Vudu in Deep Doo-Doo
Online movie service Vudu is slashing $100 off the price of its set-top box, just a week after Steve Jobs showed off the revamped Apple TV. And while the company will undoubtedly shout a Python-esque “We’re not dead yet!” dramatic price cuts of the company’s core product don’t bode well for its future.
Vudu had always faced an uphill battle. First, the service requires you to buy yet another set-top box, and that box will set you back $295 — $60 more than the $229 Apple TV. Second, would you prefer to buy your hardware from an unknown startup or from a company that you know will be around next year?
Finally, high-profile competitors like Apple, Netflix and Amazon are all vying for your direct movie download dollar. With their deep pockets and brand recognition, Vudu had better start working some serious voodoo if it wants to stick around.
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[...] Vudu has slashed prices for its VOD box in light of Apple TV’s recent price drop. Microsoft joined the [...]
YouTube - NTIA - Nielsen - Comcast - Liberty…
— 7:13 AM on January 25, 2008
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[...] 15 percent of its staff in August. The company has never caught on with mass audiences, despite a price cuts for the device, 99-cent movie rentals, a super high-definition download option and the addition of [...]
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[...] HD movies for $4 a pop. It’s been struggling to get a bigger audience for its box despite price cuts, and it went through a round of layoffs and the departure of its CEO. On the plus side, it did just [...]
Whatever Happened To P2P Set-Top Boxes? …
— 2:00 PM on December 11, 2008
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[...] effort. Over the course of this year it’s tried just about everything to get people to buy: price cuts on the box, porn, a 99-cent bargain rental bin, adding 1,000 HD titles, a new HDX high-def format, [...]
Will Opening Up Keep Vudu From Closing Down…
— 9:01 PM on December 15, 2008
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[...] Vudu’s last gasp? The company has tried just about everything to build up an install base: previous price cuts, porn, bargain movie rentals, a high-end HD format — none of which have given the box much [...]
Vudu Knocks $200 Off Its Device (Will You…
— 7:53 AM on December 23, 2008
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[...] Vudu’s last gasp? The company has tried just about everything to build up an install base: previous price cuts, porn, bargain movie rentals, a high-end HD format — none of which have given the box much [...]
Vudu Knocks $200 Off Its Device (Will You…
— 10:45 AM on December 23, 2008
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[...] its credit, despite undertaking moves ranging from price cuts, the addition of porn, opening up its box to other services, losing a CEO and two rounds of [...]
VUDU Drops Its Price, Adds Pretense «…
— 7:57 AM on February 10, 2009
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You must have Apple stock to be so biased…
The $229 AppleTV has a 40GB HDD. They are charging $329 for the 160GB Apple TV. The VUDU has a 250GB for $295. Now, based on VUDU’s tech I’m sure that’s not all available for purchases, but I’m sure neither is Apple’s box.
Come on, compare “apples to apples” man!
Well, I don’t own Apple stock (or any individual stocks for that matter).
You’re right about the basic specs, but the Apple TV also lets you watch YouTube videos and podcasts. And Apple looks like its going to outpace Vudu as far as HD content. And Apple TVs aren’t sold in mall kiosks like sunglasses.