Orange is launching its own HDMI dongle called Orangecast offering a multitude of OTT services.
Modelled on Google’s Chromecast, the dongle will offer access to the VOD service of Orange Cinema Series, streaming local and international TV stations, music from Deezer and games, according to a report in L’Express.
“We will soon commercialise this product and offer a product that is different from Google,” said Stéphane Richard, the CEO of Orange, last May. The move is to confront Netflix, which is due to launch this September in France.
As the planned Orangecast will make any modern TV set with a HDMI port into a connected TV set, the new device will allow Orange to roll out its services across France, also to broadband customers of ither providers. In addition, Orange can also offer the service, or selected parts of it, outside France – for instance to the overseas territories and departments.
The company would not comment to L’Express on the matter other than to confirm that it was working on a dongle without giving any information on the service’s content or launch date.
