Windows MCE users have a possibility to access to more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly on their HTPC. After installing a new plug-in powered by Silverlight technology the Netflix link will appear under “TV + Moviesâ€. Sure to use it you should subscribe be Netflix subscriber. Also the Netflix integration is not available on MCE extenders.
[via eHomeUpgrade]
A new online service – Songza was added recently to Boxee. It allows to search, listen and share any song you like. The implementation of Songza in the Boxee is done by using new API. So, it’s a good example of Boxee application for its Dev contest.
To install Songza go to App Box -> New Applications and choosing Songza. After that the application should appear in the Music -> Internet. You can get more info about Songza application for Boxee here.
Syabas recently announced a Rich Objects Based Interactive Graphics (ROBIG) UI for the Popcorn Hour platform, software development kit, application store and hardware reference kit. That step will add more users, fans and enthusiasts for its popular networked media tank. I wrote about integration Popcorn Hour and Video Disk Recorder (VDR) which allows to watch and control satellite TV on the Popcorn Hour. The announced SDK will offer more efficient way to do such integration. Additionally the application store will give to both users and developers the easiest and safest way to extend networked media tank GUI and functionality.
SDK’s official release set on May 30. Developers can sign up for the program here.
[thanks to Zibi Jamal]
Boxee tries to attract attention to its recently published API by starting App Dev Challenge. It’ll have 3 categories: Video, Music and Photos. In each category it’ll be two prizers – a People’s Choice award (prize – intelligent NAS Drobo) and a Judge’s Choice award (prize – Sony Bravia XBR9 46″). Developers have a time to submit their applications till June 14th at 11:59pm PT. Voting will take place between June 15th – June 22nd. The winners will be announced on the boxee event in San Francisco on June 23rd. Hurry up, guys! The sooner submitted applications have more chances to be popular.
Note that the challenge is not restricted by US or Canada citizens. So, anybody from “the milky-way galaxy†can participate.
As en example of application for the Boxee App Dev Challenge I’d like to give integration XBMC and VDR – Video Disk Recorder. Since Boxee is based on the XBMC code that approach should work with it as well. Integration with VDR brings the PVR functionality to Boxee which can add more users to that social media center software.
