Orb Networks, a start-up based in Union City, California, introduced a “Personal Media Portal” service that provides a way for consumers to use any Internet-enabled device to view, hear and control all kinds of their digital content stored on their broadband-connected home PC. A user simply opens a Web browser on any device, logs-in and selects what they want to view or hear from their personal library. Orb’s technology determines the best format, codec, bit rate, display capabilities, and network bandwidth available for a particular cell phone, PDA or laptop to view or hear the content. The media is streamed securely and directly from the user’s home PC to the user’s device to provide fast mobile media access.
Orb said it is working with a number of different content providers/creators, wireless carriers, electronic distributors and consumer electronic companies to offer Orb as part of their packaged solutions.
Orb Network’s first “personal media portal” will be available starting in mid-November starting at $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year for the first user. Additional users (up to five) start at $3.99 per month/per user or $29.99 per year/per user. http://www.orb.com
