Blockbuster to launch in-store movie download service

Blockbuster will deploy an in-store download service in the coming months. The program, initially available only in Dallas, will let consumers download movies onto a portable device in, as Blockbuster’s CEO James Keyes hopes, under 30 seconds. So far, only Archos-made portable media players are compatible with the as-yet unnamed service.

No details regarding what movie studios have signed up, but Keyes said he would love to have “everyone” on board. Okay, terrific.

While the technology itself seems fun enough, what benefit is it to me, exactly, to go to a brick-and-mortar store to download a movie when I can already do that from home, either on iTunes or some other service? Blockbuster will have to offer something above and beyond in order to get me to visit the video rental store again.