Beleaguered Research in Motion is reportedly working on a media box codenamed the BlackBerry Cyclone that connects to televisions and streams content from Netflix, YouTube, and nearby media devices. The BlackBerry Cyclone will be "similar to Apple TV," according to the NerdBerry blog, which cited an unnamed source as "confirming" a number of functions and features on the rumored media box, as well as a release date in the fall. Those unconfirmed specs and details include claims that the streaming media box will connect to televisions through an HDMI port, will be Wi-Fi-enabled and able to access other media devices on a home wireless network, will stream content from Netflix and YouTube, and will eventually have "more to come." NerdBerry didn't provide any pictures of the rumored media box, but did say it "looks like a larger version of BlackBerry Presenter," a BlackBerry smartphone accessory that lets users present Microsoft PowerPoint slides wirelessly from their phones (pictured above left). RIM has been struggling of late with lower-than-expected sales of its smartphones and the sluggish start for its first tablet device, the BlackBerry PlayBook. The company has been sharply criticized by analysts and media in recent weeks, and if RIM does release the rumored media box, it can probably expect a lot of doubters to question that strategy. Just the rumor of the BlackBerry Cyclone was already drawing flak, in fact. Here's a taste: "Of all the things RIM needs to work on, we're a little surprised it's building a TV box," Business Insider opined. "It's a pretty saturated market with Apple TV, Google TV, and Roku." Gadgets and Gizmos was equally perplexed: "It is very surprising that BlackBerry is looking to directly compete with Apple TV, which did not do so well in the market. Unlike Apple, RIM does not have an online platform where people can purchase multimedia content so they should start working on that." 
Posted in: RIM
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