Blu-ray special features coming to App Store

Posted:
in iPhone edited January 2014
The last to embrace the Blu-ray high definition video format, Universal is poised to become the first to tie home theater with Apple's App Store, bringing companion features to the iPhone and iPod touch.



Home Media Magazine reported Monday that Universal Studios Home Entertainment was prepared to announce the App Store-Blu-ray tie-in, with the first release, the film "Fast & Furious," hitting stores July 28.



"For the first time, iPhone and iPod Touch users will be able to control interactive content on their Web-connected Blu-ray Disc players," the magazine writes. "On subsequent Universal Blu-ray Disc releases coming later in the year, consumers will be able to access bonus content found on their Blu-ray Disc releases and download it onto their iPhone or iPod Touch. They?ll also be able to use the devices as a virtual remote to control their Blu-ray Disc features and access additional information while watching the movie."



The "Fast & Furious" App Store release will include a "Virtual Car Garage" that allows viewers to check out the movie's vehicles in 360 degrees, and to look up car specifications.



The studio announced that future releases will also tie in to Facebook and Twitter to update friends on movie-related activites.



?By harnessing Blu-ray technology and combining it with Apple?s highly acclaimed iPod touch and iPhone, we continue to raise the bar in delivering an array of unprecedented, user-friendly home entertainment experiences,? said Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures Digital Platforms. ?Bridging these platforms further broadens the scope of the digital landscape by paving the way for innovative new applications and interactive content enhancements that continue to uniquely engage consumers.?



The App Store has made the iPhone and iPod touch platform a very successful endeavor for Apple. Just last week, as the App Store crossed its one year anniversary, Apple announced that more than 1.5 billion applications had been downloaded from the service.



There are more than 40 million devices capable of accessing the App Store in consumers' hands. The three iPhone models and the iPod Touch serve customers in 77 different countries.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 166
    This is interesting. However, when will Steve Jobs break his reservation on Blu-ray enabled drives in MBPs? It really sucks not have these in MBPs.
  • Reply 2 of 166
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Cool- new features for both my blu-ray, iPhone and iPod Touch. What's not to like? Can't wait til Blu-ray comes to the iMac- maybe 2010?
  • Reply 3 of 166
    Quote:

    "The "Fast & Furious" App Store release will include a "Virtual Car Garage" that allows viewers to check out the movie's vehicles in 360 degrees, and to look up car specifications."





    This will be cool...



    Hey techstud,



    Got my MBP and iPod Touch yesterday.



    Its really as great as i expected it to be though i wish i had gone for 15 inch.



    The iphone simulator looks so BIG..
  • Reply 4 of 166
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by holywarrior007 View Post


    This is interesting. However, when will Steve Jobs break his reservation on Blu-ray enabled drives in MBPs? It really sucks not have these in MBPs.



    I'm hoping we will get them with Snow Leopard support- first on the MacPros and iMacs and then on the MacBook Pros. How long can they hold out? Afterall- we have SD card slots now- right?
  • Reply 5 of 166
    virgil-tb2virgil-tb2 Posts: 1,416member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    The last to embrace the Blu-ray high definition video format, Universal is poised to become the first to tie home theater with Apple's App Store, bringing companion features to the iPhone and iPod touch....



    What a lot of boring, stupid dreck.



    As a consumer who *has* all the above mentioned technology I must say this doesn't entice me at all. This is just a way of justifying the high prices they are charging for the media.



    The only thing that's even half-way handy is the digital copy, but for most movies if you already have the disc, you don't need the digital copy and vice versa. There are movies that are worth paying Blu-Ray prices for and there are movies that are only worthy of playing on your iPod on the bus. They are hardly ever the same movie IMO.
  • Reply 6 of 166
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Chintan100 View Post


    This will be cool...



    Hey techstud,



    Got my MBP and iPod Touch yesterday.



    Its really as great as i expected it to be though i wish i had gone for 15 inch.



    The iphone simulator looks so BIG..



    That's fantastic- a free Touch - right?

    I want the MBP 13" myself but I need to wait and see how my AT&T payments amounts to monthly. I may need to up the minutes (plan).

