Microsoft, Tesco Team to Sell Downloadable Movies in UK

By Geoff Duncan September 9, 2009

Microsoft, Tesco Team to Sell Downloadable Movies in UK

Software giant Microsoft is already in the video distribution business with its Xbox Live service, but today the company announced a new partnership with UK-based retailer Tesco to offer DVD-quality downloadable movies to customers in the United Kingdom, leveraging Microsoft’s Silverlight technology. Although the companies didn’t offer many details of the forthcoming service, they claim it will offer a “virtual DVD” experience at quality levels akin to standard DVD and Blu-ray discs, but with added interactivity and an enhanced viewing experience enabled by Silverlight.

“Microsoft is committed to enhancing digital entertainment to deliver richer quality video and, ultimately, more enjoyable and interactive experiences for the viewer through technologies like Microsoft Silverlight,” said senior director of Microsoft’s media and entertainment business Gabriele Di Piazza, in a statement. “We believe this alliance will offer consumers in the U.K., and eventually additional markets, the opportunity to download a digital copy that is truly the equivalent of a physical disk—with the same package of navigation, bonus features, and director commentaries.”

Recommended Videos

Microsoft claims the virtual DVDs will be playable both on Windows PCs and Macs (we presume Intel-based Macs; Microsoft dropped support for PowerPC-based Macs with Silverlight 2.0). The companies say interactive elements in the movies will include auto-updating trailers (so studios can always promote their latest releases!), exclusive bonus content, online “viewing parties” with online chat, and tie-ins with related music, ringtones, and games.

The companies didn’t offer any pricing information for the service, but expects to launch it in the “autumn.”

Topics

Microsoft

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Computing

How to change margins in Google Docs

Laptop Working from Home

When you create a document in Google Docs, you may need to adjust the space between the edge of the page and the content --- the margins. For instance, many professors have requirements for the margin sizes you must use for college papers.

You can easily change the left, right, top, and bottom margins in Google Docs and have a few different ways to do it.

Computing

What is Microsoft Teams? How to use the collaboration app

A close-up of someone using Microsoft Teams on a laptop for a videoconference.

Online team collaboration is the new norm as companies spread their workforce across the globe. Gone are the days of primarily relying on group emails, as teams can now work together in real time using an instant chat-style interface, no matter where they are.

Using Microsoft Teams affords video conferencing, real-time discussions, document sharing and editing, and more for companies and corporations. It's one of many collaboration tools designed to bring company workers together in an online space. It’s not designed for communicating with family and friends, but for colleagues and clients.

Computing

Microsoft Word vs. Google Docs

A person using a laptop that displays various Microsoft Office apps.

For the last few decades, Microsoft Word has been the de facto standard for word processors across the working world. That's finally starting to shift, and it looks like one of Google's productivity apps is the heir apparent. The company's Google Docs solution (or to be specific, the integrated word processor) is cross-platform and interoperable, automatically syncs, is easily shareable, and perhaps best of all, is free.

However, using Google Docs proves it still has a long way to go before it can match all of Word's features -- Microsoft has been developing its word processor for over 30 years, after all, and millions still use Microsoft Word. Will Google Docs' low barrier to entry and cross-platform functionality win out? Let's break down each word processor in terms of features and capabilities to help you determine which is best for your needs.
How does each word processing program compare?
To put it lightly, Microsoft Word has an incredible advantage over Google Docs in terms of raw technical capability. From relatively humble beginnings in the 1980s, Microsoft has added new tools and options in each successive version. Most of the essential editing tools are available in Google Docs, but users who are used to Word will find it limited.