It's astounding they went to market with something this puzzling. They keep making the same mistakes.
Why can't they fix their broken music CD business? It would be nice to be able to preview music selections (like you can with iTMS) without having to install cr*pware like Real Player. Work out the technology BEFORE the press release next time, AMZN!
I think Amazon is betting that their service will be the preferred system of choice by PC users, and are more than willing to let Apple dominate the Mac market. Amazon.com and iTunes Music Store customers are for the most part different. The former is made up of less “technologically inclined/in touch” people, while the latter is the opposite. Why does this matter? I think less technologically inclined people, while less willing to try new technologies, are more willing to do it from a reputable seller with which they have had a long relationship with. On the other hand, long time Mac users like myself have long resented those online services which are PC only. Because the Mac base is so small, we are able to be ignored. So, Mac users are more likely to be customers of the iTunes Music Store. Sure, Windows users will use iTunes, but the video battle will not be won by focusing to PC or Mac users, but by offering the easiest, most affordable way to consumers. Since Apple is already synonymous with ease, price will be very important.
Also, the NFL will be streaming games with Yahoo. And the NBA will be entering its second season of offering its games on Google Video.
But, don’t get me wrong. I think all these video services are being touted way too much. But, I am happy to see the movie studios offering consumers choice. I still believe the vast majority of video purchases will not be digital until well into the next decade.
The two keys are the connection to the TV, and the mobility to carry it with you and to another TV; the former being more important than the latter.
And in both cases, since Amazon doesn't build hardware or favor one mfr over another, it's at the mercy of Microsoft and its hardware partners. And this distributed model just doesn't work well for consumer electronics. Well maybe it could work, but because Microsoft does such a poor job at coordinating the pieces, it just doesn't work.
And then, when it doesn't work, MS will feel the need to step in, with its own store for its Zune player.
Amazon beware!
If you read Amazon's FAQ's, there is a note about support for Mac and iPod. They stae that Apple has a closed system and will not allow the M$ software to work when it is the other way around. M$ refuses to port WMV to OS X.
Another funny bit is this; look at Amazon's Top Ten Lists for desktop computers, laptop computers and mp3 players, and Apple is the #1 on all.
What a disaster! It is unbelievable that movie studios, MSFT, and now Amazon continue to screw up in the consumer media market. Not heeding what has happened in the realm of digital music, they clearly have massive blinders on and don't see what is coming. They aren't just mucking up content deliverly, they are driving their entire industry over a cliff.
More power to a company that actually gets it, like Apple. I hope they suck these loosers for all they're worth. The studio execs won't get it until they're in the poor house.
It's not a matter of being cool. Designing a system that doesn't suck and fits into my lifestyle - that becomes cool Mr. Movie Producer. That is the future. Get it or die.
If Apple only has Disney as a content provider at Showtime, I certainly hope the reason is not just variable pricing, but primarily due to looser DRM restrictions such as:
a. at least 2 (preferably more) burns to DVD-playable DVDs
b. unlimited downloads to iPods
c. storage/playback on at least 3 (preferably more) computers
d. wireless delivery to any and all computers on the local network
Commenting by HaloScan
