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Criterion launches Online Cinematheque for online movie rentals
Get down with your bad self, Criterion. First you make the totally necessary leap to Blu-ray, and now you've opened your mind to digital distribution. The recently launched Online Cinematheque gives viewers the ability to catch short clips of select films online for free, and if they're really intrigued, they can cough up $5 to watch the whole thing. Afterwards, if they've discovered one of their new favorite films, Criterion will put the $5 rental fee towards the purchase of the title on DVD / BD. Sorry for just providing you with a portal to kill hours upon hours of free time.[Via Slashfilm]
LG's BD300 next in line for HD Netflix streaming
Remember when we heard that Microsoft's Xbox 360 was just one of many boxes that would support HD Netflix streaming over the next few months? Yeah, well we get the impression that the first week in December will be the go-live date for a smattering of new units. Just hours after hearing that Samsung's BD-P2500 and BD-P2550 Blu-ray decks would be receiving a free update to enable high-def Netflix support, along comes a strikingly similar release from LG tipping us off on a strikingly similar update for its BD300. Said BD player, which has supported Watch Instantly from day one, will also support HD streaming after a gratis firmware upgrade in "early December." Mmm, we definitely like where this is headed.
It's official: Redbox welcomes Blu-ray with open arms
They always said a picture was worth a few hundred words, and that's about right with the image above. After toying with the idea for a tick, it seems that Redbox has decided to go Blu. Starting now in select movie rental kiosks, users can rent a Blu-ray Disc for just $1 per night, but you'll have to be lucky enough to be near one that actually serves up BDs. Have a look at your local machine(s) and see if you're one of the fortunate ones.[Via VideoBusiness]
Red Box makes space for Blu-ray on its website
Despite the obvious color bias in the company's name, Red Box is giving Blu-ray a fighting chance. After hearing that BDs were popping up in rental kiosks around the Northwest, it's now looking mighty official that Blu-ray Discs will be headed to its rental boxes around the country. As of now, the firm has made space for a dedicated Blu-ray section on its website, though it's currently empty and waiting for occupants. Impulse renting of BDs? Now there's something the BDA won't mind hearing.[Thanks, Michael]
Are we renting our MMOs?
If you think about it, we're basically renting our MMO experience anyway. This is especially true for games that offer free software, yet charge a monthly fee. So would a rental service for MMOs really work?In a recent article over at Twenty-Sided, Shamus explores the avenues of renting your multiplayer and single-player game experience. This is highlighted in what he says he expects to see in the future: a move towards more single-player games with simple online functionalities, like a chatroom. "Certainly an MMO denies you ownership," He explains. "But I wouldn't expect to be able to 'buy' an MMO any more than I'd expect to 'buy' cable television for a one-time fee and use it forever after." Some games have successfully achieved the opposite approach (Guild Wars) while others are doing just fine maintaining what is essentially a rental of their service. So what are your thoughts?
Blu-ray Discs popping up in Red Box rental kiosks
DVDPlay already announced its intentions to start stuffing Blu-ray Discs into its movie rental kiosks earlier this year, and we've been waiting ever since to hear a similar announcement from rival Red Box. Today, we're still waiting for said announcement, but we've received a report from the wonderfully named Aloha, Oregon that at least one Red Box movie rental kiosk has a Coming Soon flyer for Speed Racer on BD. When our tipster contacted Red Box concerning the discovery, the representative did affirm that if Blu-ray was shown, Blu-ray was on the way, though we aren't sure if they'll cost more than the $1 DVD rentals. Keep an eye out at your local kiosk and let us know if you see the same.[Image courtesy of CashCrater, thanks Mike]
EVE Evolved: Money for nothing
In most MMOs, making currency without actually playing usually involves rule-breaking macro-farming which risks getting your account banned. In EVE Online, however, a number of viable options exist for making ISK with absolutely no effort. From hiring research and development agents to public investment schemes and even a player-run bank, there are plenty of ways to make ISK in EVE without even logging in.Investment Schemes:In the market discussion forums, players can sell shares in their company and present a business plan to potential investors. The corporation receives ISK in exchange for its shares and agrees to make regular dividend payments to all shareholders. Buyers have to trust that the company owner won't just run off with their ISK, so only the most trustworthy players have managed to successfully start very large investment schemes.In this article, I look at the different ways you can make ISK with virtually no effort, in some cases even if your account is inactive.
