Apple Takes On The Movie Market
Apple is to start selling films over the internet, which viewers will be able to watch on their TVs.
The company is launching a device which will wirelessly stream music and videos from the internet to consumers’ televisions.
The device, which will cost $299, has been given the temporary name of iTV and is expected to launch at the beginning of next year.
In addition, Apple has done deals with Pixar, Touchstone, Miramax and Disney, where Apple’s chief executive Steve Jobs is a director, to sell films via its iTunes website.
New releases will be priced at $12.99 if pre-ordered and during the first week of sale, and then at $14.99. Older titles will cost $9.99 each.
Aleksandra Bosnjak, analyst at Ovum, the analyst and consulting company, said: “Apple’s entry into online movies is a clear sign that the company intends to extend its dominance in the online music market into embryonic but growing online film and TV distribution sector.
“Apple chief executive Steve Jobs promised last night not only a better iPod device and content, but also an integrated hardware and software solution that promises to bring the iPod into the living room in 2007.
“This unique ‘integrated’ hardware-content-software solution is Apple’s response to an increasingly competitive digital film distribution space, and sets the company’s strategic direction for the future, at the heart of the connected home.”
Apple: www.apple.com