OTT Wars: Apple, Amazon and Google
Posted by Jesse Ward on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 · 
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Apple's new video device and service
The video device market is heating up as new entrants battle it out for the consumer’s attention and a share of the $180 billion global TV advertising market.
Last week Apple unveiled a new generation of Apple TV, an Internet-connected set-top box which will stream content from Apple’s iTunes store, eliminating the need for storage or syncing. The new Apple TV is a small black box that features an HDMI port capable of 720p output, OpticalAudio and Ethernet.
Apple will offer first-run HD movie rentals for $4.99 and HD library titles for $3.99. Apple also offers standard definition movies for $3.99 for new releases and $2.99 for library titles. Rentals be watched within 30 days; once you begin watching a movie, you need to finish it within 24 hours.
Perhaps most importantly, Apple has negotiated for streaming TV rentals from News Corp.’s Fox, The Walt Disney Co.’s ABC, ABC Family and Disney Channel, and BBC America. HDTV rentals will cost 99 cents per show and be available for 48 hours after purchase. Read more
Amazon: eBooks Outsold Physical Books on Christmas Day
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, January 4, 2010 · ·
Amazon announced that its Kindle eBook Reader hit two large milestones this past holiday season. It became the most gifted item in the retailer’s history. Also of note, on Christmas Day for the first time Kindle books outsold physical books.
But what’s missing from the party is any substantive, qualitative sales data on the number of units sold. Despite media requests for the info, Amazon is holding back on the stats. Read more