Vudu starts streaming movies to the iPad, chooses the web app route
Now that Vudu has started streaming movies to PCs over the web, we're not surprised that starting today, it's moving to the iPad as well but what is surprising is the decision to stream over the web and forego a dedicated app. This approach lets the Wal-mart-owned (and fully integrated) video delivery company avoid the restrictions of Apple's app store and any additional fees, but unfortunately still means that like the PC, it's restricted to standard definition resolution and due to licensing issues is missing any flicks from Disney. The company plans to keep expanding onto other platforms like Android soon (if you must, the site does work on the iPhone right now but the UI isn't optimized for it yet) but it appears accessibility is replacing high quality HDX streaming as the service's most notable trait, for better or worse.
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Walmart Brings VUDU's Movie Streaming Service to iPad
More than 20,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics and independent films can be
instantly streamed through VUDU.com on iPad
SANTA CLARA, Calif. and BENTONVILLE, Ark. – (Aug. 10, 2011) – Walmart announced today the
launch of VUDU for the iPad. VUDU, a leading subscription-free, video-on-demand movie service and
wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart stores, has optimized the navigation experience of VUDU.com to
enable millions of iPad owners to rent or buy entertainment content and then stream it easily through any
iPad browser.
Beginning today, iPad users can go to VUDU.com and browse through VUDU's entertainment content
library, which includes more than 20,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics, independent films and TV
episodes, then rent or purchase and watch them instantly. For one touch access to VUDU, customers
can add a VUDU icon to their iPad desktops by clicking the "Add to Home Screen" button when on
VUDU.com.
"At Walmart, one of our key priorities is to provide one continuous experience for our customers to
interact with our brand - whether that is in stores, online or from their mobile devices," said Edward
Lichty, general manager, VUDU. "VUDU's launch on the iPad plays into that vision as we're committed
to offering the VUDU experience on as many devices as possible so customers can shop for and access
their favorite movies and TV shows however they want, whenever they want."
Movies purchased and/or rented on the iPad can also be viewed on Walmart.com/VUDU, VUDU.com
or on any VUDU-enabled consumer electronics device. VUDU is currently available on more than 300
consumer electronics devices including Internet-capable HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc players and the PlayStation
3 - more than any other pay-per-view service.
.
About VUDU
A leader in HD streaming, VUDU offers the world's largest online selection of HD movies, including
thousands of blockbusters, Hollywood classics and indies available in stunning HDX 1080p with Dolby
Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound. Movies are available the same day they are released on DVD or Blu-ray,
and can be rented or purchased without a subscription. VUDU is available on Internet-capable HDTVs
and Blu-ray Disc players from FUNAI Electronics (Magnavox, Sylvania), LG Electronics, Mitsubishi
Digital Electronics, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, SANYO, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba and VIZIO, and on
the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system from Sony. VUDU is a wholly owned subsidiary
of Walmart Stores, Inc., and is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. For more information, visit http://
www.vudu.com/.
About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per
week at over 9,200 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales
of $419 billion, Walmart employs 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in
sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart
can be found by visiting http://walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online
merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.
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