Aereo, the controversial service that allows customers to watch live streaming television over the Internet, has expanded service to include all major web browsers. The service had previously been limited to individuals using an iOS device or a Roku streaming box.
Desktop and notebook owners using Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera and Safari can now get in on the action. Aereo CEO Chet Kanojia acknowledged the fact that most American households own notebook or desktop computers which made opening the service up to them a no-brainer.
Aereo has garnered a ton of media and legal attention in recent months as they stand a solid chance of being the first to truly disrupt the television industry as we know it today. ABC, CBS, Fox, The CW and PBS are just a few of the broadcast networks that have filed suit against the startup. They don't believe Aereo should be able to profit from their broadcasts, among other things.
If you are unfamiliar with the service, it allows customers to watch live streaming television over the Internet by taking advantage of a loophole in the legal system. The company has installed a massive array of tiny antennas across the coverage area (currently limited to New York City) to capture over-the-air broadcast signals.
These signals are then broadcast over the Internet to local service subscribers. Users can access the service for a single hour each day free of charge, pay $1 for a full day pass or subscribe to a monthly membership that starts at $8 with online DVR storage.
As far as we know, Aereo is still on target to expand to most major US cities by the end of 2013 barring any legal injunction.