Amazon, Apple seen offering movie downloads Both firms seen making announcement in coming days, would charge at least $14.99 for a new release, paper reports. NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Both Apple Computer Inc. and the online retail giant Amazon are poised to launch their own versions of an online movie download service, according to a report published Wednesday. Citing unnamed sources, the Wall Street Journal reported that both Amazon and Apple are expected to unveil their respective services in the coming days. The movie download services would allow consumers to purchase a film as soon as the studios releases the DVD version, the paper reported. Sources told the paper that Apple and Amazon will probably sell the films somewhere between $9.99 for older films and 14.99 for newer releases, although the studios will have the final word on the retail prices. Amazon will also offer a rental service online, the paper reported. A spokesperson from Amazon would not confirm the details of the new service to the paper and an Apple representative declined to comment on the company's plans. One large discrepancy between Apple's download service, which would be sold through its popular iTunes store, and Amazon's Unbox is the number of studios that signed up to have their films sold. Amazon has secured the the commitment of every major studio except Walt Disney Co (down $0.09 to $29.76, Charts). Apple, on the other hand, has only secured a commitment from Disney, the Journal reported. Two firms, Movielink and CinemaNow, currently offer movies for sale online, although neither one has had a significant impact with consumers, according to the paper. Apple (up $0.11 to $71.59, Charts) shares edged lower in late morning trade and Amazon (down $0.84 to $31.39, Charts) stock slipped 2.6 percent in late morning trade on the Nasdaq exchange. ________________ |
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