    What's the iPhone simulator?
  • Reply 7 of 166
    Yeah I hope so. Though I really can't wait for these. Hope Apple does it sooner than later.
  • Reply 8 of 166
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    I'm hoping we will get them with Snow Leopard support- first on the MacPros and iMacs and then on the MacBook Pros. How long can they hold out? Afterall- we have SD card slots now- right?



    Yeah I hope so. Though I really can't wait for these. Hope Apple does it sooner than later.
  • Reply 9 of 166
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2 View Post


    What a lot of boring, stupid dreck.



    As a consumer who *has* all the above mentioned technology I must say this doesn't entice me at all. This is just a way of justifying the high prices they are charging for the media.



    The only thing that's even half-way handy is the digital copy, but for most movies if you already have the disc, you don't need the digital copy and vice versa. There are movies that are worth paying Blu-Ray prices for and there are movies that are only worthy of playing on your iPod on the bus. They are hardly ever the same movie IMO.



    Too bad.

    What do digital copies have to do with extra features?
  • Reply 10 of 166
    wigginwiggin Posts: 2,265member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    I'm hoping we will get them with Snow Leopard support- first on the MacPros and iMacs and then on the MacBook Pros. How long can they hold out? Afterall- we have SD card slots now- right?



    But the blu-ray disc will only insert 2/3s of the way into the computer, so when you are playing a movie you'll have to keep your hands clear of the spinning disc sticking out of the side of your MBP.
  • Reply 11 of 166
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by holywarrior007 View Post


    This is interesting. However, when will Steve Jobs break his reservation on Blu-ray enabled drives in MBPs? It really sucks not have these in MBPs.



    Am I the only one who thought by "Special Features" they were referring to Commentary/Deleted Scenes/Making-of.../Alternate Ending/etc...?



    And by "App Store" they meant iTunes Movie Store?



    The way Universal is headed sounds little more intriguing then a toy in a cereal box.
  • Reply 12 of 166
    jerseymacjerseymac Posts: 408member
    Funny how Universal is the last to embrace the blu ray format when they have their own hi def cable channel, Universal HD.



    In anticipation of the new Harry Potter movie I bought some of the older movies in blu ray. I already have them in DVD and HD DVD so why not buy them again.



    If anyone is thinking of doing the same, DON'T. According to the Amazon website all new versions of the movies are in the works. I'm sure they will have remastered sound, picture quality and great new features. Let the double dipping begin anew.



    Steve Jobs was absolutely right. Blu Ray is nothing but a bag of hurt I totally brought upon myself.
  • Reply 13 of 166
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by holywarrior007 View Post


    Yeah I hope so. Though I really can't wait for these. Hope Apple does it sooner than later.



    While I agree- better late than never!

    It's a control issue, I've read- fees, specs, etc. that Apple can't control.

    Blu-ray seems like it's really taken off this year- this holiday should be an even bigger year for Blu-ray. I've even seen Porn now advertised in Blu-ray!

    Apple needs to get on board like they did with DVD. I mean- you can create HD movies in iMovie HD yet we can't burn them on a Blu-ray? Does that make sense?
  • Reply 14 of 166
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Wil Maneker View Post


    Am I the only one who thought by "Special Features" they were referring to Commentary/Deleted Scenes/Making-of.../Alternate Ending/etc...?



    And by "App Store" they meant iTunes Movie Store?



    The way Universal is headed sounds little more intriguing then a toy in a cereal box.



    You are not the only one. I was just commenting on the lack of Blu-Ray drives in MBPs. If Apple really promotes HD media in any way, they should seriously think about putting Blu-ray drives in notebooks.
  • Reply 15 of 166
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    While I agree- better late than never!

    It's a control issue, I've read- fees, specs, etc. that Apple can't control.

    Blu-ray seems like it's really taken off this year- this holiday should be an even bigger year for Blu-ray. I've even seen Porn now advertised in Blu-ray!

    Apple needs to get on board like they did with DVD. I mean- you can create HD movies in iMovie HD yet we can't burn them on a Blu-ray? Does that make sense?