Konami kicks off Japanese rental program with Pro Evolution Soccer
Being able to rent games is something that most of us take for granted -- in Japan, it doesn't happen because of publisher blackballing. Konami has decided to give the whole rental thing a try, though, starting with the popular soccer game, Winning Eleven: Play Maker 2008 (aka Pro Evolution Soccer 2008).Even so, Japanese gamers won't be able to test out the title in full. Instead, trial versions of the Wii game will be offered for free at Tsutaya stores. It's kind of like downloading a demo, only you have to go and pick it up instead.We're interested to see if this has any impact on Japan's gaming industry, and if Konami will expand their "rental" service in the future. Gallery: Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 [Via Game|Life]
Movie Booth DVD rental kiosks head for UK, Ireland
DVD rental kiosks have been lighting up pharmacies and supermarkets across the US, but it seems that UKers and Irish lads / dames will soon have the great, great privilege of interfacing with Movie Booths in the near future. This particular unit doesn't seem all too different from other variations we've seen, boasting a simple touchscreen display and a built-in android tasked with fetching your selected title and spitting it out for a nominal (read: undisclosed) fee. Apparently, trials have been deemed a success in outlets like Tesco, Centra and Applegreen, thus paving the way to see these pop up everywhere by the year's end. Any chance we'll see a Blu-ray Disc or two popped in there?[Via Pocket-lint]
Sony's Hot Ticket program brings live events to theaters at $20 a pop
If you're a live event nut but live in the sticks, listen up: Sony is about to bring live performances to digital theaters with its new Hot Ticket program. Sony will broadcast Broadway shows, concerts, and sports events to around 500 digital theaters, live and in HD digital projection for about $20 a seat. The venture will launch with Cirque du Soleil's final performance of Delirium from London and for the two of you who haven't seen it yet, Rent's final Broadway performance will be shown in September. We have to admit, though, this could create some fun SuperBowl parties with rival factions on either side of the aisle, Congress style.
Roku reveals first Netflix set-top-box, reviews flow in
Well, would you look at that? After a mildly uncomfortable wait, the very first Netflix set-top-box has landed (the Xbox 360 with plug-ins notwithstanding). Thanks to Roku, users can finally tap into (a portion of) the Netflix library without having to wait for physical discs to arrive -- and for just $99.99, no less (though unlimited access to online films still requires an $8.95 or higher monthly fee for the traditional service). Better still, the HDD-less Netflix Player can even utilize a wireless signal to pull in streams, though your miles may vary on actual performance. As for ports, you'll find HDMI, component, composite, Ethernet, S-Video and a Toslink optical audio jack. Initial reports are looking pretty positive from here (save for the glaring lack of HD support), but feel free to dig into the reviews below to get a better feel of what this box really has to offer. Read - Roku Netflix Player officially introduced Read - PCMag review (4 out of 5) Read - CNET review (7.7 out of 10)Read - Wired review ("...just shy of totally amazing.")
It is 2008, and Blockbuster is just now offering DS game rentals nationwide
While your local Blockbuster might already offer a selection of DS titles on its shelves, keep in mind that the same isn't true everywhere else. For reasons unexplained, up until now, the movie and video game rental chain has thought it wise not to make the Nintendo DS, whose hardware and software sales have been booming since 2005, a standard fixture in its video game aisles.In an email press release sent out yesterday, Blockbuster announced its plans to introduce DS game rentals, as well as hardware and accessories, to all of its locations nationwide. Finally, gamers will be able to try out Godzilla: Unleashed Double Smash before deciding whether or not it's worth buying.Next on Blockbuster's list of emerging platforms to support: pogs.
Blockbuster announces new initiative, looks to game hardware sales
Just weeks after the rental giant announced an expanded dedication for Blu-ray and even tried selling HDTVs in a test location in Dallas, now the firm is attempting to boost profits by digging into the surging video game market. Presumably in hopes that rental junkies and casual gaming fans alike will actually venture into Blockbuster in order to buy their next Wii, DS, Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, the outfit has announced a new focus that will push the retail video game / game hardware aspect in all of its US-based corporate-owned stores. This includes consoles, a more fleshed out array of games and all the accessories your wallet can handle. Heck, it's even offering up an exclusive 40GB PS3 bundle ($499.99) with the Spider-Man 3 Blu-ray Disc, a PS3 remote, Transformers (the game) and a rental card giving purchasers a free PS3 game / BD rental per week for 12 weeks. Color us completely enthralled.[Via Joystiq, image courtesy of Portfolio]
iTunes movie rentals in Europe on a slow boat to China
It may be exceptionally easy to use, but rolling out Apple's iTunes movie rental service to Europe will be no easy task. This according to a piece just published by the The New York Times. Despite known collectively as Europe, the EU's 27 member countries remain a patchwork of convoluted regulatory fragments related to digital media. For example, in The Netherlands, it remains uniquely and ambiguously legal to download, but not upload, copyrighted material. Release schedules also vary widely across Europe -- sometimes releasing the same day as in the US or months later. Notably for Apple, a distributor of content must secure individual licenses to films in every country they wish to do business. No easy task given Apple's rental agreements cover all the major and many smaller studios. This lack of coherence makes a pan-European iTunes rental agreement daunting, to say the least. Fortunately, commissioner Vivian Reding of the European Commission, plans to make a proposal mid-year that would streamline digital commerce efforts across European borders. Remember, Viv is the force responsible for stomping out the EU's ridiculous roaming rates. In other words, we can expect more than just lip-service in the months ahead. Unfortunately, given Apple's history of trouble with the EU over pan-European iTunes pricing and DRM, you can bet they'll tread the EU waters carefully (read: slowly) as they attempt to go live.
