Microsoft has announced that it has made deals with Sony BMG and MTV to add their content to its free MSN video service.
Currently the service has offerings from National Geographic and ITN but will now add shows such as “Pimp My Ride” and music videos.
The deal with Sony BMG will put exclusive videos, backstage footage, interviews, and tour info on MSN Video.
“The music industry is facing tough challenges and it is all now about becoming a music entertainment company rather than just a record company”, said Ulrich Jarkel, senior vice president, Digital and Business Development Sony BMG.
“The whole game has changed. We now have over 150 ways to access Justin Timberlake content for example.”
MTV has made similar deals in the recent past, giving users access to South Park, Pimp My Ride, Punk’d, Cribs and Soapbox.
“This is one of our most important partnerships”, said Gideon Bierer, senior vice president, Digital Media, MT, “we will be adding other MTV network brands in the future from channels such as Nickelodeon and Comedy Central”.
The service is available in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden and the US. It will launch in Belgium, Denmark and Norway later this year.
Result for: Videos
Toshiba has announced that it has updated two models in its Gigabeat media player line, one in the T series and the other in the V series.
The new T802 is an upgrade to the T401 and will add 802.11b/g wireless as well as doubling the capacity of memory from 4GB to 8GB. Users will be able to browse the YouTube-like GyaO service as well as download movies and podcasts. The player will be available first in Japan on February 15th for the equivalent of $279 USD.
The new V81, an update to the V41, will also see a doubling in capacity from 4 GB to 8 GB. Another new feature is the ability to play copy-protected videos. The player will launch on the same day as the T802 but with a heftier price tag of about $326 USD.
Result for: Videos
After last month’s announcement that the Apple TV would see an update, the “Take 2″ upgrade is finally available.
Users simply need to navigate to the Settings menu and hit Software Update. It will then download and install.
The new update, the first major update to the device, will offer new features such as “the ability to purchase and download video and music directly from iTunes instead of having to use a Mac or PC first.”
The Apple TV now supports HD movie rentals through iTunes. The new service allows users to download movies for $2.99 for SD or $4.99 USD for HD. The videos can be played once and then expire after 24 hours.
Another new feature is access to photostreams on Flickr as well as on .Mac Web Galleries.
The upgrade is free to existing Apple TV users and is also included on all new units which now retail for $229 USD for the 40GB model or $329 USD for a 160GB version.
