Orb Networks Wins CNET "Next Big Thing" Award At 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show
UNION CITY, Calif., January 13, 2005 - Orb Networks, Inc., a developer of streaming media software and services, today announced that its debut solution, Orb Media 1.0, received CNET's "Next Big Thing" award in the "Software and Services" category. Orb's breakthrough solution provides a simple way for consumers to view, hear and access all kinds of their digital content from virtually any Internet-enabled device, from anywhere in the world. CNET Editor-in-Chief Patrick Houston announced the winners of CNET's "Next Big Thing" awards at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Selected by CNET's expert editors, winners were recognized as the top products in their respective technology categories for their promise to enrich the lives of users, whether through the product's innovative design features and/or its ability to easily adapt with other technologies. CNET's editors received and reviewed hundreds of entries, as well as scoured the CES show floor for products to consider for the prestigious award. Product videos of the winners and finalists can be found at http://ces.cnet.com.
The rapid convergence between personal computing and entertainment has allowed for new technologies such as streaming media to become a reality. Orb's first product introduction marks a breakthrough for this type of service. Imagine being able to watch live TV and home videos while sitting at your favorite caf? or listen to your entire music collection on any device while waiting at the airport for your plane to arrive. Orb's new streaming media service allows you to do just that. Consumers no longer have to be at home to be
"connected" to the media they already own and use on a daily basis.
Orb's solution provides spontaneous access to a person's music, live television, videos, photos and other digital content from any device that can connect to the Internet, such as a cell phone, PDA, or notebook, allowing users to create their own
"personal media portal." Orb Networks' new technology is based upon its elegant, robust and scalable Orb Architecture. 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 takes care of the rest. 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.
To create your own "personal media portal" in a matter of minutes, Orb Media 1.0 is available for download now at www.orb.com for customers with Windows XP Media Center Edition. The service starts at just $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year for the first user. Additionally, final testing is being completed for those users who have Windows XP systems, with release expected within the next two months.
"It's an honor to receive this prestigious award from CNET," said James Behrens, CEO, Orb Networks. "The buzz Orb's debut solution created at CES was overwhelming. It's obvious that the consumer marketplace is clamoring for a solution that will give them spontaneous mobile access to their digital home media and we're delivery exactly that today."
"CNET has become the most comprehensive and trusted resource for helping consumers spot the most promising new products hitting the market," said Patrick Houston, Editor in Chief at CNET.com. "Giving Orb Networks' streaming media service a Next Big Thing award sets it apart in an increasingly crowded field. Our editorial team of unbiased category experts takes pride in providing this distinction to Orb Networks on behalf of our millions of users."
About Orb Networks, Inc.
Orb Networks delivers powerful mobile services for the fast growing wireless industry. Orb Networks is the first developer of streaming media software and services giving people spontaneous access to digital home media -- any kind, at any time, from any location in the world. The groundbreaking Orb Architecture allows users to access music, live television, videos, photos and other digital content from any device that can connect to the Internet, such as a cell phone, PDA, or notebook. Orb Networks develops, licenses and markets its services in partnership with leading content providers/creators, wireless carriers, electronic distributors and consumer electronic companies. As an active participant in the issues affecting digital media, Orb Networks is a member of both the Digital Media Association (DiMA) and the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA). Orb Networks is a privately held company located in Union City, Calif. For more information about Orb Networks, please visit http://www.orb.com.
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