DEMO Launches Variety of Streaming Media Solutions

The DEMO Conference,billed as the launchpad for emerging technology, debuted an assortment of streaming audio and video products this year. Held in Palm Desert, California, the conference is dedicated to highlighting new products from both bootstrapping start-ups and big tech names.

Here are four highlights from this year's announcements:

• GlideTV has previously released a mouse called the Navigator, intended for controlling your computer from the comfort of your couch. Now it's previewing software to go along with it that makes finding and selecting internet video easier. The interface offers a bigger view for easy use when far from the screen, and includes a What's On feature that displays a gallery of cover art for quick program selection. The software also lets connected users multitask, so they can watch a program, for example, while searching for info about one of its stars. No date has been given on when the software will be available.

• Also solving the couch-viewing problem is Kylo, which is offering a browser for TV room viewing. The Kylo browser can visit any site on the internet and offers an onscreen keyboard for text input. Fonts are large and viewers can zoom and pan on content. While it works with any mouse, Kylo's team would like you to use it with the company's Loop in-air mouse. The browser is free and available now for Windows and Macintosh computers. (And, in no surprise after its kerfuffle with Boxee, Hulu is already blocking it.)

• Consumers don't want to edit their home videos, so MiniMash has introduced an online tool that lets anyone slap together a mini-movie in just a few minutes. Users can drag clips or still images to a timeline to create what the creators call "custom-made video mashups." After they've assembled their clips, they can add effects and transitions. An AutoMash feature makes the process even simpler, creating edited music videos with one touch. Videos from the site are extremely concise, with a 99-second limit. The site is currently in private beta.

• Music-lovers will want to hear about Immitter (for Internet Music Transmitter), which aims to help those interested in discovering new music find unsigned bands that they'll like. This one seems to be more in the planning stages, but the idea sounds good. The developers believe that many people want to find cutting-edge new bands, but don't want the hassle of visiting MySpace pages and other grassroots sites. By signing up with Immitter and indicating their music preference, they can get a broadcast tailored to their tastes. In addition to the website, the service has a blog but doesn't appear to be offering any broadcasts just yet.