Microsoft Increases Competition with Netflix Streaming

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Microsoft Increases Competition with Netflix Streaming

Posted 07/15/2008 at 11:11:35am | by Florence Ion

Today’s the first day of E3 in Los Angeles and the annual convention has already generated plenty of buzz within the gaming community (Final Fantasy 13… anybody?). But there’s some news that may affect Apple’s current hold on the digital media market: Microsoft announced that Netflix will offer online streaming for the Xbox 360, available this Fall. What does this mean for Apple?

Last year’s fallout with Universal revoked Apple's rights to offer movies produced by Universal, its sister companies, and popular NBC shows through the iTunes store. Those who own an Apple TV can only view content originating from an iTunes connected home computer and aren’t afforded the luxury of an expansive library (such as offered by Netflix, depending on the service plan). iTunes’ DRM-restricted audio and video files already pose a problem for some, and restrictions such as a limited library of titles could make iTunes the less heralded choice.

The Xbox/Netflix partnership also stirs up concerns as to what kind of competition will follow Apple in the meantime. Last week, the Financial Times reported that Activision plans to capitalize on the success of the Guitar Hero franchise by introducing an online music platform that could rival iTunes.

Competition for iTunes will increase within time, since more consumers will be vying for customization and freedom of movement. It’ll be interesting to see if companies offering DRM-free media and expansive contracts with big-time production companies can in-fact knock Apple back out of the spotlight.

COMMENTS: 4

TAGS: iTunes, netflix, Microsoft

COMMENTS

Why!?????
Submitted by photogirl333 on Tue, 2008-07-15 08:53

Why Netflix?! WHY?? WHY??? ... and I've had a love affair with Netflix for so long, then to go and betray me like this....
____________________________

Photographer / Graphic Designer / Mac Lover

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TiVo
Submitted by Roberto Baldwin on Tue, 2008-07-15 09:29

I was hoping for a TiVo/Netflix super deal. Oh well.

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apple don't stop APPLE-TV web app......coming soon.....I hope.
Submitted by mactony on Thu, 2008-07-24 06:52

With all the other companies looking for the next big thing .....I'll tell you where it will come from. Apple TV because the internet for the tv is the next thing Xbox and netflick is doing what Apple tv has done with movies so apple has to come up with something to stop them in there tracks and what is that you ask? web pages though apple tv many are hacking the system as we speak. also to let NBC know that you can't stop the train( apple that is) with the internet on the apple TV systems people can then watch many of the shows that NBC pulled from itunes and so much more so I plead to apple to please come up with something soon before we come across a huge amount of hack jobs that ruin the beautiful hardware and software that you all have spent countless hours producing

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Two people Matt and Kate
Submitted by ammys on Mon, 2008-10-20 00:06

Two people Matt and Kate wake up in a closed down prison. They have no idea how they got there, or why they are there. In the prison they encounter several terrors as they look for an exit. These terrors include a wolf beast that terrorizes Kate, a hideous monster that hunts them both, a “zombie” surgeon who operates on people whilst you’re still alive, the executioner who gives Kate a ride in his electric chair and finally executes her with the guillotine. dvd movies

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