Boxee to release iPad app that streams video to enabled devices

By Andrew Couts March 24, 2011

Boxee Box — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Video streaming company Boxee confirmed this week plans to release an iPad app that will allow for streaming to any device that runs Boxee software, reports Pocket-lint. The functionality will include not only televisions hooked up to Boxee’s D-Link box, but also any PC or Mac that has the Boxee software installed.

Pocket-lint originally reported that the Boxee app would use Apple’s AirPlay to facilitate the app’s streaming functionality. But Boxee vice president of marketing Andrew Kippen later told the publication that the software would be “kinda like AirPlay, but not quite.”

Kippen did not say exactly how the Boxee software would resemble, or differ from AirPlay.

News of the Boxee app coincides with a report out yesterday that claims Apple is considering expanding AirPlay to include — you guessed it — video streaming from the iPad and iPhone.

According to anonymous sources who spoke with Bloomberg, the AirPlay software would be liscensed by Apple to third-party electronics makers. Currently, AirPlay is only licensed for audio streaming, not video. The updated AirPlay would enable the streaming of videos, movies and TV shows from Apple iOS devices to enabled televisions.

TVs loaded with AirPlay could arrive as early as this year, sources say.

AirPlay does enabled video streaming to Apple TV systems. But companies would reportedly have to pay Apple $4 for each device that ships with AirPlay onboard.

With Google also trying to break into our living rooms with Google TV, and connected TV sales ballooning, it’s clear that our home entertainment systems are about to be hooked in to the Internet and our other devices more than ever before.

We have not yet heard when Boxee plans to release their upcoming streaming app. But we’ll certainly let you know as soon as they do.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Features Editor for Digital Trends, Andrew Couts covers a wide swath of consumer technology topics, with particular focus on…

Computing

Best Apple deals: Save on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, MacBook

Apple MacBook Air M1 open, on a table.

Apple makes some of the most popular tech on the planet. Apple devices offer premium hardware and designs, and its software ecosystem makes work and play easier, more convenient, and often more fun. Apple devices regularly earns spots among the best smartwatches, best laptops, best wireless earbuds, and best tablets. All of these devices offer a great opportunity to save right now, as some of the best Apple deals we’ve seen are currently available to shop. We’ve rounded them all up into one place for your convenience, so if you’re in the market for a new MacBook, Apple Watch, iPad, or something else made by Apple, read onward for more information on the best Apple deals taking place right now.
Apple AirTag (4-Pack) -- $83, was $99

Insert the Apple AirTag into your bag, gadget, or any item that you may misplace, so that you can track it if you lose it. The Apple AirTag is one of the best Bluetooth trackers if you're using an iPhone or iPad because not only does it offer a one-tap setup, but it can utilize the millions of devices in Apple's Find My network to help you find your stuff if it goes beyond the Bluetooth range of 30 feet. It's powered by a replaceable battery that can last for more than a year before you need a new one.

Mobile

You may have to wait a while longer for new iPads

The backs of Apple's iPad Air and iPad Pro, with the tablets place on a table.

Just days ago, the Chinese website IT Home said Apple would announce the launch of its 2024 iPads on Tuesday, March 26. However, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman — who still believes new iPads will arrive this spring — has debunked this rumor. In other words, we'll probably have to wait a little longer for new Apple tablets to arrive.

Gurman had previously stated that Apple's next-generation tablets would arrive in late March or April. Of the March 26 rumor, Gurman took to X, formerly Twitter, to say it was "not true."

Audio / Video

YouTube TV just got even better on iPhones and iPads

Multiview on YouTube TV on an iPad.

If you use the most popular live-streaming service on an iPhone or iPad, things just got even better. YouTube TV — which boasts more than 8 million subscribers — just pushed multiview live on Apple's mobile devices, as previously promised.

It works basically the same way it does on a television. YouTube TV picks the programs available in multiview, and you get them all at once, with audio coming from one of the shows. Tap another, and the audio switches. And just as before, you can get multiview for sports, news, business, or weather. (Though we definitely don't recommend watching four news channels at once in an election year.) It's just in time for March Madness, which is great, though we hope you'll be able to pick your own games instead of just sticking with the multiple viewing options YouTube TV gives. This will be great come fall, though, when the new season of NFL Sunday Ticket takes hold.