Vudu has finally, after years of absence, made it to the Web browser. Having been made available through hundreds of connected devices already, the Web was the obvious next step. And the step beyond that? Mobile.
Vudu
Originally a hardware-based video platform, Vudu then switched to being software-based in order to reach its full potential. Wal-Mart then acquired the company in early 2010, and it has since gone from strength to strength.
Vudu is now available on all manner of different Internet-connected devices, including TVs, set-top boxes, and games consoles. But its catalog of movies has never been available to view on the Web via your browser of choice. Until now.
Vudu Through Your Browser
Vudu announced on Monday that its extensive library of 17,000 movies was now available to rent or buy using a Flash-based player on the Vudu.com website. The same titles are available across the spectrum of devices Vudu supports, and a movie can even be purchased on one device and watched later on the Web.
Unfortunately the resolution is fixed at 480p due to licensing restrictions, and that’s a far cry from the 1080p available through many devices thanks to its pioneering HDX format. Still, with prices starting at $3.99 Vudu can cater to those people not able or willing to pay through the nose for high definition.
Vudu offers a nice alternative to Hulu, Apple iTunes, and Amazon, and one which will likely gain more fans now it’s available directly on the Web.
Conclusions
This could be a huge boost to Vudu and its owner Wal-Mart, as many people still rely on a PC and a browser to access the Web. Vudu still hasn’t made it to mobile devices, but that will surely be the next step for Vudu to take.
After all, people are increasingly eager to access the Internet while on the move, and watching movies is as much a part of that experience as anything else. Just don’t expect it to come cheaply, as there is talk of a Hulu Plus-style premium service being on its way first.
