Earlier this month Apple hosted their fall event and announced a host of new gadgets. Of the most impressive of the group was the new Apple TV. However, Boxee, one of Apple’s competitors in streaming services, had a thing or two to say about Apple’s new Apple TV.
Many of you have undoubtedly heard of Boxee and their streaming video service device, Boxee Box, set to launch in November. Among the numerous streaming services cropping up, Boxee has been one of the most hyped and anticipated. The company’s thoughts on the new Apple TV are not exactly negative, but they are not entirely positive either.
In a post on the company’s blog, Avner Ronen, CEO & co-founder of Boxee expressed his thoughts on the new Apple TV. He stated that following Apple’s announcement he felt, “Confident about the space it left for Boxee to compete.” He went on to point out Apple TVs major and possibly fatal flaw, that it is not an entirely open service, stating that a streaming services “must be open.”
Full Statement:
“We think people want to be able to watch anything that they can watch on their computer, only on their bigscreen TV. There is an overwhelming consumer expectation that the content we can consume in our cubicles, our dorm rooms, and in our laps should be available in our living rooms, in full 1080p with a gorgeous interface. It’s a simple premise, but the challenge is to do it in a way that makes sense in that space, so you can put your feet up, grab a remote and start watching. No keyboards, mice, windows or labyrinthine menus. It should be calm and it should be beautiful. And it *must* be open.”
It is certainly true that Boxee has the advantage in terms of variety of service; however, Apple is boasting a larger library, and cheaper price. The new Apple TV will be $99, while the Boxee Box will be $200, a hundred dollar difference. Ronen feels the price is reasonable stating that Boxee will be, “More expensive than the Apple TV, but will give you the freedom to watch what you want.”
Boxee
