New, affordable over-the-top set-top box is the first to feature dynamic open platform applications store
to leverage the power of Next-Generation Nationwide Broadband Network to deliver rich locally-created
and premium global digital content to Singapore households
Singapore, March 8, 2011 – ServTouch, a leading New Media, print and imaging and after-market support services provider in Asia Pacific, and StarHub today announced the launch of PopBox, a new full-featured media player box that streams music, movies, photos, social media updates, offers games and more to today’s HDTVs. Featuring an open applications platform, PopBox supports a wide range of audio and video file types and streams content from the Internet, a personal computer and a USB-attached storage device such as USB thumbdrives or external hard drives. With two USB ports, PopBox comes with an option to work with a WiFi dongle to allow the ease of connection from the HDTV to the router.
PopBox is unique in the market because of its ability to handle virtually any file and content type, its ease-of-use and open development platform, which allows media companies to rapidly develop, deploy and monetize a wide range of interactive applications and high definition content.
PopBox also presents an easy-to-navigate and vivid flash-based user interface (UI) that makes browsing both a breeze and a delight. The UI enables users to peruse content from a wide variety of Internet-based content channels, as well as a home networked media library. Metadata partners include Internet Movie Database (IMDB) for movies.
The PopBox Dynamic Applications Store
PopBox features a dynamic applications store. Its current store already links to a large number of third party applications and is expected to continue to grow. Besides applications that are hugely popular globally such as Channels.com, Facebook, Twitter, TED Talks, Flickr and YouTube, PopBox is also the first to deliver applications created to meet local needs, such as PSLE tuition, National University Hospital (NUH) health talks, Singapore happenings like Chingay and PA community activities into the living room.
In total, currently PopBox provides access to millions of video clips and hundreds of video channels from YouTube, Channels.com, TED Talks and Khan Academy. With just one PopBox, consumers can access wide-ranging categories of content including education, health, happenings, arts, business, music, technology and much more in the comfort of their living room.
“We are pleased to partner ServTouch to offer PopBox, one of the latest over-the-top set-top box in town, to our MaxInfinity fibre broadband service customers,” said Ms Iris Wee, StarHub’s Vice President of Home Solutions and Content. “Today, the Internet is an important source of news and entertainment content as well as social connection for many people. With the PopBox, powered by StarHub’s MaxInfinity ultra-high speed fibre broadband, customers can enjoy a truly lean-back experience, watching their favourite HD Internet videos and connecting to social networks, in the comfort of their living room.”
“Whether you are a niche enthusiast or a mainstream media consumer, PopBox is your perfect next-generation multimedia companion. There is nothing like it in the market, as it brings a whole new experience and a new world of content to your HDTV screen. Watch what you want, when you want. We are very excited to partner StarHub to bring PopBox to Singapore, and are confident that with the unprecedented variety of content offered by PopBox and StarHub’s exciting rollout of high-speed Next-Generation Nationwide Broadband Network, it will transform
your living room experience,” said Kelvin Tan, Vice President, New Media, ServTouch Group.
Availability
PopBox will be available from 10 March 2011 onwards, starting at the IT Show 2011 at the StarHub booth. StarHub’s new MaxInfinity fibre broadband customers will be entitled to a special offer on PopBox at the StarHub booth (Rooms 325 and 326, Level 3, Suntec Convention Centre). Simply sign up to any of the four MaxInfinity two-year plans and receive PopBox for free (worth $320). MaxInfinity plans offer up to 1Gbps for fast Internet surfing.
For more information on the PopBox, please visit www.PopBox.com.sg.