Disney bypasses iTunes with Narnia iPod content

Disney has released an iPod-friendly trailer for the upcoming Narnia movie, but not via iTunes. In fact, the software required to transfer the clip to an iPod is Windows only. Disney has teamed up with Maven Networks for the promotion, and once their software is installed on your iPod, it automatically checks for new content every time you connect it to your computer.

Before you ask why Disney is blowing off Apple, realize that this is a good thing: The big boys are taking portable media seriously, and creating content for the iPod, PSP, etc. Let that relationship grow, while Apple positions itself to swoop in as the go-to distributor. Remember when people were getting digital music from a variety of sources (some less savory than others)? Once the demand had been clearly demonstrated, Apple arrived with the iTunes Music Store in tow, and showed us how it's done. I believe Apple is going for a repeat performance with digital video content. With that said, I'm really looking forward to January's Macworld Expo.

[Via The iPod Observer]