snapshot 7/10/07

Wal-Mart says online-to-store results strong
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070710/bs_nm/walmart_sitetostore_dc_1;_ylt=AqOxzgnJF.HgfrdWuzf8eAVkM3wV
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE:WMT - news), the world's largest retailer, said on Tuesday that it has seen strong results from its service that allows customers to order products on its Web site and have them shipped to a local Wal-Mart store for free. The "Site to Store" service is now available at more than 3,300 U.S. stores. Wal-Mart said customers have saved more than $5 million in shipping fees since it launched the service in March.


TiVo, Amazon to sell movies straight to TV sets
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070710/tc_nm/tivo_amazon_dc_1;_ylt=AtMHMymeG46ZWgM.FS4lWJlkM3wV
TiVo upgraded the "Amazon Unbox on TiVo" service to allow customers with high-speed Internet connections to select one of about 10,000 movies, shows or other video, using the TiVo remote control. The programs, priced on average at about $4 for a movie rental and about $2 for a television show, will be viewable after it downloads to the TiVo set-top box.


Apple plans cheaper, Nano-based phone: JP Morgan
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070709/tc_nm/apple_nanophone_dc_4;_ylt=ArHm3pRM.Y0Wi1S8tDkylkNkM3wV
Apple Inc. plans to launch a cheaper version of the iPhone in the fourth quarter that could be based on the ultra-slim iPod Nano music player, according to a JP Morgan report. Apple filed a patent application document dated July 5 that refers to a multifunctional handheld device with a circular touch pad control, similar to the Nano's scroll wheel.


P Morgan retracts. Now says "No" to near term "Nano" iPhone
http://www.tuaw.com/2007/07/10/jp-morgan-retracts-now-says-no-to-near-term-nano-iphone/
P Morgan has just issued a note retracting Kevin Chang's earlier projection about a near term iPhone Nano. The new report says that the majority of Chang's assumptions appear to have come from a review of the patent that was published last week, adding that a near-term launch of an iPhone-nano product would be "unusual and highly risky".


Getting Your Shows on the Road
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/10/technology/10gadgets.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin
But sometime during the digital revolution, consumers’ home entertainment technology began making the travel industry look as if it were stuck in an analog era, with most airlines showing bland films on tough-to-view overhead screens and hotels’ television lineups disappointing guests accustomed to TiVo.

In the hotel business, the race is on to upgrade guest rooms with high-definition flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations and a wider selection of programming (preferably, available on demand). And some carriers are introducing personal entertainment systems that feature more movies, music and games, although these devices are offered mainly to business and first-class customers.

For instance, Delta is introducing a new seatback system, Delta on Demand, that features 24 channels of live television, up to 28 films, 12 video games, more than 1,600 songs and 45 hours of HBO programming, including episodes of popular television shows. The system is now on 100 aircraft, including economy class on some planes. The live TV and games are free throughout the aircraft, although there are charges for some programs in coach.


Collective Soul inks with Target for album
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/music/news/e3ia37e17bc1457412e4eb22dd3ba7845d8
Collective Soul has struck a deal with Target, making it the exclusive physical retailer for its next album. "Afterwords" is due Aug. 28 and will be issued by the band's own El Music Group imprint. The set will also be available digitally on iTunes.

"We definitely considered all means of distribution for this album but this new partnership with Target is a new way of doing business," Collective Soul frontman Ed Roland tells Billboard.com. "There seems to be no right or wrong way in the industry these days and it's exciting to be doing something different. We were with a major label for seven years and five albums. All the new alternatives are very intriguing."


di[rec] could tempt labels with post concert live recording drives
http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/10/di-rec-could-tempt-labels-with-post-concert-live-recording-driv/
If you thought picking up a full-length studio album on a USB stick was hot stuff, di[rec] is out to make such an idea seem second rate. Founded by two ex-Sony BMG colleagues, the company is looking to round up support from their former employer, Warner Music, and various independent labels as it records live performances, mixes and masters on-site, and offers up the show on a USB drive or "download voucher" as folks are filing out of the exits. Sadly, there's no word yet on how much the outfit plans on charging gullible concert goers for the privilege of reliving their deafening experiences over and over, but it has already given the system a go at Nova Rock in Austria last month


Netflix: 5M Online Views in Six Months
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6458780.html
Netflix subscribers have watched 5 million movies and TV episodes on their PCs since the DVD-by-mail company launched its Watch Now service in January.

With more than 6 million subscribers, Netflix tallied an average of less than one view per subscriber for the six-month period. However, the company staggered the rollout of Watch Now, making the service available to additional groups of about 250,000 subscribers per week through June.