ROK Entertainment reveals SlingBox-like "BLCX"
By Evan Blass 
posted Mar 23rd 2006 10:29AM
posted Mar 23rd 2006 10:29AM
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]
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?!
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.
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...