Hollywood's new Movies Anywhere service launches anywhere but Microsoft

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Disney’s Movies Anywhere locker app which launched a few years ago has now been superseded by a new Movies Anywhere app (via The Verge) which includes more than just Disney. Now studios like Universal, Fox, and Warner Brothers will be adding their movies to this scheme so no matter where you buy your movies –you’ll be able to see it on all your devices. This includes apps like Amazon, Apple’s iTunes, Google’s Play Movies and TV Service and VUDU among others.
It will be rolling out to the US first of all, then (hopefully) expand to more countries as time goes on. The Movies Anywhere service will also be available as a separate app on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire and ROKU as well as on the web. Microsoft’s Windows Movies and TV app is not supported, and there is no Xbox app planned at this time. This is worrying for users who rely on Microsoft Movies and TV app, as the firm earlier left its partnership with Disney, and is now absent from another similar endeavour.

Microsoft killed its Groove Music service earlier this month, raising questions about the viability of purchasing content from the Windows Store, especially as the company pivots towards a stronger enterprise focus and areas that make money. With the launch of Movies anywhere, users have even less reason to use Microsoft’s offering, especially when there are concerns of longevity and support which Microsoft does little to alleviate. The lack of apps on iOS and Android for movies, as well as Microsoft’s conspicuous absence from the Movies Anywhere programs place them, and the windows store, as a precarious storefront for entertainment.

More about the topics: disney movis anywhere, microsoft, movies and TV, Movies Anywhere