Apple Delays Movie Rental Upgrade
By Scott Wilkinson February 2, 2008 — At MacWorld Expo last month, Apple CEO Steve Jobs promised that an upgrade of the Apple TV software to allow online movie rentals would be available by the end of January. But, as with so many things tech, the release of that software will now be delayed by "a week or two" according to a company statement issued on January 31. The software will be made available as a free download to existing Apple TV customers when it's finally deemed ready.

The update will let owners of Apple's IPTV set-top box rent movies from the iTunes online store directly on their TV without having to use a computer. Movies downloaded to an Apple TV will also sync back to iTunes on the user's computer so they can be played on any current-generation iPod or iPhone.

The company expects to have more than 1000 titles available by the end of February, over 100 of which will be high-def. In addition, studios like 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., Disney, Paramount, Universal, and Sony have agreed to make their movies available from iTunes, but new releases will not be available until 30 days after the DVDs ship to retailers.

Older DVD-quality titles will be available for $2.99, while new releases will be $3.99; high-def titles will be $1.00 more. Welcome to the future of movie rental—just as soon as the software that will take us there is ready.