MUMBAI: Mobile entertainment firm mSpot, Inc. debuted a service that makes instant streaming of full-length feature movies available on-demand to millions of mobile phone users.
mSpot Mobile Movies is now available via the mobile web on all four major US carriers and initially across 30 different handset devices, including the iPhone, Blackberry, Palm, Windows Mobile and many high-end feature phones, reaching over 40 million subscribers.
The Mobile Movies service has been in development for over a year. During this time, mSpot perfected the streaming technology, security and inked deals with major studios. Mobile Movies marks the first direct-to-consumer component of mSpot’s movie offering, which launched three years ago with streaming movies limited through Sprint and Bell Mobility.
To access mSpot Mobile Movies, consumers go to m.mSpot.com on their phone, and use a credit card to rent and stream individual movies for $4.99 each. Then they simply use their phone’s web browser to access the movie instantly, no need to wait for download or syncing to a PC. mSpot’s Mobile Movies selection of films includes titles such as The Reader, Zach and Miri Make a Porno and Fast & Furious.
"mSpot is the first company to give mass audiences instant access to quality, full-length feature movies on their cell phones. This is made possible through technology we developed and the relationships we’ve created with studios, labels and distributors. We’re now able to offer all of our rich media services to both iPhone users and the huge number of consumers who carry other mobile handsets," said mSpot CEO Daren Tsui.
There are 18 different versions of every movie title, varying by codex, bitrate and aspect ratio. The result is the best possible viewing experience regardless of handset.
At launch, mSpot has agreements with Paramount Studios and Universal Studios Home Entertainment that grant them the rights to allow streaming movies, as well as access to both new releases and past movies. mSpot plans to announce additional content partners this year to expand its movie catalog – in the coming months it expects to give fans access to thousands of movies over a hundred handset devices.
Demand for instant mobile entertainment continues to grow. According to market research firm Gartner, smartphone sales topped 40 million units in the US for second quarter 2009, a year-over-year increase of 27 percent.
Added Tsui, "This is something no one has done before – deliver excellent quality streaming video for full-length films on the mobile device. We’re excited to be the first on the market, and look forward to giving people the instant mobile entertainment they crave."
