Logicbank Media

Reports suggest that Sprint Nextel is set to offer full length movie downloads to its mobile phone subscribers through a subscription service.   Analysts suggested that the idea will likely face consumer resistant due to limited demand for small-screen content and problems which plaque the present generation of mobile video devices according to TechNewsWorld.

Sprint, which already allows users to watch live TV on the mobile phones through Sprint Power Vision, will market older Hollywood films through the a service provided in conjunction with MSpot which is launching its mobile movie service shortly. Sprint is expected to price its service at $7 USD per month.

Its questionable whether full length feature films will find widespread acceptance amongst smaller screen devices.  The market has seen numerous high profile devices optimized for video launch this year, including Apple’s iPod Video and Sony’s PlayStation Portable (PSP).  Apple’s iTunes has signed recent deals with NBC-Universal and Disney/ABC which allow for downloads of music videos as well as current and older TV programming.

The recent success of the iPod video and its poor battery life has highlighted one of the issues which adversely affect mobile video devices to date.  Battery life is of even greater importance in the mobile phone sector and may make watching a full length movie a non-starter.  While Sprint’s forthcoming mobile devices will allow for  downloads of full-length feature films the problems with battery life remain.

The market is still seeking for an elusive mix of compelling content, film length, purchase price, and device usability in order for mobile video to gain mainstream acceptable.  We would argue that inexpensive, compelling, short films, produced for the mobile medium with the commuter in mind, would stand the greatest chance of success.