The Boxee team unveiled its upcoming beta release tonight. From the outset, it looks a whole lot more pretty and user friendly. Native search powers, media queues, much improved looks, and easier navigation are coming to computer-connected TVs soon.
Boxee is based on the same core code as the XBMC project, but has differentiated itself with a different (and, in our opinion, not quite as appealing) look and a social, net-connected focus. The new home screen brings a new look and those social/feed aspects front and center.
It’s divided up into three columns of items on the bottom: friend recommendations on the left, featured media from Boxee and its partners in the middle, and items you’ve queued up on the left.
I guarantee that you will have a love affair with Boxee the same way I do. I really can’t quit you Boxee (if you start charging it will be a messy divorce) BUT FOR NOW you’re free and together we will live happily ever after together. What other free program out there allows you to access thousands of free video content from all the major networks on Hulu, play music from Pandora, connect to social networks like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, and lets not forget Flickr. Boxee makes use of all those content providers, to your advantage, and piles all that content into one simple and clean design. Then they take that awesome GUI (Graphic User Interface) and stream it straight to your living room television. Boxee is an essential ingredient for any DIY Nerds out there.