Blockbuster introduces SD card download kiosks | TECH / ENTERTAINMENT
Blockbuster's been trying all sorts of, um, innovative things to get more foot traffic in its stores, but thanks to a dastardly invention known only as "Netflix," that very task has proven exceptionally difficult. Now, it seems the flagging movie rental company is giving one more far-flung idea a whirl: movies on SD cards. Around six Blockbuster and Hollywood Video stores will soon begin offering titles on SD cards, though the included DRM only allows customers 30 days from the purchase date to view it, and once it's fired up, you've just 48 hours before it vanishes completely. Each rental will cost $1.99, and while we definitely see the benefit of renting something that you don't have to return, we're still skeptical that folks will be more willing to make even one trek for a card when Netflix brings it all to one's mailbox (and PC, etc.) for just $8.99 per month.While we're still convinced that streaming will continue to rein as king of the next wave in viewable media, not physical media (especially as at-home internet speeds increase and HD content is more readily available), the higher quality prospects of video files via SD definitely has some short-term appeal...and if they play their cards right, they can evolve the technology in years to come. With the right tweaks along the way, Blockbuster may find an unexpected new home in the ever changing new media landscape...be it SD cards, or more likely wirelessly beaming ultra-high quality files to your phone and other mobile devices, etc...or something entirely unfathomable to us today.
[Engadget]
Whatever the case, Blockbuster still faces an uphill battle in their fight to keep the video store from being a thing of the past...And long-term prospects of a 'big win' in that war are grim at best.
Also check out Fast Company
-jmd
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