If you downloaded the new Redbox Instant app for Android from Verizon, and also signed up to received a code (like “aurv3da4“) to test the beta service, you should go ahead and jump on it. With the beta code, Big Red is including a month of unlimited streaming service along with four DVD rentals. Just keep in mind that it asks for your credit card info and will cost you $8 per month after the trial is finished.

For those not familiar, Redbox Instant is similar in a lot of ways to Netflix in that you can subscribe for a monthly fee to stream content (movies) directly from an app on your phone. Where it differs is in the physical DVD realm. With Redbox, you can actually search for nearby Redbox outlets and cheaply rent movies that can be taken home for household enjoyment. Most (if not all) McDonald’s have Redbox kiosks outside.

Play Link [Sign-up for the beta]

Cheers @WinDroidGuy!

Verizon Includes Free Month With Redbox Instant, Once You Have Beta Access is a post from: Droid Life

The ability to rent Redbox movies on your Android device is just around the corner, thanks to a join venture between Redbox and Verizon that was announced this morning. It’s not exactly clear how they plan to make movie magic together, as they would only mention that details of their product portfolio will be revealed in the coming months. We do see a mention of “mobile” in the press release though, and a time frame of “second half of 2012,” so before long these companies will be “freeing people to spontaneously enjoy the entertainment they want, whenever they choose, using the devices and media they prefer, at home or away.” 

Verizon and Coinstar’s Redbox Form Joint Venture to Create New Consumer Choice for Video Entertainment

Joint Venture Will Offer the Best of Both Worlds – Physical and Digital – to All Consumers Nationwide

NEW YORK, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Verizon and Coinstar, Inc. today announced the formation of a joint venture that will create a new choice for quality- and value-conscious consumers seeking a simple and affordable way to access the video entertainment they crave.  The venture’s services will offer all of the convenience, simplicity and value of Redbox^® new release DVD and Blu-ray Disc^® rentals combined with a new content-rich video on-demand streaming and download service from Verizon.

The joint venture plans to introduce the product portfolio in the second half of 2012.  It will offer subscription services and more in an easy-to-use, flexible and affordable service that will allow all consumers across the U.S. to enjoy the new and popular entertainment they want, whenever they choose, using the media and devices they prefer.  Additional brand and product information will be revealed in the coming months.

“When you consider the core elements the parties bring to this venture – our powerful brands; our national rental kiosk footprint; our anytime, anywhere network presence; and our mutual commitment to customer-focused innovation – it’s clear that Verizon and Redbox are a powerful entertainment team,” said Bob Mudge, president of Verizon consumer and mass business markets.

“Consumers rely on Redbox for the latest new release movies at a great value, and our joint venture with Verizon will enable us to bring them even more value by offering expanded content offerings and greater flexibility for how and when they enjoy entertainment,” said Paul Davis, chief executive officer of Coinstar, Inc.  “This alliance is the result of a deliberate and strategic process to identify a partner who shares our commitment to delivering innovative solutions to consumers.  We look forward to rolling out the shared benefits this venture will bring to consumers, retailers, and shareholders.”

This venture between Verizon and Redbox will create the kind of national multi-platform product that customers are demanding from video entertainment service providers.  It will leverage Verizon’s industry-wide relationships with entertainment content providers, its advanced cloud computing technologies and state-of-the-art IP network infrastructure to distribute video on-demand content to its customers.

“The joint venture will combine the accessibility and value of Redbox with Verizon’s vision for a borderless lifestyle – where consumers easily accomplish what they want or need to do, on their terms, through the power of the network,” said Mudge.  “Together, we are erasing old technology boundaries, freeing people to spontaneously enjoy the entertainment they want, whenever they choose, using the devices and media they prefer, at home or away.”

By offering instantly available online and mobile content with immediate access to physical media through rental kiosks, Verizon and Redbox will be uniquely positioned to deliver the best of both worlds – digital and physical – to consumers across the country.

The joint venture is a limited liability company with Verizon holding a 65 percent ownership share and Redbox holding a 35 percent ownership share at the outset.

About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with nearly 109 million total connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 194,000.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

About Redbox
Redbox Automated Retail, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coinstar, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSTR), offers new-release DVD, Blu-ray Disc^® and video game rentals through its network of conveniently located, self-service kiosks.  Redbox has rented more than 1.5 billion discs and is available at more than 35,400 kiosks across over 29,000 locations nationwide, including select McDonald’s restaurants, leading grocery, drug and convenience stores, select Walmart locations and Walgreens locations in select markets.  For more information, visit www.redbox.com.

Verizon and Redbox Form Joint Venture to Fulfill Your Physical and Digitial Media Desires is a post from: Droid Life

While we’re doing our best to avoid all talk of Thunderbolt pricing for the next few minutes, how about some news of an official Redbox app on Android for movie fanatics?  It dropped onto the market last night and is as expected, available for free.  You can browse movies, see if they are available at any of your closest locations, and then reserve them.  All it takes is a Redbox account and the power is yours.

Download Link

Official Redbox App Lands on Android, Reserve Movies from Anywhere is a post from: Droid Life