some things that are more current, like Supersize Me, but that's only because it is up there free on YouTube. Once the movie starts you can go full screen, and see clearly all the scratches and nicks on the print.
