Amazon’s Instant Video service is now available on the Xbox 360, the company announced today. Thanks to the new app, LIVE Gold subscribers will be able to browse Amazon’s film & TV catalogue while navigating with Kinect.
Here’s how to connect to the service, according to Amazon’s dedicated landing page:
The free app will be particularly appealing to Amazon Prime subscribers, who will be able to access the service directly from their game console. According to Amazon, its catalogue currently includes 17,000 titles, with shows such as ’24,’ ‘Downton Abbey’ and ‘Chappelle Show,’ and movies like ‘Mission Impossible 3’ and ‘Forrest Gump.’
As we reported, Amazon has signed several deals with Hollywood studios such as Paramount to expand Prime’s catalogue, while starting to venture into original programming.
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The Kinect experience also seems a good fit for a lean-back experience such as watching movies. Says Ross Honey, general manager of Xbox LIVE Entertainment and Advertising at Microsoft:
“Working with Amazon.com marks a significant milestone in our mission to make the entertainment you love more amazing on Xbox. By bringing the Amazon Instant Video app to Xbox LIVE and adding voice search and voice control through the magic of Kinect, we’re transforming the way people discover and experience entertainment.”
Amazon itself acknowledges that today’s announcement was long expected. “Amazon Instant Video on the Xbox 360 console is among one of the most requested video features from our customers, so we are excited to offer yet another way for customers to enjoy Amazon Instant Video,” says Amazon.com vice president for video, Anthony Bay.
As a matter of fact, Amazon insists on the multi-platform functionality of its Prime offer. “Our Whispersync technology allows customers to seamlessly switch between watching on their Kindle Fire and their Xbox 360 console, without losing their place, Bay explains.
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