Boxee is revolutionary and extremely important. Before this wonderful and crazy world of new media “makes it” everywhere, we need a means for a) everything to be available in one place that b) my Mom can use.
Boxee provides that – in 2 very cool ways. They have the software (and it works on the Mac, the PC, Linux (and even the Apple TV), and they now have the Boxee Box. The software is available for free right now and the Box is coming in a few months.
Part of the business behind this is that the software is free – and will always remain so (was assured by CEO Avner personally). Obviously the computer you put it on isn’t but … The official price on the “Box” isn’t out yet – but everything points to <$200.
The interface is gorgeous and includes direct access to pretty much everything – Hulu, Netflix, CBS.com, YouTube, Revision3, etc.
Here’s the Revision3 report from CES 2010 (beautiful, eh?). I got an in-depth preview at ShowStoppers at CES and can tell you it’s even better looking in person. Do yourself a favor, download the software and take a look for yourself:
Now, we need to talk about Hulu and Boxee. Hulu is the sexiest element of Boxee right now but (plane and simple), it doesn’t always work. There is a bit of a cat and mouse game between the two companies that needs to be discussed. Hulu (in short) doesn’t like Boxee. Reasons why require another posting all together – but their business plan (today) doesn’t include Hulu on the television set. This will change, but right now the product won’t always work with Boxee directly.
There are other options for Hulu on the television that “work” all the time – but they don’t have half the class and approachability and coolness of Boxee.
As frustrating at this is, realize it’s a Hulu issue that Boxee is in the middle of – and not vice versa.
Boxee is my media center at home (running on a Mac Mini) – and it will be for some time. 2010 I’ll be joined by a LOT MORE people – and I recommend strongly that you be one of them.
