Blockbuster to Test In-Store Movie Download Kiosks

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 29, 2008 - 9:31am.

New York - Blockbuster (NYSE: BBI) is planning to test in-store kiosks that consumers will be able to use to download full-length movies to portable devices, the company said at its annual shareholder meeting, the Associated Press reported.

The kiosk was developed by NCR Corp., and can deliver movies to portable devices in about two minutes -- a wait the company hopes to reduce to 30 seconds.

During the test, expected to launch within the next three weeks, only Archos portable devices will be supported, but Blockbuster aims to make the kiosks an "open system" that supports many devices.

Blockbuster chairman and CEO Jim Keyes said the kiosk initiative will by spearheaded by third-party partners to minimize the company's investment, AP reported.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9954271-7.html

http://www.ncr.com

http://www.blockbuster.com

Published in DMW Daily, May 29, 2008

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tags: Movies | Kiosks | Blockbuster | NCR Corp. |

Comments

Testing...

Submitted by MMI (not verified) on June 2, 2008 - 6:46am.

...I think the keyword here is "testing." The fact that the initial run of kiosks will be located within select stores is arbitrary given that this is a testing phase. Assume that the kiosks are being tested for functionality and the stores provide a forum for immediate customer feedback of the kiosk experience. The next phase could see enhanced kiosks everywhere from airports to subway stations to college campuses much like the Red Box model. I think its a brilliant idea that is receiving a good deal of bad press do to the selection of the testing locations for this initial phase.

Wow this sounds really cool.

Submitted by Belmont Stakes Picks (not verified) on June 2, 2008 - 6:29pm.

Wow this sounds really cool. However, I am still happy with my monthly unlimited DVD rental plan with in-store exchange. Also DVDs probably have better quality then the compressed format that will be put on a portable device.

He he, this is funny...

Submitted by movie download (not verified) on July 28, 2008 - 9:51am.

He he, this is funny... blockbusters in kiosk :)