In an effort to bridge the noticeable discrepancy between what a consumer gets when they purchase a DVD or Blu-ray copy of a film versus the digital copy offered through an outlet like the iTunes Store, Warner Brothers launched a new venture into the mobile entertainment world by creating "App Editions" and rolling out the concept with films like the fan-favorites Inception and The Dark Knight. The "App Edition" works essentially as the missing link between digital copies and Blu-ray and DVD releases and fills in what the former lacks: extra features. After all, why would a consumer pay $5-$10 for a copy of the film that only gives you the main feature and can only play on a limited number of devices when a few dollars more gives them a copy on DVD or Blu-ray with extras and, oh yeah, sometimes even a digital copy.
The "App Editions" must be working because today, Warner Brothers adds two new movies to the lineup: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Due Date. Now fans can download the free app which, assuming the user opts to purchase the film for streaming or download from the in-app link, allows the user enjoy extra features (like you'd find on a hard copy). To give you an idea of what the "App Edition" means for these two films, we'll give you official Warner Brothers listings of their features.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 - "App Edition"
Official synopsis: Part 1 begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort’s immortality and destruction—the Horcruxes. On their own, without the guidance of their professors or the protection of Professor Dumbledore, the three friends must now rely on one another more than ever. But there are Dark Forces in their midst that threaten to tear them apart.
- Over an hour of exclusive behind-the-scenes videos
- 26 compositions from the full original motion picture soundtrack
- The digital soundtrack booklet
- Production photos
- Movie scenes
- Movie posters from Year 7 for use as wallpapers and sharing
Due Date - "App Edition"
Official Synopsis: From director Todd Phillips, Due Date stars Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis as two unlikely companions who are thrown together on a road trip that turns out to be as life-changing as it is outrageous.
- 15 exclusive behind-the-scenes special feature bonus videos
- Concept art
- Productions stills
- Quote sharing
- Movie posters for use as wallpapers and sharing
While personally I'm not sold on "App Editions" as a substitute for having a hard copy of the films and their extras, for those intent on embracing "the cloud" and the new digital method of entertainment storage, the "App Editions" are an interesting compromise.
We've included some screenshots of the "App Editions" below.
