Amazon pens streaming deal with Roku

by Stevie Smith - Mar 4 2009, 16:15

Not content with hogging the technology limelight by officially unveiling its Kindle software application for Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch, online retail giant Amazon Inc. has also revealed an on-demand video content partnership with home digital media specialist Roku.

Announced on Tuesday, March 03, the deal will see Amazon’s online video library of around 40,000 titles made available for renting via the Roku Internet-to-TV digital player, which will enhance both partners as rivals to online video services provided by the likes of Apple, Blockbuster and Netflix.

Adding to that joint appeal, Amazon’s wide-ranging selection of DVD-quality movie and television content is bolstered by select Hollywood releases that are made available for on-demand access the same day they are released on the actual DVD format.

The Roku player, as with many such set-top boxes, provides users with easy connectivity to most televisions and delivers streamed on-demand content through either a wired or wireless Internet connection.

Roku’s home media player, which is also capable of providing access to Netflix, costs around $99 USD and can be purchased through the official Roku site or Amazon.

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