Apple briefs staff on wireless iPhone movie and TV downloads
The iPhone 3.0 operating system release will include new support for direct downloads of movie and TV content from the iTunes Store, according to people familiar with Apple's internal training materials.
Last week, a Salon blogger covered initial reports of a new iTunes Store interface for downloading movies and TV directly on the iPhone, including support for movie rentals.
Beta testers of iPhone 3.0 can already access the new interface from a special URL.
The new interface is mostly functional, although featured content blocks were marked with F.P.O (for positioning only) placeholder art and all attempts to download any video content return the error "the item you've requested is not available."
Now however, AppleInsider has learned from people familiar with Apple's training program that new self-guided training materials being distributed to familiarize AppleCare agents with the features of iPhone 3.0 software "definitely covered" the ability to directly download movies and TV shows on the device itself, rather than just syncing video content through iTunes.
Those people noted that the advanced training was unique, saying that "Apple never puts out product training this far ahead of a product launch." This training material is roughly 6 weeks early, they said, having arrived in the form of a single training module on Tuesday.
Apple already supports direct downloads of free video podcasts within the mobile iTunes app, as well as video content from YouTube on the iPhone and iPod touch, so direct video downloads of rented or purchased videos from iTunes would be an incremental and unsurprising step over the current selection of directly downloadable music for sale within the app. It would, however, cement Apple's lead in delivering paid content to mobile users.
What isn't yet known is whether Apple will immediately enable video downloads over 3G mobile networks. The company originally limited iTunes music downloads to WiFi, and even originally called the feature the iTunes WiFi Store. That measure was likely done to gauge the demand for bandwidth that users would create.
Since then, the WiFi limitation has been removed and it is now possible to directly access iTunes music over 3G mobile networks. Apple touted mobile music downloads on the iPhone as being no more expensive than music purchased over WiFi or directly from iTunes running on a desktop computer, a direct blow to other mobile network operators and mobile content stores that charge extra fees when users try to obtain content over their mobile network.
Since videos are much larger than music files, it is likely that video and TV downloads and rentals might initially be limited to WiFi. AT&T's plans to double the speed of its American 3G network to HSPA 7.2 Mbps service and its parallel efforts to bolster its back end networks to better support mobile data demands -- specifically video steams -- may likely play into how soon iPhone users can expect to download videos from iTunes outside of a WiFi hotspot.
Last week, a Salon blogger covered initial reports of a new iTunes Store interface for downloading movies and TV directly on the iPhone, including support for movie rentals.
Beta testers of iPhone 3.0 can already access the new interface from a special URL.
The new interface is mostly functional, although featured content blocks were marked with F.P.O (for positioning only) placeholder art and all attempts to download any video content return the error "the item you've requested is not available."
Now however, AppleInsider has learned from people familiar with Apple's training program that new self-guided training materials being distributed to familiarize AppleCare agents with the features of iPhone 3.0 software "definitely covered" the ability to directly download movies and TV shows on the device itself, rather than just syncing video content through iTunes.
Those people noted that the advanced training was unique, saying that "Apple never puts out product training this far ahead of a product launch." This training material is roughly 6 weeks early, they said, having arrived in the form of a single training module on Tuesday.
Apple already supports direct downloads of free video podcasts within the mobile iTunes app, as well as video content from YouTube on the iPhone and iPod touch, so direct video downloads of rented or purchased videos from iTunes would be an incremental and unsurprising step over the current selection of directly downloadable music for sale within the app. It would, however, cement Apple's lead in delivering paid content to mobile users.
What isn't yet known is whether Apple will immediately enable video downloads over 3G mobile networks. The company originally limited iTunes music downloads to WiFi, and even originally called the feature the iTunes WiFi Store. That measure was likely done to gauge the demand for bandwidth that users would create.
Since then, the WiFi limitation has been removed and it is now possible to directly access iTunes music over 3G mobile networks. Apple touted mobile music downloads on the iPhone as being no more expensive than music purchased over WiFi or directly from iTunes running on a desktop computer, a direct blow to other mobile network operators and mobile content stores that charge extra fees when users try to obtain content over their mobile network.
Since videos are much larger than music files, it is likely that video and TV downloads and rentals might initially be limited to WiFi. AT&T's plans to double the speed of its American 3G network to HSPA 7.2 Mbps service and its parallel efforts to bolster its back end networks to better support mobile data demands -- specifically video steams -- may likely play into how soon iPhone users can expect to download videos from iTunes outside of a WiFi hotspot.
Comments
hey one day on top is good
i guess the zune is back out again
hey one day on top is good
Unless you're able to start watching the movie/tv show while it's downloading, there isn't much point to this since downloading over WiFi can take forever depending on the connection you're on (and public WiFi often isn't the greatest in the first place).
If the materials were available on Tuesday and were 6 weeks early, that means OS 3.0 won't launch until after July 7, right?
I think the 6 weeks means from last years launch of the Iphone 3G, which means the 3.0 software will be released sooner if they are already training on the features.
i guess the zune is back out again
hey one day on top is good
Really needed to quote the entire article? lol
Unless you're able to start watching the movie/tv show while it's downloading, there isn't much point to this since downloading over WiFi can take forever depending on the connection you're on (and public WiFi often isn't the greatest in the first place).
