Roku's Netflix Player to stream content from other "big name" providers

Roku's Netflix Player got off to a hot start after launching just over a month ago, and apparently its creator has big plans for the plainly designed $99 box. According to a recent report over on Forbes, Tim Twerdahl, Roku's vice president of consumer products, has affirmed that a routine software update would be hitting later this year to enable content to be fetched and streamed from other "big name" providers. Regrettably, the conversation ended there, so there's absolutely no telling which "providers" he's referring to. Still, we're certainly intrigued by the idea of this thing becoming more versatile in the coming months, but wouldn't the name have to be tweaked at the very least?

[Via Silicon Alley Insider]

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 6:10PM]

// Someone likes METAL GEAR SOLID a lot, don't they?

[DefPoet Posted Jul 2nd 2008 6:19PM]

if this is done right this machine could be a cash cow

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 6:27PM]

How can Netflix even think they can compete with Vudu or Apple TV rentals, they claim they have over 10000 tittles, sure of movie people shoot in their backyards or something, Dude i can't even find 1 movie there that i have heard of before, no even oldies, no wonder the service is free cause i can't think of anyone that would wanna pay for that, i do admit that movies by mail from them rocks though

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 6:58PM]

Rental services from the likes of Apple cost money for each rental. The appeal of NetFlix is not only can you rent movies and have them mailed to you, but you can download as many movies they have available to stream.

[RikF Posted Jul 2nd 2008 7:13PM]

I know exactly what you mean. Hell, who has heard of Ghostbusters, Blade Runner, Men In Black, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Cool Hand Luke. Goddamn home movies the lot of them!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 11:14PM]

Dude. You've never heard of Ghostbusters? That sucks!

Not saying the selection doesn't blow right now, but settle a bit homey.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 7:29PM]

"The appeal of NetFlix is not only can you rent movies and have them mailed to you, but you can download as many movies they have available to stream."

I just discovered this last week.

My already minuscule TV viewing has official gone to zero. This is even better than the free movies through the cable company.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 7:42PM]

go away. seriously.

and what are tittles? provocative skittles?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 7:43PM]

go away. seriously.

and what are tittles? provocative skittles?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 6:57PM]

Better than what? The almost free streaming movies at NetFlix?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 7:03PM]

Hulu anyone?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 4th 2008 11:52AM]

I second that vote for Roku to add Hulu support, heck the only reason I haven't bought the Roku is since it only does Netflix, don't get me wrong, I'm an avid netflix fan and recommend it to everybody, but $100 for a single service device in todays online market is hard to say yes too...

I also hope it does things like add support for other TV station sites like NBCOlympics.com would be great, I'm a Mac/Linux user... the Olympics stream will currently only be for Windows.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 7:34PM]

Amazon, guaranteed.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 7:36PM]

Escape from New York is the best movie ever made, prove me wrong.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 7:45PM]

Yeah, and good=bad. "Snake Pliskins?! I heard you was DEAD"

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 7:46PM]

as long as "big name" doesn't mean YouTube.

I don't need any more ways to see heavily comressed videos of karaoke and amusing pets.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 8:39PM]

coud be Blockbuster since they are going to be offering a streaming service and are already working out exclusive deals with major studios and independent studios

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 10:51PM]

And that would make a lot of sense, seeing how it's called the Netflix Player and BB is Netflix's main rival...

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 2nd 2008 11:32PM]

hulu.com over roku would be sick nasty!!! Buh-Bye cable if thats the case...