Akimbo Systems announced the addition of Really Simple Syndication (RSS) and Atom Feeds to its Web site. The feeds equip viewers with automatic updates on the latest movies and television programs available for download from Akimbo's video-on-demand service, providing users a faster way to find newly added programs. More than 150 programs are added to the Akimbo Service each week. Now, users have various ways to choose new Akimbo programs for download to the Akimbo Player: from the TV, Web or RSS or Atom readers.
Akimbo allows consumers to create their own personal viewing experience from an ever-expanding video collection with thousands of hours of programming from well-known providers like A&E, BBC, National Geographic and Scripps Networks. Akimbo's collection also features video on subjects that appeal to individual interests such as home improvement, independent film, cooking, fitness and children's programs.
"RSS has emerged as a critical new tool for handling inbound information, news and content. As innovators in an emerging market, we know our customers expect new ways to help them keep up with our rapidly expanding video collection," said Josh Goldman, chief executive officer of Akimbo. "Akimbo recognizes that consumers discover new content in a variety of ways and strives to create search options that fit every need. RSS provides a new and efficient way for our subscribers to learn about the hundreds of new shows added each week and select those of interest for viewing."
RSS and Atom feeds automatically signal the arrival of new additions to the Akimbo Service via e-mail or an alert on a computer desktop. With this unique integration, programs selected from the RSS or Atom Feeds can be downloaded directly to the subscriber's Akimbo Player to view on TV.
The new RSS and Atom Feeds are the latest in a series of innovations that include the introduction of video blogs to the Akimbo Service. As the first and only company to deliver video via the Internet to TV, Akimbo is also the first to bring the increasingly popular Web trend of video blogging to the TV. Video blogs -- also known as vlogs -- capture uniquely personal moments and individual viewpoints on video. Video blogs shown on Akimbo range from Rocketboom, an irreverent daily news commentary, to "personal reality shows" and the daily musings of some the Web's emerging personalities such as Steve Garfield, Amanda Cogdon, Shai Coggins and Clint Sharp.
Customers who use the RSS or Atom Feed feature can be alerted to other newly added special interest programs such as a minute-by-minute look at the tragic tsunami of 2004 on The History Channel, dozens of episodes from Kardio Knockout so users can exercise in the comfort of their own living rooms, the ArtsPass Channel for arts, education and entertainment lovers; Feng Shui Design on FINE LIVING, and "Kitchen Makeover" on DIY Network for do-it-yourself projects. Akimbo recently added mainstream programs such as Growing Up Gotti from A&E and IFILM trailers for this summer's hottest movie releases.
Akimbo has partnered with 125 distinctive providers featuring video from 50 categories, including many shows that are not readily available on broadcast television. A complement to existing cable and satellite services, Akimbo's mainstream and specialty content is delivered via the Internet to the TV and gives viewers the freedom to access a world of video in one place for viewing on their own schedules.
A subscription is required to activate the Akimbo Player and access the Akimbo Guide. The Akimbo Service is $9.99 a month; the first three months are free. A lifetime subscription is currently $169.99.