ROK Entertainment reveals SlingBox-like "BLCX"

Hot on the heels of the SlingPlayer Mobile release is word from the UK that mobile content provider ROK Entertainment is planning to release a SlingBox-like device to coincide with the broadcast of the World Cup. Mobile Marketing Magazine is reporting that ROK, who currently offer a variety of streamed programming for Symbian phones, decided to manufacture the so-called "BLCX" box after learning that soccer's biggest event wouldn't be available live online. Keeping in mind that folks might only want a product like this for the Cup, ROK will be offering the BLCX as a rental for £12 a month in addition to the outright purchase option of £250. Also unusual is the fact that this service claims to work on connections as slow as GPRS -- sounds kind of dubious to us (although ROK TV currently boasts 2.5G support -- any anecdotal evidence, Brits?), but all will be made clear on the promised rollout date of June 1st.

[Via Tech Digest]

[Andy Weir @ Mar 23rd 2006 12:07PM]

Why do I want to pronounce "BLCX" as "bollocks"? What fool came up with a name like that? What the hell is BLCX supposed to mean?!

[Bruce Renny @ Mar 24th 2006 4:59AM]

This is Bruce Renny from ROK.
Firstly, our 2.5G multi-channel TV-for-mobile service ROK TV (www.rok.tv) plays full-screen on compatible handsets and at 14 frames per second over GPRS. This is bigger and faster than any existing 3G TV service and is possible because of our Patent-=pending content compression technology.

Secondly, and with regard to ROK Black Box, we have deliberately coined the name BLCX as a side-swipe at the rather dismal performance of existing mobile TV services offered by the networks/carriers. We believe TV-for-mobiles should be much more widely available right now and should include both an on-demand version - like ROK TV via GPRS - and a broadcast version like ROK Black Box TV via the internet.

[Ian @ Mar 24th 2006 4:29PM]

Hey, Evan

Nifty gadget! Myself, of course, I'm going to be watching this, ah, quadrennial international soccer competition on my mobile via the free Orb app that sits on my Comcast-connected MCE box.

Which reminds me that I need to go out and get some Hauppauge USB tuners for various Forza Italia fanatics I know so they can do likewise from their machines...