Support Our Site
Get Better Gear!
- Notability For iPad: Much More Than A Note Taking App from Ginger Labs, Inc, US$0.99
- Scosche’s RH656m Headphones With Microphone Are Wonderful from Scosche, US$129.99
- IPEVO’s Typi Folio Case & Keyboard for iPad is First-rate from IPEVO, US$79.99
- Scosche’s boomSTREAM BT Speaker: Features & Compromises from Scosche, US$99.95
- FX Photo Studio HD: iPad Painting of Effects Made Easy from MacPhun LLC, US1.99
Top 5 Free Apps
iTunes New Music Releases
Top 5 Paid Apps
Discover New Music
- Jeff Wayne
- With the new movie adaptation of H.G Wells' classic Sci Fi invasion tale, War of the Worlds, currently on theater screens everywhere, there's new interest in Jeff Wayne's rock opera version, and it is
- Powderfinger
- Guitar-driven rock out of Australia, Powderfinger has not seen much exposure in the States, but should get a nod for their toe-tapping songs. Building off their previous release, "Internationalist" (
- Goldfrapp
On their latest CD, Supernature, Goldfrapp has put together a successful mix of 1980-era New Romanticism, German cabaret, and T. Rex glam that leaves you riveted even through the album's lulls. It's a great amalgam that sounds current without sounding at all dated.
- Jellyfish
- The second and final album from this power-pop group makes me wish Jellyfish had been able to make just one more record together. The album is best enjoyed as a whole piece, flowing from one track to
- Harvey Danger
The sophomore effort from Harvey Danger, I was really looking forward to this followup to "Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone?" Unfortunately, "King James Version" failed to deliver any of the bri
Reader Specials
Visit Deals On The Web for the best deals on all consumer electronics, iPods, and more!
News
Could Apple and the iPod Save Blockbuster Video?
Thursday, February 16th, 2006 at 2:00 PM - by Brad Cook
Blockbuster Video is on the ropes, stuck with an inefficient business model and a stock in serious decline, but Apple could step in to save the day, according to Robert X. Cringely's latest column. He notes that as video distribution goes digital and NetFlix continues to dominate the by-mail delivery method, Blockbuster's brick-and-mortar shops become increasingly irrelevant.
However, the company has two things going for it -- neighborhood locations and a customer base -- that Apple would love to have, Mr. Cringely thinks. "[Apple CEO Steve Jobs] has no use for Blockbuster management, labor, or even all that shelf space," he wrote. "All Steve values about Blockbuster stores are the sign and the checkout counter."
So, he reasons, Apple steps in with a new iPod equipped with video- and audio-out. Consumers take it to their local Blockbuster, insert it in a kiosk dock, and download the movies of their choice for either rental or purchase. They then take it home and hook it up to their TV for viewing. Rentals time out, so there's no need to go back to the store and "return" them.
As a result, Blockbuster gets to phase out its inventory, along with the labor required to manage it, and sells iPods along with snacks and other products. As for Apple? Mr. Cringely explains: "The point here is to sell iPods to people who might not otherwise every buy one (my Mom, for example), to bring digital downloads to people who don't have broadband or even a computer, and to make it all incredibly easy."
He cautions, however, that "this strategy does not in any way mean Apple would be giving-up Internet movie distribution. This is just another outlet for the same material but aimed at folks who can't be reached over the Net."
And, of course, he notes, "don't forget the 5800 xSans, 11,600 xServes, and 60,000+ iMacs it would take to outfit all of Blockbuster's U.S. stores."
Recent Headlines
- Reading, Writing, & Saving the World
- Free Retro Gaming for iOS - Activision’s Kaboom!
- Apple Adds Chomp Bits to iOS 6 App Store Discovery
- Notability For iPad: Much More Than A Note Taking App
- Scosche’s RH656m Headphones With Microphone Are Wonderful
- Tim Cook & Larry Page Reportedly Discuss Patents
- Analysis: Amazon Kindle Fire Sold Out, Kindle Fire 2 Pic Leaked
Post Your Comments