Orb to stream YouTube to phones

EMERYVILLE, Calif.-Orb Networks Inc. is hoping to cash in on the YouTube.com craze.
The place-shifting technology provider expanded its service to allow users to stream Internet videos and manage their content libraries from a Web-enabled mobile phone with a media player. The offering uses Orb’s free home PC software, which lets users access traditional TV programming and other content from their handsets.
“Orb cracked the code that was keeping online video from going mobile-the long-awaited convergence of Internet video and mobile phones has arrived,” Orb Chairman Joe Costello said. “It’s ridiculous for companies to try and control how people watch Internet videos on their phone. Why should you have to pay for that content on mobile when you get it for free on your home PC?”
Orb, Sling Media Inc. and others are hoping to lure savvy wireless users with technology that effectively distributes content across platforms. Network operators, meanwhile, are generally hoping to keep place-shifting technology at arm’s length in an effort to maximize mobile data profits and better manage their network traffic.