Orb 1.01.0671 Released

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.orb.com/get_orb/whats_new/' target='_blank'>http://www.orb.com/get_orb/whats_new/</a><br /><br /></div>Despite the seemingly insignificant version numbering, the latest Orb update (v1.01.0671) offers a significant collection of new and improved features that all Orb users should enjoy. If you don't know what Orb is, check out the <a href="http://www.orb.com/what_is_orb/">"What is Orb?" page</a> at the Orb Networks web site. In addition, Jason Dunn and Dave Conger talk about it in <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=47785">their latest ThoughtCast</a>, so you may want to download it and hear what they have to say about the service.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060423-Orb.jpg" /><br /><br />In Orb v1.01.0671, you'll find a new upload/download file browser add-on, support for non-MPEG2 and DVB-T TV tuners, UPnP port configuration, stop and resume functionality in media streams, enhanced contacts support (Gmail, Outlook, Outlook Express, Opera, Thunderbird, Yahoo, and Skype), new video sharing capabilities (similar to the existing photo sharing feature), support for Wake-on-LAN (WOL), support for OTA ATSC digital tuners and high-definition TV channels, new picture saving options (single picture, or entire picture folders), updated AccuWeather and Bookmarks add-ons, full support for 3GP video streaming, custom Internet radio, custom Internet TV channels, and more.<br /><br />These new features are great. They do seem a little overwhelming, but if you get a chance, definitely check out some of the more significant ones such as the file browser add-on and the video sharing capabilities. You'll soon realise that Orb is more than the standard media streaming service that it once was. And, best of all, it's free. :way to go:

[prototype]

I've been using Orb for a few months now and I think it is awesome.

But here is my question ... how do they make $$ with it?

All these streaming connections must keep their bandwith bill pretty high. I see a lot of parnterships but no ads or revenue streams.

Is it going to go pay once they get enough people addicted??

[Darius Wey]

But here is my question ... how do they make $$ with it?

All these streaming connections must keep their bandwith bill pretty high. I see a lot of parnterships but no ads or revenue streams.

When Orb was first announced, it cost $9.95 per month. The company was worried about bandwidth and support requirements, and they didn't have much experience with revenue models beyond standard customer subscriptions.

As time passed, they realised they set their expectations a little too high, so they scrapped the price tag and made it free for public use, which brings me on to my next point.

Is it going to go pay once they get enough people addicted??

Orb will remain free. When the costs start to build up, the company will cover it by using:

(1) Unobtrusive advertising - for example, how Google and Yahoo work their ad services. I don't think we'll have to watch an ad before every video stream, because the company intends on making sure that ads do not inhibit the overall user experience. Instead, the ads are most likely going to reside on the Orb user page and rely on the "page impressions + clicks" revenue model.

(2) Content subscriptions. I'm not sure how this will work, but the thinking behind it is that customers will be able to purchase special content through Orb in the future - maybe with an online music or video store, or access to special TV stations.

Much like how Hotmail works, you don't need to "submit" yourself to either of the two revenue-making schemes. For example, you can use Hotmail without clicking the ads. And you can still use Hotmail without subscribing to the premium service. They are simply options that exist for people who are interested. Orb will operate behind the same principle.

[Raphael Salgado]

So with this new file upload/download feature, I don't have to have Orb and Avvenu installed on my PC? That'd save some resources...

[isajoo]

this all sounds to good to be true... i will only start to use this after i understand why it is free, because the way i see it, if i can see my files on orb, then they can to and maybe they can see more than what i let them, call me paranod, but i am not sure what they are doing with my info/files, sharing it with advertisers or even the government. sounds weird that they started it with no ads. but i guess they could do the same if there were ads. i think i will clean up my harddrive/computer then start this program.

[q-live]

they do have some advertisments for example. When you pick one of your videos you want to see they have a place where you can see all the new movie previews, also they have different tv channels you can watch thats not connected to your tv. I think all of these things pay them some money i also think they get revenue from accuweather.

[pheral]

Wow, this looks brilliant. I hate bogging my systems down with heavy video content and i want to keep my pda as light as possible, but i love viewing my avis and mpegs on the go... plus it's all public domain tv type stuff anyway so i don't mind it being on Orb's servers. This is going to be perfect for me... thanks for the headsup, i'd not know it existed otherwise! Whee! :D

[Darius Wey]

this all sounds to good to be true... i will only start to use this after i understand why it is free, because the way i see it, if i can see my files on orb, then they can to and maybe they can see more than what i let them, call me paranod, but i am not sure what they are doing with my info/files, sharing it with advertisers or even the government. sounds weird that they started it with no ads. but i guess they could do the same if there were ads. i think i will clean up my harddrive/computer then start this program.

So, your concerns are valid. I'm sure 99% of all Orb users have expressed the same thoughts before.

Back when Orb was launched, I had a good, hard look at their privacy policy. Here are a couple of key points worth reading:

"Orb creates a thumbprint (irreversible signature which contains no media content) that is used to dynamically update your personalized index of files. Thumbprints do not contain any personally identifiable information such as your name, the subject of the content or the content file itself."

"We may provide your personally identifiable information that we collect and the data generated by cookies to the vendors and service agencies that we may engage to assist us. For example, we may provide your personally identifiable information to an organization in order to complete a service (e.g., process your payment). Any organization to which we provide such personally identifiable information is also required to treat your personally identifiable information in accordance with this privacy policy. We will also disclose your personally identifiable information if we reasonably believe we are required to do so by law, regulation or other government authority. We will not sell your personally identifiable information to any other company or organization except we may transfer your personally identifiable information to a successor entity upon a merger, consolidation or other corporate reorganization in which Orb participates or to a purchaser of all or substantially all of Orb's assets. Such successor entity shall be bound by the terms and conditions of this privacy policy.

