Walmart VUDU Web App Announced, By Passes Apple Content Tax

Walmart VUDU Web App http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/

Walmart on Wednesday announced it's new VUDU web app, designed to by pass Apple 30% tax and provide users with subscription-less on demand video service.

Walmart Press release;

SANTA CLARA, Calif. and BENTONVILLE, Ark. – (Aug. 10, 2011) – Walmart announced today the launch of VUDU for the iPad. VUDU, a leading subscription-free, video-on-demand movie service and wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart stores, has optimized the navigation experience of VUDU.com to enable millions of iPad owners to rent or buy entertainment content and then stream it easily through any iPad browser.

Beginning today, iPad users can go to VUDU.com and browse through VUDU’s entertainment content library, which includes more than 20,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics, independent films and TV episodes, then rent or purchase and watch them instantly. For one touch access to VUDU, customers can add a VUDU icon to their iPad desktops by clicking the “Add to Home Screen” button when on VUDU.com.

“At Walmart, one of our key priorities is to provide one continuous experience for our customers to interact with our brand — whether that is in stores, online or from their mobile devices,” said Edward Lichty, general manager, VUDU. “VUDU’s launch on the iPad plays into that vision as we’re committed to offering the VUDU experience on as many devices as possible so customers can shop for and access their favorite movies and TV shows however they want, whenever they want.”

Movies purchased and/or rented on the iPad can also be viewed on Walmart.com/VUDU, VUDU.com or on any VUDU-enabled consumer electronics device. VUDU is currently available on more than 300 consumer electronics devices including Internet-capable HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc players and the PlayStation 3 — more than any other pay-per-view service.

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About VUDU

A leader in HD streaming, VUDU offers the world’s largest online selection of HD movies, including thousands of blockbusters, Hollywood classics and indies available in stunning HDX 1080p with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound. Movies are available the same day they are released on DVD or Blu-ray, and can be rented or purchased without a subscription. VUDU is available on Internet-capable HDTVs and Blu-ray Disc players from FUNAI Electronics (Magnavox, Sylvania), LG Electronics, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, SANYO, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba and VIZIO, and on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system from Sony. VUDU is a wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart Stores, Inc., and is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. For more information, visit http://www.vudu.com/.

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 9,200 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

Walmart

Amazon Kindle Cloud Reader, Walmart's VUDU, Goes To War With Apple iTunes By Passes 30% Apple Tax.

Amazon Kindle Cloud Reader, Walmart's VUDU http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/

By steering efforts on webapps rather than native iOS apps, Amazon and Walmart is by passing 30% Apple Tax on content.

Following Apple guidelines, Amazon removed it's link to store in iOS Kindle App. The Apple iTunes guidelines require publishers to sign up customers through Apple and pay Apple a 30% cut. It also require whole bunch of other rules which small timers tend to follow due to lack of resources and means. But the likes of Amazon and Walmart have both and will act differently. Google, B&N too removed their in app purchases and indicated that the content could only bought through iPad's Safari Browser.

Walmart's VUDU allows users to have video on demand without subscriptions on any web enabled device, from computers, TVs, blueray players and Playstation. Walmart also announced the VUDU Web App.

We told about Financial Times Web App that did the same and thriving. Trend seem to continue as this is a convenient way to keep apps up to date and comply with various screen resolutions of other mobile devices, like Android tablets that Apple trying ban!

Kindle Cloud Reader

Walmart VUDU