DRM News

Two major retailers making approaches to all of us geeks everywhere? This demands…a double feature!

Perhaps tiring of seeing business lost to online rental services like Netflix, Best Buy will be launching a new online service called CinemaNow later this month.

CinemaNow will basically be a Best buy branded version of the Roxio CinemaNow Sonic Solutions had previously put on the market before Best Buy purchased the company. Customers can buy or rent movies and TV shows, downloading them to a computer or DVR.

Not only will it be available via its own web site, it will also be integrated in a number of electronic devices (TV’s, DVD players, etc.) sold in Best Buy stores. That could give them a decided edge on the competition.

It seems like odd timing, with more and more game sales moving online, but Target has decided to remodel and expand their video game sections in all of their stores.

The retailer said Monday that it will expand its video game section by 30 percent. It plans to add video game learning centers where consumers can read reviews and learn about a game’s features as well as install trial stations where shoppers can test games.

The more open design layout was implemented in some stores last month and will continue to be rolled out through June.

Two important questions :

1. Will the controllers hooked up to the trial stations actually work?

2. Does ‘more open’ mean ‘no more asking some 19 year old employee with a grudge if I can pretty please have permission to look at a game caged up like a pedophile’?

Anyway, it is nice to see mainstream stores trying to claw their way back in to the market.