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Walmart today announced the launch of its video-streaming service, Vudu, on the iPad, but eschewed creating an iPad app in favor of allowing users to stream content through Vudu.com on their iPad browsers.
Beginning today, users can visit www.vudu.com on any iPad browser to stream one of the more than 20,000 titles in Vudu's library. Movies purchased or rented on the iPad can also be viewed on Walmart.com/Vudu, Vudu.com, or on any Vudu-enabled electronics device, such as Internet-capable HDTVs, Blu-ray players, or the PlayStation 3.
GigaOm noted that Vudu is being offered through the browser instead of as an iPad app for two reasons. First, it allows Vudu to circumvent the 30 percent fee that Apple collects on content sold within its App Store. And second, it allows Vudu to update and add features to its iPad storefront more quickly, because it is not subject to Apple's App Store approval process.
The announcement of the iPad storefront comes just a week after Walmart rolled out full integration of the video-on-demand service on Walmart.com. Vudu was acquired by Walmart back in February. Rental costs range from $1 to $7, and outright purchases range from $5 to $22. And unlike Netflix, which recently hiked prices for its video streaming services, there is no monthly membership charge to use Vudu. (For other online streaming video options, see: How pricier Netflix stands up to other options.)
Sources:
Walmart brings Vudu's movie streaming service to the iPad [Walmart]
Vudu avoids Apple rev share split with iPad mobile site [GigaOm]
—Evan MacDonald
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