After the release of Amazon Unbox in 2006, Amazon is ready to unveil a new video service. Called Amazon VoD (Video On Demand), the new service will offer to customers over 40,000 movies and television programs.

They can start watch their favorites shows immediately after completing the order because they stream, just like programs on a cable video-on-demand service.

Amazon will team up with Sony and Amazon VoD will be available through Sony Bravia Internet Video link, a device that costs $300.
Amazon VoD will offer the ability to download purchased items or store them online, but rentals are “streaming only”, which means you have to be connected to the internet to watch.

However, Amazon did not disclose any details about the pricing scheme and its service is for the moment in beta.

Last February Amazon has started to collaborate with TiVo to allow TiVo users with broadband to download movies to their digital video recorder.

Amazon’s new venture will compete mainly against Netflix. Last week, Netflix has signed an important deal with Microsoft, according to which its catalog of movies and TV shows will be made available through Xbox Live Service.

The announcement is just one of the many initiatives unveiled by Microsoft, which intends to make its gaming console more appealing for casual gamers.