I got around to watching “Greyhound” with Tom Hanks the other day. It’s a fantastic movie. I can understand why he was upset about it not playing on the big screen.

As I understand it, he started this project ten years ago. Having a background in film/video plus composing music, I get why he’s upset. When someone plays with your creation it’s personal. It’s like they’re hitting your kid.

I kept thinking while watching the movie that if I had a pair of AirPod Pros with Spatial Audio the experience would be phenomenal, even on my 1080p screen. That gave me an idea.

The complaint about Apple TV+ is that it won’t survive because it doesn’t have a back catalogue like Disney+, Netflix, CBS Access, and so on.

Suppose instead, not only did Apple produce they’re own content but focused on being the goto destination for feature film premieres?

They could do a ‘pay-on-demand’ business model or devise something ‘outta the box’. Perhaps for $10 you could watch the movie in the comfort of your own home. That would be sweet.

No hurrying up and getting everybody ready. No looking for a parking space close to the entrance. No $8.00 popcorn or $5.00 Coke. No dealing with the fool behind you talking through the entire film. No kids wrestling each other (unless you have your own kids).

And the thing that bothers me most – using the bathroom and missing the pivotal scene of the film. Now you could pause the film as needed.

Agreed. Most people don’t have screens that are going to ‘wow’ them. It won’t be anything like a giant screen experience.

But if Apple’s Spatial Audio is as good as they insist, it could lead to more AirPod Pro sales. They would go a long way to improving the viewer’s experience. And as for business, improved sales of hardware and services for Apple.

Would people really mind that much? How much binge watching have you done over the last several months?

(I have a 55″ HDTV. But I happen to have a 21″ iMac with 4K. I plan to rewatch “Greyhound” but on my iMac to see better detail and use my Sennheiser cans for better audio. And if I had AirPod Pros with Spatial Audio…)

Now, if we weren’t in the midle of a pandemic this business model would never fly. But seeing as we’re going to be inside for a while, I think this could be feasible. The latest normal, if you will.

And I admit I have a vested interest. I would finally get to see the latest James Bond film that has been pushed back for a millennia.

© 2020 Frank Petrie