Now that last paragraph is the more significant of the two. Your personally identifiable information may be passed on to third-party organisations and government bodies, but only for the purposes of content provision and law enforcement. I doubt the former would be invasive as a lot of other content services in the market work off the same principle. As for the latter, you'd have to do something pretty bad - you know, bring down a server, unlawfully access another person's computer, etc.

[pheral]

I'm now going to ask what can probably be classified as a really dumb question. Feel free to laugh, i already am, and i'm the one asking it.
When using Orb to stream your PC content to your PDA, does your PC have to be switched on?

There. Said it. Shall await guffaws. :s

[Darius Wey]

When using Orb to stream your PC content to your PDA, does your PC have to be switched on?

No guffaws from me. It's a decent question.

And yes, your PC does have to be switched on while streaming.

[pheral]

lol, thanks for not rolling in the aisles :) Something to use around the house then, but not neccessarily on long trips, leaving one's pc at home to suck the electricity mains dry.
Cheers for the quick reply :D

[Jason Lee]

The way Orb works is that it basically puts a file list on their server. When you log in to view your media you get a webpage on there server that shows you what you have on your hard drive. When you want to watch a video it actually connects you directly to your computer and re-encodes the media into a stream on your computer and sends it directly to the computer/device you are currently using. It never actually touches the orb server, your media never leaves your hard drive. So you do have to have the codec installed on your computer and a computer powerful enough to re-encode the media on the fly.

[doughboy]

Has anyone had any problems with Orb failing to work with any TV tuner cards not listed under the "compatibile cards" section of Orb's Q&amp;A on the website?

[paschott]

Anyone have to change firewall settings to get the new version to work? I'm still getting the "Unable to Connect" type errors that I got when I first installed. I'm not sure exactly what I did to fix that - I added openings in my firewall and started/stopped/quit/re-started/etc Orb a bunch of times and it finally started working. After the update - it's not connecting again and I have no idea what to look for.

Any suggestions?

-Pete

[JMac]

Anyone have to change firewall settings to get the new version to work? I'm still getting the "Unable to Connect" type errors that I got when I first installed. I'm not sure exactly what I did to fix that - I added openings in my firewall and started/stopped/quit/re-started/etc Orb a bunch of times and it finally started working. After the update - it's not connecting again and I have no idea what to look for.

Any suggestions?

-Pete

Pete,

Do you have any other servers running off the smae PC? That can sometimes interfere with Orb, as it is also running as a server.

Also, make sure that you have given Orb server rights in your Firewall settings, if your firewall allows this.

[JMac]

Darius,

Thank you for the update!

I just discovered this app fairly recently, and it does really rock.

Although I cannot view streaming TV or videos on my Cingular 8125, I can access the 4,000+ music tracks and my 11,000+ digital photos on it. Very nice, expecially at this price! :D

[Darius Wey]

Has anyone had any problems with Orb failing to work with any TV tuner cards not listed under the "compatibile cards" section of Orb's Q&amp;A on the website?

I can't say I have, but I would assume if a card isn't deemed compatible, you'd have issues getting it to work with Orb.

Anyway, are you asking from a hypothetical point of view, or have you actually had problems getting an incompatible card to work?

[Darius Wey]

Anyone have to change firewall settings to get the new version to work? I'm still getting the "Unable to Connect" type errors that I got when I first installed. I'm not sure exactly what I did to fix that - I added openings in my firewall and started/stopped/quit/re-started/etc Orb a bunch of times and it finally started working. After the update - it's not connecting again and I have no idea what to look for.

Try uninstalling Orb, then reinstalling it again (if you haven't already).

With regard to your firewall, you'll want to set permissions for Orb.exe and OrbTray.exe.

[Darius Wey]

I just discovered this app fairly recently, and it does really rock.

Cool. :)

Although I cannot view streaming TV or videos on my Cingular 8125...

Is that because of bandwidth limitations, or is it a problem with your device and/or computer?

[JMac]

...Is that because of bandwidth limitations, or is it a problem with your device and/or computer?

Darius,

I'm watching 24 on it now - I had to install TCPMP - WMP10 plays the test page samples fine, but just pauses permanently on any content streamed via Orb.

I finally figured out which version of TCPMP to install.

Why do some developers - such as TCPMP's - have a download page with about 30 versions and plugins, codecs, etc., but absolutely no instructions whatsoever?

The forum doesn't look too good - I saw a thread where someone with an MDA was being directed to install a Smartphone version instead of a PPC version.

I realize a lot of folks love to tinker blindly, but...

[Darius Wey]

I'm watching 24 on it now - I had to install TCPMP - WMP10 plays the test page samples fine, but just pauses permanently on any content streamed via Orb.

Interesting. That could be a codec issue.

Why do some developers - such as TCPMP's - have a download page with about 30 versions and plugins, codecs, etc., but absolutely no instructions whatsoever?

There are instructions on the TCPMP download page, albeit not as detailed as you'd hope for:

http://tcpmp.corecodec.org/download

[isajoo]

i am hoping those 4000+ music tracks are legal... or they can legally report your info about illegal activities. gotta read that "i agree" contract.

[JMac]

i am hoping those 4000+ music tracks are legal... or they can legally report your info about illegal activities. gotta read that "i agree" contract.

No worries - all legal. :)