GM mulling battery rentals for the Chevy Volt
Tossing out the idea of renting / leasing the battery of an electric car isn't exactly revolutionary, but it sounds like GM may be hitching a ride on the ever-growing bandwagon. Reportedly, the firm is mulling the idea of allowing Chevy Volt buyers to "rent the vehicle's battery as a way of pricing the automobile at a comparable level to a traditional, petrol-driven family [motorcar]." Apparently, GM is hoping to get ten years of life from the battery packs and to price the Volt like a "traditional mid-market car." Notably, no further information regarding potential contracts or sales strategies were divulged, but considering the launch date for this sucka is just around the corner, we're sure relevant decisions will be made soon enough.[Via AutoblogGreen]
Wii Warm Up: Be kind, rewind
You may have noticed in your dealings with retail establishments: things are expensive. This is especially true in the category of things we deal with (video games). Sometimes it is very difficult to get enough cans recycled, change rolled, or lawns mowed to be able to keep up with the latest Wii releases-- despite the money we saved on hardware relative to others. There is a solution! There are places out there that let you pay a little money and play a game for a little while. Some of them even deliver the games right to you. Rentals can be a lifesaver for those of us who are strapped for cash. But they don't really let you take your time with a game, and they definitely do nothing for the collector instinct.Do you ever take advantage of rentals? Or do you find the idea of playing scratched discs that have been who knows where too distasteful to consider?
Jobs: iPod users don't want to rent music
Reuters reports that Steve isn't looking to create a subscription-based iTunes model. "Never say never, but customers don't seem to be interested in it," Jobs told Reuters. "The subscription model has failed so far." Jobs said that iTunes customers want to own their music, not rent it. I think that's a pity because I've tasted a subscription model and actually enjoyed using it. Given Apple's move away from DRM, a necessary component of music subscription, Jobs stance is not a surprise. TUAW readers weighed in on subscriptions in this recent post.
DS Daily: Is this an owner or renter's handheld?
Hanheld games are cheaper than console and PC games, which is something we previously addressed, but we're wondering if anything tips the scales, for you, into the region of ownership or into that of Renter's Land, a dangerous desert that is full of vagabonds and cannibals who snatch up lost and lonely games, only to use them, abuse them and later discard them like so much trash. We're wondering if the price, or nature of playing games on a handheld device, coerce you into one camp or the other?So, let us know how you think about this. Are you one who rents or just loves to trade in their DS games? Or do you have a massive collection accrued somewhere within your domicile (or hidden bunker complex somewhere)? Do you purchase, but wait for the price of games to go down before doing so? Do you use GameFly or rent from the local Blockbuster?
Xbox 360 video download service succeeding, others failing
According to Variety's recent assessment, Xbox 360's video download service is the year's digital distribution success story. Perhaps "success" is an overstatement, but despite an install base that's utterly dwarfed by the total number of Amazon.com users, Xbox Live's Video Marketplace is getting just as much love as the online retailer's 'Unbox' service, which also offers video on demand downloads.The Xbox secret? Simplicity. Each video is only a few button presses away, and the console is (usually) already connected to the TV. For most users, Amazon is confined to a PC monitor, likely stashed on a desk, tucked away in the corner of the house; and getting content from Unbox to the TV is a tedious process.So has Microsoft nailed it? Is Xbox 360 the frontrunner of the digital distribution era -- even with a 20 GB hard drive and limited studio support?
Have you added any HD-DVD to your queue?
We found out a few weeks ago that Netflix is ready for the next version of DVD and some of us have signed up for HD-DVDs from Netflix, but have any of you added them to your queue? The guys over at Hacking Netflix have, I hope they have their HD-DVD player per-ordered so they have something to watch them on! I guess you could rent them to take them to store with you shopping, if you are considering a new purchase. Personally I am waiting to their are more than 3 movies, but that is just me.
