Samsung appears to be stepping up its rivalry with Apple up a notch as a new report indicates that the tech giant recently bought streaming media startup Boxee in a move that will bring it into a more direct competition with the Apple TV. For those of you who aren’t aware, Boxee produces a set-top box that streams media to TVs and other devices. Samsung has supposedly purchased the small Israeli startup for about $30 million according to The Marker and will be keeping the company’s 40 existing employees.
A follow-up report from the The New York Times has confirmed the information provided by the original, with Samsung affirming that it has indeed acquired both the assets and the talent from Boxee. The degree to which Boxee will be brought into Samsung’s existing operations is unclear from the statements that have been made so far. According to a Samsung spokeswoman:
Samsung has acquired key talent and assets from Boxee. This will help us continue to improve the overall user experience across our connected devices.
In addition to its HomeSync and other set-top devices, the company produces a range of Smart TV options that hit many price and capability points. Samsung could also be integrating Boxee’s technology into the functions of those devices in order to better their capabilities. Samsung could also be working on a shortened calendar when it comes to countering a larger imminent move by Apple.
We’ll have to see whose efforts pay off more as Apple has been confirmed to be working on entering the living room as well.
Source: The Marker via The New York Times
Connect With Us
Message