Zinc Beta 3 Hits a Mac Near You

ZeeVee’s Zinc content browser has proceeded to beta 3 for you Apple users out there. The program allows you to organize and view VOD content, and is touted as “an Internet Video Browser”. Here’s the juice:

Aimed at a TV-compatible interface to any streaming website Zinc should run on any Intel Mac running OS X 10.5. Specifically pointing out boxee, Zinc says users can create access to new sites just by adding an rss feed to their favorites tab.

A short blurb from ZeeVee:

It’s easy to use, and offers fast access to prime time TV episodes, movies from streaming services like Netflix, and web-only content. Connect your computer to your HDTV, and unleash the full power of Zinc.

Cheers Engadget.

Terminator Online Series Launches Today

In tandem with the new “Terminator Salvation” film hitting theaters and the video game hitting retail shelves, Warner has dialed into SkyNet for a six part series called “Terminator Salvation: The Machinima Series” (trailer). Each episode will set you back $2.99 for High-Def and $1.99 for standard. You can get a pass for all six episodes for $14.99 HD and $9.99 SD as well. They’re available on iTunes, Amazon VOD, Xbox Live, and the Playstation Network. Here’s the Cyberdyne Systems brief:

Warner is touting the online Terminator series as the first full-length, studio-produced project created in the ‘Machinima’ style, in which the story unfolds in real-time computer animation generated from videogames. In the case of Terminator: Machinima, the plot utilizes the technology engine of theTerminator Salvation: The Video Game, which streets today.

The online series acts as a prequel to the new theatrical film, following Blair Williams’ involvement withJohn Connor’s resistance unit two and a half years before the movie starts. Terminator: Machinima is produced in association with Terminator Salvation director McG and also involves Halcyon Games.

No word on if it is any good or not, but it is interesting to see Warner giving it a go. Thanks to VidBiz.

Apple Dabbling in iTunes Kiosks

According to a recent patent application, Apple is developing plans to deploy iTunes kiosks in which their mobile device users can connect and load up on digital content. Apple is considering launching the kiosks in “virtually any location” including boats, airports, and train stations where users would be stuck traveling and looking for some entertainment to pass time. Check it:

Supplementing the local media server would be a connection between the kiosk and the iTunes Store, which would provide broad access all the audio and video media available through the digital download service. Users could provide their iTunes login and password to download content they select using the keyboard and screen on the kiosk, or swipe their credit card to buy content that may be more readily accessible on the local media server. 

These kiosks would be particularly useful for users who are traveling, don’t have access to a wireless connection to access the iTunes Store, but wish to load their iPod, iPhone, computer, or tablet device with a movie or audio album before — or even after — boarding a flight, ship or train, Apple says. 

Some of the plan’s details and even some mock up drawings of the kiosks can be had over at AppleInsider.

Image Drops “Caves” – Free Film Available Digitally

In celebration of Earth Day, Image Entertainment has made the “Journey Into Amazing Caves” documentary film free on iTunes, Amazon VOD, and Blockbuster On Demand. First, a little background on the film:

Meet Dr. Hazel Barton and Nancy Aulenbach. These women are compelled to push their limits in hostile environments. They are cavers who risk fatal danger for the thrill of discovery. Barton and Aulenbach are extreme athletes and extreme scientists – scientists who gather their data in treacherous places where few dare to follow. In Journey Into Amazing Caves they travel to caves in Arizona, Greenland and Mexico searching for discoveries that may lead to cures for human disease.

The word from Image:

Journey Into Amazing Caves “reminds us that the planet is more than a solid sphere, where all life is stuck onto an impregnable surface,” director Steve Judson said. “The planet is a magnificently three-dimensional system, and although we rarely glimpse this extra dimension, knowing it’s there changes our thinking and enriches our world view. Journey Into Amazing Caves gives us one of those rare glimpses.”

Mitch Mallon, VP of digital sales of Image division Egami Media, added, “This is a great opportunity for Image to share the environmental benefits that digital distribution has to offer.”

Free films can never be a bad thing. Credit to VidBiz.

Conflict of Interest: Hulu iPhone App On the Way

Rumor has it: Hulu is hard at work on an iPhone app that will allow iPhone denizens to play Hulu content on their hand held devices. This app might put a dent into mobile content offered on iTunes. Read up:

Hulu is in the process of developing an app for Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone and iPod touch, we have learned from a plugged-in industry executive. The app is coming soon (within a few months) and is “badass” — as excellent as Hulu’s Web site. Video will work over both wi-fi and 3G, we’re told.

It won’t be the first Web video app for the iPhone — CBS’s TV.com app is on the market, as are Joost, i.TV and several others — but it could be the best. Hulu’s tech and design teams have demonstrated themselves as the best in the Web video industry, as everyone is now trying to emulate them. One hurdle, we assume: Because of Hulu’s streaming architecture, it might not be possible to download videos to watch later, such as on the subway or an airplane.

Apple will still need to approve the app before it is offered officially. On one hand, allowing the app would sell more iPhones but on the other it directly competes with iTunes. It will be interesting to see how Apple plays that one out. Tip of the hat to Silicon Alley Insider.

iTunes Rolls Out Films for Germany

Paramount, Warner Bros., MGM, Disney, Sony are among the studios now offering flicks on iTunes for Germany. Short and sweet:

Among the titles currently available to local users are ”The Dark Knight,”"Quantum of Solace,” ”Pineapple Express,” ”High School Musical 3: Senior Year,”"Eagle Eye” and local productions such as ”The Counterfeiters” and “Keinohrhasen” (Rabbit Without Ears).

Conspicuously missing from the iTunes store is product from Universal.

An Apple spokesman declined to comment on why [Universal] had not boarded the German platform.

Additional local players are expected to join iTunes but Apple also declined to comment on any negotiations with any potential new distribution partners.

Good to see that Apple has figured out some of the issues related to digital distribution overseas. Full story on Variety.