2010 will be the year that Internet TV really takes off. As proof of this, I point to the latest STB (set-top box) that will deliver Internet video to your TV: Syabas Technology’s Popbox.
According to DeviceGuru, a reliable source, for Internet TV device news, the $129 Internet-based, Linux powered A/V streaming set-top box will be able to play Netflix, Internet movies and TV shows. Since it’s based on Syabas’ earlier Popcorn Hour STB, it should also be able to play Windows Media, Xvid, H.264 and QuickTime videos from either your own media server or from the Internet. It will not, however, DeviceGuru reports, be able to play YouTube videos.
Syabas COO Alex Limberis explained, on his blog, that Syabas has been unable to come to an agreement with Google/YouTube on licensing fees. In the future, that may change, but for now Syabas’ Pop STBs won’t be supporting YouTube.
For more on the Popbox’s features, read, DeviceGury’s Move over BoxeeBox, here comes PopBox!