Microsoft adds Disney-ABC to Xbox, Zune to Canada
updated 11:00 pm EST, Sun January 6, 2008
Disney-ABC Xbox and Zune
At its chief executive Bill Gates' final CES keynote, Microsoft tonight made a pair of significant expansions of its Xbox and Zune handhelds. The company's Xbox Video Marketplace has now signed on content from Disney-ABC as well as MGM. This places TV shows such as Desperate Housewives and Lost on the console for purchase despite Disney-ABC's connection to Apple through board member Steve Jobs; for MGM, it also provides movies for rent such as the Terminator series. The catalog update takes place later this month and will supply HD content for shows produced in a higher resolution.
The move comes as Apple is expected to release an iTunes movie rental service that would feature Disney as one of its essential providers on launch.
Additionally, the Zune media player will be available outside of the US for the first time, Microsoft says. Following hints in the manuals for the new Zune models, the company will bring the Zune 4 and 8 flash players as well as the hard disk drive-based Zune 80 to Canada along with the Zune Social environment for sharing music tastes. No information has been provided as to whether the Zune Marketplace will also be available or whether prices will change, though currency values point to a near-match for the $150, $200, and $250 prices for the respective three Zune models. The lineup ships to Canada in the spring and will be followed up by releases in other countries in the near future.
oops
01/07, 07:49am reply
Desperate Housewives and Lost
;)
pottymouth
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2003
hey
01/07, 09:28am reply
at least they offer HD content. Still waiting on apple....
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
comments
01/07, 09:32am reply
A round PC. What a waste of desk space. Sony's industrial designers should be fired.
So a small square-like form factor like the mini ISN'T a waste of desk space (if either is meant for the desk)? Should we fire Avie?
(though it's useless for a home theater stack unless it sits on top).
The AppleTV/mini have the same issue, esp. since, at least with the mini, you're told NOT to put anything on top of it.
I think it is pretty sharp, too. I really wish Apple would make a HTPC, also. Right now I have a Mac mini, Apple TV, and a separate DVR to do what 1 box should do.
Just curious, but what does the AppleTV do for you that the mini can't, and at least have just two boxes?
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
Yeah !
01/07, 02:53pm reply
Anyone catch that on Gate's Keynote?
They made a point to spotlight ABC and Disney content during the presentation then moved on to other things_
UberFu
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Joined: Oct 2002
Jobs is brilliant
01/07, 04:09pm reply
Will having Disney content sell more Xboxes? Probably not. WIll Xbox users who purchase Disney content make Disney money? Uh, yeah.
I guess this is Gate's idea of a "coup".
Doofuses.
robttwo
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Joined: Nov 2005