Akimbo, the broadband video download company, has a problem which takes the form of a set-top box. See, I’m all boxed out… between DVD players, TiVo’s, HD tuner, and even an Xbox I just won’t add to the clutter. Not to mention I’m reluctant to buy a box from a fledgling company with no track record.

So this weekend’s DigitalLife revelation that Akimbo has integrated service into Microsoft’s MCE has got me dusting off my HTPC. They’ll have access to a much larger audience without requiring any upfront hardware costs, giving Akimbo a fighting chance at survival. In order to utilize Microsoft’s browser-based API the Akimbo interface doesn’t have the same polished look as the stand alone box, but that’s a minor concession to make. Service is slated to begin 10/25 using the same pricing model currently in place. I’m excited to see HD content will be available, unlike the box, though that’s not quite ready for delivery and will most likely be offered as a “premium” service.

Recent additions of Discovery and MLB content are positive signs, but long-term success probably requires more content providers (no, the Hallmark channel doesn’t cut it). Since Movielink can stream flicks utilizing Microsoft’s DRM, perhaps Akimbo will enhance their service down the road - downloads are OK, but I’m an impatient guy.

Dear Netgear,

You like me, you really like me! Your marketing department had a stroke of genius in naming the upcoming streaming media center DAVE 700.

I’m fairly pleased that the Digital Audio Video Entertainer (DAVE) is living room-friendly, assuming a traditional set-top form factor in favor of the current MP101’s compact case. And I don’t mind that you’ve dropped the LCD – after all, my TV makes for a great display. But what really impresses me is DAVE’s extensive format support: DivX, Ogg Vorbis, AAC, QuickTime, and the list goes on. You’ve also represented me well in terms of connectivity, supporting S-Video, Component, Composite, Wireless G, and USB. DVI or HDMI would have been nice, but I can live without given your $200 price point which includes the ability to directly connect an iPod or external drive. The ability to stream content from the Internet, through services such as vTuner, opens the door to many interesting possibilities (see Akimbo’s MCE integration.)

Before I can fully endorse DAVE, though, I’ll need to see your PC desktop client software in action. At the core of all streaming devices like these is the software that catalogs and serves media for streaming. Given your experiences with the MP101 and the newer MP115, I hope we’ll see a mature app with attractive and intuitive interface that quickly identifies then queues up my PC content with low overhead.

Thank you again for the homage,
DAVE

FiOS TV has gone live in Texas with a huge selection of digital channels and VOD at very competitive prices. Verizon plans to expand service into Florida, California, and Virginia later this year. FiOS TV uses Verizon’s fat pipe fiber optics to provide IPTV via a set-top box.

Verizon says: FiOS TV subscribers will enjoy 100 percent digital programming, as well as access to a large selection of video-on-demand content. Expanded Basic delivers more than 180 video and music channels for $39.95 a month. This tier includes access to 600 on-demand titles now, with 1,800 by year end. This service requires a standard-definition set-top box or a high-definition set-top box for HD channels. Verizon offers three set-top boxes: standard definition for $3.95 per month; high definition, which includes HD channels, for $9.95 per month; and a digital video recorder set-top box with HD channels for $12.95 per month.

Verizon’s FiOS TV has only been approved in a handful of jurisdictions, but that hasn’t stopped them from moving forward with content deals. Today Verizon inked a major agreement with Disney.

Verizon definitely needed ESPN to compete with traditional cable providers and satellite TV… And now they can - ssuming they get cleared to provide television service in more regions. Oh how I dream of the day that I can dump Comcast.

Verizon says: Under the agreement, Verizon will carry 12 television services on Verizon FiOS TV’s expanded basic, including ABC Family, ABC News Now, Disney Channel, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Toon Disney and SOAPnet. Verizon will also be granted retransmission consent of ABC’s owned and operated television stations as part of the agreement.

Over 8 million UMD movies have been sold for the Sony PSP encouraging GameFly , the video game rental service, to begin offering flicks via mail-order last month. So I gave Netflix a call to see if they’re still sitting this one out. Steve Swasey, Director of Corporate Communications, told me Netflix has no plans to rent UMD movies saying it’s a “highly specialized, marginal” market niche. Instead Netflix is focusing new media attention on high definition DVD offerings. Meanwhile, Tom’s Hardware reports Sony will be increasing production of UMD movies from 200,000/day to 500,000/day to keep up with demand and they expect to sell 130 million discs in 2008.

With such high UMD movie production goals, will we be seeing UMD set-top boxes, PS3 UMD accessories, or even a new Sony Clié line in the future?