Sonic Solutions Inc., a digital media software maker, has launched its Roxio Labs Web site, where the public can try a variety of new media applications and offer suggestions for improvements. Some of the software will be free, though paid versions might be sold later, the company said.
The RoxioLabs.com site is similar in concept to Google Labs, which features beta versions of applications created by Google Inc. But Sonic’s offering features emerging technologies from third parties, not just its own developers.
Among the first batch of programs is MyTV ToGo, which allows consumers to transfer television shows recorded on TiVo Inc. digital video recorders or Microsoft Corp. Windows Media Center PCs to portable media players and Web-capable cell phones. Another is SightSpeed, a video conferencing and video mail application.
Novato, Calif.-based Sonic said products that do well on the site will be able to later use Sonic’s retail and distribution channels.