Anime Network now Available on iPhone and iPod Touch

[ArcticMech]

Something to do while you wait in line at the bank or whatever.

Anime Network Now Available on iPhone and iPod Touch with Free vSNAX Videos App

HOUSTON, TX — October 17, 2008 — The best shows from Anime Network, America's #1 Anime Channel, are now available on the Anime channel of vSNAX Videos, a free app for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. vSNAX is the destination for video on the iPhone, aggregating and refreshing short video clips from over 25 premium media partners every day. Anime Network titles, including Azumanga Daioh, Saiyuki and Mythical Detective Loki, are now accessible on the iPhone with updates throughout the day so that Anime fans will always have their favorite shows with them. The shows are available as short three to five minute clips, which are perfect for the mobile environment as a snack sized bite of entertainment on the go.

“We chose Anime Network as one of our newest content partners because they have an excellent catalog and anime is what vSNAX users requested” said Ian Foley, senior director of business development for Rhythm NewMedia.
Our decision to collaborate with vSNAX Videos was an easy one, because vSNAX provides a great user experience,” said Stacy Dodson, Vice President at Anime Network. “Anime fans tend to be tech-savvy early adopters. vSNAX is tailor-made for them.”

About Anime Network
Anime Network, a subsidiary of A.D. Vision Inc. (parent company to ADV Films), is America's #1 Anime Channel, reaching more than 43 million households with thousands of hours of exciting, eye-catching serialized programming. Launched in North America in late 2002, Anime Network is the nation's top video-on-demand (VOD) offering, and is also available on mobile and broadband platforms. The network continues to broaden its national roster of multi-system operator (MSO) agreements, bringing the elusive 18–34, tech-savvy male demographic back to television and driving demand for additional digital services offered by MSOs. For more information, visit www.theanimenetwork.com

About Rhythm NewMedia & vSNAX Videos
Rhythm NewMedia is the leader in customized mobile video solutions and applications, working closely with professional media partners and advertisers to both monetize and create the best video viewing experience. Rhythm is a trusted partner with a proven track record of over 50 million mobile video ads served in partnership with 60 media companies, several top tier mobile operators and more than 50 top name brand advertisers. Rhythm's services include ad sales, ad serving, custom iPhone and Smartphone application development, mobile site design, and overall video management. Rhythm recently launched vSNAX Videos (vSNAX.com), a free entertainment application for Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch, to showcase Rhythm's innovation in providing an exceptional user experience, ground breaking ad units, and high quality streaming. Rhythm investors include The Carlyle Group, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Morgenthaler Ventures and Rembrandt Venture Partners. For more information please visit: www.rhythmnewmedia.com

[Ashyukun]

Interesting. I checked it out... the video quality isn't anything amazing- not really surprising for a streaming-type service though. Breaking up the shows into small (like 6-minute) segments is an interesting approach. The selection is a bit spotty though- I'd tend to agree that it's probably most useful for when you find yourself having time to kill and lacking anything else useful/interesting to do/watch... though at the same time- if you've got an iPhone this shouldn't be an issue, and even with an iPod Touch you've likely got some games on it.

Still- it's nice to see anime showing up more places, and hopefully it'll help ADV out a bit too.

[ArcticMech]

Originally Posted by Ashyukun

Interesting. I checked it out... the video quality isn't anything amazing- not really surprising for a streaming-type service though. Breaking up the shows into small (like 6-minute) segments is an interesting approach. The selection is a bit spotty though- I'd tend to agree that it's probably most useful for when you find yourself having time to kill and lacking anything else useful/interesting to do/watch... though at the same time- if you've got an iPhone this shouldn't be an issue, and even with an iPod Touch you've likely got some games on it.

I downloaded the app the other night and would have to agree with your assessment. The only time I'd use it is if I had a few minutes to spare with nothing better to do. I don't think I could stand watching a full length episode using this app.

[band20]

In most areas this is not going to be the best option with the iphone, I dealt with a complaint the other day about streaming video. I'm not for sure how it will work with the Touch but like everyone else I'm glad to see anime moving into more spots. This is just the beginning though and in the future more phones will have this capability.

[Ashyukun]

Originally Posted by band20

In most areas this is not going to be the best option with the iphone, I dealt with a complaint the other day about streaming video. I'm not for sure how it will work with the Touch but like everyone else I'm glad to see anime moving into more spots. This is just the beginning though and in the future more phones will have this capability.

Definitely... if I know I'm going to be needing to kill a good bit of time with just the iPhone (like when I was on travel and had to use a laundromat last week...), I'll convert and load a DVD or the likes onto it to watch. Streaming on the devices works reasonably well, but except for on-the-spot things (like amusing YouTube videos my friends find) it's still my last choice for video on portable devices.

Though I've joked about it being a bit silly for how easy it is to convert over, at the same time I think it's a good thing that sites/companies doing digital distribution like CR offer encodes of their content specifically for the iP*'s and PSPs and the likes.

[band20]

Originally Posted by Ashyukun

Definitely... if I know I'm going to be needing to kill a good bit of time with just the iPhone (like when I was on travel and had to use a laundromat last week...), I'll convert and load a DVD or the likes onto it to watch. Streaming on the devices works reasonably well, but except for on-the-spot things (like amusing YouTube videos my friends find) it's still my last choice for video on portable devices.

Though I've joked about it being a bit silly for how easy it is to convert over, at the same time I think it's a good thing that sites/companies doing digital distribution like CR offer encodes of their content specifically for the iP*'s and PSPs and the likes.

Converting is going to be the best option for about 75 percent of the United States in my opinion. I even convert stuff to my Blackberry Curve and I will continue to do so when I get issued my Bold. 3G is not widely available to making streaming a possibility but this is a step in the right direction. The guys upstairs at work are looking to do a lot more stuff like this in the future.