Okay Geek Farm
Founders of Skype and Rdio are bent on taking Netflix on with VDio
Ricardo Trejo
For the past couple of years Hulu and Netflix have been, for the most part, our only options for streaming the latest movies and tv shows to our set-top devices (Roku, Xbox, PS3, HTPC). But what if there was a third player in the game? Someone who wanted to shake things up by offering newly released movies and tv shows that neither of the former two services can provide? Well, that’s what VDio is hoping to do.
GigaOM reports and confirms that at least one of the founders behind the success of such companies like; KaZaa, Skype, and Rdio, are working on a new service that will be a fresh take on the video streaming world, known simply as VDio.
When visiting Vdio.com for the first time you’ll notice there’s not a whole lot see, besides a gif background, movie title at the bottom left, and a Facebook sign in button at the top right. Interesting to note is that when you try to use that Facebook button you’re given a message that reads: “We’re sorry but VDio is currently available in the U.K. only”.
Each time you refresh you’ll notice too, that a number of popular movies and tv shows make their rounds. Will Vdio do what its competitors could only dream of? That remains to be seen, especially this early on in the game.
But what we do know is the basic information about this little start-up from a Q/A sent direction to GigaOM from the company:
“What is VDIO?
VDIO lets you instantly watch the best in TV and movies, right now.How is it pronounced?
Vee-dee-oWho is behind VDIO?
VDIO was founded by Janus Friis and is run by a team with experience from Skype, Napster, Microsoft, TV Guide, and Apache.When will it launch?
VDIO is currently in closed beta.How is VDIO funded?
VDIO is privately funded.Where will VDIO be available?
Initially, VDIO will be available in the U.K.Where is the company based?
VDIO has offices in Santa Monica and Europe.How much does it cost?
The pricing will be announced at a later time.How is it different from Netflix and LoveFilm?
We think people will love using VDIO.Who is the team?
Ian Aaron – Chief Executive Officer
Justin Erenkrantz – Chief Technology Officer
Priidu Zilmer – Creative Director
Scott Barrow – Senior Vice President of Operations
Sander Striker – Senior Vice President of Engineering
Patrick Dodd – Senior Vice President of Global Licensing
Jessica Algazi – Senior Vice President of Business AffairsWhat is VDIO’s relationship to Rdio?
VDIO and Rdio are run by separate teams.”
Did you hear that? If you’re in the UK you may want to try signing up and possibly getting yourself into that beta once it opens to the public.
