Next Big Thing: Screening Room

Ooh, fancy. Looks like Tony Stark’s living room.


It sure does. Perhaps it is, we wouldn’t know, we’ve never been invited round for a brew. But we tell you what, do you think a fancy billionaire like Mr. Stark would ever trek it to a sticky-floored cinema full of snotty-nosed brats and people coughing to catch the latest Avengers flick? Of course not. The non-gourmet popcorn has a 1000% markup, and he’ll have to deal with other people – something that’s almost always generally regarded as a bad idea. No sir, he’d watch it on release day from the comfort of his own home. And you could too.


You know he’s not a real person, right?


Okay, we’re clearly getting sidetracked here. The point, which you seem to have missed, is that we’re talking about the ability for you to see the latest blockbuster movies from the comfort and safety of your own home, instead of dragging yourself out to the local cinema. Just think – parents with young children, social outcasts and lazy people can all enjoy the newest films without having to wait months for their Blu-ray release. And it’ll all be thanks to a service called Screening Room, the brainchild of Napster founder Sean Parker.


Napster eh? Hollywood would never sign up. Think of the pirates!


Yes, Napster sparked piracy. But it also lead to streaming services like Spotify. You can’t fight evolution, and big name directors like Peter Jackson have shown their support. At a proposed US$150 for the set-top box and US$50 to rent each film for 48 hours, it sounds pricey, but grab a few mates to chip in, and you’ll be enjoying Leo smashing his latest role, with the luxury of a beer and your mate Dave’s superb homemade salsa. That is, if it ever comes to fruition of course. There’s no official agreement or release date as of yet, but Screening Room is heading to industry bash CinemaCon next week to recruit more converts. If it means another alternative to sticky-floored multiplexes, we wish them luck.

Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.