p2pnet.net News:- I read the news, today. And Oh Boy! “Apple to bridge divide between computers, TVs.”

That’s what the The Financial Post promises.

Like a teensy, eye-watering screen on a portable music player that costs more than a full-sized TV is going to do that.

But that’s how the story is headlined because Disney shareholder and board member Steve Jobs has decided to peddle Disney films while Apple “finishes developing” a device to be called iTV, “to let viewers play downloads on their living room sets,” as The Boston Globe puts it, going on that the company has made its, “long-awaited move from hip pockets to living rooms” with a ’service’ for selling full-length movies online, “and a new device that will broadcast those movies from the user’s computer to a standard television set”.

‘New’ Disney flics will be sold the same day they’re released on DVD for $13, “if pre-ordered or during the first week,” and $15 thereafter. Old movies will sell for $10 per, says The Financial Post.

Punters will be expected to fork out $300 for a device which will “let” them pay ten bucks and up to play movies they can rent for a couple of dollars from the local video store, and without the download hassle.

It doesn’t say whether or not Steve & Co are trying to figure out some kind of lock-up digital restriction management (DRM) package which will restrict iTV broadcasts to one TV set.

“The announcement comes on the heels of moves by several of Apple’s competitors, including Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc., to sell downloadable entertainment content,” says the story.

Microsoft digital restriction management (DRM) software forced Britain’s BSkyB to halt its broadband movie service, while Amazon’s unfortunately named Unbox is a definite non-happening.

Meanwhile, rumours that Britain ITV (Independent Televison) plans to sue Apple for trademark violation are vicious and unfounded.

Also See:
The Financial Post – Expands Disney link: To sell movie, video downloads via iTunes online store, September 13, 2005
The Boston Globe – First music, then TV,now Apple to sell movies, September 13, 2001
movie service – MS DRM spells WOE for Sky, September 12, 2006
non-happening – Amazon Unbox unevent, September 11, 2006