Microsoft is in Talks to Join Movies Anywhere
- Paul Thurrott
- Mar 14, 2018
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45
As you may know, Microsoft’s Movies & TV service was left out in the cold when Disney expanded Movies Anywhere to include multiple content providers. But that will likely change, I was told.
“Microsoft is committed to delivering rich entertainment experiences to our customers,” a Microsoft spokesperson told me. “And we’re in discussions with Movies Anywhere about bringing their service onboard.”
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If you’re not clear what that means, you can refer back to my October 2017 post, Disney’s Movies Anywhere is Anywhere But Microsoft. At that time, I explained that the Movies Anywhere service, which supports content from Disney, Fox, Sony Pictures, Universal and Warner Bros., works with virtually every digital video service and device there is. Except Microsoft’s.
In the meantime, Movies & TV is still a great place for Windows 10 and Xbox One users to rent movies or buy TV show episodes.
“On Microsoft Movies & TV [today], customers can rent or buy any of the nearly 200,000 entertainment options to stream on their Xbox or Windows-based devices,” I was told.
And what about mobile devices? Obviously, accessing purchased or rented Movies & TV content on Android and iOS smartphones and tablets would be huge. But Microsoft had nothing to share on that front, sorry.
But look at it this way: If Microsoft does join Movies Anywhere, you will be able to access your content via that mobile app on Android and iOS. So Movies Anywhere compatibility would actually solve both problems.
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Conversation 45 comments
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Stooks
<blockquote><a href="#253145"><em>In reply to kenspencerbrown:</em></a></blockquote><p>There is simply NO WAY I would buy any video content from Microsoft. My Xbox One X is plugged into a 27inch 4K gaming monitor and I am not going to sit at it and watch a movie. Secondly I want mobile options.</p><p><br></p><p>I buy my digital movies from iTunes. I can then watch them one of our Apple TV's, one out iPad's, my iPhone or any computer running iTunes. The Chance of Apple closing down their movie renting/selling in the next 1 or 2 (average abandoned Microsoft product) is slim to none.</p>
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Stooks
<blockquote><a href="#253190"><em>In reply to Costanza:</em></a></blockquote><p>Here is the problem….I have never even heard of "Movies Anywhere" until a month ago. </p><p><br></p><p>Why….well they only came out in October of 2017. So I looked them up when I heard about them. Way to many limitations. Only US (Movies Anywhere???), Not all studio's, no 4K, no TV shows or rentals, can only download for a specific amount of time…etc…etc.</p><p><br></p><p>Microsoft is probably using them so you can keep your purchase from the Microsoft store and then they can shut all that down and you can still access them via this service.</p><p><br></p><p>Lastly what does this company get for this free service? All kinds of account information will be stored that is for sure, so it can login all over the place and sync stuff. Hopefully they have great security!! Does it work with 2factor turned on for these accounts (Apple, Google, Microsoft?). Are they getting anything else? Location data? What you watch and when? Who are they sharing all that with?</p><p><br></p><p>I say use Amazon, Apple or Google and buy movies from them because none of them are going to be shutting down their services anytime soon.</p>
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Stooks
<p>Not to sound totally negative…..but honestly who cares at this point???</p><p><br></p><p>Anyone holding out for a Microsoft consumer solution for music and video needs to a get a BIG FAT clue. It won't happen and even if it does it will be half hearted and ultimately canceled in a short time period.</p><p><br></p><p>I had the original iPod that was first available for Windows users. However I was a Microsoft fan so I got a Zune, a brown one no less and later a Zune 16 as well. I then got a Windows Phone 7, the Samsung Focus. Then Microsoft canceled the Zune, and then my Samsung focus was a dead end, never to get Windows Phone 8. I moved back to Apple for phone, music and video content.</p><p><br></p><p>I can't trust Microsoft with this area of tech (audio/video) and even if I could there are so many "actual" other choices that are better and get updated on a regular basis.</p>
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Bats
<p>THIS SERVICE IS AWESOME. This is a breath of fresh air to all those Microsoft fans who just had to buy their movies at the Microsoft store, because it's from Microsoft. </p><p><br></p><p>Like I have said in the past, I have bought digital movies from Amazon and Google. I also bought actual Blu Ray discs, on the condition that I would have access to the digital UltraViolet version on Vudu. Thanks to MoviesAnywhere, all those movies from Amazon, Google, and Vudu are accessible on …… *trumpet sounds* ….. Amazon, Google Play, and Vudu ….AND MoviesAnywhere. There is really nothing to think about, when it comes to this. You sign up, you're life is easier. PERIOD.</p>