Summer in the Valley will be hot. At least regarding Video distribution.After Microsoft efforts to push its Media Center and recent launch of Apple iTV, a Silicon Valley startup, Vudu will unveil its Vudu Box over the summer.
Pushing the promise further, the Vudu Box, like iTV, doesn't require a computer, just an ethernet connection to hook to the net and voila. A sleek box and a remote control promises to get you the latest blockbusters directly to your sofa. Articles here and here.
Vudu seems like David in front of the Apple Goliath but is showing serious motivation with experienced management with Chairman Alan Rossmann (WAP, phone.com, EO...), CEO coming from AT&T labs, COO and VP Engineering from TiVo and strong VC backup from Benchmark and Greylock. Sounds like the WebTV story...
Let''s add to this last week announcement from Steve Jobs made to iTune partners to push for DRM free content, both audio and video
I'm a strong believer of a more connected TV, more intelligent, more like a computer with a bigger screen and a lighter, more mainstream user interface. As the computer is taking longer than expected to morph into this, a box might be taking on the whole game...
So, between a PS3, an iTV, a Vudu box... we should less and less opportunities to walk or jog to the video store near by...
No comments:
Post a Comment