Walmart dances around Apple's in-app purchase rules with VUDU web app for iPad

Software

On Wednesday, Walmart subsidiary VUDU launched a new iPad-accessible web app that allows iPad users to stream more than 20,000 movies and television shows directly from the Web. iPad owners don’t have to use iTunes and simply need to navigate to http://VUDU.com for access to rentals and purchases. “VUDU’s launch on the iPad plays into that vision as we’re committed to offering the VUDU experience on as many devices as possible so customers can shop for and access their favorite movies and TV shows however they want, whenever they want,” general manager of VUDU Edward Lichty said. Customers can add a VUDU web app to their home screen by clicking the “Add to Home Screen” button once they have accessed the website. Read on for the full press release. 

Walmart Brings VUDU’s Movie Streaming Service to iPad

More than 20,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics and independent films can be instantly streamed through VUDU.com on iPad

SANTA CLARA, Calif. and BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Walmart announced today the launch of VUDU for the iPad. VUDU, a leading subscription-free, video-on-demand movie service and wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart stores, has optimized the navigation experience of VUDU.com to enable millions of iPad owners to rent or buy entertainment content and then stream it easily through any iPad browser.

Beginning today, iPad users can go to VUDU.com and browse through VUDU’s entertainment content library, which includes more than 20,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics, independent films and TV episodes, then rent or purchase and watch them instantly. For one touch access to VUDU, customers can add a VUDU icon to their iPad desktops by clicking the “Add to Home Screen” button when on VUDU.com.

“At Walmart, one of our key priorities is to provide one continuous experience for our customers to interact with our brand — whether that is in stores, online or from their mobile devices,” said Edward Lichty, general manager, VUDU. “VUDU’s launch on the iPad plays into that vision as we’re committed to offering the VUDU experience on as many devices as possible so customers can shop for and access their favorite movies and TV shows however they want, whenever they want.”

Movies purchased and/or rented on the iPad can also be viewed on Walmart.com/VUDU, VUDU.com or on any VUDU-enabled consumer electronics device. VUDU is currently available on more than 300 consumer electronics devices including Internet-capable HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc players and the PlayStation 3 — more than any other pay-per-view service.

21 Comments
  • Anonymous

    Good more content.

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FHSNRLSY722EA2H2SSWZPHW6AE Gilbert Estes

      I paid $21.87 for an iPad 2 32-GB and my girlfriend loves her Panasonic Lumix GF 1 Camera that we got for $ 38.76 there arriving tomorrow by UPS. I will never pay such expensive retail prices in stores again. Especially when I also sold a 40 inch LED TV to my boss for $ 657 which only cost me $ 62.81 to buy. Here is the website we use to get it al from, http://to.ly/aUHr

  • Anonymous

    Maybe Apple will change their ways once they realize other companies don’t want to play their game. In a few days, we’ve seen Amazon and now this happen.

    Also I can’t wait for Samsung to stop supplying them LCDs for their iPads.

    • Anonymous

      Ya samsung is going to say. Screw you apple and the $7 billion dollars you’re going to give us….sigh

    • http://twitter.com/Synergi Synergi

      -laughs- Not gonna happen..

  • Anonymous

    give it a week or less, and apple will find some reason to pull it. 

    • Rudy

      well they can’t pull it – it’s on the internet…so the communism regime known as Apple will ban the web site through OS fix 

      • Anonymous

        sorry this part of the article  ”iPad-accessible web app ” had me thinking it was an app that allowed you to access web content from an app. Leave it to BGR to have you thinking the wrong thing from the first line. 

      • Anonymous

        Shows what an ignorant fool you are.

      • Anonymous

        Says the guy who makes an ignorant statement as he calls someone esle ignorant

      • Rudy

        I did the samething – then realized it’s rendered for the iPad vs a downloadable app

  • Anonymous

    F’ Walmart. 

  • Anonymous

    Let’s face it, these in-app purchase rules are resulting in a lower quality user experience.  Ignore whether the rules are right or justified for a moment.  

  • Matt Yearian

    This just in:  Apple blocks all add to home screen buttons to protect people from “viruses”.

  • Anonymous

    VUDU web app + bookmarked icon on the home screen + full screen Safari JB = a virticle U shaped golden shower right over the walled garden! Others should take note and follow suit. Sayin…

  • Anonymous

    I just paid $ 23.86 for an iPhone and my girlfriend loves her Dell laptop that we got for $ 38.76 there arriving tomorrow by UPS I will never pay such expensive retail prices in stores again. Especially when I also sold a 42 inch LED TV to my boss for $ 665 which only cost me $ 62,81 to buy. Here is the website we use to get it all from, GrabPenny.com

    • http://twitter.com/Synergi Synergi

      Stop spamming this crap..

  • Anonymous

    Another service that uses HTML5 instead of Flash. Great. The quicker flash gets killed the better.

    • http://twitter.com/androidhelpers Android Helpers

      Says the guy who’s never laid a finger on web development. Right.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_IC7DZDK24C4LNOWEK7ATVKPYSY Edgar Contreras

    I just paid $22.85 for an iPad 2-64GB and my girlfriend loves her Panasonic Lumix GF 1 Camera that we got for $38.76 there arriving tomorrow by UPS. I will never pay such expensive retail prices in stores again. Especially when I also sold a 40 inch LED TV to my boss for $674 which only cost me $62.81 to buy. Here is the website we use to get it all from, CentHub.com

  • Anonymous

    Haha – I can just imagine some Montgomery Burns – Jobs archetype pounding his fist over the affront of people being able to actually buy content with their web browser.  

    Smithers! 
    Yes Sir?
    They’re not using iTunes! Destroy the internet!
    Yes Sir!

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