SiliconRepublic.com: Europeans still waiting for Amazon to ‘Unbox’ Video on Demand

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Europeans still waiting for Amazon to ‘Unbox’ Video on Demand

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Digital Life

Europeans still waiting for Amazon to ‘Unbox’ Video on Demand

04.09.2008
E-commerce site Amazon’s Video on Demand offering Unbox has been expanded to allow movie downloads ad-free on Macs as well as PCs.

Users can also rent or purchase movies and TV’s shows directly through the Sony Bravia internet video link device on compatible Bravia TV sets.

The new service allows users currently in the US to watch the first two minutes of every movie and TV show automatically for free.

Once a user decides to order a video, it is automatically added to the user’s Video Library, which they can access and stream through popular web browsers on Macs and PCs or the Sony Bravia internet video link.

The Amazon video service currently has over 40,000 licensed movies for download but as of yet there has been no indication when the service will be available in Europe and other parts of the world.

As with Apple, it is possible Amazon has been restricted by licensing negotiations, which have to be done on a country-by-country basis.

“We’re continuing to create new, convenient ways for our customers to watch digital movies and TV shows,” said Roy Price, director of Amazon Video on Demand.

“The ability to watch content instantly without downloading first was among the most requested features of our customers, and now it's live – customers can instantly watch the ad-free title of their choice, be it on their PC or Mac, on the TV with TiVo or through the Sony Bravia Internet Video Link device on compatible Sony Bravia TVs, or on the go with a portable video player.”

By John Kennedy