Report: Apple to stream video to iTunes users

Apple is preparing to allow iTunes customers to stream video from the company's servers to any Web-enabled device, according to a film industry source.

The source declined to provide details but did confirm a report published Wednesday by the blog AppleInsider, which broke the news.

An Apple spokesman declined to comment.

According to the report, Apple is working on a feature for iTunes 8 that will enable users to stream movies and TV shows "for playback anywhere," and in this way help them avoid having to store large video files on their hard drives.

The service will be called iTunes Replay, according to AppleInsider. It's unclear whether Apple intends to charge a fee for the streaming feature.

Apple would certainly need to secure licenses from TV networks and movie studios to offer the service. Almost as certain is that entertainment companies would require compensation.

I don't know that there's a need for this service just to save people room on their hard drives. But as AppleInsider points out, there are other benefits to the service. Owners wouldn't have to sync to Apple TV or download files to their computer in order to watch a movie or show, so it could also improve the experience of Apple TV. However, it's hard for me to believe that Apple would go to the trouble of securing complex licensing agreements just to streamline the download process.

Netflix includes the ability to stream video in the price of most of its subscription plans at no extra charge. Is it possible Apple plans to compete with Netflix's streaming rental service?

[Perry_Clease]

"Apple is preparing to allow iTunes customers to stream video from the company's servers to any Web-enabled device, according to a film industry source."<br /><br />How about starting that sentence like this:<br /><br />According to a film industry source, Apple is preparing to allow iTunes customers to stream video from the company's servers to any Web-enabled device.

[BtmnHatesRbn]

Are you a grammar teacher?

[Perry_Clease]

"Are you a grammar teacher?"<br /><br />No.<br /><br />The way Greg started the sentence is sounded like Apple announced the streaming, when in actuality it is, or still, a rumor from a film industry source.

[gefitz]

Uh, is this news? If I'm not mistaken, dozens of providers stream video. Even licensed video. So what makes this different than all those Hulu-like sites?<br /><br />Oh, I know. The content will be Apple-approved. Therefore, it must be better.

[BtmnHatesRbn]

Apple is the innovator. Apple II, Mac, iMac, OSX, iPod, iPhone, Final Cut Studio, Pro Logic and iTunes all proves this and is copied, even if similar products exist before.

[kelmon]

The difference is that you "own" (as much as that is allowed these days) the media but Apple stores the media on their servers rather than you needing to make space on your own. In this respect it acts like a subscription service but without the need to pay a subscription fee.<br /><br />I'd be interested in this assuming that the content streams fast enough.<br /><br />With respect to the "Apple-approved content is better" comment, there is a shred of truth to that. Apple are certainly capable of taking ideas pioneered by other companies and making them work.

[doerrstop]

Interesting tidbit...I booted up my daughter's old imac g3 last night and went to download iTunes 8 (couldn't as it needed 10.4.11) and the iTunes page (apple.com/itunes) that came up had a banner ad for iTunes Replay. I assumed I missed an announcement. Should have snapped a screenshot. :(

[BtmnHatesRbn]

I would prefer to own the video file, actually, but wouldn't mind watching it as it downloads. You see, I just transfer the show to an iPod or HD TBC box, and I can copy it to DVD or VHS or even Beta if I'm feeling retro.

[abite]

How can this article overlook the iPhone. It speaks of the Apple TV and netflix competition? That has already happened! Apple already has rental licenses available for the computer and Apple TV. <br />The biggest advantage would be with the iPhone for being able to stream an lower quality version, be it rental or owned without needing the storage space available. While on your computer a larger version downloads to keep if not a rental. <br />I would have loved that while out of town with only my iPhone when the new episode of heros became available.

[GB in HK]

Hmmm -- if Apple's going to fortify their video serving capabilities to be able to handle all those HD streams, why not evolve Apple TV into a national IPTV platform to compete with DirecTV and EchoStar? Imagine one sleek, little box that can deliver all the content from your computer and the iTunes store PLUS all the channels you now get from cable or satellite. It seems to me that's how Apple TV (or "Apple TV To Go" on a Mac or iPhone) evolves from a being a "hobby" for the company to being its next bug revenue stream.

[Azzuro10]

Smart move by Apple. Content takes up memory space. Apple has a copy of it on its server, and then everyone out there who bought it on-line has a copy of it on their hard drive(s). That is a waste - pure duplication. I say, if you buy the content, you own your content under your ID and shouldn't have to store it on your drives. Moreover, its a security thing - if your house goes on fire and you lose everything, you still have stuff you already bought located in cyberspace. And you can watch movies on your iphone without using all of its 16gb of memory.