Video iPod and iTunes 6:what does this all mean for the PSP?
OCT.12th, Apple used its “One More Thing..” keynote to announce its new video capable iPods.Apple has also released iTunes 6, which features a new video content section. Currently there are 2,000 music videos available for download, as well as five TV series (including Lost and Desperate Housewives) from ABC and Disney. Music videos and TV episodes cost $1.99 each.
So what does this all mean for the PSP and the burgeoning popularity of its UMD movie format?
It’s early days yet, but it looks like Apple is trying to do the same thing for video as what it did for the music industry: by marketing, distributing and selling movies, TV episodes and music videos online.
There’s also the issue of users putting their own content onto their iPod/PSP. The PSP requires expensive Memory Stick Duo cards as well as a confusing array of software for getting videos in the right format for PSP playback. The hard drive in the new iPod means users won’t need to pay extra to store more videos, with iTunes 6 providing a simple method for users to store and organize their movies.
Whilst there aren’t actually any full length movies available for purchase in the new iTunes, it’s only a matter of time before Apple sorts out contracts with the popular studios. When that happens, the UMD will be like what the CD is to the iTunes Music Store; unnecessarily physical. With a video capable iPod on one side and a completely games focused Nintendo DS on the other, the Sony PSP is looking increasingly cornered.
posted by Anonymous @ 5:06 pm
2 comments
2 Comments:
Id have to disagree on several factors. The issue becomes usability for one. The chances of iPod releasing full length feature films is about as likely as me growing an extra head. As of now, compression methods for movies has yet to come up with one coherent format that works on multiple platforms and can compress a movie down enough to still be enjoyable. Even in its best compression, a good movie is still at a minimum of 600 MBs which is an absurdly big download for the disposable community of iPod. They also have no method of securing this like the m4a format apple uses so the chances of the movie industry going along are ZERO since the movie industry hates letting go of their product. They have vested more than 50 million bucks into their new satellite movie distribution system for movie theatres, and more than haft of that was encryption methods for the movies. Id also have to say, the difference between the PSP screen and the iPod screen is massive. The PSP is a video based and designed screen that will show a far better picture in the long run and although not always true of consumer interest, those crazy enough to get these devices for video will certainly compare those two things. There are several other factors that come into play here, but in the end (and with my extreme Sony biased) id have to say that the chances of apple reforming the video community are rather nil. This is also an interesting time to note that the UMD is being adopted by other companies, and corporate backing by multiple companies almost always wins out over one company, namely apple. I’ve also attached a bunch of references for you. Cheers!
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9379116/site/newsweek/
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=26306
http://hardware.gamespot.com/Story-ST-11721-1447-4-6-x
http://digitaltoys.consumerelectronicsnet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=32069
http://www.screendigest.com/news/D7C11BE50A2B8BEE8025707C00799975.stml/view.html
http://gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=8351
(The studios in this article are some of the largest movie studios in the world and have been since the creation of the studio system)
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,119357,00.asp
I just realized I forgot to add. Consumers are looking for do all products. I think Apples attempt to add video is a last ditch effort to make a sting at Sony. The PSP is so incredibly popular thats it’s been drowning out these devices that don’t have the same functionality. With its future ability to surf the wireless web (something you can already do if you can trick the PSP), movies, videos games, MP3 player, and more all in a light weight package that looks cool and is clean, its hard for something like the iPod to not want to fight back since its made its niche market of some of the same features and now its losing some of its grip (although not much since iTunes has a following.) since companies like sony have released the same iTunesesque setup that are stating to take market attention. Just an extra thought.
Post a Comment
<< Home