Well it might start out as something like, buy the movie, let it download overnight as you sleep, or something annoying like that, but eventually it'll get to the point where the connection speeds are fast enough to stream movies. I mean, 7mpbs has to be enough to stream a decent quality movie on the little screen. It's a start though, and that's better than nothing.
I think the 6 weeks means from last years launch of the Iphone 3G, which means the 3.0 software will be released sooner if they are already training on the features.
No they said that they normaly don't get the training material this early cuz they said they know it not being released for about another 6 weeks. I don't think they need a software update to let us dowload movies cuz last week I could open up the link in iTunes to the unfinished movie section but they disabled it later... So they might be announcing it and emeidietly letting us use the feature come wwdc... And 3.0 will hopefully be releases sometime short after July 7th along with hopefully that new iphone were all so excited about
i guess the zune is back out again
hey one day on top is good
Nice quote of the entire article...
The iPhone 3.0 operating system release will include new support for direct downloads of movie and TV content from the iTunes Store, according to people familiar with Apple's internal training materials.
Means nothing to me, since I'm still trapped living in EDGE-land. AT&T has
forgotten me and my region. Well, I guess maybe I could drive to the
nearest McDonalds and send a text message to AT&T to ask them if I
can use the WiFi. Then I can order some fries while I download some
video.
Could it include step by step directions?
1 open itunes store
2 enter new video content section
3 download movies*
* video downloading currently restricted to wifi only
Unless you're able to start watching the movie/tv show while it's downloading, there isn't much point to this since downloading over WiFi can take forever depending on the connection you're on (and public WiFi often isn't the greatest in the first place).
<<<< of note is it 7g netwok or 7mpbs network ???>>>>
Well its the new 7g AT&T NETWORK
So if get at least 5.4g power it will be blazing fast .For me the true test of what will work is.Taking the new iphone/touch and trying to stream HULU tv while in an open area, in midtown nyc . In truth after 7pm IS when the data rush is over is when you could D/L stream fast . If its wifi only i have no idea .
Would the new MIFI card work with the 7g network ??
Means nothing to me, since I'm still trapped living in EDGE-land. AT&T has
forgotten me and my region. Well, I guess maybe I could drive to the
nearest McDonalds and send a text message to AT&T to ask them if I
can use the WiFi. Then I can order some fries while I download some
video.
does it take that long to get fries at macdonalds where you live?
Can't wait to see this in action with AT&T's upgraded network!
Really needed to quote the entire article? lol
Well it might start out as something like, buy the movie, let it download overnight as you sleep, or something annoying like that, but eventually it'll get to the point where the connection speeds are fast enough to stream movies. I mean, 7mpbs has to be enough to stream a decent quality movie on the little screen. It's a start though, and that's better than nothing.
3.5mpbs is enough for me. I did the speed test online . I pay for 7 mpbs DSL but get 3.5mpbs . Still 24 or Heroes in hifi / full screen on hulu in the middle of the work day rocks . No ?
PEACE
9
Nice quote of the entire article...
Really ?? thanks
i was so nervous being number one .
I guess tomorrow there will another >> tit for tat zune leak .
peace
9
I'd imagine the training manuals like 10 seconds long... More like a sticky note, what exactly do they need to know besides that you can download videos. Now???
Could it include step by step directions?
1 open itunes store
2 enter new video content section
3 download movies*
* video downloading currently restricted to wifi only
Reminds me of a Brian Regan routine about the instructions on a Pop Tart box:
1-- Open package.
2-- Place in toaster.
3-- Go ahead. Put it in the toaster.
4-- Hey, are you still reading this?
Oh Apple, why o why do you dance with such a bag of hurt?
I'd imagine the training manuals like 10 seconds long... More like a sticky note, what exactly do they need to know besides that you can download videos. Now???
Could it include step by step directions?
1 open itunes store
2 enter new video content section
3 download movies*
* video downloading currently restricted to wifi only
Coming soon to an expanded Genius Bar near you.
Including the ability to drive an HDTV via an HDMI dock.
Suddenly instead of costing $299, the AppleTV is free with every iPod touch.
Something like that could turn the hobby into a part-time job.
C.
Unless you're able to start watching the movie/tv show while it's downloading, there isn't much point to this since downloading over WiFi can take forever depending on the connection you're on (and public WiFi often isn't the greatest in the first place).
iTunes and App store downloads are limited to 10MB on EDGE and 3G. I believe this will still be the case here, WiFi only.
Since videos are much larger than music files, it is likely that video and TV downloads and rentals might initially be limited to WiFi. AT&T's plans to double the speed of its American 3G network to HSPA 7.2 Mbps service and its parallel efforts to bolster its back end networks to better support mobile data demands -- specifically video steams -- may likely play into how soon iPhone users can expect to download videos from iTunes outside of a WiFi hotspot.
I guess video "steams" are caused by videos coming into close contact with hotspots.