Forget X-Box. T-Box is the new tool for gamers. Telstra are to kick off streaming games on to its T-Box.
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The multimedia streaming service comprising of gaming, music, movies services from Telstra, as tipped by SmartHouse in September, is due out next year, of which games is a brand new, never done before element, The Australian reports today.
The web based offering which it appears has been on the telco’s agenda for a while, would be run from the cloud, like JB HiFi’s new Music Now streaming service, and in another similar vein to that service, would be unlimited for a set fee for Telstra movies and music, according to the report.
Gamers wishing to use the service would pay per-title and would be one of the first of its kind to stream games here. Nintendo 3D S and PlayStation users can buy games online directly from their console but not stream.
It would also mean the need for separate consoles like PS 3 for T-Box subscribers and Telstra customers could be a thing of the past.
The content service are likely to span across multiple devices including its IPTV service T-Box but also hit any Internet connected device like tablets, smartphones and TV’s.
According to the report, the telco are still in talks with major gamers like Electronic Arts, makers of Battlefield 3, FIFA, Need For Speed, but are already trialling the system.
However, a Telstra spokesperson was quick to downplay the story when contacted by SmartHouse and would neither confirm nor deny the rumour.
“I believe [the reports] have foreshortened what was a long term view of what might be on the horizon,” a Telstra spokesperson said.
Previous SmartHouse reports indicate the service could use the WideVine DRM system, which provides the capability for Telstra to license securely distribute and protect playback of multimedia content on any consumer device.
Although Telstra already provides a movie service via its IPTV service T-Box, the music and games service would be a brand new venture for David Thodey’s telco and part of its fledgling Telstra Digital strategy, and is symbolic of the wider telecommunications industry’s move towards being major content providers.
Rivals Optus launched its answer to T-Box with MeTV recently and Internode, Adam iiNet all upping the ante on their fetchtv Internet Protocol TV subscription services, both of which offer video-on-demand movie services, as content now becomes king.
The Telstra music service would also rival the likes of Samsung Hub and JB HiFi Music Now streaming service set to go live within days, and with Euro streamers Spotify also tipped to enter the Australian market soon.
