Xbox 360: Video-On-Demand Trojan Horse

I’ve been theorizing for awhile that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 (and the forthcoming Sony Playstation 3) isn’t really about teens and video games. Obviously gaming is a core feature and responsible for getting these systems into many homes, despite the steep $400 price of admission. But that’s just a trojan horse — the real money and … Read more

Amazon Unbox Movies On Xbox 360

There was some question upon the launch of Amazon’s Unbox movie download service if it would be possible to stream flicks to a TV via the Xbox 360. The answer is yes, and Amazon has provided these simple steps to automagically stream purchased content to a 360 from a Windows Media Center PC: Download an … Read more

Starship Netflix, You Are Cleared For Liftoff

Recently, I was looking at some of the online data that is available on GameFly and I remarked to Motley Fool contributor Daniel Rubin, that I was surprised to see that internet video game rentals hasn’t turned out to be more popular option for consumers. Online video games have been something investors and customers have been very vocal about wanting, yet Netflix CEO, Reed Hastings has stood steadfast in his commitment to stick with just DVD rentals. Rubin’s response to my comment was a true testament to how much Reed Hastings has shown an uncanny ability to understand the DVD market better then anyone in the industry.

Isn’t this yet another spectacular display of strategic leadership by Reed Hastings? The guy’s like a Starship captain flying this sucker through an asteroid storm and outmaneuvering every one and every thing.The man has thrashed Blockbuster (one of the biggest brands in busines history), beat off Wal-Mart, scared off Amazon, and now may have dodged a huge bullet by having NOT wasted time on a failed venture at this critical juncture when time is of the essence. I’ll take Red Envelope Entertainment and the value that will come from proprietary content over video games any day.

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Interesting News Dave Hasn’t Covered

Never enough time… TiVo S3 hacked to 1TB of RAID5 storage. (TiVo Community) Local CBS News video added to Yahoo. (Press Release) TiVo viewing incorporated into Nielsens. (USA Today) Preview of PS3 online network. (Engadget)

Interesting News Dave Hasn’t Covered

Never enough time… Hands on with Hauppauge’s wireless media streamer. (SnapStream) DivX launches YouTube-alike. (GigaOm) The demise of Sony’s PSP. (TechLore) Netflix movie download servers found? (HackingNetflix) AOL signs deals to offer movie video downloads. (TechCrunch)

GameFly’s Slimy Retention Tactics?

I’m what you’d call a casual gamer — I’ll play a game a few hours a day over a long weekend maybe once a month. I joined Gamefly.com, a service like Netflix, in 2005 as an economical way to get a different title each month. I’ve been downsizing recently in preparation for a move and … Read more

Skype On Your Set-Top Box?

Oregan Networks has produced a Skype CallerID widget. While this hasn’t been deployed anywhere, Oregan produces Internet-connected CE device software — such as code and infrastructure powering PS2’s online functionality.

Interesting News Dave Hasn’t Covered

Never enough time… CinemaNow to offer television show downloads. (Reuters) Blu-ray player released early? (Engadget) HDMI upgraded to support deep color. (Extreme Tech) Nielsen to integrate television and web metrics. (Washington Post) Mac < -> PSP PIM and media sync software released. (Mark/Space)