iPhone 3.0 GM: iTunes App Gets On-Device Movie, TV Show, Music Video, Audio Book, and iTunes U Downloads
Previously twice rumored and now recently made real during the WWDC 2009, iPhone 3.0 GM (gold master) sees the on-device iTunes app, which previously added the ability to download video podcasts in iPhone 2.2, round out its content with movies, TV shows, music videos, iTunes U, and audio books.
To make room, the tabs at the bottom lose Top Tens and Downloads and now include Videos (movies, TV, music video) and a standard More icon, which gives access to a screen offering Audio Books and iTunes U, as well as the displaced Downloads and relocated Redeem (for gift certificate codes).
Like with the iPod App, an Edit button lets you drag around tab icons to lay things out just the way you want them. Also, like with video podcasts, music, and App Store apps, 3G isn’t an option for anything over 10MB — which for video we imagine will be almost everything — so have your Wi-Fi standing by.
More pics after the break…
[Thanks to Muero for the screenshots!]
June 11th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
I haven’t tried to by any movies yet but I did view the previews on a few. Most of the movies give an error when you click the preview button. Not sure what that is all about.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I’m tempted to rent one for 99 cents to see what its like but I can’t imagine watching a whole movie on that lil screen
June 11th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Ok, someone throw me a bone here. Most definitely not hating on the iPhone…because this is a gripe I have with all mobile devices…
But I never really saw the benefit of watching a movie on your cell phone. For numerous reasons
1.) If it’s your only cell phone (and a major problem with no replaceable battery) you’re going through battery power quick once you add in email, text, web, and of course phoning.
2.) Most of the times…the only place you’d actually have to watch a movie on a phone is during a long trip. And let’s face it…most mobile phone users have a laptop. So wouldn’t it be better than watching on a 2.8-3.5in screen?
3.) As it was just stated, the only way you can download it is thru wifi. But if you’re near wifi…wouldn’t you most likely have your laptop/desktop (which would make a better viewing experience).
I just never really got into watching movies on such a tiny screen.
June 12th, 2009 at 1:44 am
Didn’t they remove the 10MB podcast limit in 3.0?
June 12th, 2009 at 1:46 am
Sweet! You posted my screenshots!
After reading this page though, I realized I left some stuff out. The “More” page and the editing/rearranging page are from the “App Store” app, but I never checked out the “More” page in the “iTunes” app. That’s where the iTunes U and Audiobooks sections were added. I put four more screenshots in my Twitpic feed, which you are welcome to re-post here if you want:
http://twitpic.com/photos/Muero
June 12th, 2009 at 1:53 am
2Frmaster:
Yes, and then no. I think they removed the 10MB limit in the the first beta or two, but that may have been accidental, because it was changed back. I double checked by trying to download a podcast. I took another screenshot of the message it gave me, and it is also in my Twitpic feed for anyone who wants to see it. It just adds it to your download queue so you can download it later when you connect to Wi-Fi.
June 12th, 2009 at 1:57 am
Is the top tens link still somewhere?
June 12th, 2009 at 3:10 am
Can you start watching the movie (after it has buffered a sufficient amount) before it completely downloads?
I watched 3 movies on my iPhone just a couple weeks ago while I was on the road. Advantages over laptop: watch in the gym while on exercise bike, watch in the dark while you’re in a room with a sleeping toddler, watch in bed lying on your back, etc. But yeah, the screen is small. I actually get pretty good battery life with video- I can often watch 2 full movies and still have a decent amount of battery life left. I do this on cross country flights.
June 12th, 2009 at 5:02 am
I’ve watched TV shows on my phone. I love it and no it wasn’t too small. the screen on the IPhone gives a great clear picture. and it is sure a whole lot easier to lug around than even a laptop.
June 12th, 2009 at 8:00 am
@IDavey I agree, I can see a music videos maybe even a tv episode here and there but not movies
June 12th, 2009 at 11:30 am
@Michael:
Yes. Instead of along the bottom, the Top Tens tab is now at the top when under the Music tab in the iTunes app. Video top ten lists can be found by scrolling all the way to the bottom of the featured videos under each of the three video categories, Movies, TV Shows, and Music Videos.
@Dyvim
NO. I tested this out, and it really surprised me to find that you have to download the entire video before watching any of it. This might be a workable solution for music videos and even TV shows, but for movies? Even on my 6 megabit internet connection at home, it looks like it’s going to take at least 35-45 minutes to download the 1.4 gigabyte movie file. Public WiFi is usually much slower, so unless you have a two hour layover at the airport, there’s no point in renting a movie for your flight. And I hope you can find a power outlet while the movie downloads.
As a side note, I couldn’t get my movie rental to download. It kept giving me a download error. I kept retrying, with no luck. After a few minutes, it suddenly hit me that I might not have the space for the 1.4 gigabyte file. I checked, and I only had about 450 megabytes free. I deleted some videos and freed up enough room, so then it started downloading. But I think it’s pretty retarded that the software couldn’t tell me why the download wasn’t working. I’m guessing this is something Apple will add in the next couple of months.
June 12th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Sorry for double posting twice in the same comment thread (it’s too bad I’m not a basketball player, because then I would love getting the double-double).
Another thing I noticed about the new ability to purchase videos on the iPhone: There’s no way to purchase HD versions of videos, even if they’re available in the desktop version of iTunes. I was hoping that it would give you the option to download the SD version to your iPhone while allowing you to download the HD version the next time you sign into desktop iTunes, the same way CD liner notes in PDF form are not downloaded to the iPhone but still added to your account to download later. I am unhappy to report that there is no mention of HD videos at all in the iTunes iPhone app.
June 12th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Actually I just rented Gran Torino (inspired by the screenshots above) to test it out. Download took about 35 minutes for 1.6 GB movie on my home WiFi. (This is on an original iPhone.) And I confirmed what you found, that you can’t watch until the download completes. Now I just need to find a good time to get around to watching it- go Clint! (I had no trouble watching the Gran Torino trailer although that is the only one I tried.)
June 25th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
okay, i have the iphone 3G. not the iphone 3G S. what app do you need in order to download a tv episode or movie onto your phone? is there even an app or…? please just tell me how to do it