Skype, Sony Working to Offer On-Demand iTunes Rivals

The field of on-demand video services continues to grow. Both Sony and Skype have announced their intentions to challenge the dominance of iTunes via download services. Sony is going to be offering movie downloads via the PSP, no doubt as a partial rebuff to Microsoft's entry into the field. Meanwhile, Skype is planning to roll out a broadband television service they are calling 'the Venice Project'. Funded with the money made when Skype was sold to eBay, the beta version was apparently launched last week. From the article: "On his blog, Mr Friis said the partners had been 'quietly testing with a small circle of people' for a few months, and that they would now expand the circle. The service will offer high-quality programs through an ad-supported platform. The project aims to bring quality TV programs free to consumers who have a broadband internet connection, the spokesman said."

Comments

Re:Not sure XBox 360 will ever be the king

[elrous0]

Most people also aren't interesting in watching TV shows and movies on their computer screens either. The big advantage of MS's service is that it connects right to your TV or HDTV. Apple may negate this advantage somewhat with their iTV box, but it would have to sell a lot of units to compare to the 360's already-substantial install base.

-Eric