Boxee, which is developing a free and open source media center software system, proves that there still is money out there for promising entertainment technology. Boxee, which just raised $4 million in Q4, was demoing its software prior to the show.
The company’s Avner Ronen reported that there are 100,000 using the free software in its current alpha stage, and he hopes to get that number to one million in 2009.
Boxee is an open source cross-platform media center and entertainment hub
Early users report that Boxee not only handles local and networked media well, but also integrates Internet services such as Hulu, Shoutcast, CBS, Comedy Central, Flickr, and Netflix streaming video.
Boxee extends the functions of the Xbox Media Center to online video streaming along with a social network within the app so friends can rate and recommend things to watch.
Currently, Boxee can stream content from the Internet to your TV but only if you are running an OSX 10.4 or 10.5 computer, AppleTV, or Ubuntu system. The alpha stage involved an invite system, but it looks like things will change tomorrow when Boxee becomes available to everyone.
Where to see it:
- Sands 73839, Sands IP204