    Yeah I agree with you. The licensing process is complex which could make these drives a bit more expensive. But I think this is no excuse. These could definitely be provided as an option if Apple isn't comfortable about including them in the current price range.
  • Reply 16 of 166
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Wiggin View Post


    But the blu-ray disc will only insert 2/3s of the way into the computer, so when you are playing a movie you'll have to keep your hands clear of the spinning disc sticking out of the side of your MBP.



    OOOoohh- I forgot all about that issue!

    That reminds me of one of the vintage 45 portable record players where the only arm held the disk yet the disc was basically eposed, while it spun around. Did people complain as much about technology back in those days?
  • Reply 17 of 166
    zunxzunx Posts: 620member
    Apple, Blu-ray playback and recording support, built-in on Mac OS X, NOW!!!!



    Please!!!!!!!!



    Thanks.
  • Reply 18 of 166
    javacowboyjavacowboy Posts: 864member
    Here's a question that I have: Is it possible for a hardware or software manufacturer to include access to a Blu-Ray drive without the media? That is, could I potentially buy a Mac with a Blu-Ray drive that is only usable for file storage but that doesn't read Blu-Ray movie disks? Or does the whole kit and caboodle have to be licensed as a "bag of hurt"?



    Just curious. I'm sure many OS X and Linux users would love to be able to use Blu-Ray exclusively for file storage.
  • Reply 19 of 166
    carmissimocarmissimo Posts: 837member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    Cool- new features for both my blu-ray, iPhone and iPod Touch. What's not to like? Can't wait til Blu-ray comes to the iMac- maybe 2010?



    I don't buy the notion that Apple thinks they can make Blu-Ray go away by pretending it's not there.



    Right now I have an HD hybrid camera but my previous gen mac mini can't really handle properly editing the resulting footage. And even worse, I have no means of producing an HD equivalent of a DVD because there's no Blu-Ray in my hardware chain.



    I just can't imagine all those people like me shooting HD footage being OK with never producing an HD disc of their work because Steve Jobs wants everyone to download their HD movies via iTunes rather than buy physical media containing said content.



    And the size of people's digital libraries is growing so rapidly that DVD just doesn't cut it any more. A higher capacity disc storage system is simply going to have to become a part of the process and clearly since Blu-Ray is already with us, that's the format that will become a standard element of our digital arsenal.



    But, here's the catch. Right now, even if I made a Blu-Ray home movie, who would I share it with? Most of my relatives and firends do not have a Blu-Ray player. As such, I can understand Apple taking its time to embrace Blu-Ray. What I can't fathom, though, is the notion that Apple thinks it can kill off Blu-Ray with iTunes serving as the Trojan Horse. Rather, I think Apple figures Blu-Ray needs to become a more affordable option and there have to be more Blu-Ray players in the hands of consumers before the format takes hold. I'm guessing, too, that the slowdown in the economy is a factor in that Apple is trying to lower the cost of its equipment and Blu-Ray would increase it. Let's not forget that economies of scale would cause a Blu-Ray option to be so expensive few would add it making it even more costly per unit for Apple to implement. So when it does get added, I see Apple wanting to bring it into the mix in a big way so as to have it make economic sense.



    Blu-Ray will come to Apple when the economic climate improves and the installed base of Blu-Ray players reaches critical mass. I'm guessing 2011, maybe nearing the end of 2010. My HD footage will pile up in the meantime. Guess a little patience is required.
  • Reply 20 of 166
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    That's fantastic- a free Touch - right?

    I want the MBP 13" myself but I need to wait and see how my AT&T payments amounts to monthly. I may need to up the minutes (plan).

    What's the iPhone simulator?



    Yaa, a free Touch...



    iPhone Simulator is an application (included in the iPhone SDK) for Mac which simulates iPhone environment.



    Resolution on iPhone is more than on Mac and so, the same screen size looks big on simulator because Mac packs less number of pixels for the same area.



    iPhone apps generally should not be tested on the simulator because it has the power of Mac behind it and performance issues may not be felt which may arise when running on iPhone.



    Thats were my iPod Touch will come in handy. Otherwise music? Well, i still use my 3.5 years old Sony Ericsson W550i.
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